Angelic Wars- First Rebellion
Page 27
Azarias trembled, falling to his knees and covering his face. Yet he couldn’t stop himself—he lowered his wings and peeked. Seven landings divided a series of steps leading up to the elevated Throne and its reflection on a crystal sea.148 A crystal river, teaming with millions of spiritual life forms, flowed from it down the middle of a great street toward him. The street shouldered two great trees on each side, bearing twelve types of fruit.149
Azarias looked down at his radiating hands. He traced its scintillations down his legs and onto the crystal river, past seven blazing lamp stands, and up to the glorious Throne.150
Azarias,
called the Lord’s Spirit.
Tell the angels to uncover
their faces.
“Septemviri,” Azarias said, “the Lord wants you to see Him.”
Michael inched closer to Azarias. “Who are those beings encircling around the Throne?”
Azarias counted twenty-four, dressed in white, with gold crowns upon their heads, and seated on smaller thrones.151
“They are not seraphim or cherubim because they don’t have wings,” responded Gabriel.
Four Living Spirit Cherubim appeared around the inner circle of the throne, each bearing a different face. One was that of a lion, the next a soft-loving face, the third an ox, and the last an eagle—countless eyes covered each of them.152
“Those are the Guardian Cherubim of our Creator. One appeared to me at the beginning of our quest and commissioned us to defeat the rebellious angels,” Azarais said.
The guardian cherubim revolved around the throne and sang:153
http://ow.ly/1zKd50wD5fJ
(Click link to hear the angels sign at the Throne of God)
Holy, Holy One
As Your Will be Done
Who was, who is
Forever more will exist154
Glory, Glory Light
Boundless love and might
Your tender eyes
Pierce through our wanting lives
And we bow down our heads to our king155
As we praise Your holy name
Raising our arms as we sing
It’s Your kingdom we proclaim
You’re our God, El-shaddi,156 Yahweh,157 the Most High,158
We yearn, Your warm embrace
Gathered in Your grace
Our hearts rejoice
Together they sing in one voice
Accept our song of praise
It’s Your Name we raise
We bend our knee
To You who’s One and Three.
A second of silence allowed the chord to vibrate, and then the music changed. A separate lighted source seemed to emerge from within the Creator’s glow, pulling rays of light as he walked down the stairway. The Lord’s Spirit brightened as this separate but joined Being walked. His snow-white hair rested on his shoulders. His radiant gown punctuated with a golden sash around his waist.159
Azarias spied the Being through his wings, following each of His steps.
“Do not be afraid.” The voice sounded like the cascading rapids of the earth.160
Azarias closed his eyes.
The Being spoke softer and more familiar. “You are in the company of agape—agape love.”
He knew this voice! Yes—this was the priest from the Order of Melchizedek from the tabernacle.161
The priest focused His blazing eyes on the angels and spoke, his words as sharp as a double-edged sword.162 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty. I am the Word.”163
The Word? But wasn’t this the priest?
“Did you…create us?” Azarias couldn’t believe the words emitted from his mouth. He didn’t look at the other Septemviri.
The priest opened both palms. “Through me all things were made, for I am the Life, the Truth, and the Way to the Father who sits on the throne of all creation.164 All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on Earth.”165
Way, Truth, and Life? Azarias remembered the three books he had used to throw at his enemy in the Bibliotheca. Could the power of the Word have been within those books?
Azarias lowered his eyes. “Excuse me, Lord.” Was it improper to ask this? “Throughout this mission, we have wondered why Heaven is under siege. Why did you create angels who don’t love you, who are bent on destroying your Kingdom?”
The Creator’s mouth saddened. “Light has always existed in Heaven. But one cherub, the Shining One, who chose darkness, inspired many others to make this choice. This cherub chose not to love God, but dwells in a prideful state of spirit that we call evil. This pride grew and consumed him, and he became Satan—the Adversary. Those who embraced his pride no longer understand my light, even though my light shines in their darkness.”166
Evil? The Lord called this rebellious spirit evil. So that was the feeling Azarias felt when the enemy confronted him. Evil existed in Heaven. Why did God allow evil to exist in Heaven?
The Lord raised His voice. “Light exists in Heaven, but some angels love darkness instead of the light because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”167
The Lord walked over to Squatinidale. He paused and then stooped down. He reached out his kind, soft hand.
“Little one.”
Squatinidale lowered his wings and raised his head.
“When you were suffering from your spiritual betrayal of me, I did not condemn you. When you asked me to throw you into the Siq, I did not accommodate you.”168
Tears welled in Squatinidale’s eyes. “But I betrayed you. I left with Abaddon and flew on my own power and will to see the Great One.”
