Rising Darkness

by D. Brian Shafer

  The angels with Lucifer nodded in agreement at the remark.

  “True,” said Crispin. “Free will is an unpredictable and dangerous thing—as all of you have discovered to your own disgrace. We shall see if the Child born here shall be able to capture the hearts of His people in a way different from the prophets.”

  “Whatever His message, it shall not be received,” said Kara. “And all this will have been for nothing!”

  “How frightened you all must truly be,” said Gabriel. “The Seed is closing in on you. The One who shall crush the serpent’s head shall soon be upon the earth. You’re finished, Lucifer.”

  “I will never bow to this Child,” said Lucifer. “Any more than a human shall truly listen to the Most High. In the end He shall be another prophet with another message who came and was forgotten. That shall be the legacy of the Messiah!”

  Lucifer vanished. The others gave an arrogant glance at Michael and Gabriel.

  “Farewell, Archangel,” said Kara. “We shall see you on the other side of this event. And then you will see how we deal with this Child-King!”

  Kara vanished as well. Only Pellecus remained. He looked at Crispin.

  “Well, teacher,” he said. “The game has come to this, hasn’t it? Not many moves left, hmm? The Child shall be born after all. But the game must be played out in the hearts of men. Eve played in Eden—and I’m afraid she didn’t fare well. I am comforted by this. Men shall never be able to live at peace with God.”

  “Of course you’re correct, dear Pellecus,” said Crispin. “Men shall never be able to live with God. Perhaps that is why God must live with men.”

  Chronicles of the Host

  Daniel

  In spite of the efforts of Pellecus and Kara to discredit Daniel to his king, the Lord’s blessing rested upon him. The Lord had given Daniel favor with Ashpenaz, so that he was able to promote Daniel to the king. So Daniel, like Joseph with the pharaoh of Egypt, became close to the king of Babylon.

  He was respected for his wisdom that humbled the king’s greatest men, and for his ability to interpret dreams and other mysteries. His was a glorious witness to the Lord Almighty, for he never claimed power unto himself, but always gave glory to the Most High God. Thus did the Lord reveal to Daniel many terrible and wonderful things that should happen in the future, because Daniel was a man of integrity and holiness.

  Realizing that an attack on Daniel was useless as long as the king of Babylon was enamored with him, Pellecus decided upon a strategy that would eliminate Daniel’s friends who were also faithful to the Lord. In doing so, the cunning angel believed he would isolate Daniel and make it easier to dispose of him later on.

  Thus did the demons contrive to place in Nebuchadnezzar’s proud heart a plan that would bring more glory to himself by having the nation bow to a golden image created in the king’s name. The word went forth, fanned by devils throughout the empire and brought high and low through the kingdom by the king’s couriers, that all should bow to the image of the king or face imminent death.

  So it was that a dark plan was birthed in the hearts of envious Chaldeans to take advantage of the integrity of the three Hebrews who had been singled out in their minds by Pellecus. This trio—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—would be the first of many to die, and would eventually lead to Daniel’s destruction….

  Babylon, 580 B.C.

  The two men sat quietly at the table, waiting for a third to join them. Up until now they had not met together on this issue. In fact, they didn’t realize that anyone else was a part of this discussion until Arbo-kan had called them together. And so they sat, cordial and silent, until Arbo-kan arrived to further explain why they had been summoned.

  One of the men, Divis, was a temple warden at the Marduk complex. He was charged with the purity of ceremonies carried out there to honor the great god of Babylon. Divis was an ardent worshiper of Marduk, and he felt that the introduction of foreigners in Babylon was an offense to the gods.

  The other man, Bellesor, was a commander in the king’s own guard. A military man of great decisiveness, he too longed to cleanse Babylon of the alien captives and hoped that one day Nebuchadnezzar might change his mind about them. Perhaps tonight’s meeting would implement such a plot!

