that Gabriel was to become the Messenger of the Kingdom, for who
better to serve as messenger than the one angel everyone called a
friend, and in whom everyone trusted?
"Michael! Over here!" called a voice from the garden in front
of the house. Michael turned to see Gabriel standing under a mag-
nificent tree, motioning Michael over and eating a piece of fruit.
"Hello, Gabriel," answered Michael. "Or is it Lord Gabriel
now?" he added, borrowing from Lucifer's greeting to him earlier.
"Lord Gabriel," said Gabriel, embracing Michael. "I've got
to admit it sounds strange putting those two words together,
doesn't it?"
"Yes, like lord and Lucifer," Michael answered. "Now there is
a disturbing combination to say the least."
Gabriel immediately drew the conclusion. "I suppose you've
been to see our friend?"
Michael nodded. "Here, let's sit down," Gabriel said, tossing
Michael a large yellowish green piece of fruit and motioning for
them to settle themselves under the lush branches of the tree.
As they sat down, their attention was suddenly drawn to a
fast moving figure walking in front of the house. It was Serus, car-
rying the newly created music for Gabriel's service. He saw the two
angels seated under the tree, gave a quick nod of acknowledgment
to them and went on his way. They watched him disappear down
the street.
"That poor angel," said Michael, remembering Serus' curt dis-
missal by Lucifer earlier. He shook his head.
"Who, Serus?" remarked Gabriel. "I should be so poor, living
in the finest place in Heaven." He looked for a reaction from
Michael and went on. "I know a few angels who would like to have
20 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
his position. I mean, serving Lucifer is quite an honor." Michael
remained impassive. Gabriel casually bit into the fruit and contin-
ued, "Of course, I suppose there is a price to pay for serving some-
one as temperamental as..."
"Temperamental!" Michael finally exploded to Gabriel's
amusement. "Lucifer is more than temperamental. What I saw
today was simply unreasonable."
Gabriel's interest was awakened as Michael recounted the
events of the meeting with Lucifer, the mocking of Serus as a poten-
tial archangel followed by his curt dismissal, the uneasy atmo-
sphere when they were discussing Gabriel's promotion, and the
uncomfortable feeling that accompanied him as he left the house.
Gabriel listened intently to Michael's story. Then an amused look
came over his face, as if he were imagining a scene far away in his
mind.
"Wouldn't it be something if Serus ever was made an
archangel?" he said. "I would not want to be around Lucifer on that
day!"
"Is that all you can say?" said an exasperated Michael.
"You've missed the whole point." He stood up, facing the Moun-
tain in the North, squinting at its brilliance.
"All right, Michael," said Gabriel, looking at his good friend.
"What exactly are you trying to tell me? That Lucifer is bizarre and
difficult to be around sometimes?" Michael turned around to look
at Gabriel. "Everyone in Heaven knows that. If Serus ever wants to
leave Lucifer's service he can do so anytime. He doesn't have to
stay. He chooses to stay."
Michael's face softened. "I don't know, my brother," he said.
"Except that he is so unlike the way he once was. We were all such
good friends. Now I hardly ever see him unless it is in official ser-
vice to the Most High." He looked at Gabriel, his eyes teary, and
went on. "I miss the old Lucifer...our friend Lucifer...the Lucifer
who roamed the Kingdom with us from one end to the other...the
Lucifer who laughed harder than any of us...the Lucifer who
brought us joy and set our hearts to dancing...our brother the
Morning Star."
"Truly the Lord had marked him for great things." 21
Gabriel put his hand on Michael's shoulder. "I miss him too,
Michael." He looked into Michael's eyes, filled with compassion.
"Perhaps you're right. Maybe we can talk to him together and find
out if something is wrong."
As he finished saying this Gabriel spotted Serus on his way
back to Lucifer's house. Once again the little angel nodded a quick
greeting and scurried off. "But one thing is certain," said Gabriel as
they both watched Serus move down the street. "There is definite-
ly a price to pay for serving Lucifer!" They both laughed and head-
ed into Gabriel's house.
----------------
Serus continued down the street, having delivered Lucifer's
program of music. He wondered about Michael and Gabriel as he
walked in front of Gabriel's house and saw the two of them talking.
As far as Serus was concerned, all of Heaven could think whatever
they wanted about his serving in Lucifer's house. Naturally, being
connected to such an immense personality had its challenging
moments, but it certainly had its rewards. Serus was convinced that
most angels would love to be in his position; some on occasion had
even expressed as much. For all his quirks (which Serus figured
went with the territory of creative genius) Lucifer was the most
energetic and capable angel in Heaven. His star was rising and
Serus intended to rise with it.
