Please post part 3 of the theory separately from the previous two, and begin part 3 with the following recap. Thank you. Here goes...
Recap : If you believe the human race was created for a purpose, then how might the Creator intervene if things went wrong? Send another Messiah to show us the error of our ways? Allow us to self destruct and let a more deserving race live on this superb planet?
The Lost Testament is an imaginary, future scripture of events on the Lost island, which led to a major intervention into human affairs. It combines elements of ‘Lost’ to suggest what that intervention might have been. Why use the scripture format? Because of the religious thread that runs through the plot - Jacob, Benjamin, John, Abaddon, Yemi, Eko's trials, prayer sticks, Said praying, 23rd Psalm, Shepherd, visions, spirits, temples and so on.
THE BURDEN, THE CURSE AND THE PROMISE.
Then the Creator appeared to one of the Lost, through the Spirit. “Do not be afraid, Jacob. Listen to my word, for there is work to be done.”
Jacob feared the writhing black smoke, but gathered courage. “What trickery is this? Why should a man do the bidding of such an evil form?”
“This is the true form of the Spirit that protects this island. Should I have deceived you?” Within the swirling darkness Jacob beheld apparitions of people close to his heart, living and dead. And he realized that the black smoke was seeing into his mind, as it clicked and flashed. “Truth begets trust, and I need your trust, Jacob.” And Jacob sensed sincerity in the Spirit’s words, in the same way that he had felt new purpose in his heart since returning to the island.
Jacob felt bolder and demanded “Did you kill Magnus?”
The black smoke growled and rattled like a chained beast. “Your captain was tested, but chose to defy me. You would have become a slave driver, Jacob, of those brought to the island to mine its riches, and then tormented by the ghosts of those who died here, in Hanso’s chains. That is not the destiny which burns within you. Will you now accept this work, even if this means forsaking your brother?”
The spirit waited while Jacob reflected. For his brother, Charles, had now claimed the island for himself, and was smitten by greed and ambition. Inside Jacob felt his past begin to slip away, like a boat untethered, drifting out on the tide. “Then why did you allow us to return here? It was surely you who caused the island to appear beneath our ship?”
“Myself, and others on this island who are permitted to use the sacred artefacts.”
“Others?.....Artefacts?...” and Jacob felt confusion and fear. Was this the madness of cabin fever afflicting him? Or was he on the edge of revelation, ready to take a leap of faith into the unknown?
“It is you that the island has waited for, Jacob.” And as the words entered Jacob’s mind he felt the twists of doubt begin to unravel. He at last accepted that the island was his destiny, and now the calmness washing through him gave courage anew. The faces of the dead in the black smoke relaxed, and the Spirit asked “Now, Jacob, what is the one question that matters most to you?”
Jacob felt himself cut the ties of the rope bridge that led back to his past. On the far side of that bridge his brother Charles gestured angrily, but Jacob turned away. And he no longer feared the black smoke, and was ready for that which would be asked of him. “What is this work that you speak of?” he asked, as if he was about to lift a heavy burden onto his shoulders.
The black smoke was silent for a moment, as if gathering breath, and then spoke with a conviction that shook Jacob to his soul. “You shall lead those who have strong faith, and prepare them for the Regeneration of humankind. Your visions will show the way. And your people will know the strength of your foresight, and their loyalty will be unwavering. To this purpose, you will write a Book of Laws, and these laws I shall give to you, and your people will abide by them.”
But then the Creator warned Jacob “Your task will also be a curse, for no child conceived on this island can be born here until the Regeneration. Use the artefacts to go to the outer world, and bring back young families, so that your people may still know the happiness of children. And to you, and all survivors from the Black Rock, will be granted long life. Time will not age you, though you may still be killed in battle in the struggle ahead. I say to you Jacob, that when our work is done, your people will look outwards to the North, the South, the East and the West. All lands will belong to their descendants.”
“Your burden will be heavy, Jacob, for your brother shall be your enemy, and you must carry the faith of your people until the Regeneration”
Then as the black smoke receded Jacob heard whispered voices from the trees. He turned and beheld the Others of whom the Spirit had spoken. Two men stood there, ready to offer their loyalty. Although they appeared to be in the prime of life, Jacob sensed something ancient about them. And their eyes spoke of centuries of life endured for their cause. They had witnessed human deeds both good and evil in the outside world, and too often had seen fear and distrust triumph over peace, seen atrocity beget atrocity. And the wisdom of their experiences was therefore tinged with darkness, but hope still shone from within. For returning to the island restored their belief, and they were fixed to the future revealed to Jacob that very day.
They did not age, but inside, time had stretched them, and they yearned for the rewards of their long toil. And Jacob wondered how many of them had died in the cause. Had some taken their own life, unable to carry the burden any further? Then a cold realisation swept over Jacob that those who were left might be fanatical and ruthless. And now he was to lead them, and those from the Black Rock who would follow.
But they spoke with calmness, not with the aggression of fanatics. And their names were Alpert and Abaddon. Jacob believed he could trust Alpert, but he was wary of Abaddon, for he knew the meaning of the name, which was Guardian of the Abyss.