  Arbo-kan came into the room, startling the two men, who thought that perhaps they were being arrested for meeting under such clandestine arrangements. Arbo-kan smiled at their discomfort.

  “I’m sorry, my friends,” he began, sitting at the table with them. “Seems we are all a bit nervous these days.”

  Unseen to the men, three creatures appeared behind each of the chairs—all of them the figures of men but with the hideous features of the god Marduk. Pellecus had made sure that the men’s demons were at this meeting to ensure its outcome. They stood behind the men to whom they were assigned, speaking murderous thoughts against the Hebrews, which they had been thinking for so long.

  “I believe you all understand why I asked you here,” said Arbo-kan, unfolding a document. “The fact is that the Jews are becoming problematic. Not all of them of course. In particular, I mean Daniel.”

  “Daniel,” muttered Divis in disgust. “He has bewitched the king!”

  “He’s a devil,” agreed Bellesor.

  “Whatever he is, he must be dealt with,” said Arbo-kan. “And quickly.”

  Bellesor took a drink of wine that had been provided for them when they first arrived at Arbo-kan’s house near the palace.

  “But how?” he demanded. “The king won’t hear of it. Ashpenaz favors him. How can we possibly destroy this menace?”

  “Legally,” said Arbo-kan, indicating the document that lay on the table before them. As they read they recognized the proclamation that the king had issued regarding the worship of the image. Bellesor looked at Divis and nodded his head in approval.

  The three figures behind the men also nodded in approval at the introduction of this scroll. Bellesor’s demon said, “Best keep things legal, hmm?”

  The others laughed aloud.

  “These simple humans,” said the demon behind Arbo-kan. “What stupid games they play in order to justify their wickedness!”

  “So long as they carry it out, what matter?” said the other. “Pellecus will reward us for this!”

  “Only if we draw blood,” said the angel that was now speaking into Arbo-kan’s mind. “Only if we draw blood…”

  “Blood, my friends,” continued Arbo-kan. “We must have blood on this one.”

  The three men pored over the declaration, and were satisfied that it was quite clear in the matter of a death sentence being appropriate for offenders. The low glow of the little lamp cast an eerie light on the faces of the conspirators.

  “The law is quite clear,” said Arbo-kan. “If the music commences and a person does not fall and worship at that precise moment, then the offenders are subject to being thrown into the great furnace and burned alive. As you know, last week when the music sounded, all over the city people fell and worshiped. But these unrighteous Jews refused to bow to the king!”

  “Where was Daniel during this?” asked Divis. “Surely he did not bow.”

  “Daniel was out of the city on the king’s business,” said Arbo-kan. “An unfortunate circumstance—or we would have all four of them dangling. But we do have the three main instigators of this…this offense.”

  “And we have witnesses?” asked Bellesor.

  “Of course,” said Arbo-kan. “And they will testify that as they bowed low the Jews remained standing and defiant. The king will be furious!”

  Divis took a sip of the wine.

  “When will the charges be brought?” he asked.

  “Next week,” said Arbo-kan. “I have sent Daniel on a mission that will take him out of Babylon for a month or so. While he is away we shall move against his friends. If we do so while he is near the king, he might be able to persuade the king to mercy. We serve a great king but one of divided heart at times.”

>   “Very well,” said Bellesor. “Let us drink to the death of these three Hebrews.”

  “And to the ultimate destruction of Daniel,” added Divis.

  “We shall recapture the purity of Babylon in this,” said Arbo-kan. “I assure you.”

  The demons in the room began to laugh.

  “What a noble sentiment,” said one. “Arbo-kan is only looking out for the nation he loves. There is nothing personal about this!”

  “He’s a proud brute,” said another. “Jealousy will find a way!”

  “Let’s report to Pellecus,” said the demon who guided Arbo-kan. “He will be interested in how things are developing!”

  The three vanished as Arbo-kan extinguished the lamp on the table.

  Gabriel could hardly understand Serus in his agitated state. He asked him to repeat once more what he had just said.

