by Chana Keefer
With a burst of power, Rapha flung off his bindings, and answering cords of golden light whipped from him toward his attackers. But these were angelic brothers who knew his strength—and there were too many. As they added their power to Lucifer’s, immense rocks shoved and jostled, breaking the surface of ground that had been solid only seconds before but now roiled like a storm tossed sea, opening immense jaws to consume him.
As Rapha fell beneath his angelic brother’s fury, their relentless attack piercing and shredding with blinding pain, despair stole his will to fight. They had shielded their thoughts and planned this attack. Now they used the mighty gifts of Adonai, power given to create beauty, to destroy.
“Abba Adonai,” Rapha gasped, the weight of his friends’ betrayal heavier than the mountain of rock and their binding power bearing down upon him. Immediately the sweet fragrance of Adonai, usually only experienced before the throne, wrapped its comfort around Rapha’s battered form.
“Do not resist.”
As Adonai’s command filled the crushing darkness, peace like a fast-opening bloom pressed out from Rapha’s soul and enveloped him. He relaxed, trusting, as the weight bore down and curses of his brother angels tore at him in the same way their fury smote the ground. However, Rapha had never felt more immersed in Adonai, so the burial was sweet. He saw a glimmer before his eyes, a reflection of his own ebbing fire and, with trembling fingers, wrenched it from the rock. It was a large gem. Rapha cupped it to his breast, its smooth, unyielding surface his only tangible companion, as his last feeble thread of consciousness was severed.
Then came the melting, the sifting, the re-molding; all within Adonai’s very being. No grief could exist there. In Adonai only wholeness and light wrapped Rapha in peace. He drank deeply of the goodness—unfathomable, sweet, all encompassing, freeing. There, hidden in Adonai’s embrace, Rapha slept.
Chapter Two
Rebellion
Rapha woke to celestial war.
Many had joined Lucifer’s rebellion. Heartbreak and devastation infiltrated the fabric of the heavenlies threatening to strip creation from its foundation, attempting to topple the very throne of Adonai. Finally Lucifer, the instigator and accuser, stood before the assembly proclaiming Adonai’s treachery.
Into the midst of this firestorm of severed trust strode Rapha, his eyes and voice aglow with faith in Adonai. In ages past Lucifer had ruled in the celestial court, his arguments the most compelling, his voice and mannerisms irresistible. But that day belonged to Rapha. Many who were prepared to cast their lot with Lucifer hearkened to the authority of Rapha’s testimony, moved to repentance by his absolute trust in Adonai’s goodness, while those who had remained faithful were ignited with renewed passion.
Even as Rapha spoke, flowing with eloquence, joyfully describing his rebirth, he could feel Lucifer seethe. Lucifer had been certain of victory, now Rapha could sense the shift as thousands hearkened to his words, “There is no room in Adonai’s goodness for deception or betrayal,” Rapha stated. With a surge of bliss, he felt Adonai’s pleasure.
It was at that moment Lucifer did the unthinkable. He attacked Rapha before the very throne of Adonai. Rapha’s words were cut off by searing pain as he realized a shard of light was protruding from his chest.
But Michael was prepared. While Rapha crumpled, eyes wide with disbelief, Michael’s forces, scattered strategically throughout the faithful and treacherous, leapt to action.
The brawl that ensued was decisive, not in determining a victor but in revealing loyalties. When it seemed every hand was raised in violence toward a brother, Adonai spoke one word.
“Peace.”
The heavenly inhabitants froze.
If the moment had not been tragic—and painful for Rapha who wrenched the shard from his chest—Rapha would have thought it comical to behold his celestial brothers caught in suspended animation, expressions of anger and surprise etched on their faces, bodies arrested in various violent postures.
“Samael,” Adonai addressed Lucifer who had one hand on Michael’s throat while the other grasped a jagged bolt of light aimed directly at Adonai’s throne. “Observe what your pride has done.”
Lucifer’s body shuddered as his hands were forced to his sides and the bolt of light dissipated. Finally, his tongue was loosed and he said through clenched teeth. “I hate that. Never call me that. I am Lucifer, the bright morning star!”