Theory by Dishyvaeda
Recap : If you believe the human race was created for a purpose, then how might the Creator intervene if things went wrong? Send another Messiah to show us the error of our ways? Allow us to self destruct and let a more deserving race live on this superb planet?
The Lost Testament is an imaginary, future scripture of events on the Lost island, which led to a major intervention into human affairs. It combines elements of ‘Lost’ to suggest what that intervention might have been. Why use the scripture format? Because of the religious thread that runs through the plot - Jacob, Benjamin, John, Abaddon, Yemi, Eko's trials, prayer sticks, Said praying, 23rd Psalm, Shepherd, visions, spirits, temples and so on.
THE BURDEN, THE CURSE AND THE PROMISE.
Then the Creator appeared to one of the Lost, through the Spirit. “Do not be afraid, Jacob. Listen to my word, for there is work to be done.”
Jacob feared the writhing black smoke, but gathered courage. “What trickery is this? Why should a man do the bidding of such an evil form?”
“This is the true form of the Spirit that protects this island. Should I have deceived you?” Within the swirling darkness Jacob beheld apparitions of people close to his heart, living and dead. And he realized that the black smoke was seeing into his mind, as it clicked and flashed. “Truth begets trust, and I need your trust, Jacob.” And Jacob sensed sincerity in the Spirit’s words, in the same way that he had felt new purpose in his heart since returning to the island.
Jacob felt bolder and demanded “Did you kill Magnus?”
The black smoke growled and rattled like a chained beast. “Your captain was tested, but chose to defy me. You would have become a slave driver, Jacob, of those brought to the island to mine its riches, and then tormented by the ghosts of those who died here, in Hanso’s chains. That is not the destiny which burns within you. Will you now accept this work, even if this means forsaking your brother?”
The spirit waited while Jacob reflected. For his brother, Charles, had now claimed the island for himself, and was smitten by greed and ambition. Inside Jacob felt his past begin to slip away, like a boat untethered, drifting out on the tide. “Then why did you allow us to return here? It was surely you who caused the island to appear beneath our ship?”
“Myself, and others on this island who are permitted to use the sacred artefacts.”
“Others?.....Artefacts?...” and Jacob felt confusion and fear. Was this the madness of cabin fever afflicting him? Or was he on the edge of revelation, ready to take a leap of faith into the unknown?
“It is you that the island has waited for, Jacob.” And as the words entered Jacob’s mind he felt the twists of doubt begin to unravel. He at last accepted that the island was his destiny, and now the calmness washing through him gave courage anew. The faces of the dead in the black smoke relaxed, and the Spirit asked “Now, Jacob, what is the one question that matters most to you?”
Jacob felt himself cut the ties of the rope bridge that led back to his past. On the far side of that bridge his brother Charles gestured angrily, but Jacob turned away. And he no longer feared the black smoke, and was ready for that which would be asked of him. “What is this work that you speak of?” he asked, as if he was about to lift a heavy burden onto his shoulders.
The black smoke was silent for a moment, as if gathering breath, and then spoke with a conviction that shook Jacob to his soul. “You shall lead those who have strong faith, and prepare them for the Regeneration of humankind. Your visions will show the way. And your people will know the strength of your foresight, and their loyalty will be unwavering. To this purpose, you will write a Book of Laws, and these laws I shall give to you, and your people will abide by them.”
But then the Creator warned Jacob “Your task will also be a curse, for no child conceived on this island can be born here until the Regeneration. Use the artefacts to go to the outer world, and bring back young families, so that your people may still know the happiness of children. And to you, and all survivors from the Black Rock, will be granted long life. Time will not age you, though you may still be killed in battle in the struggle ahead. I say to you Jacob, that when our work is done, your people will look outwards to the North, the South, the East and the West. All lands will belong to their descendants.”
“Your burden will be heavy, Jacob, for your brother shall be your enemy, and you must carry the faith of your people until the Regeneration”
Then as the black smoke receded Jacob heard whispered voices from the trees. He turned and beheld the Others of whom the Spirit had spoken. Two men stood there, ready to offer their loyalty. Although they appeared to be in the prime of life, Jacob sensed something ancient about them. And their eyes spoke of centuries of life endured for their cause. They had witnessed human deeds both good and evil in the outside world, and too often had seen fear and distrust triumph over peace, seen atrocity beget atrocity. And the wisdom of their experiences was therefore tinged with darkness, but hope still shone from within. For returning to the island restored their belief, and they were fixed to the future revealed to Jacob that very day.
They did not age, but inside, time had stretched them, and they yearned for the rewards of their long toil. And Jacob wondered how many of them had died in the cause. Had some taken their own life, unable to carry the burden any further? Then a cold realisation swept over Jacob that those who were left might be fanatical and ruthless. And now he was to lead them, and those from the Black Rock who would follow.
But they spoke with calmness, not with the aggression of fanatics. And their names were Alpert and Abaddon. Jacob believed he could trust Alpert, but he was wary of Abaddon, for he knew the meaning of the name, which was Guardian of the Abyss.
Theory by Dishyvaeda