Serus turned down the street leading to the enormous house,
nodding to some angels who were talking. He enjoyed a sense of
satisfaction as he walked by them, feeling their gaze upon him as
he passed. He alone really had Lucifer's ear, or so he felt, and
secretly thought it wouldn't be long before Lucifer would be pro-
claimed an archangel himself. Then there truly would be no greater
house to serve in all of Heaven...apart from the Most High's, of
course.
----------------
"Serus! Serus!" the voice boomed from within the house.
22 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"Yes, I'm coming," Serus called back, scrambling to shut the
massive door and trying to remember if there was anything else he
was to have done while he was out.
"Come out to the garden at once," came the voice.
"Right away, my lord," answered Serus, relieved that all was
well and that he had not forgotten anything after all.
Lucifer's gardens in the rear of the house were a magnificent
display of beautiful flowers, lush fruit trees, small idyllic ponds
and scenic paths--the best in Heaven. The trails throughout the
estate provided a favorite recreation for Lucifer, who enjoyed walk-
ing in the garden for his meditations. Filling the air was the ever-
present odor of lilacs, the featured flower of the garden. Also filling
the air was music.
Wherever one went on the trails, the sounds of lovely praises
to the Most High were heard. This was designed to allow Lucifer to
rest, meditate or stroll in a worshipful attitude. It was Lucifer's
contention that one should surround oneself with that which he
hopes to attain--in his case, he intended to create the most com-
pelling worship experiences possible. Lately, however, Lucifer
hadn't been outside as much. In fact, it surprised Serus that Lucifer
was in the garden now.
"Did you deliver the manuscript?" asked Lucifer, who was
gazing vacantly into one of the ponds.
"Yes, my lord," answered Serus. "They thought it would be
spectacular, as always."
"Excellent," Lucifer said. He looked up and plucked a large
berry from one of the vines and tossed it in his mouth. "Now,
regarding the other task. It concerns the Council of Worship. I want
to see all of them here immediately after Gabriel's installation. I
especially want Rugio and Pellecus here. Tell them this is of utmost
priority. Kingdom business, you know."
"I'll convey exactly what you mean," Serus answered.
23
Chapter 2
"Let's make an
archangel, shall we?"
The Great Hall of Ceremony was charged with excitement.
Great numbers of angels poured into the entryway outside of the
holy parameter to watch another of their own, Gabriel, become an
archangel. A few were fortunate enough to be in close proximity to
where the ceremony would actually take place. Many others
crowded the halls and the outer courts, unable to enter the
immense room that was filled to capacity.
From the choir loft, beautifully adorned with vines of gold
and silver, Lucifer watched the activity occurring below. He was
robed in an immaculate blue cloak with crimson belt, his custom-
ary attire for special occasions. Octrion, Lucifer's chief assistant in
matters of worship, stood by his side, organizing last-minute
details with the choir.
"Look at them down there," Lucifer sneered. "You would
think they were all going to be made archangel today!"
He smiled and nodded to an angel who had caught his roving
eye in the sea of angels below. An official whispered something to
Lucifer indicating that it was time for the ceremony to begin. Lucifer
took his place on the dais and the choir snapped to attention.
24 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"Well," he said, looking over the magnificent collection of
worship angels who made up the heavenly choir, "let's make an
archangel, shall we?"
A hush swept over the room as the excitement of the moment
gave way to the holiness of the occasion. Lucifer looked around the
room to make sure everything was ready. He then turned to the
choir, and with a motion of his hand, the music began.
The sound of thousands of angels in perfect harmony filled
the room with majestic, holy praise. Hundreds of instruments
added to the magnificence as choir and orchestra blended together
in the handiwork that only Lucifer knew how to create. Lucifer was
pleased with the music. He glanced here and there around the
room to see the looks on the faces of the crowd, who were
entranced by the fruit of his genius.
After a few moments, a large golden door to the side opened
slowly, and the Twenty-four Elders entered the room solemnly, tak-
ing their places at the front of the room. The Elders were arrayed in
white cloaks with golden belts. The Chief Elder's belt was embed-
ded with 12 large stones, each a different color. He carried with him
a golden belt and a sword identical to the sword Michael had been
presented with at his installation.
