Serus looked at Michael and smiled a forced sort of smile--a
consigned look upon his face. "Don't you see it is too late for me?"
he said. "Me and the others who have fallen in with Lucifer. I know,
Michael, that you would say it is not too late. There are some angels
who have thrown in with Lucifer completely--particularly those
whom he has appointed leaders. And there are some angels who
have crossed over with Lucifer who really don't understand why."
He sighed. "And there is me...caught in the middle,
Michael--too afraid to leave Lucifer and too ashamed to come back
to the Most High. I don't deserve the mercy of the Lord, Michael.
That is why I choose to remain with Lucifer and suffer whatever
fate befalls him, which I know I deserve equally."
"Serus, you can still turn to the Most High. You don't have to
fall with Lucifer."
"Michael," Serus responded. "I have fallen already."
----------------
The hush that fell over the crowded hall at the Academy after
Polias' introductory remarks was in sharp contrast with the chatter
of the previous moment. All eyes were upon the two presenters--
Pellecus and Crispin. Though no one outwardly admitted it, the
debate was a microcosm of the larger disturbances that had taken
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 175
Heaven's center stage. Doctrinal differences were not what was
being contested here. This was a preview of the coming conflict--a
referendum on the recent movements by Lucifer and his group of
angels. Thus did Lucifer whisper to Pellecus, "There is more at
stake here than academic pride--remember that and do well."
Both of the esteemed angels were allowed an opening state-
ment that was to be followed by free debate between the two. Polias
was to be the coordinator--a task not relished by many who knew
the potential liveliness of the coming discourse. The gallery would
then be allowed to ask questions as well. Crispin looked to the
crowded room but saw fewer friendly faces than he had anticipated.
"Counting heads, brother?" asked a very calm looking Pellecus.
Crispin looked at Pellecus and said in good humor and loud
enough for all to hear, "If these angels are an indication of the
power of your teaching, dear Pellecus, I may indeed be in trouble!"
The room broke out in nervous laughter.
Pellecus was amused. "True teaching always makes an
impact."
Some of the angels in the hall burst out in support of Pellecus--
some even jeered Crispin, taunting him as he sat stone-faced. Ga-
briel read in Crispin's face a sure retort and waited for him to
speak. Lucifer too waited for the response.
"True teaching does indeed make an impact. But teaching
truth makes a difference," said Crispin in an offhanded way.
Crispin's supporters, though outnumbered, applauded loudly.
"I teach truth, Crispin. Something that the Academy has long
forgotten how to do effectively." Pellecus smiled at Crispin, who
returned the smile, albeit with difficulty.
"Brothers! Please!" interrupted Polias. "May we get to the
issues at hand before we start debating more personal items!"
Crispin rose to speak. He nodded at Polias. He then turned
toward Pellecus and indicated a curt acknowledgment. Finally he
surveyed the host surrounding him--a mixture of friends and
antagonists, and began speaking with the demeanor that made him
a legend at the Academy.
176 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"Dear colleagues, brothers, honored ones and of course, my
worthy opponent. What a delight to appear before you in such a
setting. Where else could you expect to learn from the two finest
teachers in Heaven than in this very room at this very moment!?"
The hall exploded with laughter.
"One fine teacher at least," interjected Pellecus to the delight
of the crowd.
Crispin laughed and gave Pellecus a "well said" sort of look
and I will touch on today are critical to the knowledge of all angels.
Critical to the extent that there are some who might take issue with
the sacred teachings and so redefine them that they are no longer
sacred. When one takes the sacred and profanes it, however noble
the intent, one places that which was sacred into the dangerous
position of becoming irrelevant and the personal tool of individual
angels."
Gabriel shot a glance at Lucifer, who remained fixed on
Crispin. Kara too glanced casually at Lucifer and then returned his
eyes to the dais.
"I submit rather, that these doctrines are for the community of
Heaven--which I believe is what the Most High intended them to
be. We teachers at the Academy have been given the honorable task
of teaching the Host the mysteries of God!" He laughed a little.
"Not of course that a mere angel could know anything about the
Most High save what He has revealed to us, but that is beside the
point. Such as He has revealed, so are we responsible to teach and
adhere to." This last statement he made forcefully to the delight of
Gabriel and the others attending him.
