Exile of Lucifer

by D. Brian Shafer

Drachon--Keeper of the Door

  Sar--Singer of Praises

  Wisdom Angels:

  Tinius--Recorder of the Holy Annals

  Pellecus--Esteemed Teacher

  Lenaes--Angel of Light

  Belor--Angel of Light

  Lucifer did not usually call a meeting without prior notice

  given. The members arrived in groups of twos and threes and took

  their seats at the conference table, talking reservedly about the

  service they had just attended. The hushed tone of the room gave

  away the intense curiosity that everyone was experiencing as they

  all held one question in their minds: Why is he calling this meeting?

  When Serus saw that everyone had arrived he announced to

  Lucifer that the assembly was ready to receive him. All eyes turned

  to Lucifer as he entered the room, dressed now in a simple white

  cloak. The angels began to stand.

  "Please, my friends! Be seated! After all we're not here to

  install an archangel," he said smiling at everyone. They laughed.

  "Aren't we?" asked Tinius in mock seriousness. The room

  burst out in even greater laughter and Lucifer nodded to Tinius and

  sat down.

  28 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  "Yes, yes," said Lucifer as he sat down at the head of the table.

  "It is no secret among my closest friends that I contemplated offer-

  ing my services to the Most High as a ruling angel. But you all

  know I serve my Lord in whatever capacity He deems appropriate.

  I am quite content to be His humble leader of worship, with this

  marvelous Council to aid me." He extended his hand toward the

  Council. "We were made for other things, you and I; to serve and

  not be served."

  The group looked around at each other for an awkward

  moment before someone broke in with a remark about the ceremo-

  ny. Everyone immediately followed with general praise for the

  inspired music that had been featured in Gabriel's installation.

  Lucifer raised his hands to silence the praise.

  "Enough, my friends," he said. "Of course it was magnificent.

  How could my music be anything but magnificent? I have no

  choice but to create magnificent worship. Forgive me, but your

  comment holds a very personal meaning to me of late..."

  Lucifer stood up and gazed over the heads of the group in a

  manner that reflected deep and disturbed thought. "Please under-

  stand me," he continued. "I don't mean that as a boast. It is my des-

  tiny...my lot to create magnificent music. Just as all of you have a

  destiny from which you would never deviate." He smiled a wan

  smile.

  The Council was perplexed by Lucifer's melancholy behavior.

  Finally Rugio, the ranking warrior-angel of the council, stood up

  and assailed the awkward moment. "What is disturbing you, my

  lord?" he said.

  Lucifer looked at the group seated at the table with deeply

  troubled eyes. "I apologize, my friends. I should not burden you

  with my private concerns. Please forgive me." He sat back down

  and regained his composure. "Now, let me progress to the reason

  for our meeting today..."

  "Lord Lucifer," said Nathan, another warrior, "I think I may

  speak for the group when I say that we would invite you to unbur-

  den yourself here in this room. We are your brothers and your

  friends." The group agreed vigorously.

  "Let's make an archangel, shall we?" 29

  Lucifer surveyed the group around the table, meeting and

  reading each face, and with a great sigh relented. "Very well. I

  know I may talk freely, but please realize that this is a deeply grave

  matter that I have been thinking about for some time now and of

  which I have drawn no conclusion as of yet."

  ----------------

  The smell of honeysuckles filled the air in the beautiful garden

  near the Great Hall. The golden-domed roof that covered the Tem-

  ple shimmered in the distance. Gabriel watched his friend curious-

  ly. He knew that something was on Michael's mind, and had been

  ever since they left the ceremony. There had been silence between

  the two angels for a long time, when suddenly they both spoke out

  at the same time, calling each other's name. They laughed.

  "Quite a service, hmm?" said Gabriel. "I have always enjoyed

  installations. But I never figured that I would be the one being hon-

  ored. It's quite a humbling event, isn't it?"

  "I found my installation to be not only humbling but pur-

  poseful. I have never been so filled with a sense of mission and

  service to the Lord as I am now," answered Michael, who felt a

  sense of pride. "I love my office."

  "We've certainly come a long way," said Gabriel. "I always

  wondered what would become of us. Though I always knew you

  would be a leader of some sort, but an archangel?"

  "Yes, and I always figured you to be a part of the worship

  ministry. Your heart for worship has always been evident," said

  Michael. He threw down one of the fragrant flowers he was hold-

  ing. "Just like Lucifer."

  "Very true," responded Gabriel, who realized that Michael

  wanted to interject Lucifer into the dialog. "Lucifer always seemed

  closer to the Lord than the rest of us, or at least I always thought so.

  I used to watch him worshiping God, hoping to learn the secret of

  such devotion. `It is no secret,' he would say. `Just love the Most

  High more than anything else.' The Lord certainly placed him well."

