ter. It is after all a bold move," he said with an air of self-satisfaction
in having been a part of such an occasion. "Wisdom angels! Always
asking questions."
"Yes, it's about time the Council made a bold move," added
Kara, who was perturbed at Plinus' smug manner. Plinus was of
such low character in Kara's estimation that to speak as if he had
performed an honorable task of his own initiation was repugnant.
"I'm sure you were quite in line with everyone as always, dear Pli-
nus. Very bold indeed!"
Before Plinus could respond the two entered the gallery and
began greeting the angels assembled. The Chief Elder sat in his
chair with the seven ruling angels. The remaining Elders were tak-
ing their places around the crescent-shaped table that faced the
ranking Elders. Kara felt good about his handling of the Council.
"I fear you are making a grave mistake placing yourself in Lucifer's hands." 137
He thought of the time to come when Gabriel, one of those suspi-
cious nuisances, would himself have to officially announce
Lucifer's promotion to the Kingdom. Delicious irony, he thought.
"Brothers," said the Chief Elder, "please be seated. Before we
embark on so important an action, I wish to thank this body for its
generous spirit of debate and cooperation. We have proven to the
amazement of some and to the disappointment of others (he looked
playfully at the Elders who had held out against assigning Lucifer
the position) that even angels can come to a reasonable consensus!"
Everyone laughed. "Brother Kara, you have submitted to us that of
all the angels in Heaven there is one who stands out from all the
others in regard to this matter, correct?"
Kara stood up and began speaking. "Brothers, I would never
submit to this body or any citizen of this Kingdom that there are
not a number of angels who could serve well in this matter. Why, in
this Council alone are many who could serve as governor of the
earth and perform admirably! But as there may be only one stew-
ard for the Most High, I must confess that the name which contin-
ually presents itself--and not only through me but from others in
the Kingdom--is Lucifer."
Voices in agreement filled the chamber as angels validated the
name of Lucifer as their choice to submit to the Lord. The Chief
Elder waited for the demonstration on Lucifer's behalf to subside
and then recognized Dabran, who stood to speak.
"Not again," groaned Plinus to Kara.
"Quiet," said Kara. "Better he speak now than later."
"I realize that I do not speak from popular sentiment on this
issue in this chamber," began Dabran, whose words were met with
jeers from some of the angels: "He's jealous," or "Quit delaying
things," or other such words.
The Chief Elder pounded the dais and raised his voice: "There
will be a decorum commiserate with these proceedings! I will have
no voice shouted down in this body. Do I make myself under-
stood?" The angels nodded assent to the presiding Elder and began
to lower their voices and take their seats.
138 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
Kara was disturbed by the rashness that the Lucifer contin-
gent had been demonstrating of late. In casual encounters on the
street or at the Temple those who supported Lucifer were growing
in confidence and becoming more and more bold in their
demeanor. Such attitudes are healthy to a point, but must be kept
in check. Kara decided to speak to Lucifer about holding his disci-
ples a little more tightly. As a representative of the angels to the
Most High and as a leader among the Host, Kara felt it was his duty
to make sure that dignity was maintained throughout the proceed-
ings. As he saw it, it might be he and not Lucifer who could broker
the great peace to come. A wonderful legacy!
Dabran and Lucifer had been opposed to each other on many
issues in the Kingdom and Dabran had come to the conclusion that
Lucifer was not at all the angel he appeared to be. "You who would
only his own gain," he said. Many angels began muttering again,
cajoling or laughing at the scholarly angel who opposed them.
"Yes, his own gain!" Dabran continued forcefully. "I know that
some of you have been bought with promises of appointments to
serve under Lucifer--to the utter shame of all angels..."
"Sit down, Dabran," someone shouted. "Quit making a fool of
yourself."
Kara watched with keen interest as the angels began to drown
out Dabran's words with their demonstrations of loyalty to Lucifer.
How masterfully Lucifer had cultivated such loyalty and in such
short order. He truly was the greatest angel in Heaven.
Dabran continued on as if he didn't notice the noisy angels
shouting. "Serve him well. But the day will come that you will
regret ever having heard the name Morning Star!" The chamber
exploded in angry cries for Dabran's expulsion from the room. The
tension was overwhelming. Angels stood and accused Dabran of
playing games with a most holy decision. The Chief Elder tried to
regain control but to no avail. Dabran simply stood, quietly waiting
to continue speaking. The Council slowly came to order again,
amidst a few spontaneous outbursts.
"May I speak, Dabran?" asked Kara.