"Now all of us here know that the Academy is a place where
angelic ministry and service to the Most High is taught and
learned. The whole reason for the existence of the Academy of the
Host is to instruct angels in service to the Most High. All of you at
one time or another have been through the Academy, and one day
every angel in Heaven will have entered its doors. Why? Because
the Most High God is pleased to share with us a very small portion
of His knowledge. And I say praised be His name for that!"
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 177
The room broke out in applause. Clapping himself, Lucifer
looked around at the angels, and sensed the charged atmosphere.
He whispered to Kara, "These posturing angels! This could go
either way today but don't worry. Nothing can interfere with the
course we are on."
"At this event we are here primarily to discuss the issue of
freedom and choice among the Host," continued Crispin. "I know
many of you will be delighted to finally have opportunity to bring
me to book...eh, Berenius?"
Many angels laughed as they looked at Berenius. For his part
Berenius merely smiled at Crispin and nodded in agreement.
"Depends upon the book, dear master," Berenius replied, to the
delight of the crowd. Crispin laughed heartily.
"Well said, well said." He cast a serious look over the crowd.
"Now, there has been a school of thought which has surfaced from
time to time since we were first created. You all know to what I
refer. Nevertheless for the sake of the argument, I will outline
briefly the position of the Academy in terms of its traditional teach-
ing, and Pellecus will give you the...what version shall you give
today, Pellecus?"
"The correct one," Pellecus replied and smiled at Crispin.
"Oh yes, the enlightened version," Crispin sai
d. "I do hope
we will be enlightened."
"It would be refreshing, dear Crispin," Pellecus answered.
----------------
The angels in the gallery were thoroughly enjoying this duel of
wits. Excitement swept the room with angel speaking to angel in
hushed delight. For his part, Gabriel was only here to observe and
support his friend. He found it difficult to follow the proceeding,
however, because he was still basking mentally in his visit to the Zoa.
He watched Lucifer, who stood on the other side of the room
next to Kara. The Zoa were completely certain that Lucifer would
not be allowed personal authority on earth. Was it because of the
way he had gone about it all? Or was there perhaps a greater plan
unknown to all--even to the Zoa--something the Most High was
178 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
holding in reserve for Creation's last and most pronounced act? He
wondered about Lucifer's ambitions--what was driving him to
make such an effort? And what would his reaction be when he dis-
covered that for all his maneuvers he would not govern earth?
What about all those angels to whom Lucifer had reportedly prom-
ised positions of authority in his new realm? Gabriel was amused
at the prospect that he might be defending Lucifer soon from
avenging angels who felt deceived and manipulated.
Gabriel looked over the crowded hall. How many of these angels
are aware of the extent of this drama that is being played out in Heaven's
most sacred chambers? he wondered. Though the Elders had decided
upon the nomination of Lucifer as steward, many did so with an
attitude of "better to do so and keep peace in Heaven."
But at what price? There were only a few dissenting voices in
that body and they had been reduced to mere distractions by the
determined majority. He wondered what the Host would think if
they knew that their leader of praises, the Anointed Cherub, was
using his high office for personal satisfaction and that the Elders
were, wittingly or unwittingly, carrying him forward. It was
unheard of and vile.
Yet the Zoa had urged caution. They had insisted that the
Lord Most High had all under control and would in His timing
deal with everything. Gabriel could not help but reflect upon how
he or Michael or even Crispin might have dealt with Lucifer--with
haste and great recklessness no doubt. How truly magnificent the
Most High must be to endure such events with such patience and
longsuffering--always knowing that an unpleasant conclusion
awaited those who opposed His will!
----------------
"Now if I understand correctly," Crispin continued, "the point
of this discussion centers on the idea of freedom and responsibility
to the Lord Most High. I have heard it argued countless ways in the
classroom--especially of late. But all of the questions essentially
are born out of one: Does an angel have the ability to choose freely?
Now this carries with it two subsequent ideas. If the answer is yes,
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 179
then at what point does an angel transgress the lines of loyalty and
become opposed to the will of the Most High? And if the answer is
no, then what are we doing here?"
The room exploded with laughter.
"I mean, if we have no choices in what we do and who we are
then how did we arrive here at a point where we have chosen two
courses of very opposing thoughts? No brothers, the obvious solu-
tion is that we have choices and rights of choice given to us by the
Most High, and that bears with it much responsibility. It also rep-
resents an incredible risk on the part of the Creator--risk that those
whom He has created might go their own way--even outright
oppose Him. It is therefore a great act of love and faith on the part
of our Lord that He allows us such freedom of action!"
