Lucifer's statement.
"That is wonderful, lord," said Serus. "I would of course be
honored."
"I will naturally have need of a capable angel who will help
me in certain administrations on the earth," Lucifer continued.
"But it cannot be simply any angel. No, this position requires a dis-
creet and trustworthy angel who can assume a position of authori-
ty and honor and serve well." He clasped Serus' hand. "I mean for
you to have this exalted place, Serus."
Serus' mind was reeling. All of his ministry to Lucifer had led
to this point. Every desire to serve in a place of honor had been
dashed previously. Now Lucifer, soon governor of the new world,
was requesting his services in an official capacity. He suddenly felt
needed...wanted...respected. It felt intoxicating.
"Of course I expect the utmost in loyalty from those whom I
appoint to such high office," Lucifer went on. "Both now and in the
future." He looked at Serus. "You understand, of course?"
"Of course," said Serus, still overwhelmed by Lucifer's offer.
Lucifer shot a glance at Pellecus.
"You must understand, Serus," Pellecus began, "that what
some might discern as sordid or malevolent is in reality a very sim-
ple progression of angelic destiny. By assuming the stewardship
Lucifer is merely following a course long laid out for him. Great-
ness finds a way, you see?"
"I'm not sure I follow you," Serus answered.
"I believe what Pellecus is saying is that destiny cannot be
denied," Tinius interjected. "Is that correct, Pellecus?"
"Quite right," he agreed. "But of course some angels do deny
their destinies and thus we have the potential for conflict and for
misunderstanding among the Host."
"Which brings me back to my point," interrupted Lucifer.
"Loyalty, Serus, is extremely important now. You yourself know
that there is a group of angels who are bent on destroying my des-
tiny. Because they themselves have chosen to stay within their
own boundaries they feel all of us must. I disagree. The Lord has
206 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
designed us so that we might walk in fullness and freedom. I find
that to be liberating. There are those who find it disturbing. Of
course you know all of this."
"Well intentioned angels to be sure," added Pellecus. "And
some of our greatest...Gabriel, Crispin, Michael..."
Lucifer watched Serus closely. He noticed the uncomfortable
look upon his face as the net was beginning to draw up around him.
"Now," said Lucifer, "we must clear up a matter regarding
some of these angels. Serus, know first of all that my love for even
those who oppose me out of their ignorance remains firm. But
know also that in their ignorance these angels have stirred up a
great confusion surrounding me. Fear does that, you know. I am the
most misunderstood angel in this Kingdom. Yet I press on--my
destiny holds me captive."
The bluish aura began manifesting around Lucifer as his eyes
bore into Serus' very person. Serus had never before experienced
this intense feeling...alluring and comforting and yet unnerving.
The dots of Lucifer's steel-grey eyes became a glowing blue as Serus
saw the reflection of his own face staring back at him. He wanted to
look away and break the intense feeling, but found himself more
and more compelled to listen to Lucifer's reassuring words.
"Serus, your destiny is bound with mine. Just as the others in
this room have sworn an oath of allegiance to their destinies, so
you, Serus, are part of my destiny. It is inescapable, dear friend. We
are bound together to rise or fall as one." He stood up and contin-
ued, the room filling with bluish haze. "You, Serus, are intertwined
with me, just as these are. We are one in this. We cannot escape our
destinies..."
Serus was feeling completely drawn in by Lucifer's dreamy
words. He glanced at Tinius and Pellecus, who simply nodded in
affirmation to Lucifer's words. But there was something vastly
appealing going on. Here was one so great, paying homage to one
so small. Serus felt woozy as Lucifer spoke, as if his mind was else-
where and yet able to take in every word. So the price of destiny
assured was submission given. He had been submitting for a very
long time. The price did not seem too high.
"Was it really from this position all of Heaven was to quake?" 207
Still, at the same time, another voice spoke to Serus. It was
more subtle, more gentle, but equally compelling. The newly
rekindled Holy Presence within beckoned him. It gnawed at him,
breaking into the reverie and distracting his mind, vying for his
attention. Strangely, he found both voices compelling.
"And now," whispered Lucifer, "let us talk about Michael."
"Of course," said Serus, once more directing his mind fully
toward Lucifer.
209
Chapter 14
"We rise or fall as one."
The Chief Elder was trying to regain control of the special
Council meeting. He watched in helpless exasperation as the Elders
bickered among themselves regarding what had happened at the
Academy. One after another the angels either defended the debate
or castigated it, depending upon their standing with Lucifer. He
finally sat silently as order disintegrated into angelic frustration.
