In the days before the concert, Lucifer began to take a greater hand in tutoring the orchestra. Ventrilo, though present, was more of a conductor in name than in function. Lucifer would give the directives and Ventrilo would carry them out. Although Ventrilo did as he was told, it was becoming increasingly apparent that there was a forming rift between the two.
The tension was tangible but no one complained. This was mostly due to the fact that since Lucifer began making his input into the rehearsals, the choir’s playing had dramatically improved. When members of the orchestra would thank him for his help, he would modestly say that it was due to their diligence and practice. It was Lucifer’s suggestion to simplify the sheet music that first made the orchestra better able to learn the musical score. His insightfulness and keen intuition for solving technical problems won him the praise of choir instrumentalists.
On the day of the concert, angels from all over heaven gathered once more on the Mount of Assembly. The singers were ready. The instrumentalists were ready. Yahweh observed the whole gathering with approving repose; Lucifer shielded the Shekinah glory of his presence as other times with his over-arching wings. The covering cherub surveyed the multitudes with a pleased look of accomplishment. The moment seemed as though it were his. He had shaped the choir into a competent unit of players, ready to display their playing virtuoso in praise to their Yahweh, their Creator
A somewhat deflated but business-like Ventrilo stepped up to the podium, his baton in hand. There was silence. With a slow uplift of his baton, Ventrilo gave the cue and as one, the orchestra lifted the first notes. At first, there was the soothing sound of the strings. The tranquil sound of the flutes joined in melody. With slow, steady percussion, the drums came in. The harpists added the finishing touch to the symphony. The music soared and lifted, waned, lingered and rose again in harmonic sequences like crashing waves.
The voices of the singers joined and melded with the sound of the orchestra. As they sang, spirals of light lifted and filled the Mount with a kaleidoscope of colors. It was an unfathomable wonder. Every spirit was caught in the thrill of the moment. Minds and hearts were one. Yahweh was one with them; they were one with him. Worship was the uniting of the spirits and out of that harmony came peace, joy, and love that ran so deep and stirring it evaded words of explaining. The music melded their wills and hearts, lifting them to the pinnacles of fulfillment.
The somber Seraphs swayed in euphoria. The stately cherubs teetered on the edge of delirium. The ecstasy of worship was total and complete. It was their purpose. It was their blessing. Voices, courted by the tidal wave of melody and rhythm, wafted through heaven. The angelic mantra rang out with zeal and vigor.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
The Lord God Almighty reigns
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
The Lord God Almighty reigns
Trumpets blared. Cymbals rang. The Mount exploded in an eruption of light and glory. There was no containing it. The stones of fire that were in the valley burned with holy flames and sent up sparks and showers of fire, catapulting thousands of feet into the air. The Mount was also ablaze as though soaking up the energies of worship and being saturated to the point of not being able to contain it.
Ventrilo was in fine form again and he conducted with gusto, his arms a pinwheel of gestures as he beckoned and directed the orchestra into every note and scale.
The Lord is Exalted
His glory is above the heavens
There is none like our God
Who lives and reigns on high
The worship rose to its zenith, then with one final burst of exultation, it came to a thunderous climactic end. Like gradually cooling iron, taken out of a furnace, the angelic hosts basked in the afterglow of having worshiped in spirit and in truth.
Lucifer half opened his wings and a stream of Yahweh’s glory leaked out, casting the assembled in a stream of golden radiance.
The covering cherub lifted his head. ‘We have worshiped. His will be done. Hallelujah.’
‘Hallelujah!’ the angelic hosts chorused.
Yahweh rose up through Lucifer’s wings and stood. His towering form was an incredible image of light and purity. He looked out on the gathered masses with pride and joy. Then he spoke, ‘I am pleased. You have given your all and in this you have rendered your best.’ Turning to Lucifer, he said, ‘You have done well, Lucifer. Your input has improved the choirs. In this I commend you.’ Yahweh then paused before continuing. ‘In the same breath, I must also say that in the future it would be wiser and more expedient to consult the conductor before offering your services in helping the orchestra. It is Ventrilo’s office and duty to teach and direct music and as such it must fall to him to have the first say in his delegations as conductor.’
Lucifer bowed humbly and said, ‘I am humbled by your praise, my Lord and I find wisdom in your correction. I will be of better discretion in my attempt to further your will.’
