went on to the Warfare Academy since that was where your incli-
nations seemed to take you. Lucifer of course took up his ministry
in worship. I must admit rather selfishly that I would have liked to
see one of you teaching here.
"Now, as the number of angels in Heaven is known only to
the Lord, this Academy will serve until every angel has had a
chance for instruction--except for the angels who minister around
the Eternal Throne, of course. Those rather mysterious fellows were
created for unique service which keeps them in the presence of the
Lord continually."
"What will happen to the Academy when all of the angels
have been through its doors of instruction?" asked Michael.
"I don't know really," answered Crispin. "I simply know that
the Lord in His wisdom will place every angel into various avenues
of service as they show promise and desire here. The Academy has
done well in its role of chief educator to the angels. As I said, the
teachers here hold enormous influence with some of the most
highly placed angels in the Kingdom--which brings me around to
my concerns.
52 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
"As you witnessed in class today, there are certain angels who
are finding the teaching at the Academy to be rather confining to
their way of thinking. I don't mind a good scholarly discussion, in
fact I welcome it. But these angels are not merely debating. They
are strongly questioning and in some cases outright denying the
veracity of the teaching."
"But these are the teachings of the Lord to the Host of Heav-
en," said Michael. "How can they question the truth of Almighty
God?"
"They never do, Michael," said Crispin. "Instead of denying
the truth from God, they accuse us teachers as having fallen away
from the truth and they have become the custodians of truth--the
guardians of the sacred teachings. The problem with all of this,
Michael, is that they are teaching doctrines which incite the kind of
independent, disrespectful and proud behavior you saw earlier."
"And what does Pellecus have to do with all of this?" asked
Michael.
"Pellecus," said Crispin with a sigh. "My former colleague.
Finest teacher the Academy has ever had. Pellecus could teach a
class on any subject and hold the students completely enraptured.
His authority was unquestioned and his wisdom renowned--he
was the perfect teacher. But he began delving into very disturbing
matters, subjects which transgressed the lines of discretion; things
which were better left a mystery. After a while he was trying to
bring the other instructors into his world and began challenging us,
always wanting to debate another point.
"Now I'm certainly not afraid of growing in knowledge. I
enjoy learning. But the knowledge Pellecus was cultivating was
increasingly at odds with the orthodox teaching of the Academy.
And as I taught you quite well, Michael, any knowledge which
opposes, denies or attempts to weaken the truth of God is at best
foolish angelic philosophy--at its worst it is a dangerous doctrine
which must be dealt with."
"What exactly was he teaching?" asked Michael.
"Understand Pellecus was far too clever to publicly teach any-
thing which was completely radical. Instead he taught by innuendo
"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!" 53
and implication. You know, lots of what-if and could-it-be state-
ments. What did he teach? A number of things, but the centerpiece
for every discussion always came back to the fact that angels are
moral creatures with a freedom to choose rightly or wrongly. I had
no argument with him there. It is a standard teaching at the Acad-
emy. We all know that the Most High has created us with the capac-
ity to choose right and wrong, praised be His name. And we choose
to serve.
"But Pellecus taught freedom in such a way that some of the
angels felt imposed upon by the Lord, as if He was presuming
upon their right to serve Him any way they so desired. `Why must
we serve the Lord in such and such a way if we are truly free?' they
asked. My head swarmed with that question regularly."
"I don't remember any of those things being discussed," said
Michael. "At least not to any degree. Of course I was spending
most of my time in warfare."
"Yes, well it was not the rage it is now," said Crispin.
"Was Lucifer under Pellecus during this time?" asked
Michael.
"Lucifer was never actually under Pellecus," said Crispin.
"But he did begin to spend more and more time with him as I recall.
Pellecus was quite taken by Lucifer. It was soon after they became
acquainted that Pellecus' attitude began to change. Try as I and
many of the other teachers did to undo the damage we felt Pellecus
was causing, it proved quite impossible. When events finally pro-
gressed to the point where he said that angels are actually the ones
who maintain order in the Kingdom and that the Most High is actu-
ally dependent upon their obedience, we had to act officially. I peti-
tioned to have Pellecus removed and so he was. We have spoken
very little since." Crispin remembered these things with a feeling of
sadness.
Michael was drinking all of this in, quelling the anger he felt
rising against Pellecus. Then he said, "And where does Lucifer fit
into all of this? Do you believe he was the one who started Pellecus
on his...mission?"
