As time went by, Ariel could sense a general disparity among his angelic brethren. More and more, he heard rumors of conflicts between members of the upper echelons of heaven, namely, Lucifer. The covering cherub had grown hugely popular among the angels. Hardly could Ariel go anywhere in heaven without hearing someone mentioning some wonderful attribute of Lucifer.
‘He is a wonderful teacher,’ some would say.
‘He cares for our concerns,’ said others.
It was commonly said that ‘Lucifer is the one who is truly running heaven.’
When Ariel thought about it, he could not entirely disagree with the last statement. In many respects, it was Lucifer who administered the activities of heaven. Lucifer taught the precepts of heaven and its laws. He set up structures of command among the angels. He delegated duties and responsibilities and set up panels and boards to look into any matter that was troubling heaven’s citizens. In almost every sense, it seemed heaven spun on the pinwheel of his managerial skills. A lot of angels noticed and were giving him credit for it in ways that were walking the lines of sacrilege and mutiny.
Ariel could not locate Gaius or Alden, but he found Joel at his quarters.
When Ariel entered, Joel looked at him with concern. ‘Ariel, you look awful. Here, take a seat and rest yourself. I will bring you some luminescent tea.’
Ariel gratefully took a seat on the couch. ‘It is that bad?’
‘What is troubling you, my friend?’ Joel asked as he quickly prepared the tea.
Ariel pointed outside and answered, ‘If you have not been out and about heaven lately, then do not. What you will hear will probably make you look like I do now.’
‘Here,’ said Joel, handing Ariel the cup of steaming tea. ‘I know what you mean. That is why I would rather stay in.’
Ariel took one sip of the tea and instantly felt his head clearing. He breathed out heavily and said, ‘What is happening to us, Joel? Have we, holy beings created to serve, gone insane?’
Joel rubbed his brow with his thumb and forefinger. ‘Who knows? It is all so confusing. It was not so long ago that Lucifer himself was discouraging division among us and teaching us of the greatness of Yahweh and now this is happening.’
‘You have heard the rumors?’
Joel now faced Ariel. ‘I have. I have to admit, Ariel, I am afraid.’
Ariel took a deep sigh. ‘So am I.’
Ariel reached for his friend’s hand and held it. ‘Whatever happens, Joel, know that I love you. Promise me that we will never cease to be friends.’
Joel nodded and squeezed Ariel’s hand. ’Friends forever.’
Ariel allowed a smile to come on his face. ‘Friends forever.’
The next meeting that was held on the Mount of Assembly was one that would be centered around discussions. The angels would gather in their respective order and take their place on the Mount. Yahweh arrived at the Mount, seated on his throne, and the Living Creatures transported the throne by means of great wheels that moved with them wherever they went. Their movement was lightning and their bodies burned like bronze in fire. Lucifer followed in train, his huge wings raising thunder as he moved.
When everyone was seated, Yahweh stood, and with a solemn tone, Yahweh began to address the assembly. ‘My children, I am deeply saddened by what is notably the fallout of recent events. I am aware that there are divisions and disunity among you. My children, we must resolve these conflicts before they fester and become malignant sores of bitterness and contention.
‘I adjure you not to let the sun go down on your wrath. Be angry for righteousness’ sake, but do not sin. Know this: I desire truth, unity, and peace, but I will not sacrifice truth to attain unity or peace. Above all else, we must cherish truth and not lean on the fallow ground of deceit. Without truth, we will not survive, individually or communally.’
Silence suddenly fell on the gathered masses, a silence that was sharply broken by the thunder of wings.
It was Lucifer.
The covering cherub rose up above the congregation and hung in the air like an encrusted jewel, formidable and imposing. His face was set like granite; his eyes flashed fire, and his hands clenched as though struggling to contain some inner tremor of emotion. ‘We must have change!’ he cried out. ‘Now is the moment for us to venture to the summits of greatness.’
The gathered masses looked on in stunned silence. No one moved. No one even seemed to breathe.
Lucifer turned to Yahweh and said, ‘There are many who long for true direction and vision. As their representative, I now make the following proposals for your consideration. These requests are as follows: We want the freedom to compose as we see fit. We want heaven to be divided into sectors. Each sector is to be ruled over by appointed angels. Resources are to be owned and ruled over by those who are fit to. Laws of ownership of property are to be made. To facilitate the exploration and garnering of the vast resources of heaven, we also propose that a workforce system be developed, which will spend more of its time developing heaven into the jewel it should be. We propose a new order. We propose a new and glorious heaven!’
A resounding cheer went up from a great number of angels. They were waving their fists in the air and chanting ‘Lucifer! Lucifer!’
Yahweh looked out on the masses, and his face was etched with pain and disappointment. ‘You are all free agents, created with free will, and you have the right to choose. However, I must warn you that these proposals are contrary to the unity that is needed to live in peace.
Looking at Lucifer, he said, ‘These requests you make, cherubim, are products of your own mind. They seem right in your eyes, but they lead to destruction. I created heaven and all its hosts to live and function in equality and fellowship, not in commerce and competition. There will be no obligatory work; there will be no dividing of heaven for it is not for anyone to own but is free for everyone.’
Lucifer’s gaze was resolute, his eyes calculating. ‘I had anticipated that you would take such a view, Yahweh. You are set in your ways. You stand to hinder progress. It is with regret that I now realize that we have no great future under your leadership.’
Yahweh’s eyes were not angry. Instead, they were filled with disappointment and sadness. ‘What is your intention, Lucifer?’
‘I am sorry that it has to be this way,’ Lucifer said calmly. ‘I am afraid that I must relinquish my position as covering cherub. There are issues among us that must be resolved and to retain my regular functions would betray the cause of those among us who want change to happen.’
The words hung in the air like a cold chill. The silence was ominous.
‘No good will come of this, Lucifer,’ said Yahweh finally.
‘There will be change,’ replied Lucifer in an even and confident tone.
At that, a cheer rose up from certain sections of the angelic crowd.
‘Lucifer is our champion!’
This was suddenly followed by others who cheered for Yahweh, ‘Yahweh is Lord.’
‘You have divided heaven with the knife of treachery and deceit, Lucifer,’ said Yahweh. ‘I will give you time to reconsider your actions.’
In moments, the meeting was over and the crowds departed. Yahweh stayed behind and looked out with solitary eyes upon creation. A tear formed in his eye.