Just then, a cloud of glory appeared in the sky over the Mount. It was thick and filled with burning fire. ‘I am with you in heart and spirit,’ said Yahweh as he slowly began to rise upwards.
In moments, Yahweh disappeared into the clouds and was out of sight.
Lucifer lifted his head towards the clouds and exclaimed, ‘The Lord is exalted above the heavens. He is enthroned on high. He has visited his tabernacle and dwells in the most holy place.’
When Ariel went back to the Great City, he passed groups of angels gathered in whispered conversations. Some of the groups seemed to be engaged in heated debates. Somehow, he could tell that something was happening that he was yet to know of. As he walked along the platinum-paved road of the main square of the city, he heard a set of angels who stood before the temple steps.
‘I think Yahweh was unduly harsh.’
‘Lucifer deserves better,’ another put in.
‘Well, I disagree,’ a short, stout angel replied. ‘Yahweh was silent on the matter, but Lucifer only continued to abuse his power.’
‘Without Lucifer, we would not have improved our playing,’ an angel commented resignedly. ‘That is credit enough for me.’
Ariel could not believe it. It seemed so strange to see angels actually arguing and taking sides in any matter. They were one. It almost seemed as though a black hand of disunity had crept into heaven overnight.
As Ariel went further down the street in the direction of his home, he heard other angels.
Yahweh simply oversees everything,’ an angel commented, ‘it is Lucifer who really does the work and get things done.’
‘I agree,’ said his companion.
Here and there, Ariel was picking up conversations of angels who were speaking up for either Yahweh or Lucifer. Ariel found it strange that there did not seem to be any enmity or disagreement between either. How could this be? Ariel wondered. It simply felt out of place and utterly ridiculous.
When Ariel got home, he found his friends there waiting for him. They seemed to be in a contemplative mood. Joel was especially distressed.
‘I thought you would never get here,’ Gaius greeted Ariel as he entered. His light banter seemed to be an attempt to hide his look of concern.
Ariel ran his hands through his hair and gave a weary sigh. ‘Do any of you know what is going on? The whole city seemed to be full of angels disputing about some kind of difference between Yahweh and Lucifer.’
‘So you have heard it too?’ Joel replied. ‘It is hard to tell how it all got started.’
‘I do not want to know how it got started,’ Ariel grunted as he flopped into a couch. ‘I just want it to stop.’
‘It is madness if you ask me,’ Gaius reasoned. ‘Disagreements between angels? It is unheard of. We are perfect. We are holy.’
‘Things change,’ Joel said blandly.
Ariel turned to him and spouted, ‘For once, Joel, I wish you would say something cheerful. Now would be a good time.’
Joel held his palms up. ‘Sorry.’
‘We should not concern ourselves, my friends,’ Alden joined in. ‘We are all brothers and I am sure that this is but a momentary state of affairs.’
‘What confuses me is that we just had an amazing experience of worship,’ Ariel went on, ‘how could this happen right after?’
Gaius cleared his throat and said, ‘Perhaps Yahweh’s timing was a bit out.’
‘I am sure the answer must lay with Lucifer and Yahweh,’ Joel intoned absentmindedly. ‘After all, there is no one who is closer to Yahweh than Lucifer. Surely there could not be a rift between them.’
It was then that Ariel decided in his mind. He was going to visit the temple. He would ask Lucifer himself. To get the answers he wanted had to come from the source of the questions.
When Ariel got to the temple, a pall of silence hung in the air. All seemed tranquil and one could not tell that anything was wrong. The guarding cherubim were, as usual, standing over the sacred ark with outstretched wings. Normally, there would be angels milling about the temple who had come to pray or worship, but there were now none to be seen.
Reverently, Ariel made his way towards the throne room. He was not sure what to expect but he boldly approached the two angels who guarded the way to the throne room.
‘I am here to consult Lucifer,’ Ariel addressed the guards.
‘One moment,’ the guards spoke in unison.
Their eyes glowed with light that usually burned in Lucifer’s eyes, then went back to normal. ‘You may enter,’ they informed.
Ariel entered the throne room and was greeted by the sight of Lucifer standing at the end of the chamber. On either side were the several ministering spirits that attended Yahweh, standing statuesque as usual. Lucifer stood straight with his wings folded and covering most of his lower body. His perfectly golden hair fell down and draped his beauteous face that was set in a calm, self-assured repose. The most dramatic thing Ariel immediately realized was that neither Yahweh nor his throne was present in his throne room.