“I do not seek perfection,” said the Lord, “but persistence. I expected you to struggle with temptation but always encouraged you to seek my light.169 You did not sin against the Spirit170 as Abaddon did. You gave in to temptation but never ransomed your soul. You knew the truth and repelled ‘the great one’s’—otherwise known as Satan’s—lies. I forgave you when you asked for my forgiveness and sent you the sign in the amborlite.171 Now it is time for you to forgive yourself and believe in me.”172
The Lord turned Squatinidale’s right palm over, exposing the emblazing sign of the Septemviri on his wrist.
Squatinidale looked up and smiled, tears streaming down his face.
The Creator moved to Raffaela, who bowed her head. “Raffaela. Your wisdom has served the Septemviri well.”
“Oh, Lord, I was so afraid.”
“I know, but I was with you in your treacherous passage through the abyss of iniquity. You felt like I abandoned you and did not hear your pleas.173 All you heard and felt, was Satan. But, when you surrendered to me, you sealed your fate to be everlasting life with my Father.174 Satan thought you betrayed the Father, but his pride blinded him. That pride did not speak the truth. Please stand, emerge from the tumultuous depths, and be counted as one who serves the Lord.”
Raffaela looked up and stood, her face completely free of the fear Azarias had seen in her in the Great One’s lair.
The Lord turned and focused His fiery eyes on the intellectuals of the Septemviri. “Malachy and Uriel, your gifts of knowledge and navigation served the Septemviri to spread the good news to many of the persecuted districts in Heaven.175 Arise and use your gifts to guide the others to the Lord—both on Heaven and on Earth.”
He placed his hand on Malachy. “I knew that you did not betray me but were captured by Satan’s legions. You stood confidently as Satan’s prisoner, your faith intact. My Father knew this. Remember that the Counselor176 is always here to guide you. You have sought knowledge of the Heavens since I revealed the mystery of my creation. Now I will bestow on you the knowledge of Heaven and Earth. Your gifts will be valuable to the Septemviri as it expands the battle to defeat evil.”
She fell to h
er knees even as he turned to Uriel. “Uriel, your faith acted as a receptor to Malachy’s spirit. The common bond177 between you two served as a beacon for the other Septemviri. However, Abaddon’s self-confidence obscured the light. He thought he was leading you into a trap, not knowing that my Father’s plan was flawless and complete. Abaddon acted unknowingly, in accordance with the divine plan. Your gifts also will expand to both the Heavens and the Earth, mapping out what I have created.178 You will guide my angels on their missions throughout eternity.”
“You are my Lord and my God. My intellect is such ignorance,”179 said Uriel, bowing.
The Lord then turned to Gabriel. “Arise, my great messenger. Whether joyous or ominous, your tidings will echo throughout eternity and be written on the hearts and minds of those who seek me.180 You will stand in the presence of the Throne, always, and deliver the Good News that will fulfill my Father’s plans.”181
Gabriel’s face glowed. He clutched and kissed the Lord’s hand, then he bowed his head.
Michael remained on his hands and knees. As the Lord touched him, Michael trembled. “Michael, you are highly esteemed. Consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you.”
Michael stood, shaking.
“Michael, I created you as the great angel and protector of your cohorts. You will be one of my chief princes in the fight against darkness. I know that you are ignorant of the gifts needed to accomplish this, but the Spirit will guide your hands for the destruction of evil.”182
Michael would play a pivotal role in their victory—one had only to look upon him to know that this would be true. But the Lord’s words still shook Azarias. Would Michael replace him as leader?
As if he could read his thoughts, the Lord turned to Azarias.
Oh no. His judgment had finally come. The Guardian Cherub of the Throne had commissioned him to pursue the rebellious ones, to lead the others, and he had failed. Face to face with his Creator, he couldn’t look at Him.
The Lord placed his hand on Azarias’s head. His touch infused…love. The sensation moved into Azarias’s vascular channels, filling his wings with excitement. “Azarias,” he said with such softness in his voice, it nearly buckled Azarias to the ground. “You unselfishly led the Septemviri from the front yet served your fellow angels in love and compassion. I sent you out to bring my message of mercy and grace.”
And yet, he’d failed.
“Be prepared to serve in the Lord’s Army as a commander for the sanctification of Heaven. You will now execute my judgment on those who have turned against my Father.”
What? Azarias shook his head. No. But—.
The Lord lifted Azarias’s chin with his fingers.
Azarias peered through his wet eyes into God’s.
“I know of your insecurity, Azarias. I would not have chosen you if I didn’t know that you could complete the task before you. But you will have to understand this for yourself in the coming battles.”
“I hope so, Lord. But…I can’t do it without you.”
The Lord kissed him on the forehead. “You won’t.”
He looked upon the Septemviri.
“You all are now archangels.183 Your mission has earned you the status and respect of the entire Holy Order. Your initial mission was to persuade the undecided. But now, the full measure of angels has made its decision, though I still hope for them to return to me.184 It is now time to arm and equip you for battle, since you no longer go in peace but to conquer in judgment.”
