Exile of Lucifer

by D. Brian Shafer

  might begin their lives in adoring fellowship. Kara had only just

  happened on this information and found it quite amusing that the

  very creatures that were to have been taught by Lucifer how to

  worship the Most High would now be learning how to worship

  Lucifer. He would enjoy telling this amusing detail to Lucifer.

  "Discouraged to the extreme, I should say," said Michael. "I

  really think that he exceeded discouragement, don't you?"

  "Of course," agreed Kara. "Lucifer is far from perfect, though

  the Lord created him with a divine beauty that reflects a sort of per-

  fection. I'll admit he has strayed a bit--acted out of sorts--but what

  angel has not?"

  Michael was surprised by Kara's attitude. Recognizing that

  Lucifer had "strayed" was one thing, but making excuses for him

  was inappropriate for an Elder. "Of course angels are far from per-

  fect," Michael retorted. "But an angel with such responsibility as

  Lucifer must behave in a decorum befitting his rank. Lucifer is high-

  ly exalted--the Anointed Cherub--and must behave responsibly!"

  "Agreed, Michael. That is why the Council spoke with him.

  You didn't know that, hmm? You see Michael, I have not been idle

  since I met with you and Crispin and the others. The Chief Elder

  and I and a few select others ministered to Lucifer and allowed him

  to purge himself of these attitudes. So now the matter is in its final

  stages."

  "Except for the fact that nothing has changed," Michael

  answered. "Lucifer's attitude hasn't improved. If anything it has

  gotten worse. And the horrible situation at the Academy must be

  addressed as well."

  "I can tell that the news is overwhelming." 119

  "I tell you, Michael, that both Lucifer and the Academy are

  well on their way to recovery. Things sometimes do change in

  Heaven." He smiled.

  "Well I certainly see no change in Lucifer's attitude," Michael

  responded.

  "Yes, as this letter you handed me reveals," Kara said with a

  touch of sarcasm. He held up the letter. "Is this not the writing of a

  contrite spirit, Michael?" He looked deeply into Michael's eyes.

  "Perhaps you have been pursuing Lucifer for so long you have for-

  gotten that he might in fact have a change of heart. You must give

  him the benefit of any doubt. Just as some of the Council has in its

  move to recommend him to the Lord."

  "Recommend Lucifer?" asked a weary Michael. "For what?"

  "That should be obvious, Michael. We are recommending

  Lucifer to the Lord as steward of the earth to rule in the Lord's

  name and authority. Or at least we will be shortly as soon as the

  matter has been deliberated. Decorum, you know."

  Kara enjoyed the effects of his words upon the archangel of

  whom he was becoming less and less fond. Michael was astonished!

  All this time he had been investigating an alleged plan by Lucifer to

  somehow work his way into an authority which, should the Elders

  have their way, would now be handed over to him. It didn't make

  sense. Even if Lucifer was told that he might be appointed to some

  great promotion, the fact that he was working with such venomous

  fervency to realize such a possibility was at best unwise--at worst,

  unholy. Either Michael was the worst judge of character in all of

  Heaven or the Elders were completely taken in!

  "I can tell that the news is overwhelming," said Kara. He

  placed his hands on Michael's shoulders and faced him with great

  compassion. "Michael, you asked me to help you as an Elder. I did

  that. I spoke with Lucifer and brought him into the Council for dis-

  cipline. I believe he was forthright with us. He indicated that he

  had been misjudged in some matters and judged rightly in others.

  But he assured us that he was in no way involved in any plan to

  have himself honored. Lucifer promotes only the Lord and not him-

  self. You can be sure of that, Michael."

  120 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  Michael looked at Kara, deeply troubled. Suddenly the issue

  of Lucifer and the Academy and the turmoil in the Host seemed

  insignificant compared with this arrogance being displayed by the

  Elders. He was almost trembling with revulsion at the thought of

  mere angels approaching the Most High with this or any other rec-

  ommendation as to how something should proceed. Creatures

  appearing before the Creator without invitation in order to pro-

  mote one of their own! Abominable!

  "Kara. The Council cannot seriously consider such a move,"

  Michael finally said. "The Elders have no more right to present a

  petition to the Lord than I do! On whose authority would they

  make this...this suggestion?"

  "Why it would be on our own authority, Michael," answered

  Kara, who knew that he must step delicately in this matter. "You

  see, we believe the time is coming when angels will have a

  greater...involvement in the Kingdom. The Creation bears this out.

  A steward to be named bears this out. We are merely expediting the

  fact."

  "On your own authority?" Michael asked. "You have no

  authority except that given to you by the Lord! This makes no sense

  to me at all, Kara. Is the Chief Elder in agreement with this?"

  "Quite," answered Kara smugly. "Wholeheartedly, I believe.