Many Elders who had decided to seek the stewardship for
Lucifer were now finding themselves in the embarrassing position
of trying to defend the riotous activity at the Academy--something
most angels found to be indefensible. Arrogance was one thing;
blatant and open strife was unthinkable. Others were more blunt
and outwardly recanted their decision and admitted that they
regretted having promoted Lucifer at all.
Kara watched the proceedings intently, trying to determine the
best course of action. He knew he must recapture the heart of the
Council if Lucifer was to succeed. As Lucifer's chief proponent in
the Council and early advocate of his appointment to the steward-
ship of earth, Kara must be the chief defender of Lucifer. Neither he
nor Lucifer had anticipated this violent of a reaction to the brawl.
Suddenly a thought occurred to him and he meditated on his
course of action. When at last he was given opportunity to speak he
210 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
took his place at the dais. The room fell quiet as he approached the
platform. Respect for Kara remained firm and every angel honored
him with his attention.
"I have just observed in this sacred chamber something which
I never thought possible," Kara began, "at least since the ignoble
affair at the debate!" He looked over the Council. "Could it be that
even the Elders have a propensity for brawling?" Many of the
Elders sympathetic to Lucifer began to smugly look around at the
others. "Now I certainly am not comparing that rancorous debate
in the Academy with these genteel proceedings, but if it were any
more genteel in here I believe
we would have to call upon Michael
once more to quell things!" The Council laughed.
"No one questions the tension in Heaven these days, Kara,"
said Dabran, who was Kara's chief foe in the earlier debate on
Lucifer's stewardship. "It is the source of the tension which I believe
is critical." Many Elders roared in agreement. Kara looked around,
quietly assessing the situation.
"Dabran, it is well-known that your love for Lucifer has
grown...how shall I say this?...questionable of late," said Kara. "It is
therefore not surprising that you would bring charges against him
in this body--the very body, I might add, which whole-heartedly
determined that Lucifer should be made earth's governor."
"Wholeheartedly?" asked Dabran sarcastically. "It was not
with a whole heart that Lucifer was so named--but with a divided
and weakened heart. And my love for Lucifer remains forever true.
It is his behavior I will not tolerate." Kara noticed the Elders nod-
ding for the most part in agreement with Dabran.
"You have quite a following in here yourself, Dabran," said
Kara. "Perhaps we should have named you steward!" Laughter
broke out.
"You seem to forget, Kara, that we can name nobody," Dabran
shot back. "That is the Lord's prerogative alone. I seek no office for
myself, unlike others in here who will one day regret having
backed Lucifer." He pointed dramatically at Kara. "Mark me,
angel! The time will come when every angel who sides with Lucifer
"We rise or fall as one." 211
will finally see his true nature--but by then it will be too late. That
includes you, Kara."
Kara responded with great indignation. "Nonsense! I seek
only the welfare of this Kingdom. I promoted Lucifer because he is
the only angel with the ability to take on such an important task.
Dabran, I will however agree with you" (he was now pointing back
at Dabran) "that the time will come when those who oppose
Lucifer in this will not only see his true nature--and will be aston-
ished by what they see!"
The Lucifer faction of angels loudly applauded Kara's words.
"As to the affair in the Academy I maintain that the fault lies equal-
ly divided between the two sides. You were there, Dabran. Antago-
nism came from both groups! It was not simply Pellecus' adherents
who were the culprits!"
Kara looked at the Council with great passion. "We angels are
the Elders of the Host--respected and responsible. And yet just a
moment ago there was a chaotic situation in here which made me
feel as if I was back at the Academy trying in vain to maintain
order! Even the Chief Elder sat in complete impotence as this body
broke out in argumentative nonsense! I am telling you that charges
leveled against Lucifer are only fair if the Council charges itself! For
I see no difference."
The Chief Elder sat up at the mention of his name. He then
spoke as Kara finished: "Kara, perhaps you are correct. The
charged natures of the debate precipitated the events both at the
Academy as well in here. I will give you that. But would you at
least agree that there is a tension in Heaven that has never before
existed--a rift in the Host that threatens to profane this Kingdom?
Something is amiss here."
"Of course," said Kara, "and that concerns me more than this
brawl. What occurred at the Academy was only an effect of the larg-
er problem among the Host. I submit in fact that the solution to the
Host's current dilemma is not in shunning Lucifer but in supporting
him. He is the one angel in Heaven capable of unifying the Host!"