"I fear you are making a grave mistake placing yourself in Lucifer's hands." 139
"Of course, Kara," answered Dabran, who was shaken from
the ordeal but not defeated. "If there is one voice which I respect
here it is yours, though I fear you are making a grave mistake plac-
ing yourself in Lucifer's hands."
"Thank you, dear Dabran," Kara said. He walked over to
Dabran's seat and embraced the shaken angel. Dabran sat down as
Kara stood to his side and began speaking. "Brothers, we all know
that some have opposed this idea from the beginning. We are, as
someone said, setting a new precedent, stepping onto unknown
ground. But I must admit that it saddens me to see such arrogance
displayed by some of the Elders in here. I would rather withdraw
the name of Lucifer than watch Dabran be treated with such con-
tempt." Kara's voice was growing more and more loud. "This is a
deliberating body--a fellowship--where one voice may speak
freely and without risk of the sordid display we just witnessed. I
suspect that Lucifer would feel this way and that he will build the
same individual freedoms on the earth.
"The Most High expects that we will be fair and cooperative
in this Council. As to the issues of delegating certain future offices,
yes, Lucifer has speculated with some about possible positions of
authority that will be created on earth. But is that so wrong? Does
not the God Most High, the Three-In-One, deliberate the great and
secret things of the Kingdom?"
"You would compare Lucifer's dark deliberations with the
most holy dialogue between the Father, the Son and the Spirit?"
asked an incredulous Dabran. He stood u
p again, his anger build-
ing. He looked straight at Kara. "You would turn over stewardship
of the Lord's greatest design to an angel who shows contempt for
His Holy Name?" He turned to the other angels who were watch-
ing him intently. "I think you overestimate your influence with the
Lord, dear Council. Creatures do not dictate to their Creator--nor
do they even make polite recommendations no matter how official
they may be. I will not remain here and be party to such a gross
and...yes, unholy proposition!"
The room exploded in boisterous tumult as Dabran exited the
chamber, accompanied by the same jeers and maligning he had
140 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
received earlier. Kara watched him leave and waited for calm to be
restored. Though uncomfortable with the nature of the debate,
Kara knew the time had come to make an end of it.
"Brother angels! We stand ready to influence our Kingdom as
never before. The Fourth Day has come and gone--the earth now
has its own sun and moon and even stars that shed their light apart
from our Lord. This can only mean that His attention will now turn
toward the inhabitants of that planet--inhabitants who will need a
gentle hand to guide them. I know, brothers, that these are stressful
times. But we must be brave and humble in this task as we place
our trust and confidence in the one angel who can maintain unity
among our struggling angelry. I, Kara, elder of the Host, call upon
this body to make official our designation of Lucifer as governor of
the new world called earth; and for that name to be humbly placed
before the Most High for His wise and most holy consideration..."
----------------
Michael entered Lucifer's house in a guarded mood. Crispin
had convinced him that this was a proper course of action as
Lucifer had initiated the contact. He also felt he owed it to one of
Heaven's greatest angels to meet with him alone, but could not
help but be suspicious of this sudden desire on Lucifer's part to
speak with him. Serus conducted Michael through the vast house
and led him into the garden where Lucifer was seated. Michael
noticed immediately the worshipful state of mind that the garden
invited as Lucifer's music filled the air, greeting visitors as they
progressed through the estate.
"Ah, Michael," said Lucifer, who stood to embrace him.
"Thank you for coming!" He indicated for Michael to be seated
next to where he had been sitting. "Serus, see that we are not dis-
turbed," Lucifer said.
After Serus disappeared Lucifer continued. "I know how
awkward my message must have made you feel, dear brother,"
said Lucifer. "But it is for that reason that I wanted to speak with
you to clear your mind of any thoughts you might have regarding
"I fear you are making a grave mistake placing yourself in Lucifer's hands." 141
my loyalty to the Most High. It is terribly awkward for me as well,
I assure you."
Michael was clearly uncomfortable. Lucifer was the most
influential angel in Heaven and here he himself was, a recently
appointed archangel, accusing Lucifer of nothing short of disloyal-
ty to God. "I'm sure that we can straighten the matter out, Lucifer,"
said Michael, "provided that you can set my mind at ease regard-
ing some activities of which I have become aware."
"Of course," said Lucifer. "Anything I can do to promote har-
mony in this Kingdom will have my full attention and support."