54 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
Crispin swallowed hard and said, "I am not very good at this
sort of thing. Ask me about the foundation of Heaven or the right-
eousness of the Most High and I am quite comfortable. But these
matters...I know you and he were very close...I hope that..."
"Master," said Michael tenderly, "Lucifer was my friend. He
still is as far as I am concerned. I hope that somehow this can all be
made right. The reason I came today was in fact to discuss Lucifer.
But my allegiance is to the Most High God and if there is something
Lucifer or anyone is involved in which threatens the purpose of this
Kingdom, then I will pursue that point." Michael placed his hand
upon Crispin's shoulder. "Thank you, Crispin, for your concern."
He then sat back down and continued, "Tell me about Lucifer."
"When Pellecus fell into disfavor and left the Academy he was
quickly courted by Lucifer, who asked him to sit on his Council of
Worship. I believe they are quite close, or at least as close as anyone
can be close to Lucifer now. They suit each other's needs. Pellecus
provides Lucifer with a scholarly credential on the Council, which
is desperately needed in that rowdy crowd, and Lucifer provides
Pellecus a position of some importance, though to what end I have
no idea. Apparently he was taken in by Lucifer's flattery and mud-
dled teaching; it's his own fault for straying from the truth. If one
turns his back on the truth, Michael, one is liable to believe any-
thing, no matter how un
truthful."
"Have you ever thought about publicly exposing them?"
asked Michael. "I don't mean like when you had Pellecus removed
from the Academy. I mean exposing their teachings for what they
are in a scholarly setting--like a debate of some sort. Then perhaps
Lucifer would return to his post and minister as he was intended."
"I appreciate your confidence in me," said Crispin. "When the
truth is on your side you will eventually be vindicated--provided
you know the truth. I must admit I've had such notions. Privately
I'm ready to take Pellecus and Lucifer on here and now. And this is
the reason, Michael. Pellecus will say all kinds of things which
angels might find both disturbing as well as enticing. Of course
Lucifer would not speak publicly on these issues--he would allow
Pellecus to speak for him; his prophetic voice, so to say. But when
"Weren't you listening? It's the Creation!" 55
it all comes down to it, they have only their wits and their pet
philosophies. I have the truth of God and the truth is everlasting,
Michael."
Crispin looked at Michael. "But I don't want to debate anyone
just to try and best them. If by debating Pellecus I could put an end
to this idle speculation about freedom that has infected this school,
then I would challenge him. I'm afraid it isn't that easy."
"What exactly is the nature of this...infection?" asked Michael.
"Well, it's been around since we were created, I suppose," said
Crispin, "this idea of how far an angel can exercise his freedom
before he opposes the Lord. Where does one draw the line--that
sort of thing. I suppose Pellecus has vented the argument. You saw
Berenius in class. He's just one of a number of angels who seem
eager to...try their own way."
"Is that the dangerous movement you were talking about in
the classroom?" asked Michael. "These angels who seem bent upon
their independence? Berenius may be brash but he doesn't appear
ready to take on Heaven just yet."
"Independence! We have independence already," fumed
Crispin as he thought about the rather smug expression on Bere-
nius' face. "Besides, Michael, he isn't alone. There are others who
are part of something that goes beyond academic discourse. I am
not afraid of radical ideas. It is radical action that is disturbing. As
long as the angels keep it in the classroom I suppose they may think
what they like--they will anyway. But there is more going on here
than simply a radical philosophy. There is coordination and per-
haps manipulation toward an actual outcome. But to what end?"
"And you believe Lucifer is the mover?" asked Michael.
"Mind you, I have no real evidence for any of this. But you your-
self mentioned his behavior of late. I too have seen a change in him. I
find him seething and potentially explosive. Not at all the angel I
once knew. Then there's Pellecus, spewing this divisive doctrine all
over the Kingdom, encouraged, if not coached, by Lucifer. Pellecus
teaches only what Lucifer allows these days. Of that much I am
sure. Finally, look who sits on the Council of Worship! Every angel
handpicked by Lucifer--all of them former students of Pellecus and
56 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
all of them now in places of great authority. Let's see...there's
Tinius, Lenaes, Rugio, who is one of your own commanders,
Sangius, and quite a few others. From what I understand they are
devoted to Lucifer."
"Everyone in Heaven knows about his Worship Council,"
answered Michael. "They've been meeting together for matters of
worship for a long time."