“Even in this moment, when all is brought to the brink of ruin, you consider only yourself.”
“Someone must watch out for my interests, as You once did.”
“Your lack of faith separates us.”
“My lack of…. Do you hear this?” Lucifer spoke to the motionless witnesses around him, “Adonai betrays us. Then he would lay the blame at my feet!”
“Enough.”
Once more Lucifer was mute though his eyes continued to flash with fury.
“Two choices are before you this day. Either repent of your rebellion and remain or… go.”
When Lucifer was once more released he spun, a blur of raging light, to fling cords of power, power that would have destroyed his defenseless brothers but for the sphere encasing him, a buffer from Adonai. Abruptly Lucifer stopped, stricken senseless by his own poison.
There would be no repentance. That day Lucifer and his followers, fully one-third of the celestial population, were banished.
Heartbreak infiltrated the heavenlies as longstanding friendships were severed.
It was not long before Lucifer’s forces felt the poverty of their new existence outside Adonai’s favor. Like fish gasping out of water, their bodies longed for His presence though they had not realized their need until they were deprived. A few threw themselves on Adonai’s mercy and accepted their sentence, an age of witnessing the ongoing drama trapped as watchers in the sky. But the rest believed Lucifer’s lies, that Adonai had goaded them to this place of desperation and rejoiced in their pain. Their hatred and hopelessness drove them to greater evil. They raged throughout the cosmos defacing all in their path, joining Lucifer in venting their fury. Galaxies were thrown out of alignment and whole planets were destroyed or rendered lifeless due to their scorching blasts.
Rapha and the other loyal celestials were dispatched to restore order. At every turn they were ambushed as Lucifer and his followers became adept at this colossal game of hide-and-seek, burrowing deep into planets to continue their destruction like unstoppable termites, devouring in darkness. Wars raged on distant planets as Lucifer tried to ensure no outpost of safety remained for Adonai’s prophecy of creation’s future redeemer. Even Rapha, battlescarred and weary of the struggle, had moments of doubt as Lucifer’s destructive lust swept the cosmos and verdant planets were reduced to dust-shrouded tombs.
Michael, the leader of heaven’s forces, also adapted as he learned to listen to Adonai’s quiet leading rather than rush headlong in reaction to Lucifer’s wrongs. To this end he relied heavily on Rapha whose ear was attuned to Adonai’s direction. Time and again they surprised Lucifer’s troops, having foreknowledge of his plans before they were put into action. Finally, heaven’s forces began to have the upper hand and the sphere of Lucifer’s influence began to constrict.
But Lucifer would not accept defeat. When he realized the noose tightening around his position he lashed out, driving his faithful hordes to madness as he screamed defiance and proclaimed the righteousness of their struggle.
How the heavens crashed with frightful flashings and rumblings. To the inhabitants of Earth, it appeared the end had come, as day and night strange flares lit the sky. Finally, the tide turned. Within Lucifer’s own hosts mutiny erupted and as the rebel forces fought among themselves, Michael’s troops surrounded them, cutting off Lucifer’s escape by forging an impenetrable net of heaven’s unified power.
Even then, bound, defeated and delivered before Adonai’s throne, Lucifer was defiant. “Is this how you treat your free citizens? Do you see, you blind beggars serving this tyrant
?” Once more Lucifer was silenced. As he stood looking as if his tongue had sealed his lips, Adonai spoke.
“We will now hear the charges.”
Angel after angel stepped forward to state Lucifer’s offenses, even some who had joined him in his rampage across the heavenlies. Finally Adonai asked, “Will any stand to defend the accused?”
All was quiet. Still Lucifer held his head high to stare at those who had spoken against him.
