where hundreds of angels were involved in scholarly discussions:
Some were very animated in making their point, others reasoned
quietly. Michael smiled as he saw a group of angels being ushered
into the very room where he himself had been taught by Crispin.
He walked the halls, greeting some of his former teachers as
he went. Michael peeked into a room and saw several hundred
angels seated on the floor in front of a platform. The room itself was
circular, with very high ceilings that let in light from the outside
through large round windows near the top. It could hold some ten
thousand angels, though today's class was relatively small.
"Who's teaching in here today?" Michael asked one of the
angels.
"This is Crispin's class," answered the angel, a little perplexed
at the archangel's presence.
"Thank you," said Michael. "I think I'll join you."
Michael took a place on the floor very near to where he had
sat as a student. The angels around him looked at him, amazed that
the noted angel should attend their class. Michael decided to end
their speculation about him and said, "Crispin taught me that one
can never learn too much of the Lord's truth. Today I'm here as a
student, not as a ruler."
Crispin entered the room from the rear and walked up to the
three-stepped dais that was in the center of the room. The students
were seated casually on the floor, encircling the platform. Michael
watched as the revered teacher sat his books down, gathered his
notes and cleared his throat, a routine he had witnessed a hundred
times before. Crispin looked over the class and noticed Michael,
seated to his left.
"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!" 45
"Well, it seems that even archangels can learn something," he
said, the class laughing. "Welcome to my class again, Michael. I
trust you find today's lesson interesting, hmm? As well as the rest
of you," he added, scanning the room.
For the remainder of the session Michael was entranced as
Crispin taught on the creation of the angels. Crispin was a mar-
velous teacher, who involved the students in lively discussion
while he spoke. Michael enjoyed listening to the students ask ques-
tions, remembering some of these very issues being brought up
when he attended classes at the Academy.
"In conclusion," said Crispin, "let me simply say that as
angels we are privileged to serve with the greatest dignity and free-
dom any creature can have, because we are free to live under the
wisdom and love of a Creator who takes an interest in our ministry
and who preserves us for even greater things. There is not one
angel in all of Heaven who can know the mind of God and what
plans He has for His creation. How grateful we angels should be
that we were made for such things."
Crispin sat down, assuming an uncharacteristically informal
posture. "I love my role and I hope all of you love whatever min-
istries you are called to as well. One never knows where service to
the Most High might lead. Just look at Michael: a prime example of
God's grace and purpose working in the life of an angel. We certain-
ly never expected such an honor, did we Michael?" asked Crispin.
All eyes were upon Michael, who jumped as if awoken from a
dream and said, "No. Of course not. I never sought such an honor
and I certainly never deserved it. But God has chosen me and He
will choose some of you for great things as well." He looked up at
his old teacher with a how-did-I-do? expression.
"Well done, Michael. I see that you were listening to some of
my lectures anyway," Crispin said as the other students laughed.
"Any other questions before we conclude?"
"I have one," came the familiar voice of Berenius, an angel of
worship who loved to spar with Crispin and the other teachers on dif-
ficult issues. Berenius seldom asked a question without an ulterior
motive in mind--usually he was just trying to bait a teacher into
some intractable theological problem.
46 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"Yes, Berenius," said Crispin. "What is it?"
"I have yet to hear a satisfactory answer concerning true free-
dom. I mean, master, you have spent a great deal of time discussing
freedom and yet I am still confused as to its nature. How can we
angels have such great freedom if we must obey everything we are
told?" asked Berenius. Many of the students winced as they heard
the question. Others echoed the question with "Yes" or "Answer
that one!"
Crispin read the mood of the class and replied, "You certainly
have a knack for picking subjects that are far too lengthy and
involved to give a satisfactory answer to in this setting. Perhaps we
can take up the subject of our freedom in the next session." Crispin
began gathering his things and continued speaking. "You see, Bere-
nius, I am in a sense not free to delve into this matter right now
because my responsibilities take me elsewhere at this very moment.
True freedom and responsibility are compatible. I would go so far as
to say that one cannot be truly free unless one is given some sort of
parameters, boundaries, to make that freedom meaningful. The
Lord in His wisdom created boundaries for us and in doing so
assured us of freedom. Sounds like a paradox, I know, but it is true."