  “They are holding Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!” he said, a bit more calmly than before. “They have been charged with treason by Arbo-kan!”

  Gabriel finished giving orders to another angel, who immediately left, and then turned back to Serus.

  “Yes, I know,” he said. “They refused to bow to the king’s image.”

  “But what shall happen to them?” Serus asked. “Are we to intervene?”

  No,” said Gabriel. “We are not allowed to interfere with their decision or the outcome. The Lord has spoken on this.”

  Serus could not believe what he was hearing. These men had obeyed the Lord. They had refused to bow to an image and worship. They had chosen the Most High over an idol. Now they were in danger of being sentenced to death. And the Host was to do nothing?

  “How can this be?” Serus asked.

  Gabriel walked with Serus down the corridor that led to the King’s Hall of Justice, where the sentence was being rendered. They passed several snickering devils along the way, who mocked them for their foolishness in trusting the Lord to deliver the humans when now it was obvious that they were to die a horrible death.

  They entered the trial room where at the front Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were being held by palace guards. In front of them, Arbo-kan was charging them with the offense. Devils were sprinkled all throughout the room. On one side, Gabriel saw Pellecus watching the proceedings gleefully. Pellecus looked up.

  “Ah, welcome, Archangel,” he said. “A poor day to be in court, I’m afraid. At least if you are a Jew!”

  Gabriel ignored Pellecus’s comments and kept an eye on the three men. He noticed that they did not have the look of fear that most humans had when they were approaching certain death. They seemed quite calm—almost at ease—as Arbo-kan meticulously laid out his charges against them.

  “And I must say that fond as I am of these young men, I cannot abide an offense against my god—much less my king! I therefore must insist that the law be carried out and these three offenders be thrown into the furnace as an example to all who would oppose the king’s authority.”

  Nebuchadnezzar was beside himself. He wished Daniel were there to advise him. But he had to make a decision that was not vacillating. He looked at the men and was troubled.

  “We await your justice, great king,” said Arbo-kan.

  “I know what you are waiting for, Arbo-kan,” said Nebuchadnezzar. “Be still.”

  Arbo-kan bowed low and seated himself.

  The demons in the gallery were chattering loudly, boasting that the king would put an end to these three troublemakers and that Daniel would be next! Nebuchadnezzar stood from the chair on which he sat and walked to the three men. His heart was torn.

  “Is it true that you refused to bow to the image and worship like everyone else did?” he asked the men. “Listen. It is not too late to save your lives.”

  Arbo-kan turned his head as he heard these words. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. Was the king going to give them a second chance? He looked at Bellesor and Divis, who looked equally puzzled.

  “I shall have the music played once more,” continued the king. “If you will only fall down and bow before the image and worship, I will spare your lives. But if you refuse, then I will have you tossed into the furnace and burned alive. Your God shall not be able to deliver you from my hands.”

  Gabriel watched as the men gave their answer. He wondered what the men might do. Pellecus enjoyed the consternation on Gabriel’s face.

  “I don’t think they will bow, do you?” he asked in a saracastic tone. “I believe they are too proud!”

  The men looked at the king and then answered him:

  “Our God is more than able to deliver us if He chooses to do so,” they said. “But even if He chooses not to save us, we will not bow down to your image.”

  Pellecus winked at Gabriel and said, “Excuse me while I infuriate a king.”

  Appearing behind the king, Pellecus began to speak a raging spirit inside the man who only moments before had wanted to be merciful.

  “How dare they insult the king to his face…and in front of his nobles?”

  “You dare offend me like this?” said the king.

  The men remained silent.

  “The furnace is not made that burns hot enough for these dogs!”

  “Bind these men and hold them,” he ordered. “And heat the great furnace to seven times its normal heat! Now!”

  A cheer went up from the devils in the room as guards moved in and took the men to a holding room while the furnace was stoked. Gabriel was sad for the men but very proud of their stance against the king. He looked down at Serus.

