Exile of Lucifer (8 page)

56          CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile          of Lucifer
all of them now in places of great authority. Let's see...there's
Tinius, Lenaes, Rugio, who is one of your own commanders,
Sangius, and quite a few others. From what I understand they are
devoted to Lucifer."
"Everyone in Heaven knows about his Worship Council,"
answered Michael. "They've been meeting together for matters of
worship for a long time."
"Worship Council?!" said Crispin. "Maybe they once met to
discuss worship. Lucifer hasn't involved them in worship since
way before your archangelry. The Council should be done away
with. It's nothing more than a group of troublesome angels with
nothing better to do with their time than sit around Lucifer's enor-
mous house and talk about such nonsense!"
"But why would Lucifer, who brings us into the Presence of
the Most High, consort with this group of malcontents?" Michael
asked.
Crispin thought about his answer for a moment, reflecting on
the two Lucifers he knew: the angel with the voice of God who once
shone brilliantly in the Academy, and this melancholy figure who
was restless and driven. "Lucifer is Lucifer," Crispin finally said.
"He has always been a deep one. I remember when he was in my
classes here. He would simply sit back and drink in the lecture with
his eyes closed. In the beginning I thought he was not paying atten-
tion, but whenever I tried to call him on it he always had the cor-
rect response."
"I remember," agreed Michael. "He always knew the
answers!"
"Brilliant mind," said Crispin. "But his attitude began to
change. Not that it stopped his ministry--no, no he was always
excellent in what he does with music. And he seemed to truly enjoy
his worship post. Maybe he still does! As I said, I always hoped he
would teach, but I think he had greater things in mind for himself."
"Crispin," Michael asked, feeling a heaviness within him as
he asked the question, "can an angel truly rebel against the Most
High--I mean outright oppose Him?"

"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!"             57
Crispin weighed his answer carefully. He then looked Michael
over and said, "Michael, could you ever oppose the Lord?"
"No!" Michael said. "Never!"
"And why not?" Crispin asked.
"Because I love the Lord my God. I will always serve Him. I
would never betray Him."
"But you have not answered my question," said Crispin.
"Could you ever do anything to oppose the Lord?"
Michael wasn't sure where Crispin was taking him. "No, I
could not...ever," he said.
"Could not, or would not?" asked Crispin.
Michael suddenly realized what Crispin was teaching him.
The fact was that though he would never turn against God, he actu-
ally could if he wanted to by a simple matter of choice. This being
the case, any angel could betray the Lord if he so desired. "I would
not, though I could," said Michael solemnly, "if I chose to do so.
But I would never so choose."
"And so it is with all angels," said Crispin. "These are the
exact issues which Lucifer and Pellecus are escalating. Ultimately,
the choice is ours to make, Michael. But what those who would
oppose the Lord don't realize is that His Kingdom will continue
regardless of their choosing. It is nonsense to believe that angels are
responsible for the continued order of the Kingdom through their
obedience. If an angel ever chooses to disobey the Lord, the King-
dom will continue as always. Any opposition to God cannot possi-
bly win. The tragic part is I really think they believe they could win,
or at least force a compromise on the part of the Most High. I doubt,
however, it will ever come to an actual rebellion. Such is the decep-
tion of pride."
"So why doesn't the Lord do something about this?" asked
Michael. "Surely He knows what is being discussed around the
Kingdom by Lucifer and Pellecus and others. Why does He not do
something about them?"
"I can only say that the Lord is all-wise. And He knows what
must be done at the proper time. Remember, Michael, Lucifer has
not actually committed any rebellious action. Maybe he will not.

