Exile of Lucifer (14 page)

"We know that you are an angel who can be trusted."              105
bemused Lucifer and a terrified Serus, holding Lucifer's cup in one
hand and a scroll of music in the other. Even Michael had to laugh.
"Here's to Michael," said Gabriel in mock toast, "vanquisher
of Lucifer!"
They all raised their arms in feigned toast to their future
general.
----------------
The Chronicles of the Host
Days Two and Three
With the creation of light, the unfolding of the plan for which
every angel had held possibilities came together. Long had
there been speculation and discussion among the more learned
angels that the Lord might create another realm in which He
would vest His love.
Thus with earth had God laid out a place where He could truly
demonstrate to all of creation His glory and righteousness.
The angels watched in complete awe as their Lord commanded
and the misshapen, chaotic mass slowly became an intricately
designed world, more and more complex with each creative
episode.
Then God said,
"Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters,
And let it separate the waters from the waters..."
And God made the expanse and separated
The waters below the expanse from the waters above the expanse;
And God called the expanse Heaven
And there was evening and morning, a second day.
And so it was that the Lord commanded the waters of this
murky planet on the second day to separate themselves into two
bodies, being forced apart by a vast firmament that God called
Heaven. Many angels thought this curious as the Kingdom in

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which they lived was also called Heaven, but it was later
explained to them by the sages that this was a Heaven unique
to the earth, a physical Heaven and part of the material nature
of all of the new creation. (In the interest of clarification I shall
refer to the earthly Heaven thus, and the Kingdom of Heaven
thus.)
Then God said,
"Let the waters below the Heavens gather into one place,
And let the dry land appear...."
The waters on the surface of the planet quickly eased in their
violent movement while the waters above, separated by the fir-
mament, continued in a churning and volatile state. At this
time the attention of the Almighty was focused supremely
upon the earth, as the waters upon the surface began to abate,
exposing large masses of dry land (hence the name earth) while
the water which surrounded the dry land, and which again
became volatile and ever-moving, was now called seas.
Then God said,
"Let the earth sprout forth vegetation,
Plants yielding seed,
And fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind,
With seed in them on the earth,"
And it was so...
And there was evening and morning, the third day.
And then a truly spectacular event began to take place upon
the planet...one which almost every angel in Heaven wit-
nessed, as on the third day the earth began to produce from
itself grass and herbs and all manner of plants, turning the
once muddy brown land into a beautiful garden, second only
to Heaven itself in variety of flora and fruit.
Surely this would be a marvelous home for the future resi-
dents, whoever they might be. Many an angel speculated on
whom the Lord would choose to live on earth, and to whom

"We know that you are an angel who can be trusted."               107
would go the honor of being the governor of the new world, not
knowing of course that God in His wisdom had already chosen...
By the time the earth had sprouted the many plants that the
Lord God had made, most of the angels had already visited the
new world. They had seen God's wonderful design take shape
and shouted with joy as each step of the process came together
in perfect harmony. They watched as the Son and Spirit
worked together with the Father in a united effort of love, cre-
ating a world which would one day be enjoyed by...

109
Chapter 8
"I can tell that the
news is overwhelming."
"Angels, of course," said Pellecus, in a rather annoyed tone.
"Whom else would the Lord create such a realm for? Do you see
any other creatures capable of appreciating such a world?"
The group Pellecus was lecturing nodded in agreement,
whether or not they believed Pellecus knew what he was talking
about. The angel who had asked the question felt a little foolish and
determined not to ask any more.
"Look at these delicate flowers," said Pellecus, pointing to a
mass of flowery shrubs. "God has so devised them that they are
almost perfect, and yet they are made of simple material substance.
Incredible that the Most High should make such a world! It will be
interesting to see what creatures the Lord adorns the planet with."
Pellecus led the little group of angels through a meadow and
sat them down by a gently lolling stream. He had begun to take
such instructional tours with angels deemed by Lucifer as likely
future cohabitants of the earth after the most recent Council meet-
ing. Other angels were making trips to the new world as well, all of
them amazed at the Lord's creative imagination.