‘Thank you for seeing me, Sire,’ Ariel greeted.
‘You seem worried, my son,’ Lucifer said with apathy, ‘I hope I am able to ease whatever is bothering you.’
Without Yahweh’s presence, the throne room seemed far from its usual prestige. ‘May I ask where Yahweh has gone and what has happened to his throne?’
Lucifer shifted slightly and his wings seemed to expand, covering more of his jewel-clad body. ‘Yahweh has gone to his dwelling place, which is in the clouds of glory. There he abides in the most holy place where only he can enter therein. There he has established his throne.’
Ariel took in a deep breath and prepared himself to ask the original question he had ventured to the throne room to ask. ‘Sire,’ Ariel began, ‘there has been talk of differences between you and Yahweh. I came here to find out if what is being said is true.’
Lucifer closed his eyes and took in a deep sigh, then opened his eyes again. ‘It is very sad to hear of this, Ariel. Rest assured that there is no quarrel between Yahweh and I. In fact, just the opposite is true. Yahweh is my source of joy and fulfillment. In his will, I find my purpose and place. As the anointed cherub, I hold an office that is inferior to none in heaven. I would never jeopardize such a standing by reason of mere fleeting opinions.’
It was the answer Ariel had expected to hear. Lucifer’s words made sense and his tone was one of sincerity and openness.
‘But still there are others who are thinking differently,’ Ariel added.
Lucifer shook his head as though in contemplative sadness. ‘It grieves me to know that there are some of my brothers who think this way, Ariel. Rest assured that it is a matter that I will correct expediently.’
Ariel wanted to ask more, but Lucifer had managed to clear up the issues that concerned him. At that moment he could not think of anything else weighty enough to bring up.
‘Thank you for hearing me, Sire,’ Ariel said, ‘you have put my mind at ease.’
As Ariel was about to leave, Lucifer called out and said, ‘You are a very special angel, Ariel…’
Ariel stopped and turned. Lucifer paused, then continued, ‘…do not let anyone take your individuality away from you.’
Ariel nodded, though he was not sure what the comment fully meant. Ariel felt like a load had been lifted off his shoulders. Things were fine. Lucifer himself said they were.
When Ariel met Gaius, Joel and Alden, he told them about his talk with Lucifer. They found a secluded park and discussed their opinions over a cup of luminescent tea, a brew that gave one a feeling of refreshment.
‘Do you think that will be the end of the matter?’ Joel wanted to know.
‘Once Lucifer clears up the misunderstanding,’ Ariel was saying, ‘I am sure everything will be straightened out.’
Gaius, finishing his tea first, laid his cup aside. ‘Good. Then we can get back to the important things.’
Joel made a face ‘That being?’
‘Finding all the thrills of heaven,’ Gaius replied, nonplussed.
Alden ran his hand through his stringy yellow hair. ‘And basking in its glory.’
‘And worship,’ Ariel added as he looked up at the clouds of glory, shining with the brilliance of Yahweh’s presence. Somehow, he wished he knew more about his Creator.
At the next rehearsal session on the Mount, there was a marked difference among the angelic numbers. A noticeable tension could be felt in the crowds as they waited for the session to begin. After a few moments, Ventrilo announced that they were about to undertake a new musical piece. Ventrilo rapped on the podium for everyone’s undivided attention. Ventrilo was about to give the cue for the orchestra to begin playing when Lucifer suddenly rose up from behind Yahweh’s throne and stood before the congregation. His form burned like coals, awesome and imposing. Many of the angels flinched before him, as they had never seen him in that manner before.
With a guttural voice, the covering cherub cried out, ‘Brothers, there have been words of discord among you. Let there be no misunderstanding, Yahweh and I are in perfect agreement. There is no difference between us.
‘For those of you who would speak or promote otherwise, know this: Yahweh will not abide it. Therefore, I humbly ask you to cease this bickering among yourselves. I love all of you and would not wish to spoil your happiness with any form of debate or disharmony.’
With these words, Lucifer ended and fluttered back to his place behind the throne. His eyes burned with a kind of ebullience that spoke of one who was in intense thought. The covering cherub went back to his usual calm, reposeful countenance of meditative sobriety.