58           CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
Perhaps the Most High is giving Lucifer time to think things
through. Either way, God will not oppose Lucifer's or any angel's
choice to betray Him."
"But why?" said Michael, who was quite disturbed and had
framed in his mind how he would deal with such dissenters.
"Because the Lord loves His creatures too much to violate
their ability to choose freely. What is devotion to God if it is forced
or created beforehand? It is worthless. True love must come from a
choice to exercise that love. If God does not allow for the possi-
bility of some of His angels to oppose Him, then He is actually
demonstrating that He is not in control. He is not inviting their dis-
obedience, but He must allow for the potential.
"Strange, hmm? God is only in control if He allows the possibil-
ity of His creatures getting out of the bounds He has constructed for
them. And the reason is clear. If He must exercise power to keep His
creatures from willfully disobeying Him, then He demonstrates an
inability to deal with them justly. He must let them choose because
there are consequences for their actions. That is the difference!"
"What kind of consequences?" asked Michael.
"Well, I don't really know," said Crispin. "The point is,
Michael, that if Lucifer, or Pellecus or you or I ever decide to rebel
against the Lord's authority, the fact that we can rebel is not a sign
of His weakness. It is rather a sign of His strength and confidence
that He can handle such possibilities."
"So what do we do?" asked Michael, whose head was buzzing
from the discussion.
"Watch. Listen. Be cautious but not overly suspicious," said
Crispin. "These are in fact our brothers and perhaps there is hope
for their fellowship again one day."
The sound of someone running down the hall loudly knock-
ing on doors, mixed with muffled voices, could be heard coming
from outside Crispin's room. "What is going on now?" Crispin
asked, heading to the door.
He opened the door just as Grel, a teacher at the Academy,
was about to pound on it. Grel was trying to tell Crispin something,
but Crispin could not make any sense of it. He could see other

"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!"                59
angels running about in the halls, all jabbering with similar excite-
ment. A long trumpet blast sounded, signaling to all of Heaven that
a major proclamation had just been made. Michael looked at the
two angels and asked urgently, "What is it?"
"The Lord Most High," said Grel, "has just announced
through the archangel Gabriel the establishment of a new realm, to
be populated with an entirely different creature! A physical realm.
A world unlike any other. And we angels will be witnesses to this!
Think of it, Crispin! We always hoped for this possibility and now
it's happening! Come on!" Grel hurried out the door and disap-
peared into the throng of angels.
"What is he talking about?" asked Michael to a teary-eyed
Crispin. "What is it?"
"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!" answered Crispin,
who hurried out of the room to join the rest of the angels who were
celebrating the news.
----------------
Chronicles of the Host
The Creation
The greatness of our Lord was never made more manifest to
the angels than in His Creation of the Heavens and the earth.
Long discussed in Heaven, the announcement of the Creation
stunned the Host. God in His wisdom and love had deter-
mined to design a physical world--a dimension of material
substance with which He might interact, having populated it
with physical beings.
Thus did the Lord announce through the angel Gabriel this
joyous news, which was received by the Host in great excite-
ment and celebration. To all it seemed a time and place of
tremendous future service to the Lord; to some it afforded more
personal advantages...

61
Chapter 5
"What are they searching for that
they must go to Lucifer to find?"
The streets of the City were filled with angels celebrating the
wonderful news. There were buzzes of information everywhere as
angels excitedly exchanged views on the event: "I hear that angels
will be allowed to visit the new world." "It can't be as beautiful as
the Kingdom." "I wonder who will govern the planet--an angel
perhaps?" All sorts of information was flying about--all of it guess-
es, most of it completely wrong.
Lucifer was hurrying home through the crowd of noisy
angels. Every few steps he stopped to agree with this or that angel
on how wonderful this was. "Lucifer!" a voice shouted. "Lord
Lucifer!" Lucifer turned to see Octrion running toward him.
"So the Lord was going to announce another great ministry?"
asked Lucifer as Octrion came near. "Octrion, you couldn't have
been more incorrect."
"Who would have thought this was to be the announcement?"
said Octrion, a little embarrassed. "But doesn't it make sense that
the Lord must at the very least name some more archangels to help
administer the new world?" He smiled at an angel who bumped
into him accidentally.

62           CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile           of Lucifer
"Octrion, you overestimate our importance," answered
Lucifer, who noted some angels gathered around them. "The Lord
will choose whomever He deems worthy of such a task. Archangel
or not, I intend to serve Him as always."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Lucifer," came a voice from
behind.
Lucifer turned around and greeted Gabriel. They embraced
each other for a moment and then Lucifer spoke up. "Well! The
messenger at last! Since when do my friends keep such marvelous
news from me?" He smiled.
"I only learned about it a short while ago myself," said
Gabriel, who nodded in greeting to Octrion. "I was summoned to
the Temple and the next thing I knew I was handed a scroll and told
to prepare for an assembly."
"There was really very little to go on from the proclamation
you read," said Lucifer. "All I could gather is that the Creation
which everyone has speculated about for some time is actually
going to happen. Is there anything else you know?"
Gabriel looked at Lucifer and Octrion hesitantly. "Very little. I
know about as much as everyone else. The angels will be witness to
the event, that much I know."
"Octrion was suggesting that perhaps the angels would also
be involved in governing the new world," said Lucifer. "Isn't that
what you heard, Octrion?"
Octrion looked up at Gabriel and nervously responded,
"Actually I...I mean I really can't be sure. There's so much talk..."
He looked down, mumbling.
"What do you think, Gabriel?" asked Lucifer. "You are so
much closer to the source than I or poor Octrion are these days.
What is to be the administration of the new world?"
"Lucifer, I do not know any more than you," said Gabriel, a lit-
tle tense at Lucifer's question. "But here's some good news for you!
As part of the celebration of the event, you will have opportunity to
create your most significant work--the Creation hymn! The Elders
wanted me to convey to you that they desire an extraordinary