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Pellecus looked up and saw Lucifer approaching through the
field. "All right. That's enough for now," he said, dismissing the
angels. Many of the angels vanished toward Heaven while some
disappeared into the woods to continue their exploration of the
earth. Pellecus watched them go and then addressed Lucifer.
"I had forgotten how much I miss teaching," he said.
"One always enjoys teaching when allowed to do so without
interference," said Lucifer, who sat down on a large rock next to
Pellecus. "I promise you, Pellecus, that one day you will head up
the greatest academy ever and without any constraints as to what
you may teach. Provided, of course, that you teach those things on
which we are in agreement."
Pellecus nodded silently as he dreamed of the day when he
would preside over such an academy.
"I must insist however," continued Lucifer, "that until we have
that luxury presented to us, you be careful in what you are teaching
the angels regarding their authority over this planet. Until the Lord
decrees my position as steward, we can only speculate publicly--like
every other presumptuous angel in Heaven is doing."
"Of course," said Pellecus.
"And you must particularly refrain from using my name in
connection with any of this. As far as all of Heaven is concerned I
am only interested in upholding the Lord's will in the matter of the
future governor. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. Now some news. Kara has come to me with quite an
interesting development. It seems that Michael and Gabriel and
some others have become suspicious of our activities."
"What!?" shouted Pellecus. "How could that be?"
"Fortunately," continued Lucifer, "Kara told them that he
would assume responsibility for the situation and set them on the
benign task of waiting for his signal...which of course will never
come. A brilliant move on his part. I knew that his public character
and reputation for integrity would serve us one day."
"What do we do?" asked Pellecus, looking around, a bit nerv-
ous at this latest turn of events.

"I can tell that the news is overwhelming."             111
"For now we continue on as before...but with extreme cau-
tion," advised Lucifer. "Kara will continue to brief them with use-
less information which will give us the time to build our support.
I'm much more concerned with the Elders' recommendation to the
Most High that I be made lord of this planet than by the carryings
on of Michael and his curious angels. By the time they get any-
where near the real story I will have been vested in this planet as
its legal ruler and the issue will be moot. You know how sentimen-
tal the Most High is about such things; forgive and so forth."
"You make it sound so easy...so sure," Pellecus answered.
"But let me remind you that Michael is no fool. A bit of an alarmist
to be sure, but not a fool. Kara must be terribly cautious."
"So I have reminded Kara," said Lucifer. "Remember, he has a
stake in my being made governor as much as you or anyone else."
He nodded at a group of angels who were strolling by. After they
passed on he continued. "Some of these angels are so completely
loyal to the Lord that they will not see an opportunity with me on
this planet. I cannot imagine why they should continue to serve
with heads bowed in Heaven when they could live with heads held
high on earth. And in a material world! Look at the tremendous pos-
sibilities that exist here. We can actually manipulate creation itself!"
As he said this a large rock nearby began to quiver and then
slowly rise above the ground. It stayed aloft, floating about three
feet off the ground. "If nothing else earth will at least be a diversion
from the monotony of Heaven. Think of the power we will hold
over whatever creatures the Lord uses to populate this planet! I
shall be glad to lay down my office of worship to govern a world
over which we have such control."
"And if you're not named governor?" Pellecus asked gingerly.
The rock crashed to the earth, breaking into two similarly
sized pieces. Lucifer picked up one of the pieces and looked at it.
"In that case we'll have to take other measures in hand," he said,
tossing the rock into the stream.
----------------
Serus paced Lucifer's balcony. Inside he could hear the low
murmuring of a meeting. This was not just any meeting, Serus had