  "Do you remember when we would all worship the Lord

  together in the Temple?" Michael asked. "I mean long before any of

  30 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  us had our appointments. You and I would sing with all our hearts.

  But Lucifer...he seemed to have the voice of God when he sang.

  Remember how the other angels would stop and listen to the beau-

  tiful praise coming from his mouth?"

  Gabriel nodded, remembering the glorious light that Lucifer's

  face gave off when he sang praises to the Most High.

  Michael went on. "And then God appointed Lucifer to the

  position of worship minister for the entire Kingdom. Do you

  remember that?"

  "Of course," answered Gabriel, a little suspicious by now of

  where Michael was taking this discussion. "He did a wonderful job

  today."

  "I remember that Lucifer was ecstatic," Michael continued.

  "He was finally doing what he had been created to do. He loved to

  worship. He always said that all he wanted to do was worship

  God...forever. And God brought it all to pass. We were so happy for

  our friend. And this was long before I was made a ruling angel. Do

  you remember all that?" asked Michael.

  "Yes, Michael," said Gabriel curtly. "And...?"

  Michael looked at his friend and decided to speak his mind

  even if it offended Gabriel. "I'm not sure. I believe he was...I don't

  know...did you see him after the ceremony? He didn't even come

  over to congratulate you. That's not how an old friend should

  behave. He should have been one of the first angels to share in

  your joy! Instead he barely even acknowledged you. I think he is

  jealo
us."

  "Then why don't you go over and talk with him?" said

  Gabriel. "Ask him, `Lucifer, are you jealous of Gabriel?' Then he'll

  tell you `No' and you can forget about all this nonsense."

  Michael was beginning to feel a little foolish now but contin-

  ued. "I know you think I am being ridiculous about all this but

  something is wrong when the minister of worship acts so cold to

  everyone on such an occasion--especially his old friends!"

  "Perhaps if you weren't so suspicious you could see more

  clearly," responded Gabriel. "Try treating him as a friend rather

  than a minister of worship."

  "Let's make an archangel, shall we?" 31

  "Alright, alright," said Michael. "I won't say another word

  about Lucifer...for a while anyway."

  "Thank you," said Gabriel. "Not another word, please."

  As he finished these words a long, low trumpet sounded from

  the north.

  "Well," said Gabriel, "looks like I have to meet with the

  Elders. And so soon! Guess they just can't govern without me!"

  "Well, they'll find that out soon enough," Michael said smil-

  ing. "I'm sorry, my brother. And I promise. Not another word."

  Gabriel smiled at Michael as two great, muscular, translucent

  wings instantly appeared from behind him. The wings did not

  move rapidly like the wings of the seraphim; rather, they simply

  unfolded and gracefully lifted Gabriel into the Heavenly sky, car-

  rying him toward the golden roof of the House of Elders.

  Michael thought about their conversation as he watched his

  friend disappear in the blueness of Heaven. He determined not to

  bother Gabriel anymore until he either had something definite that

  would give credence to his suspicions, or until Gabriel was himself

  convinced that something was indeed wrong with Lucifer. Maybe

  Gabriel was right and this was all a lot of nonsense. Perhaps this

  sort of behavior was the way with some angels, particularly those

  angels gifted in such demanding and creative ministry as Lucifer.

  As he reflected on these things, Crispin, a renowned angel of

  wisdom walked by and nodded at Michael. He was on his way to

  the Academy, just a short distance from the park entrance where

  Michael and Gabriel had been talking. Crispin was a noted teacher

  among the angels, and a favorite among those who were called to

  special service in the Lord's house. It was widely held that Crispin

  was one of the wisest angels in Heaven. Michael had sat under his

  teaching, as had Gabriel, Lucifer and many of the other angels who

  were now higher ranked. He was also a prolific writer and had

  recorded much of the Chronicles of the Kingdom and was a foun-

  tain of knowledge about everything concerning Heaven.

  "Good day, master," said Michael.

  32 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  "Good day, Michael," said Crispin, who was reading a book

  bound in silver as he walked. "Beautiful service, beautiful service,

  hmm?" he muttered.

  "More books, eh?" teased Michael. "You already know more

  than all the other angels in Heaven combined! What could you pos-

  sibly be studying now?"

  Crispin turned to Michael. "One can never have too much

  knowledge, Michael. I hope you learned at least that much from

  me." He then assumed a familiar teaching demeanor that was leg-

  end throughout Heaven. "Michael, it is by knowledge that we were

  made by the Most High, praised be His name. And it is by the

  increase of knowledge that we grow closer to Him. You should

  spend more time inside the library rather than standing around

  gawking at it. You'll find answers there, Michael. Good day to

  you," Crispin said, as he turned and continued on his way.