The expected shouts and arguments amused Kara. He watched
as Dabran again rose to speak for the group who wanted to withdraw
212 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
the stewardship petition. Dabran gave Kara a bemused look,
sighed and then began speaking. "I'm quite sure, Kara," he began,
"that when you say that Lucifer is the solution to the dilemma you
mean by his withdrawal in this affair, correct?" The room exploded
in laughter. "How can the most divisive angel in Heaven be the
source of its unity?"
"Lucifer is not a divider," said Kara. "His appointment will be
a uniting force for all of the Host." Kara saw the bewildered looks
on most of the angels. "Hear me out. The Creation draws to a close.
The tension itself will naturally subside as these events end." Kara
walked the front of the platform as he spoke. He pointed in the gen-
eral direction of the earth. "If in fact Lucifer becomes governor of
earth, his departure will mean that the Host will enjoy everything
it wants. Those who support Lucifer's stewardship will be over-
joyed that he will lead from the earth, and that angels will forever
have a stake in the greatness of our Lord. Those who don't support
Lucifer will be gratified that he will vacate Heaven and they can
once again resume their duties, however dull!" The angels laughed
heartily at this statement. Even Dabran smiled in amusement.
"Lucifer's ministry will forever flourish. He is the Chief of Worship
dedicated to his duties completely.
"I submit, fellow Elders, that to move against Lucifer now is a
critical error in judgment which will invite more tension. Too many
powerful personalities are now involved which will only compli-
cate the situation should Lucifer or Pellecus be charged. I urge this
body to allow the Creation to dictate events. When the Creation
ends, I assure you, so will this conflict!"
The room applauded Kara's words. It was evident now that
the Council was coming down in agreement with him. Dabran wait-
ed for the applause to die down before addressing the group. "If I
could only believe that to be true, Kara," he said, "I would most
certainly drop the matter." He looked at the Council resignedly.
"However, it seems as if you have the body with you once more in
a matter involving Lucifer. I can only say that for myself, I hope
that you are right. But I am doubtful that events will be dictated by
"We rise or fall as one." 213
Creation. My feeling is that when the present Creation has ended
something far more significant and disastrous is waiting to
unfold."
Dabran looked with compassion at Kara and walked over to
where he stood. Grasping Kara's shoulders he continued. "We have
had our differences in here, my friend. This body knows where I
stand in all of this. I cannot persuade you differently. You have cho-
sen your course of action--as must we all."
He lowered his head in deep thought and then continued. "I
must confess to you that I have an overwhelming sense of sadness--
as if everything is about to change." He looked deeply into Kara's
eyes. "And somehow, Kara, I am most sad because I feel that very
soon your choice will lead you to a place to which I can never
go...and that we shall never see each other again."
Before Kara could respond the Chief Elder called the
Council
to order as Gabriel entered the chamber. Kara watched Gabriel
whisper to the Chief Elder and then take his place at the platform.
Gabriel saw Kara, but didn't acknowledge him or any other angel.
He read from a scroll as the Elders listened in rapt attention:
"To the Twenty-Four Elders of the Host,
The Most High, Lord of Heaven and earth, King of the Universe and
Most Holy God, has determined the creation of His crowning and most
sacred jewel. The Most Holy One commands all angels of the Host to wit-
ness this, the creation of man, in Eden, on the new world called earth, and
so forever to share in this most holy and joyous occasion. So be it done
unto the Lord!"
Gabriel finished, acknowledged the Chief Elder, and departed
before anyone could throng him with questions. Dabran quickly
broke off to a group of angels as the room buzzed with excitement.
All over the room the word man was being tossed about. Finally!
Kara thought to himself. This was news that should make Lucifer
very happy. The final creature--he who would inhabit the earth
and be governed by Lucifer--was about to be made. This could
only mean that pronouncement of Lucifer as steward must shortly
follow! Kara was glowing with anticipation for final victory. His
214 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
thoughts were interrupted by his remembrance of Dabran's state-
ment before Gabriel's announcement.
Kara walked over to Dabran.
"Thank you for your words, Dabran," said Kara. "But I
believe you have spoken out of turn, as had many of the Host. This
creation of man does not mean an end to our fellowship, but a
beginning of a greater fellowship. A fellowship spanning both
Heaven and earth. Lucifer shall surely follow as governor and
peace shall conquer the tension in the Kingdom. It is time!"
Dabran looked at Kara tenderly. "Peace shall indeed reign in
Heaven once more, Kara," he said. "But it shall not be by you nor