Suddenly, every eye was drawn to Adonai’s throne where, in the center of holiness, the bright purity grew blindingly brighter until the brilliance pressed forward as if to engulf all. Just when Rapha felt his being crushed by overwhelming bliss, the orb of holiness contracted, compressing back to the throne, yet increasing in its intensity. Immediately the tension vanished and a dim shape became visible. To Rapha it appeared five darker points were emerging from the center of Adonai’s being. Gradually the shape became discernable—two arms swinging free, two feet striding, a bright robe covering the torso, and hair that flowed to the shoulders. But light did not pass through. Rapha pondered this fact. This being was clothed in light, he even glowed with Adonai’s radiance, but He was not of the same fiber as the surrounding celestials.
This relatively small someone strode until he stood before the throne within arm’s reach of Lucifer.
“I will speak for him,” the One said.
A jolt of joy coursed through Rapha. He had heard only five words from the man’s mouth, yet Rapha knew him. How could this be?
Lucifer stared at the white-robed figure and, with a hand over his mouth as if stifling a laugh he said, “Is this my only friend? How pathetic.”
But the One before the throne ignored him. “Father, Samael is your child. Whatever offenses he has committed, and they are many, let them fall on me.”
Lucifer gasped, “Father? Is this… No.”
The man continued, “My flesh and blood alone can restore him to holiness.”
“Your flesh and blood?” Lucifer spat. “This… thing is not worthy to stand in my presence!” Lucifer’s voice rose and his slander became more and more vile while the man stood, quiet and calm.
“Silence.” Adonai’s voice boomed from the throne. “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.”
A collective gasp resounded.
Lucifer stared up and down the small figure as if searching for a hint of greatness. In fact, Rapha could feel every eye fixed on the man, such a contrast to celestial splendor. This was the One—fully God and fully man. The prophecy stood before their eyes.
“So this is what all the fuss was about?” Lucifer sneered, “How disappointing.” But his body betrayed the condescending tone with tremors of fury.
The man before the throne turned to face Lucifer. “Will you accept Our gift, Samael?”
“I am the Morning Star, the brightest and greatest of all creation! I have no need of your beggar’s rations,” Lucifer proclaimed.
Once again the voice from the throne filled their ears. “At any time, Samael, my servant stands ready to restore you.”
“Restore? Him?” Lucifer laughed but his eyes remained deadly, “To what? Could I too be ugly and dress poorly?”
Though many celestial voices murmured with anger and Michael grumbled at Rapha’s side, the voice from the throne remained steady. “Since you reject restoration, your sentence is set. No more will you have access to the heavens. You will be confined to one planet just like those you destroyed.”
“That’s not fair! I am a citizen of the stars. It is my right….”
Adonai’s voice continued and Lucifer stopped speaking, his expression intent, as if straining to hear something better.
“Make your choice. Where will you abide?”
Rapha watched the thoughts play across Lucifer’s face. If a loophole were available, no matter how obscure, Lucifer would find it.
“Just to make things clear,” Lucifer said, “will I dwell alone?”
“No. I will not hinder those who choose to accompany you.”
Lucifer smirked, “I choose Earth.”
“No!” Michael shouted from the crowd. “He chooses Earth to hinder prophecy.”
“But, if the Most High wants to go back on His word….” Lucifer said.
Michael made a move toward Lucifer and Rapha laid a restraining hand on his shoulder.
“But,” Lucifer’s brow furrowed with concern, “am I correct in assuming I will maintain my other powers? After all, I must not be left to the mercy of my enemies.”
“Yes. Your other powers will remain.”
“But, Adonai,” Michael interjected again, “with all due respect, he must be stripped of his powers or he will destroy Earth.”
“Understand, Samael,” Adonai addressed Lucifer, “you are tied to the fate of Earth. To destroy her is to destroy yourself.”
Lucifer’s eyes narrowed, shrewd and calculating, “I will, of course, be the most powerful being there.”
“No. Authority over Earth is given to another.”
“To what? To this son of yours?” Lucifer hissed. “He will have no authority over me!”
But the trial was over. Lucifer, still screaming threats and defiance, was ushered from Adonai’s presence and the edict was put into effect. He and those loyal to him were confined to Earth and stripped of their access to the heavens.
As Rapha and the other celestials began the task of mending the scars of war, he could not help but shudder as he considered the fate of the tiny planet that now played host to a raging outcast angel. Perhaps Lucifer would be tamed by having his wings clipped?