Ventrilo cleared his throat, then said, ‘I thank Lucifer for those words of wisdom given in his usual timely fashion. Now we will begin this session.
Lucifer’s wing fluttered for a split second as though he were about to move, but then decided against doing so. His gaze rested on the conductor for a moment then shifted away. The cue was given and the orchestra began the first chords of the piece. Quietly, almost imperceptibly, the music began. And then it happened. The players stumbled over a part in the piece that was of new complexity and it came out sounding quite dissonant. Ventrilo immediately stopped the orchestra and took a look at the sheet music before him. Puzzled, he scratched his white mane of hair in momentary contemplation.
Looking up from the sheet music, Ventrilo said to no one in particular, ‘What is this? Changes to parts of the music sheet have been made. What is the meaning of this?’
Lucifer’s gaze rested on the conductor with stony penetration. His voice was cordial but with a hint of annoyance. ‘I took the liberty of making those changes Ventrilo. In my opinion, the piece needed a more complex structure and resonance. I hope you do not mind.’
Ventrilo looked flustered. ‘But Sire, these scales are way too complex for the orchestra to execute. We have not yet reached that level of advancement to undertake such a complicated musical approach.’
Lucifer rose up, then descended before Ventrilo. With almost expressionless lips, Lucifer said, ‘The only problem here conductor is your lack of vision. Unlike you, I do not underestimate the orchestra’s abilities and potential.’
Ventrilo was now turning red in the face. He was desperately trying to restrain his anger. Lucifer was purposely quashing him and he knew it. ‘Sire, I beseech you to reconsider. They are not ready. You heard their playing yourself…’
‘Enough, Ventrilo,’ Lucifer boomed. ‘It will be as I have made it. This discussion is over.’
With that, Lucifer fluttered his wings and took his post once more. From where Ariel was, he saw what he thought for the first time to be anger etched on Lucifer’s face. What struck Ariel to be even stranger was that Yahweh was silent throughout the whole matter. Yahweh’s eyes were grave but filled with love. Like the rest of his group, Ariel waited with baited breath to see what would happen next.
Ventrilo gave a noisy sigh and turned to the orchestra. His eyes were sullen and his shoulders drooped. ‘You have heard Lucifer, the piece will be done has he sees fit.’
Again, the orchestra attempted to play the strange and complicated song. The orchestra tried over and over again but always the piece would come to an unceremonious halt as confusion broke out among the players. Everyone was obviously straining. It was after quite a while of trying and failing that the cacophony of it all became painful to the ear.
It was then that Yahweh intervened. Rising up like a tower of light, Yahweh stood.
‘That will be enough.’
A sudden, silent chill filled the air. Ariel could feel his body tensing. This was now no longer a matter between Ventrilo and Lucifer but rather Yahweh and Lucifer.
Yahweh continued, ‘This piece does not ring true to the instruments. I advise that it be revised and a more playable structure be given to it.’
Lucifer then broke out of his statuesque posture. His eyes burned with passion. ‘But my Lord,’ he began, ‘it can be done. I have proved before that the orchestra can be taught to improve by leaps and bounds.’
Yahweh had a look of disappointment on his face. ‘I know, Lucifer,’ he said, ‘and for this I applaud you, but do understand, I have used my judgment and I have concluded that the orchestra is not yet ready to take that course. It is against the natural order of things. Learning is a gradual process that must be done in progressive stages. It is not wise for us to take shortcuts to our goal. Given time, we will go further.’
The burning eyes of Lucifer were not pacified yet calmly he said, ‘As you see fit, my Lord.’
Yahweh sat once more and four Living Creatures came alongside the throne, four great wheels running along with them like thunder.
‘We will meet here again, in which time we will return to the less complex compositions,’ Yahweh said.
The session ended and Yahweh, Lucifer, the several ministering spirits and the Living Creatures that escorted Yahweh’s throne, lifted from the Mount and headed in the direction of the temple. Thunder and lightning were left in their wake.
Ariel watched as everyone left the Mount. When the session had begun and Lucifer had addressed them all, he had thought that all was well and unity would be restored, but now things seemed to have taken a turn for the worse. Ariel was not sure, but he had a strange feeling that heaven was on the verge of something, something that could change everything forever.