  As are most of the others." He looked slyly at Michael and added,

  "At some point, Michael, you must decide too whether or not you

  support the authority and wisdom of the Most High as we do. I

  assume you are with Him?"

  Michael reared back. "What are you talking about?" he asked.

  "I am most loyal to the Lord. I am the Chief Commander of the

  Host and completely dedicated to the wisdom and authority of

  God! This you know, Kara." Michael's sword began to shimmer as

  a bluish aura began emanating from it. Kara looked at the sword

  and back again at Michael.

  "Well then," said Kara quietly, composed once more and feel-

  ing the advantage of Michael's anger, "you must know that the

  Lord in His wisdom provided for the Council of Elders and vested

  them with His authority to act in the best interests of the Kingdom.

  "I can tell that the news is overwhelming." 121

  If you disregard the wisdom and actions of this body, you demean

  the wisdom and authority of our Most Holy God by implying that

  He has selected angels who are unwise--a most unwise thing for so

  wise a God to do. Wouldn't you agree?"

  "I suppose," said Michael, recalling his conversation with

  Crispin at the Academy. "But even the wisest angel can choose

  wrongly, even if his intentions are pure. I suspect they can also

  choose wrongly with the most impure of intentions."

  "I would only say the Lord have mercy on that angel," said

  Kara, haughtily. "But I suspect, Michael, that were something foul

  in Heaven, the Lord would have dealt with it by now. Yet I see

  Lucifer still in his office. I see the Elders in order. In fact, I see no

  angel in any danger of the Lord's judgment!" He laughed.

  "Nor do I, Kara," answered Michael. "But then you and I a
re

  merely angels."

  123

  Chapter 9

  "One day it will be the Son

  casting the shadow, not us!"

  As Michael made his way to the Academy he thought of his

  disappointing conversation with Kara. How could Kara be so

  enamoured with Lucifer? Or was he? Maybe Kara was right. Per-

  haps Lucifer had been the quarry for so long that perspective had

  been skewed. Still, as he reflected on the meeting he began to see a

  disturbing logic that Lucifer and his proponents all seemed to rally

  around: that the Lord's apparent inaction was a validation of their

  progress. Kara alluded to this notion; Berenius was stirring it up at

  the Academy; Sangius admitted that the Council of Worship found

  comfort in it. Several times Michael had had the question posed to

  him: Why hasn't the Most High acted if there is something amiss--even

  wickedness occurring in Heaven? Why would He tolerate such behavior?

  Crispin's answer to the question was couched in rather vague

  terms that offered nothing but the fact that the Lord is sovereign

  and will act when He deems it appropriate. But by not intervening,

  could God be encouraging such behavior within the Host? Was He

  ignorant of the affairs of Heaven as Lucifer thought; or was He

  merely a longsuffering God who held out for final reconciliation as

  Crispin held?

  124 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  Michael entered Crispin's study deep in the heart of the

  school. Gabriel was already there, as was Sangius. Crispin looked

  up and greeted Michael warmly. "Well Michael, welcome back!

  How did the meeting with Kara go?"

  Michael recounted the conversation with Kara, telling them

  everything. When he had finished there was a moment of silence.

  Finally Gabriel spoke up. "Are you quite certain that the Elders

  have spoken with Lucifer?"

  "I am only certain of what Kara told me," said Michael. "He

  said that Lucifer was disciplined and they were convinced that he

  was repentant."

  "It is possible, I suppose," said Sangius, "that he is changed."

  "Of course it is possible," said Crispin, who was seated at his

  book-filled desk. "But we are dealing with an extremely cunning

  individual here. You were with him, Sangius. You should know bet-

  ter than any of us."

  "Yes, I know," said Sangius. "But it is possible for one to

  change. That's all I am saying. I had lost my passion once. Remem-

  ber, Michael? Shortly after I left Lucifer's service we talked."

  "Of course. In the Grand Square," answered Michael.

  "Now the Lord has graciously restored that passion. I know

  that an angel can change--provided he has not crossed too deeply

  into darkness."

  Michael admitted, "Kara did point out that perhaps I have

  been hunting Lucifer to such a degree that I have lost the ability to

  see him in another light. Maybe he has changed but I just don't

  know."

  "You all talk as if Lucifer wants to change," Crispin argued.

  "Hear me now. One can only change if one is willing to change. I

  see no willingness to change on the part of Lucifer or any of his fol-

  lowers. Not unless it buys them something."

  "Crispin, I love you as my teacher," said Gabriel. "But you

  have become hard toward Lucifer. Have you no hope at all that just

  perhaps he could have had a change of heart? Did you not teach

  that the Lord has given us the ability to choose freely and therefore

  one might change one's mind?"

  "One day it will be the Son casting the shadow, not us!" 125

  "I taught you well, Gabriel," Crispin said warmly. He sat

  back. "Yes, perhaps I am a bit of a doubter where Lucifer is

  involved. And Pellecus to be sure."