Crispin began walking the platform as he spoke. "But there
are far more disturbing issues involved in all of this. Freedom and
choice are simple matters of reality. The darker side of this becomes
what an angel might do with such freedom and so many choices. I
submit that we serve the Lord as a decision of our wills--not out of
compulsion--but out of intention. And I further submit that any
angel might--if he so chooses--turn from the Lord Most High and
not serve Him. It's really all a matter of your choice and my choice.
"Now I have anticipated some of your questions, chiefly the
idea that if an angel can oppose the will of God, what does that say
about God's ability to control His creation? There are some who
believe that our Lord sleeps--that they can go about their dark
excursions --if such excursions exist--and the Lord will only blink
an eye. Others maintain that because the Lord Most High is a God
of perfect order, the risk of a chaotic conflict in Heaven would force
a compromise rather than risk disorder. Let me assure my brethren
that our Lord neither sleeps nor compromises!"
The room erupted in enthusiastic applause. Lucifer was unset-
tled inwardly but maintained a casual interest in appearance. Kara
whispered to him that Crispin was certainly performing well, to
which Lucifer returned an angry glare.
"Nevertheless, freedom is not to be taken lightly, my brothers.
The choice to love and serve the Lord is the most noble choice we
180 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
can make. But...it is not the only choice. When we do choose to
serve Him, we do so for our love for Him, not because we are
forced by some inherent nature to do so. Nor because we are creat-
ed in slavery...."
Lucifer could hear some of the very dialog from his Council
discussions being attacked point by point. He felt that Crispin was
directing this line of reasoning at him personally. "I blame myself
for this, Kara," Lucifer whispered. "I should never have permitted
Sangius in the Council. I thought his weakness would serve me, not
betray me!" Kara nodded in agreement as they continued listening.
"Do angels then, by their submission to the Lord, cause the
Kingdom to remain orderly? Such nonsense! I maintain that even
should every angel in Heaven march to the very Throne and state
their opposition to the Lord, and threaten violent overthrow of the
Kingdom, the Lord would merely shake His head in wonder that
creatures would ever presume upon their Creator. No brothers,
Heaven is not maintained by the obedience of angels, but by the
steadfastness of our Lord. And it is in giving us these freedoms that
the Most High demonstrates His omnipotence--that is, brothers,
He not only gives us the choice to serve Him, but can deal with
those who would not!"
Crispin sat down to a roar of applause from his students.
Many of his colleagues in the Academy also burst out in joyful
uproar. Pellecus took his place at the dais and the room once more
was quiet. He looked at Crispin and said in a humorous vein, "Well
done, angel! You are a very credible proponent of your
viewpoints.
It is unfortunate that your viewpoints are not credible!" Some of
the angels howled with delight as Pellecus then began in earnest to
present his case. Crispin laughed as hard as anyone at Pellecus'
remarks.
Pellecus looked sharp and ready. Lucifer felt better knowing
that a friendly gallery often yields positive results. He hoped Pelle-
cus was at his best. Crispin was a worthy adversary--particularly
in these settings. Lucifer leaned into Kara and said, "Angels are so
easily swayed--particularly if the argument is concise and sensible.
Now we shall see a true master at work and I guarantee, Kara, we
"This nonsense has gone far enough, Lucifer!" 181
shall leave here more greatly supported than when we arrived.
Michael will regret ever having suggested this debate!"
"Dear brothers--I may still call you that, may I not?--even
though in its wisdom the Academy has sought to keep me out of
these chambers! As you can see, and to prove Crispin's well made
point concerning choice, I have chosen to come back!"
Laughter and howling among the angels erupted as Polias
sought to regain control. "Please brothers! Order!"
"Thank you, dear Polias," Pellecus continued. "Such disorder
in such a sacred place! It seems, Crispin, that because these angels
choose to be noisy rather than remain bound by tradition, they cre-
ate disorder in an ordered environment! How like the scenario you
painted." He looked accusingly at Crispin. "You have me dangling
chaos in the face of the Most High in order to achieve some wicked
goal. I tell you that true freedom is not chaotic as long as it is not
unrestrained. You accuse myself and others of being totally without
discipline, as if we were wild, raving angels set loose on an unsus-
pecting Heaven in order to promote chaos! That is preposterous!
Do you sincerely believe that we have no restraint? No ability to
refrain from excess? That is an insult to every angel who loves free-