  Michael smiled and bade him good-bye. Same old Crispin, he

  thought to himself. He watched him disappear into the ornate,

  multi-columned library building, which was a second home to wise

  angels such as he who taught at the Academy. A burst of inspiration

  suddenly hit Michael as he looked toward the Academy and

  thought of what Crispin had just said. Perhaps you're right, my schol-

  arly friend, he thought to himself. Perhaps there are answers there! He

  hurried to catch up to his old teacher.

  33

  Chapter 3

  "Would a perfect God allow His

  creatures to turn on Him?"

  The angels assembled in the room watched Lucifer, who

  seemed to be struggling within himself over what he was about to

  divulge. Finally, he looked at them and began speaking. "My

  brothers, just a short moment ago we were discussing the music I

  created for Gabriel's celebration. We all agreed that this was

  remarkably beautiful music. For that I thank you. But when I said

  that I have no choice but to create beautiful praise I meant that

  quite literally. I am bound by the parameters that the Most High

  has set forth within me when I was created. What choice have I but

  to reflect the beauty that God has placed inside of me for His glory?

  It is my destiny, is it not?"

  They looked at Lucifer, not knowing how to respond.

  "Poor Lucifer! So perfect...so frustrated!" said Tinius.

  Everyone laughed nervously.

  "No, my dear Tinius, I have been thinking about this for a

  very long time. Our Lord has created this realm called Heaven. He

  and the Son and the Spirit rule from the Eternal Throne and as far

  as we know They always have. We have been taught that there was

  never a time when They did not exist and that at some point They

  34 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer

  created each of us. Though why They have need of some of us I

  don't understand," he added, looking at Tinius in good humor. The

  group joined in at Tinius' expense.

  "These three have created a perfect world," Lucifer continued.

  "I mean, have you ever really explored this Kingdom? It is aston-

  ishingly beautiful. Nothing has been left to chance. Everything is in

  order and designed to perfection. Everything."

  Lucifer walked over to the large window and made a dramat-

  ic gesture indicating the panorama of the Kingdom outside. "A per-

  fect world," he said, gazing out the window, the Great Temple's

  golden dome brilliantly shining in the distance. He walked back to

  the table and sat down.

  "Now it follows that if one creates a world, one would desire

  to populate it with subjects, does it not? I mean, the Three-in-One

  cannot rule each other, can They? Though it might be interesting to

  see them try," he added. Some of the angels laughed.

  Sangius, a worship angel whose ministry at the Holy Flame

  kept him near the Lord spoke up nervously. "This conversation

  seems quite disrespectful!" A few of the angels looked at him coldly.

  "Please, Sangius, hear me out. I mean no disrespect. Our gra-

  cious Sovereign takes no offense at such conversation. It is too far

  beneath Him to concern Himself with our little scholarly episodes.

  Besides, I hear He has a marvelous sense of humor."

  Sangius assented and Lucifer went on.

  "As I was saying, with the creation of such a pe
rfect world,

  there would be a desire to create those who would inhabit such a

  world. We have always been taught that so great is the love of our

  Lord, that He wanted to share that love with others beside Himself.

  And thus was sparked in the mind of God the angelic Host, that is,

  you and I. And we were not to be just a mob of angels, but angels

  of different assignment and distinct inclination; some given to wor-

  ship, others given to war, some given to wisdom. But all given to

  serve God and carry through with His vision and plans for this or

  any other kingdom He may establish.

  "Now that raises an interesting problem. I mean, having creat-

  ed such a place of perfection, He must now populate this perfection

  "Would a perfect God allow His creatures to turn on Him?" 35

  with imperfect creatures such as you and I. To my thinking this

  spoils the whole work of perfection. Why must this be?"

  "Because the Lord in His wisdom willed it so," said Sangius.

  Lucifer arose and walked over to an ornate vase filled with

  lilacs, ignoring Sangius' comment. The angels watched him curi-

  ously. "Consider this lovely flower," he said, taking one in his fin-

  gers. "Stunningly beautiful and fragrant to the smell, and yet it has

  no other function than to be exactly that." He sniffed the flower and

  laid it on the table in front of Sangius. He then knocked loudly on

  the table, startling some of the angels. "And this table and these

  chairs will never serve any other function than what they were

  designed for and for what we are now using them."

  Lucifer moved over to an ornate cabinet and opened one of

  the drawers, pulling out a scroll similar to the one Serus had car-

  ried earlier. "And this music of mine. What is it except that which I

  must write because it was for such things I was created?" He dra-

  matically threw the scroll across the room, sending it rolling across

  the floor.

  "You, Tinius!" Lucifer said, pointing at the perplexed angel.