A trumpet flourished a majestic fanfare, signaling the begin-
ning of the processional. All eyes fell upon the rear of the room,
where Michael the archangel appeared in full regalia, wearing the
sword which was his badge of office, and cloaked in a brilliant
white robe. Behind him came Gabriel, wearing the same robe, but
without the golden belt and sword. Their magnificent wings, usu-
ally unseen, were folded behind them in splendid dignity.
They approached the Great Throne with both honor and
humility, their heads bowed and their hands folded in front of
them. After walking the length of the hall, Michael stood aside, his
head still bowed, while Gabriel continued on, stopping directly in
front of the Great Throne where he was to receive his office. Sud-
denly a thunderous declaration sounded through the room:
"Holy, Holy, Holy
is the Lord God Almighty,
"Let's make an archangel, shall we?" 25
who was,
and is,
and is to come!"
The choir shouted the words in one voice. The rest of the
angels in the room joined together in praise to the Most High God,
whose presence suddenly filled the room in glorious light and love.
Lucifer tried to steal a glance of the Lord but found the sight too
awesome to endure. He saw smoke pouring from the Throne and
enveloping first Gabriel, then Michael and the Elders, and finally
most of the angels in the front half of the room. Eventually the
entire room was filled with this holy fog. A voice issued from the
smoke as Gabriel was bowed low before the Lord:
"Beloved, from this time forth, the Lord your God con-
fers upon Gabriel full authority among you and all My
ilege of attending this Throne. He shall henceforth be
known as a ruling angel and will bear the golden belt
of majesty and the Sword of Truth as his insignia of
commendation. This is a most holy ordinance to the
Lord."
The ranking elder brought forward a golden belt and put it
around Gabriel. He then presented Gabriel with the Sword of
Truth. Gabriel took the sword, kissed it, and placed it in his waist-
band. The elder placed his hands upon Gabriel and prayed: "From
this time forward, you shall be anointed of the Lord to serve Him;
to keep His holy truth; to walk in humility and holiness; to hold as
sacred all things dear to Him. Yours is a station of service, not of
greatness, for the greatest station is that of a servant. So be it unto
the Lord." The crowd then repeated the words, "So be it unto the
Lord."
The choir began singing again and led the Host of Heaven in
chorus after chorus of spectacular music. Gabriel took his place next
to Michael and the two worshiped God together. As the ceremony
drew to a close, the Lord's voice thundered above everything:
26 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"Let him who has been created to serve, serve with all his heart.
This is the will of the Lord!"
The entire room responded, "So be it!"
----------------
Outside the Throne Room many angels pressed forward to
congratulate Gabriel. Michael watched his friend humbly accept
the polite affirmations. Angels of every rank and station gave
hearty words of encouragement to their new archangel, who
seemed a little dazed by it all.
In the haze of white cloaks and the noise of many conversa-
tions a figure in a dark blue coat discreetly made his way out of the
Great Temple. Lucifer decided not to stay around for the customary
fellowship. Instead, he walked to a
door saying as little as possible
to anyone. Just as he reached for the golden handle on the door, he
looked back into the mob of angels pressing around Gabriel. His
eyes met those of Michael, who was watching him from the midst
of the crowd. Lucifer nodded courteously to Michael, who
acknowledged Lucifer and nodded back as Lucifer exited.
----------------
Serus had informed the Council of Worship that Lucifer
intended to meet with them immediately following the ceremony.
The Council had been developed by Lucifer as a means of support-
ing the ministry throughout the Kingdom by authorizing these
angels to enact certain provisions regarding ceremonies, special
services and worship at large. They acted in an advisory capacity--
although lately they had been taking much more advice than they
had been dispensing.
Because the worship before the Lord was an ongoing ministry,
one Council member was always present in the Temple to ensure
that worship was being carried out with the proper attitude and
decorum. Lucifer referred to this person as his "Temple ears" and
often called upon him for the latest information from the Throne.
The angels selected for the Council considered it a great honor to
"Let's make an archangel, shall we?" 27
have been chosen and served with unbridled enthusiasm. They
represented all the different functioning classes of the Host. Lucifer
purposely designed the group to be a balanced team of warring,
worshiping and wisdom angels. They were divided this way:
Warring Angels:
Rugio--Captain of the Fiery Host
Vel--Commander of the Legion of the Son
Nathan--Captain of the Legion of the Lord's Holiness
Prian--Chief Angel of the Watch
Worshiping Angels:
Sangius--Minister of the Holy Flame
Fineo--Minister of the Incense