In the beginning…14b. Throne Room

Their numbers had increased until every angel in heaven was once again gathered in the throne room as they had been for the choir performance some hours earlier. Many heads turned to see what was the matter.

“You!” God’s voice boomed out over the heads of the crowd instantly stilling every vestige of the uproar. Heads turned and craned to see where the Father’s gaze was directed. Soon every eye was on a small group of angels just inside the door. They had obviously been the last to gather. Curiosity had gotten the best of Lucifer and his comrades; otherwise they might have hidden away in a secluded part of heaven and prolonged the next event.

The King of Heaven directed his searing gaze as well as his more-than-generous words straight at the leader of the mob. “Lucifer, you were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned.” God paused as though taking a breath.

Michael took advantage of the few moments of respite from the oratory to gather a select group of angels – part of his “army” – and lead them into the hallway via the front door. It only took a few seconds for him to reappear toward the rear of the throne room. Just as Michael and his band reentered in Lucifer’s proximity, the Lord renewed his proclamation.

“So now I will drive you in disgrace from the Mount of God, and I will expel you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart has become proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I will throw you to the earth; I will make a spectacle of you. By your many sins and dishonest trade, you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So now, Lucifer, you will no longer be guardian cherubim. You will be known as Satan, the Accuser, Prince of Devils. You are hereby banished to hell – cast to Earth where you are to be chained. Anyone who chooses to follow you, I also cast out with you.”

Just then Lucifer rallied his band and made as though to charge the throne by forcing their way through the angel crowd. God’s voice boomed again above the din, “Michael, stop them!”

It took only one command for the archangel to go swiftly into action. His well-trained cohort immediately surrounded their stalled antagonists. Soon the new Satan and his unruly fiends were in chains and were being literally dragged out of the palace.

[to be continued]