  “They did the right thing, Serus,” he said.

  Serus nodded that he understood.

  “Yes, the right thing,” sneered Pellecus. “But at the wrong time.”

  Gabriel had ordered several angels to minister to the three men while they awaited their execution. The angels stayed in the room with them and comforted them, laying hands on them and being a source of strength through the Spirit of God who filled the room. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were prepared to die for their faith. They only wished Daniel were there to see them give up their lives willingly for the Lord they all loved. They knew he would be proud.

  “Daniel would gladly share this fate with us,” said Meshach.

  “Perhaps he might yet,” said Shadrach. “For surely he will never bow to an idol.”

  “It is glorious to live for the Lord,” agreed Meshach. “And though I do not wish to die, I somehow know that there is glory in this as well.”

  Arbo-kan, Bellesor, and Divis were granted the privilege of pushing the men into the furnace. They came into the room and ordered the guards to bring them along.

  “After you have been reduced to ashes, we shall see that Daniel follows in short order,” said Arbo-kan. “And then all the outrages of the Jews will be dealt with! Bring them along!”

  The men descended into a great room underneath the palace where the great furnace had been heated to seven times its normal capacity. Even before they had gotten to the bottom of the stairs they could feel the heat.

  “Just a taste of what you shall soon experience firsthand,” said Divis, pushing Meshach along.

  The king watched from a small alcove that served as a safe gallery from which he could see everything. The three Jews were hurried along and paraded in front of the king, who was fanning himself because of the heat. Arbo-kan bowed low before the king and then took the three men toward the roaring furnace. He ordered Bellesor and Divis to use the large grips to open the door.

  “Great king, behold the justice of Nebuchadnezzar!” he said, and the door was opened. “Behold the justice of our god!”

  The second the door opened up, the intense heat shot out at the same time the three Hebrews were shoved into the furnace. Arbo-kan, Bellesor, and Divis barely had time to scream in horrible pain as the fire leapt out and consumed them, burning them up in front of the king. The men fell in a crumpled, smoldering pile before the furnace.

  Gabriel was watching from the side along with
Serus and a few other angels. Pellecus too was on hand. He laughed aloud as Arbo-kan fell dead.

  “Shall we see if they are done yet?” Pellecus asked, to the laughter of the demon angels who were with him. They crowded around the furnace.

  But as they looked into the fire they suddenly backed off in horror. The figure of a fourth Person stood inside! It was not just a man—and it wasn’t an angel. It was the Lord of Hosts Himself! Pellecus leaped back in fear, looking at his scattering demons who exited at the appearance of the Most High.

  Nebuchadnezzar also saw inside the furnace. There was someone else in there! He could hardly believe his own eyes. Perhaps the intense heat was playing tricks on his mind. He asked if they had not thrown three men into the fire.

  “Yes, great king,” said Ashpenaz, who had come to plea for the men one last time. He had arrived just as the men were thrown in. “Three men, majesty. The others died when the door was opened.”

  “Then who is that fourth Person I see in there?” he asked.

  Ashpenaz looked but saw only three men—walking about the furnace as if they were not even hurt at all. How could this happen?

  “Yes, there!” said the king. “There is a fourth man…with the appearance of a son of gods! Don’t you see Him?”

  The king jumped up and got as near to the furnace as he could. He then called to the young men to come out of the furnace. Gabriel bowed low before the Lord’s appearance. But his heart was joyful—the Lord had delivered after all! Pellecus cursed the Lord and vanished.

  Chronicles of the Host

  Deliverance!

  What a blow to the enemy when the three men stepped out of the burning furnace! When the astonished king examined them, he found that not even their clothes were singed. They did not even smell of smoke as everyone else in the room did. The king looked at Ashpenaz sternly and issued an immediate decree that the God of Daniel was never again to be offended in any way. He also appointed the three Hebrews to important positions in the kingdom….