"What are they searching for that they must go to Lucifer to find?"   63
effort to celebrate this announcement. Hymns, praises, choir--
everything. Your music will be remembered with the event itself!"
Octrion offered his congratulations to Lucifer, who accepted
them warmly. "The Elders? Please thank them for me," said Lucifer.
"I am honored to serve them and the Lord in this capacity...as
always."
"Excellent," said Gabriel. "I shall tell them immediately! Just
look at it, Lucifer! It's as if every angel in Heaven is coming to the
Grand Square to celebrate this announcement. Good-bye, my
friend. Farewell, Octrion."
Gabriel disappeared into the sea of angels. Octrion looked at
Lucifer and wondered why the worship minister looked so dis-
pleased. Finally he said, "My lord, this is a great honor! The Cre-
ation set to your music! I will serve you in any way I can in this
effort. My deepest congratulations to you!"
"And my deepest regrets," snarled Lucifer. "The most impor-
tant event to happen to this Kingdom since its own creation and my
part in it is to write more music!? Is that all they believe I am capa-
ble of?" He looked at Octrion, who was astonished by Lucifer's
words. "I'm terribly sorry, dear Octrion. Of course I am honored. I
only hope my little contribution will be of some use. That is what I
was trying to say."
"Of course it will be of use," said Octrion. "It will be inspiring
to all of Heaven. And think about it: Apart from the Lord, you will
be the only angel who is involved in the Creation itself. Not direct-
ly, of course, since we are not God, but...I mean..." He dropped his
voice to a nervous mumble.
"Octrion, you have an annoying habit of never finishing a
complete sentence, " Lucifer said. "I think Gabriel was right about
all of Heaven turning out. Just look at all these angels. You'd think
they were all going to be a part of this."
Octrion felt uneasy and saw an opportunity to escape
Lucifer's company. "There's my good friend Costas! I will talk to
you again, my lord. Please call upon me when you need anything!
Costas! Costas!" He melted into the crowd.

64           CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile          of Lucifer
Lucifer scanned the crowd, watching the angels come and go.
A small ensemble of musicians began playing to add to the carnival
atmosphere of this joyous time. Many angels were dancing with a
joy Lucifer had not witnessed for a very long time. One angel tried
to grab Lucifer by the cloak and pull him into the dance, but Lucifer
politely refused. Finally he saw Kara, one of the Elders, approach-
ing him through the throng.
Kara was a strong ally of Lucifer. He was a wisdom angel who
was widely respected and who sat on the Eldership. He was there-
fore privy to the deliberations of the Elders and kept Lucifer
abreast of what was discussed at the meetings. Lucifer enjoyed this
information, which gave him a pulse on certain events in Heaven.
Lucifer never quite understood why Kara held him in such
esteem, but ever since they attended the Academy together Kara
was devoted to him. Like Lucifer, he dreamed of greater things for
himself and felt that by acting in the worship minister's behalf
from time to time he was advancing both their causes.
"What a joyous day, my brother," said Lucifer, embracing his
friend.
"And a noisy one," replied Kara. "What do you think of the
news?"
"What do you think of it?" asked Lucifer.
Kara understood and motioned Lucifer to follow him. "Let's
get out of this mob where we can talk," he said. The two made their
way through the crowd until they came to a place between two pil-
lars which were a part of the Great Hall of Assembly. They could
see the Grand Square from here, filled with the noisy, happy, danc-
ing, singing celebrants who were thrilled that God was about to
embark upon a new creative venture.
Kara made sure they were at a place where no angels might
overhear their conversation. He looked at his old friend and smiled
at him. "I know what you are thinking, Lucifer. And the answer is,
I don't know."
"What are you talking about?" asked Lucifer.