Under The Olive Tree

“Squared”

Two are better than one - at least, that is what I believe. “Do you know what’s better than a plate of Nona’s cooking? - Two plates.”

If there are only two of you - then you better spend a lot more time in prayer.

It has something to do with the exponential power - the dynamics of two or more. David, the shepherd boy turned King is quoted as saying, “One can chase a thousand, but two can put ten thousand to flight.” He wasn’t trying to be erudite or philosophical - as a shepherd boy he had faced the Giant Goliath in battle - and after refusing the King’s armor - he had won a mighty victory over and unspeakable foe.

Then, in the very shadow of destruction and hell unleashed on his family, and his friends, - his countrymen - and his Kingdom - he had together, with the dearest closest friend of his heart - turned an entire army to flight.

When you live in a community where every member of that community - from the least to the greatest - gives themselves for a common goal and a common purpose - then the power you receive every day exceeds the mere sum of the individuals. - you walk in a collective generation of peace and warmth, creativity and care, ministration and supplication, the room to unleash and appreciate the rapt consciousness of a child - the industry and support of brotherhood - the simplicity, focus and passion of lovers - the longsuffering institutions of the father and mother - and the exquisite gift of the children of children.

A body thus functioning and expressed is a haven, a harbor - and a refuge in storm - and it is the portal of happiness, longevity and success. Its resources are limited only by the involvement of its members.

But a team of two - this is the least of the exponents - and though powerful - it lacks the capacity of generating as much power as the body of the saints.   We cannot multiply our self by our self - it is only in the embracing of another - and the surrender - that we obtain the power of multiplication.

Peter the Denier, after his rescue, redemption, and restoration, and in the abundance of his charity, cried out the warning!, “Be sober, be vigilant - because your adversary the Devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour (destroy),  Whom resist - steadfast in the faith.”

Peter had been assured by Jesus Christ - the resurrected King and only potentate; of his sanctity in Christ; and he became a fearless preacher of the Gospel of Salvation.  Peter, with Jesus as his Lord and Intercessor - stood up against the mighty Empire of Rome.

The traditions tell us that as Peter left Rome he met Jesus on the way.  Peter asked Jesus where was he going - “Quo Vadis?”, and Jesus replied - “To be crucified once again.”  The wickedness of Rome was sufficient to overthrow the atonement and the redemption - so Peter returned to Rome to be crucified instead - only begging to be spared the compliment of being crucified like Jesus - so that he was crucified hanging upside down instead.

When Jesus walked on the shores of Galilee he taught his disciples to go out two by two.  These emissaries of light; and sent forth to preach the Word of God; were admonished to go two by two - for they needed the exponential power.  Today we need it anew - for we are walking toward Hell and destruction - and we are approaching the final revelation.

And so shall these last days be - it seems that man in his pursuit of himself - shall not allow the transgressions of Rome to stand as the final marker of the descent of humanity into unrighteousness.  Hitler, Stalin, Mao - Pol Pot - Idi Amin - Bosnia - Darfor and Rwanda - war in Iraq - terror in the streets, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. - open worship and sacrifice to Satan and the image of the Beast.  The days of two by two are upon us - and the power of multiplication is a necessity for the soldier of the cross. - for when two agree in prayer and petition the King of Kings - then He sends forth his angels as winds - and his ministers as a flame of fire.  “If any two of you agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask - it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

One can claim the power of heaven - if he be of a clean heart and singleminded - but two can appropriate a great cloud of witnesses - “and a three fold cord is not quickly broken.”

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, the blind to receive their sight, those in captivity set free, bread to the hungry, drink to him who is dying of thirst, raise the dead - and to the poor - preach the Gospel.