He paused. “It grieves me to cast my creations, whom I have loved and nourished, out of Heaven.” His expression hardened. “I will equip you with the full armor of the Lord so that you can stand against Satan’s lies and deceit.”
A topaz belt appeared around each Septemviri’s waist.
“Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, for I am the Truth.”185
Azarias’s chest jolted with an enormous weight. He looked down. A beryl breastplate appeared.
“These breastplates will protect you from the unrighteous attacks of the enemy, through their evil deceptions and words.”186
Azarias’s feet were then bound.
“These amethyst sandals make you spiritually prepared for whatever and whomever you may encounter.”187
The Lord raised His hand and drew a pièce héraldique of triple chevron. He cast it into each of the angels’ arms. “Take up the chalcedony shield of faith.188 You can extinguish all flaming arrows of the evil ones. For faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.”189
The angels lowered their heads, and then lifted them, crowned with chrysoprase helmets. “These helmets of salvation will be a sign for others.190 You are to wear them as a reminder to the enemy of their ultimate defeat wherever they may sow their seeds throughout creation.”
A slender, golden object graced their right palms, except for Michael’s, whose was in his left. It was a miniature golden being with arms extended, head bowed, reading an open book. As Azarias rotated it, three fiery blades shot out from behind the being’s head intertwining to a point with flat edges. The being’s extended arms protruded as a cross guard on the blazing thirty-inch sword.
The Lord smiled. “Lastly, my courageous ones, are the swords, which are the Word of God.191 I am the Word192 and will be there always with you until the end of time.193 For the Word of God is living, active, and sharp enough to penetrate and divide soul and spirit. It exposes all, and judges those whom it pierces.” 194
He then paused and lowered His voice. “But the battle will not stop in my Father’s kingdom. No…when these demons are unleashed into the material world, they will expand their darkness into the universe, seeking to inject evil into all they touch, a force repelling all that is good, and perverting all that is pure. They seek to destroy my Father’s creations.”
Azarias bit his upper lip and looked down. The material world? What did he know of the material world except what the Spirit had shown him in visions? Only the Great One had visited there.
The Lord continued. “As you pass to and from the material world through Heaven’s second spiral (third level),195 so will your adversaries. However, their souls will no longer dwell in Heaven like yours but shall be exiled forever.196 Yet you will fight for the souls of those you have not known on the battlefields of this other spiral. The choices of those you fight for will determine your victories and their choices will cause your defeats.”
He pointed behind them to the open gate. “Go in the Spirit of God. I will provide an army of angels at your disposal to help rescue those named on the pillars at Ephesus. And together you will rid the Kingdom of Heaven of evil.”
When Azarias turned back, the Lord was gone, yet His peace and love remained.
He turned to the others, their faces still immersed in the surrounding Spirit. They were no longer a loosely knit cloak tearing apart at its seams. Their spirits were joined and renewed.
They were, as He had redefined them, God’s archangels.
Azarias raised his sword, the sign of the Septemviri ablaze on his wrist. He stared at it and remembered the insecurities that had so overwhelmed him. They all had changed so much. “My friends, follow me in casting our fears and doubts to the Spirit’s wind as we extend the Lord’s arm in judgment.”
The six raised their glowing swords and bent them into the circle. In a flash of bright, white light, they disappeared.
The End
* * *
131 Revelation 21:19
132 Revelation 21:21
133 Deuteronomy 33:7; Genesis 49:10; Revelation 21:12
134 Revelation 21:14
135 Ibid
136 Revelation 4:8,11
137 Ephesians 6:12
138 Revelation 12:3
139 Revelation 6:2
140 Revelation 6:4
141 Revelation 6:5
142 Revelation 4:5
143 Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 33:8
144 Acts 2:3
145 Revelation 4:3
146 Revelation 4:2
147 Revelation 4:5
148 Revelation 4:6
149 Revelation 22:1-2
150 Revelation 4:5
151 Revelation 4:4
152 Revelation 4:6-8
153 Revelation 4:7-12
154 Revelation 4:8-11
155 Revelation 4:10
156 Exodus 6:2-3
157 Genesis 14:22
158 Psalm 57:2
159 Revelation 1:12-16
160 Revelation 1:15
161 Hebrews 7 and 8
162 Revelation 1:16
163 Revelation 1:8
164 John 1:3, John 14:6
165 Matthew 28:19
166 Isaiah 14:12-15
167 John 3:19-20
168 John 8:1-11
169 James 1:12
170 Mark 3:28-30
171 Psalm 86:5; Lamentations 3:22-23
172 1 Peter 5:7
173 Psalm 46:1-3; Psalm 50:15
174 2 Corinthians 5:17
175 1 Corinthians 12:7
176 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
177 Matthew 22:30