Michael laughed when they discussed that possibility. Rapha agreed, but he did not have the heart to laugh.
Later, when all was relatively peaceful once again, Rapha sought Luc upon Earth, delving deep until he found himself returning to the place of his own unmaking. In these depths, a slight remnant of Adonai’s fragrance clung to the cavern walls. And there, in the very hole where Rapha had known both an end and a beginning, huddled Lucifer, his beautiful hands clutching like talons at his once-glorious hair that now hung about him like tangled vines. A heavy scent of grief enshrouded him as well as… could it be… fear?
“No matter how high I fly or how deeply I delve You are there,” Luc’s voice was a hoarse whisper, “and yet I am banished from Your presence… and yet… You. Are. Everywhere!” Luc’s hands gripped at his glowing arms as if to wrench them from his body.
“You mock me. I can feel it. You sit on your golden throne and laugh at the morning star that grovels in the dirt like… like a creature of dust!” A moan shook Luc’s frame. “Why? Why do You delight to dishonor me? What was my superior intelligence for if not to discover Your plan? Surely You knew I could not be fooled?” A gasp of pain escaped his lips. “Surely this was Your plan all along, to lift me high in order to crush me.”
Rapha could remain silent no longer. “Never. Adonai grieves. All heaven grieves the loss of bright Lucifer.”
Luc spun, crouching low as if ready to spring, “What? Now you are Adonai’s spy; relishing my pain to perform it as a jest before His throne?”
“I came of my own accord, Lucifer,” Rapha knelt to Luc’s level. “This has gone too far. Adonai will yet forgive….”
“Forgive?” Lucifer spat in disgust, “He should ask my forgiveness! He spins His webs of deception while those too simple… too cowardly—” his accusing gaze swept Rapha, “blindly sing His praises.”
“To trust Adonai’s love is the only true wisdom…”
“Don’t quote me your brainwashed rhetoric! ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,’” Luc’s eyes opened wide as his hands mouthed the air like puppets, “Blah, bull-ah, bull-ah! The Great Adonai’s wisdom has failed! He has set a course for our disgrace and destruction! I strive to protect you and the rest of my brothers yet I am banished! And you, my friend, stood silent.”
“I am still your friend, Luc. You are the one set on destruction. If I did not
care I would not be here. Do you really think I desire burial beneath another mountain?”
Rapha caught a fleeting glimpse of humor in the poison-filled eyes as Luc shrugged with grudging admiration, “Yes. I thought we’d at least crush the fight out of you but it only buried you that much deeper in Adonai’s debt with your touching tale of rebirth.” He sneered, “Thanks to you and your passionate testimony of Adonai’s love, Phineas betrayed me. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised when Adonai has managed to turn even you against me.”
“I am not against you, but I stand with the Most High.”
“Even now you can join me, old friend,” Luc’s eyes widened. “We will prove Adonai’s error together. Perhaps with you on our side Gabriel could be influenced. We are strong, Rapha. We will break Adonai’s grip over us….”
The words continued as Rapha studied the earnest, perfect face before him. So, one-third of heaven’s hosts were not enough? How had he been so blind to Luc’s ambition? But even defeated and banished, Lucifer’s words wielded truth, appealing to their angelic fraternity, begging him not to end their ancient friendship. Rapha had been buried beneath a mountain by Lucifer’s fury yet still he felt the pull, the yearning to join the noble venture to wrest their fate once and for all from the controlling hands of Adonai.
A smile crept over Rapha’s features even as Lucifer spoke of war.
The hands of Adonai… the gentle, healing, creating, pure presence of his Lord… the unspeakable joy of pulsing with Adonai’s power… the sense of losing his identity in that fathomless sweetness… emerging empty yet bursting with fulfillment.
The compelling voice ceased as Lucifer realized the tension between them was gone. His eyes narrowed, “Even now Adonai whispers His lies to you. I’d recognize that vacant expression anywhere. Rapha! You must think for yourself!”