  "And Rugio," added Michael.

  "And Serus," chimed in Sangius.

  "And about one-third of the Host of Heaven by your latest

  count," Gabriel threw in. Everyone laughed.

  "I see the point, dear students," Crispin said. "Very well.

  Speak with Lucifer, Michael. Feel him out. I truly hope it helps

  resolve this matter so I can get back to my studies."

  Sangius spoke up timidly. "Why can't we simply take this

  directly to the Most High? If He truly knows all then perhaps He

  expects us to come to Him with this."

  "Your intentions are good, Sangius," answered Crispin. "But

  to do so would be to invite the same disgrace that the Elders are

  inviting upon themselves by approaching His Person. As I have

  always told my students, we angels are blessed and holy creatures--

  but that is all. We are in relationship to the Lord on His terms and

  according to His desires. Perhaps one day He will create a being

  with whom He communicates on the more intimate level of which

  you speak."

  Sangius spoke up again. "I hate terribly to agree with Lucifer,

  but if we cannot go to the Lord with this, and we assume that the

  Lord in His wisdom knows and understands all that occurs in

  Heaven, then why has He not dealt with this? Lucifer frequently

  boasted at the conferences I attended that the fact that the Most

  High does nothing indicates that He is limited in His ability to

  know or act. I am telling you this lack of response on the part of the

  Lord emboldens Lucifer to carry on."

  "It all goes back to the critical aspect of our ability to choose

  freely," said Crispin. "As I told Michael recently, the Lord will not

  violate our ability to choose. To do so would be to admit that He

  cannot govern in His own authority." Crispin began talking now

  with a dreamy look in his eyes. "If only I had been allowed to

  debate these issues with Pellecus. Perhaps we could have avoided

  all of this!"

  126 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  "Crispin against Pellecus in open debate. That would be

  astounding," said Michael.

  "Yes, but it will never happen," Crispin remarked. "Not

  unless there is some benefit attached to it that Lucifer sees. He

  keeps Pellecus fairly close to him."

  Michael paced the room as if searching for the answer. He

  looked at the others for some sort of reassurance but saw none.

  Finally he threw up his hands. "We need wisdom in this, good

  teacher," said an exasperated Michael. "We need wisdom from

  someone who we know is loyal to God."

  Crispin looked up from his chair. He thought a moment or

  two about what he was going to say. "Perhaps then a visit to the

  wisest and holiest creatures in Heaven is in order. We cannot coun-

  sel with the Elders at this point because we can't be sure of their

  intentions--or at least of their wisdom--while such an appalling

  recommendation is going to be deliberated."

  "The Zoa?" asked Gabriel.

  "Yes," said Crispin, looking up at Gabriel as if surprised that

  Gabriel understood his reasoning. "Those mysterious beings who

  move in and out of the Lord's Presence and who are more keenly

  held there than any other creature. Recall that Kara said that the

  Zoa brought the news of the Creation to the Elders, right? I am sure

  that if anyone
can shed light upon this dark subject the Zoa can.

  And they are the only creatures in Heaven I feel certain that even

  Lucifer could never influence."

  "But who has access to them?" asked Michael. He was hoping

  he could finally see one of these legendary creatures.

  "Not simply an archangel, I'm afraid, Michael," answered

  Crispin, anticipating Michael's desire to visit the Zoa. "Besides,

  you have that letter from Lucifer. You must visit him."

  "So the question remains: Who can visit the Zoa?" he repeated.

  "Me," said Gabriel. "Though I've yet to see them. And the

  Chief Elder at times."

  "Quite right," agreed Crispin. "As the Lord's chief messenger,

  Gabriel has access to the Zoa."

  "One day it will be the Son casting the shadow, not us!" 127

  Sangius was getting a little lost in the discussion. "But what

  are they?" he asked. "I have heard of them, of course, but..."

  Crispin sat back in his chair and assumed the role of profes-

  sor. "The Zoa are marvelous creatures--very strange, very wise,

  very holy. Mind you I have never seen one, but in the Chronicles I

  have read that they are like the cherubim in that they are connect-

  ed in close proximity to the Throne of God. They are full of eyes,

  front and back--a symbol of their wisdom I suppose--all-seeing

  and so forth. I know that there are four Zoa who have four faces of

  four different creatures of some sort. The Zoa cry, "Holy, holy,

  holy" to the Lord day and night and are constantly at the Lord's

  side except on the rare occasion when they dispense some vital

  holy decree such as the Elders received."

  "And you believe that a visit to these creatures by Gabriel is

  in order?" asked Michael. "Will protocol allow such a thing--I

  mean unannounced and without invitation?"

  "They will not turn the Lord's Messenger away," said Crispin.

  "My suggestion is that Gabriel visit the Zoa and you, Michael,

  attend Lucifer."

  "Then it's settled," Michael said. "Gabriel, you will see the