"A paradox indeed," said Berenius, who gathered his things
to leave. "It seems as if the Academy is rampant with paradox."
The students began leaving the room, some saying that
Crispin didn't have the answer, or Berenius was far too clever for
him, while others said that Berenius was just a troublemaker and
wasn't really interested in the answer. Crispin watched them as
they filed out.
Michael turned to Crispin and said, "I certainly don't remem-
ber the students being so brash when I was at the Academy. Even if
we disagreed with the teacher we didn't make an issue of it like
Berenius."
"Yes, Michael, things have changed at the Academy since you
attended classes here," sighed Crispin. He closed his eyes as he re-
membered. "The students were once so diligent in the pursuit of
knowledge about the Lord and the Kingdom. They were tremen-
dously interested in learning about their roles and their service to
"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!" 47
the Lord." He looked at Michael. "Now it seems that so many of
them have an agenda that is quite their own, as if they're not satis-
fied with the traditional truths which the Most High gave us and
which we have always been taught. No, they're always question-
ing, always debating. Like Berenius. Of course Berenius comes by
it as a result of his association with Pellecus."
"Pellecus?" asked Michael. "What does he have to do with
this?"
"Pellecus has a number of angels who follow his rather con-
fusing teachings," said Crispin.
"But he doesn't teach anymore," answered Michael, a little
confused.
"Oh, he te
aches," said Crispin. "Just not here at the Academy.
Pellecus will always teach. The Lord created him to be a marvelous
teacher, very gifted, very brilliant. He was a favorite at the Acade-
my, you know. And he leaves quite a legacy. His influence over a
number of the angels he instructed as well as many of the teachers
is enormous."
"Really?" asked Michael with growing curiosity.
"Oh yes," said Crispin. He looked around the room making
sure they were alone and said, "But I can't put the blame of this
attitude which is setting in entirely on Pellecus. True, his teachings
are a bit on the...independent side, but I feel there is something
greater...something more going on here." Crispin looked around
and leaned into Michael, speaking quietly. Michael leaned in to
hear his words. "Michael, I believe there is a movement which is
much more dangerous than some radical philosophy that has
infected some of the teachers and students at the Academy. I
believe there is something under way which is quite critical, even
dangerous to the peace of this Kingdom. And I believe I know who
is responsible."
----------------
The Great Hall of Assembly was energized when Lucifer
arrived following the trumpet blast that had summoned him. He
passed groups of angels who were talking among themselves trying
48 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
to figure out what was going on. Normally, assemblies such as this
were only called with advance warning. This was beginning to look
like a very important occasion--particularly since all he could see
were highly placed angels.
Lucifer found his usual seat near the center, where a seven-
stepped circular platform was situated. It was from this platform
the Chief Elder spoke, and Lucifer was looking around to see if he
was anywhere nearby so he could find out exactly what was hap-
pening. He noted that though many of the more important angels
were in attendance, there were none of the warrior class present,
not even the archangels.
"It seems that the Lord is only interested in singers and sages
today," Lucifer said to Octrion, a chief worship angel who was seat-
ed just behind Lucifer. Octrion was only a few steps lower than
Lucifer where the music ministry was concerned, serving as an
assistant in many worship experiences. He was also one of the best
sources for the latest news in the Kingdom, because Octrion loved
to talk to everyone. If anyone would know what this was all about,
it was he.
"So it seems," said Octrion, looking around at the growing
number of angels. "But it only makes sense if what I have heard is
true."
"Really?" said Lucifer. "And what have you heard?"
Octrion looked this way and that, then whispered to Lucifer,
"I heard that the Lord is about to announce that one of us worship
or wisdom angels is about to become involved in a spectacular new
ministry!"
"Interesting," said Lucifer, speaking loudly enough for the
angels seated around them to hear. "But who in this room deserves
such an honor? All honor belongs only to the Most High. I bear my
ministry with no expectation of reward. My pleasure is in serving
the Lord--nothing more."
Some of the angels around him whispered to one another.
"Well, that's what I heard," said Octrion, a little embarrassed for
having brought the subject up. He sat down again.