"Worship Council?!" said Crispin. "Maybe they once met to
discuss worship. Lucifer hasn't involved them in worship since
way before your archangelry. The Council should be done away
with. It's nothing more than a group of troublesome angels with
nothing better to do with their time than sit around Lucifer's enor-
mous house and talk about such nonsense!"
"But why would Lucifer, who brings us into the Presence of
the Most High, consort with this group of malcontents?" Michael
asked.
Crispin thought about his answer for a moment, reflecting on
the two Lucifers he knew: the angel with the voice of God who once
shone brilliantly in the Academy, and this melancholy figure who
was restless and driven. "Lucifer is Lucifer," Crispin finally said.
"He has always been a deep one. I remember when he was in my
classes here. He would simply sit back and drink in the lecture with
his eyes closed. In the beginning I thought he was not paying atten-
tion, but whenever I tried to call him on it he always had the cor-
rect response."
"I remember," agreed Michael. "He always knew the
answers!"
"Brilliant mind," said Crispin. "But his attitude began to
change. Not that it stopped his ministry--no, no he was always
excellent in what he does with music. And he seemed to truly enjoy
his worship post. Maybe he still does! As I said, I always hoped he
would teach, but I think he had greater things in mind for himself."
"Crispin," Michael asked, feeling a heaviness within him as
he asked the question, "can an angel truly rebel against the Most
High--I mean outright oppose Him?"
Crispin weighed his answer carefully. He then looked Michael
over and said, "Michael, could you ever oppose the Lord?"
"No!" Michael said. "Never!"
"And why not?" Crispin asked.
"Because I love the Lord my God. I will always serve Him. I
would never betray Him."
"But you have not answered my question," said Crispin.
"Could you ever do anything to oppose the Lord?"
Michael wasn't sure where Crispin was taking him. "No, I
could not...ever," he said.
"Could not, or would not?" asked Crispin.
Michael suddenly realized what Crispin was teaching him.
The fact was that though he would never turn against God, he actu-
ally could if he wanted to by a simple matter of choice. This being
the case, any angel could betray the Lord if he so desired. "I would
not, though I could," said Michael solemnly, "if I chose to do so.
But I would never so choose."
"And so it is with all angels," said Crispin. "These are the
exact issues which Lucifer and Pellecus are escalating. Ultimately,
the choice is ours to make, Michael. But what those who would
oppose the Lord don't realize is that His Kingdom will continue
regardless of their choosing. It is nonsense to believe that angels are
responsible for the continued order of the Kingdom through their
obedience. If an angel ever chooses to disobey the Lord, the King-
dom will continue as always. Any opposition to God cannot possi-
bly win. The tragic part is I really think they believe they could win,
or at least force a compromise on the part of the Most High. I doubt,
however, it will ever come to an actual rebellion. Such is the decep-
tion of pride."
"So why doesn't the Lord
do something about this?" asked
Michael. "Surely He knows what is being discussed around the
Kingdom by Lucifer and Pellecus and others. Why does He not do
something about them?"
"I can only say that the Lord is all-wise. And He knows what
must be done at the proper time. Remember, Michael, Lucifer has
not actually committed any rebellious action. Maybe he will not.
58 CHRONICLES of the Host: Exile of Lucifer
Perhaps the Most High is giving Lucifer time to think things
through. Either way, God will not oppose Lucifer's or any angel's
choice to betray Him."
"But why?" said Michael, who was quite disturbed and had
framed in his mind how he would deal with such dissenters.
"Because the Lord loves His creatures too much to violate
their ability to choose freely. What is devotion to God if it is forced
or created beforehand? It is worthless. True love must come from a
choice to exercise that love. If God does not allow for the possi-
bility of some of His angels to oppose Him, then He is actually
demonstrating that He is not in control. He is not inviting their dis-
obedience, but He must allow for the potential.
"Strange, hmm? God is only in control if He allows the possibil-
ity of His creatures getting out of the bounds He has constructed for
them. And the reason is clear. If He must exercise power to keep His
creatures from willfully disobeying Him, then He demonstrates an
inability to deal with them justly. He must let them choose because
there are consequences for their actions. That is the difference!"
"What kind of consequences?" asked Michael.
"Well, I don't really know," said Crispin. "The point is,
Michael, that if Lucifer, or Pellecus or you or I ever decide to rebel
against the Lord's authority, the fact that we can rebel is not a sign
of His weakness. It is rather a sign of His strength and confidence
that He can handle such possibilities."
"So what do we do?" asked Michael, whose head was buzzing
from the discussion.
"Watch. Listen. Be cautious but not overly suspicious," said