Thus did Michael begin to divulge to Lucifer the results of his
investigations and discussions with other angels. All of the recent
events seemed to swirl about the two as Michael chronologically
detailed Lucifer's apparent jealousy of Gabriel; the Council of Wor-
ship's potentially hostile agenda; the prideful attitude of certain
angels friendly to Lucifer; the teaching at the Academy and the
brashness of many angels there; Sangius' report of Lucifer's inter-
est in the Creation; Lucifer's alliance with Pellecus and other angels
who seemed bent upon great changes....
When Michael was finished he waited for Lucifer's reaction
with great interest. As he made the charges his discomfort had
taken on a feeling of vindication. He felt that he would finally begin
to clear up this matter by placing Lucifer in direct line of his ques-
tioning. Also, by taking the matter discreetly to Lucifer and allow-
ing him to give his own account, he felt he was doing the honorable
thing. Surely the Most High would approve should this matter take
on greater importance.
"Well I certainly look guilty, don't I?" Lucifer finally respond-
ed. He picked a berry from one of the nearby bushes and tossed it
casually into his mouth. "And I can certainly understand why you
and Gabriel and the others would be concerned." He laughed. "If I
were you I too would be suspicious of me!"
"Well?" asked Michael. "Can you explain these things to me so I
can go back and tell the others that we have nothing to fear in Lucifer?"
"Fear me?" asked Lucifer, who burst into laughter. "I thought
there was no fear in this Kingdom." He looked at Michael with
142 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
great passion. "Dear Michael, I preside over the worship of the
Most High God, Creator of all. I bring praises to the Throne Room
of Him who is above all. My music fills Heaven as we rejoice and
extol the virtue of the Father, Son and Spirit. Tell me, Michael, if I
was truly involved in these sordid excursions do you really believe
that the Most High would allow me to continue in my place of
service--much less approach His Throne and lead others there as
well?" Michael noticed that as Lucifer spoke a hazy light blue aura
manifested around him, which usually only occurred whenever
Lucifer was leading the praises of the Lord.
"Our Lord is all-powerful, is He not?" continued Lucifer. "Yes,
He is. He is in the process now of creating a world merely by speak-
ing it into existence as you and I would speak to another angel. If
these seditious antics were truly occurring how long would I or
Pellecus or any of the rest of those you named be a part of this King-
dom? Why would the Most High tolerate corruption under His
very throne? He would not, I say--not if He is truly all-powerful!"
"I cannot answer that," said Michael. "I know that Crispin
believes that the longsuffering nature of our Lord possibly allows
Him to put up with such behavior--for a season."
"Ah, Crispin," said Lucifer. "A capable teacher there. Very
wise. And very jealous of the school's reputation and integrity. Per-
haps a little too jealous, Michael."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm simply pointing out that when one is buried in one's
tasks one can lose perspective and become a little overprotective of
his domain--small as it might be. I love Crispin with all my heart.
But he seldom leaves the Academy and for that reason is mistrust-
ful of most who enter there--including myself and others who
mi
ght enjoy debating a different point of view. Crispin is to you
what Pellecus is to me--an academic voice with whom I enjoy
scholarly discourse. Nothing more."
"Crispin would welcome debate," Michael said. "But open debate
that would involve the secretive teachings that Pellecus promotes."
"Secretive teachings?" asked an amused Lucifer. "I would
hardly call what most of the Academy now seems to subscribe to a
"I fear you are making a grave mistake placing yourself in Lucifer's hands." 143
secret teaching! No, Michael, Crispin would call secretive anything
that he deemed unworthy of or different from the sacred teachings.
Perhaps if he would entertain different thoughts from time to time
he wouldn't find himself a part of such fantasies and see danger in
every new idea." Lucifer smiled. "He certainly has agitated a great
number of angels with this nonsense."
"So what does Pellecus teach?" asked Michael, finding him-
self on the defensive at this point. "Crispin is no fool. If he believes
that there is dangerous doctrine being promoted within the Acade-
my there must be something to it."
"I quite agree," said Lucifer. "Crispin is no fool. But you and
I will never settle this here. This is a matter to be settled between
Pellecus and Crispin. It always centers around those two, doesn't
it? Perhaps there would be no better way to demonstrate my devo-
tion to the peace and goodwill of this Kingdom than by helping
create a lasting peace between them."
"What are you proposing?" asked Michael, curiosity aroused.
"You said yourself that Crispin would welcome open debate
on the subjects that are in question. I propose that Pellecus and
Crispin have such a debate to be witnessed by the instructors and
students of the Academy. This would be a scholarly exercise unpar-
alleled since the inception of the school, and would, I believe, lay to
rest the notion that Pellecus' teachings are dangerous. Perhaps,