"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!" 49
Lucifer thought about what Octrion said. Could it be that this
assembly was called to announce some great promotion? He
looked around the room again to see if other noteworthy angels
were in attendance, but could find none who could compare with
his own station. Among the angels present there was only one obvi-
ous choice for some new position as far as Lucifer was concerned:
himself. Perhaps Octrion was right...
Suddenly the murmur of the crowd began to dissipate as the
Elders solemnly entered the room and made their way to a section
near the center that was reserved for them. Gabriel, whose capaci-
ty as Messenger to the Kingdom necessitated his being at all im-
portant functions, solemnly followed the procession. Many
whisperings of Gabriel's name could be heard throughout the room
as the angels saw the archangel enter the room. Since he only
attended very important assemblies, this could only mean some-
thing very significant was about to be revealed.
Lucifer watched as the Elders seated themselves one by one
until only Gabriel was standing. He then climbed the platform
steps, carrying a large, white scroll that the Chief Elder had hand-
ed to him previously. The recently confirmed golden sheath carry-
ing his sword of office shimmered as he mounted the steps.
All eyes were upon Gabriel as he prepared to read from the
golden scroll. Generally the Chief Elder read the proclamations at
these gatherings, but since Gabriel was reading, this must be some-
thing truly grand! With great ceremony, he broke the seal on the
scroll and began unrolling it. Lucifer cocked his head forward,
keenly interested. Gabriel began reading...
----------------
The labyrinthine passages of the Great Library that led to the
private rooms of the ranking wisdom angels who taught at the
Academy were something that Michael had always wanted to see.
They were off-limits while he was attending, though he and Gabriel
and some of the others had thought up some never-used schemes
to gain entry. Now he was accompanying the greatest teacher at the
Academy down these very halls to discuss something dark and
50 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
brooding. He could not help but wonder if somehow Lucifer fit into
all of this, and meant to bring his name up at first opportunity.
They arrived at Crispin's chambers and entered.
"Here we are, Michael," said Crispin. "The sanctorum, as it
were."
Michael was not surprised to find that everywhere he looked
were stacks and stacks of books. From the top of the room to the
floor were volumes on every subject in Heaven. Crispin noticed
Michael gawking at the enormous number of books that lined
every wall.
"Don't be too impressed, Michael," he said. "They belong to
the Library. I'm just borrowing them. Better make a note to myself
to return them sometime. Here, have a seat," he said, clearing a
chair in front of his desk which was piled high with books. Michael
sat down and Crispin began.
"Now, before we get into any of this let me say that though I
may mention some important names, I have no real evidence to
either vindicate or nullify my thoughts. By that I mean there is no
clear picture of any of this. It's really bits and pieces--but they
begin to add up as one takes them as a whole. And remember: In
the history of this Kingdom since its creation there has never been
an incident where an angel rebelled against the Lord. So, what I'm
te
lling you is that I am accusing no angel of any crime against the
Lord. You understand what I'm saying."
"Yes," said Michael. "Of course."
"Good. Then let me begin by giving you a little background as
to what has been happening in recent times, since you and your
group left the Academy. As you know, the Lord devised the Academy
of the Host as an instructional ministry to all angels--particularly
those angels who showed the greatest promise in their areas of gift-
ing. Not all angels are going to become archangels, any more than
all angels can become teachers. The Lord knew this when He creat-
ed us, and so he developed this school as a place where the skills of
all angels could be sharpened. As to those angels who don't excel
as some others do, they are not looked down upon by the Lord at
all. They are simply given other tasks to perform. But remember,
"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!" 51
the greatest task any angel can perform is to glorify God in his
duties, however great or humble." Crispin said these last words
with an impassioned resolve.
"After the Academy was set up a number of wisdom angels
were selected to become the instructors, of which I was one. Ours
was a very important ministry and one we did not take lightly. The
Lord set us to studying the deep things of the Kingdom for a very
long time, until we were ourselves ready to teach. It was during
this time of preparation that I became acquainted with Pellecus.
After much laborious study, the time came that we began teaching
and training angels for their posts of ministry and have been doing
so even up until now.
"The first groups of angels to enter the Academy proved to be
those destined for the greatest appointments of ministry. This was
the season when you were a student, Michael--as were Gabriel,
Sangius, Tinius, Kara, Lucifer and many others. Look where these
angels are now serving in the Kingdom! You and Gabriel of course
Exile of Lucifer Page 6