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been assured. This was, in Lucifer's words, a "pivotal assembly of
the key players" who would be involved in whatever it was that
Lucifer was planning. Serus peeked in the window and could see
just a corner of the large table around which the representatives of
the angelic factions aligned with Lucifer were seated. From time to
time Lucifer's voice was heard above all--sometimes followed by
laughter, usually followed by silence.
As he gazed at the newly created lights that God had made to
sprinkle the heavens--stars they were called--Serus wondered
what his position truly was. Would he always be Lucifer's servant?
The one to whom Lucifer turned for wine rather than wisdom? Was
he destined to ride with Lucifer on this great crusade that he was
planning, or would he simply limp behind picking up the debris
left in its wake? He looked at the stars and saw that some shone
more brightly than others--most, however, looked similar to the
next. Would he be like one of these stars--a small speck of light in
a large universe--nothing more, nothing less? he wondered.
"Serus!" came a cry from the house.
Serus entered the room in which the conference was being
held. Several of the angels looked at him as he entered. Most
ignored him and continued in private discourses with the angels to
their left or right. Serus made his way to Lucifer, who was seated at
the head of the table. He saw that Lucifer had opened his "Prophe-
cies of the Morning Star" and that it was on the table. Lucifer
motioned to him.
"Refresh yourselves, my friends," said Lucifer to the assem-
bly. "We shall break momentarily and gather our thoughts." He
took Serus aside and handed him a sealed scroll. "Take this mes-
sage to Michael. See that it finds itself in no other hands. Then find
Kara at the Hall of Elders. Tell him that the invitation has been
delivered. Do you understand?"
Serus sighed. "Yes, lord. Is there nothing else?"
"You're very ambitious today, Serus. Yes, that will be all for now."
Serus remained where he stood. Lucifer turned to see that the
little angel had not moved. "Yes, Serus, is there something else?" he
asked in an annoyed tone.

"I can tell that the news is overwhelming."          113
"Well, sir," said Serus nervously, "there is something..."
"Well? Get on with it! I am conducting a very important meet-
ing here!"
"May I speak to you alone, lord?" Serus asked.
"What! Now? No, you may not. You may, however, see me
after you have obeyed my instructions. In fact I insist on seeing you
alone. Perhaps you need to be reminded of exactly where you stand
in the scheme of things. Now go!"
Lucifer's final words were so loud that the room got quiet for
a moment as every eye turned toward the little angel speaking to
his master. "Sorry, friends, just a little misunderstanding on the
part of my loyal servant. Go on now, dear Serus. I'll speak to you
when you return."
Serus bowed and left. As he walked downstairs he could hear
Lucifer explaining the need for more training for "poor Serus" fol-
lowed by general laughter. Serus felt good about his confrontation
with Lucifer. At last he was going to talk with him face-to-face--
even though Lucifer's words still rang loudly in his ears--Perhaps
you need to be reminded of exactly where you stand in the scheme of
things.
Do all angels wonder about their role in the Kingdom? Serus
thought about this as he walked outside. Why are some angels
clearly more preferred, or talented, or...chosen by the Most High
than others? He thought of Michael and Gabriel and others who
excelled in their ministry and place in the Kingdom. Happy in their
service to God. He then thought of Lucifer and Pellecus and the
others who seemed bent on some sort of contest with the Lord in
order to attain their own places and positions by contrivance.
Does one really make one's own way by forcing the issue? He
looked at the starry Heavens and wondered how things might
have been had he remained a strong subject of God. Lucifer seem-
ingly promised the only real possibility of advancement in Heav-
en. Where would Lucifer take him? "What shall become of you,
Lucifer?" Serus whispered aloud. As he spoke a light streaked
across the Heavens in a brilliant line. He watched as the head
broke up into little glimmering pieces which all disappeared. Then

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nothing. He whispered aloud once more, "Lucifer, what shall
become of you?"
----------------
"A message from Lucifer?" asked an incredulous Michael.
"Yes," answered Serus. "With his compliments to the arch-
angel, of course."
"Of course," said Michael, taking the scroll. "Is there anything
else?"
"No," said Serus. "Those were my only instructions."
Michael watched as Serus left. He thought about Sangius'
words that Serus was probably the most informed angel in Heaven
regarding Lucifer's true intentions for the Kingdom. If only he
could speak to Serus on another level. Surely there must be some-
thing of God's design lingering inside of him despite the apparent
conversion to Lucifer's attitude of late. He unrolled the scroll and
read the script written in Lucifer's own peculiar style:
Michael,
I greet you in the wonderful name of the Most High,
Beloved Creator of All Things, King of Heaven and Lord
Over All:
Such wonderful times in which we live that we should
be allowed to watch our Lord design and set forth an
entire universe! I was utterly thrilled as He created the
greater and lesser lights to rule the earth by day and
night. And now springs forth an abundance of herbs and
flowering plants that are turning the entire planet into a
marvelous garden rivaling my own. Soon we shall see
what creatures He deems worthy to inhabit this wonder-
ful place. There is no end to His ability or His ability to
astound, is there? That is why I write with so heavy a
heart in such joyful and wondrous times.