Chapter 7 – Walls closing in

Ariel was in deep thought when he heard a strange knock at his door. He got up and approached the entrance to his room with caution. ‘Who is there?’

‘It is me, Ariel,’ came Gaius’ voice from the other side, ‘please let me in.’

Ariel opened the door and Gaius stood there before him, his face looking haggard and his complexion bleak. Beads of sweat ran down his brow and he gave a weak smile, ‘I got something for you to see,’ he said as he removed a shiny flat metal strip with a handle attached from under his robes.

Ariel’s eyes widened when he saw that there were rivulets of red light running down his side where there was an open gash in his tunic.

‘Gaius, you have been wounded!’ Ariel exclaimed.

Gaius gave a weak smile and stumbled over to the couch. Ariel held on to his arm to give him support.

When Gaius got into the couch, he winced and held on to his side. ‘I was returning from the White Mountain when I was jumped by four angels. Seems that they were non too happy about what I had discovered. I managed to shrug them off and give them the slip.’

‘I am going to get some water from the crystal river to bathe your wound,’ said Ariel.

  As Ariel went out the door, Gaius said, ‘Be careful, my friend, heaven has now become a dangerous place.’



When Ariel returned, he found Gaius lying unconscious. Using the sharp instrument that Gaius had brought in, Ariel made an incision in Gaius’ tunic to expose the wound. There was a long cut that ran from his upper ribs to his waist. Light slowly oozed from the wound. Ariel took a piece of cloth and dipped it into the water he had taken from the river. With the cloth, Ariel washed the wound. The waters of the crystal river was known for its healing properties and almost immediately after applying it to Gaius’ wound, it began to close up.

By the time Gaius regained consciousness, Joel and Alden had arrived. They were shocked at what happened and as soon as Gaius began to regain his strength, he related what had transpired.

‘I decided to check up on Dextor at the White Mountain,’ Gaius began, ‘he gave me one of the finalized designs for the instruments that Lucifer told him to make.’

Gaius picked up the sharp instrument he had brought with him and held it up in both hands. ‘It is a sword,’ he said coldly, ‘it is a weapon, an instrument of war. When I was leaving the Mountain with it, I was ambushed. It seems that Lucifer is making sure that no one finds out what he is really up to.’ 

‘Did they make out your face?’ asked Alden.

‘No,’ said Gaius, ‘I do not think so. There was too much of a fracas.

‘There is no doubt,’ Joel muttered, ‘war is on the horizon.’

Ariel grimaced. ‘And Lucifer and those who support him are arming themselves.’

‘All those talks of peace Lucifer was making were nothing but lies,’ Gaius snorted.

‘The question is, what do we do now?’ Alden said.

‘We must warn Yahweh,’ Gaius said, slamming his fist into his palm.

Ariel shook his head. ‘I am not so sure. In any case, Yahweh must know already what is going on. After all, he is omniscient.’

Joel let out a depressed sigh. ‘Then why does he not do anything about it?’ he lamented.

Gaius folded his arms. ‘This is what I am thinking as well. It worries me. On one hand, Lucifer is organized, focused and knows what he wants, with a clear plan and confidence. Yahweh on the other hand, seems laid back and diminutive. He stands back and allows things to take their course. I am afraid to say it but we have to consider whether or not we can trust Yahweh to bring about any decisive solution to our problems.’

Ariel ran his hand through his hair. ‘You mean whether or not he is competent enough to lead us?’

Gaius tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling then looked down again. ‘I suppose that is what it will come down to.’

‘Yahweh is our Creator, surely that automatically gives him the right to be our Sovereign,’ Joel said.

‘That could be arguable,’ Alden replied, ‘as you said, he is our Creator but he does not seem to embrace rulership.’

‘Yahweh does not infringe on our freedom, Alden,’ Ariel responded. ‘He allows us to find our path. He set the limits and parameters and we work within them.’

 ‘But this can allow for chaos. Disorder,’ Alden intoned. ‘I am not sure but I think Lucifer’s initiatives may have validity in bringing us more autonomy.’

‘What autonomy?’ Gaius almost barked. ‘Does that mean more freedom at the expense of the safety and rights of others? Under Yahweh, we are treated as equals. Under Lucifer’s proposed scheme, there would only be divisions and classes, those superior ruling over the inferior. I for one would never want heaven to go down that path.’

‘I take offense to that!’ Alden retorted, ‘Lucifer is not the one who is provoking conflict. Is it not Yahweh who refuses to listen his requests? If Yahweh would grant what Lucifer is asking then the conflict would be resolved.’

‘Brothers,’ Ariel exclaimed. ‘Let us not let differences of opinion cause us to fight like this. We can resolve our differences without harshness and contention.’

‘Try telling Lucifer and his cohorts that,’ Gaius fussed. ‘I have a wound to show for Lucifer’s proposals.’

Alden turned and went towards the door. When he opened it, he said, ‘I thought I was dealing with rational thinkers. I have no quarrel with any of you but I must think about this whole situation by myself.’

With that, Alden closed the door behind him and left.

Ariel balled his fist and stared at the closed door. ‘From now on I think we had better be careful. I think we had a spy in our midst.’



A few days later, there was a knock on Ariel’s door.

            ‘Who is there?’ Ariel asked.

            ‘Open the door now,’ the voice behind the door spoke, ‘we have a message for you.’

            Cautiously, Ariel opened the door. Standing in the doorway were two Seraphs, tall and imposing.

            ‘You will come with us,’ one of them said, ‘Lucifer wishes to speak with you.’

            ‘What if I do not wish to speak with him?’ Ariel replied.

            The other Seraph drew back the front of his robe and revealed a gleaming blade. ‘Please do not make us have to use unpleasant persuasion.’

            Ariel took a deep breath. He knew they meant business. ‘Very well then, take me to him.’

            Moments later, Ariel was standing in a well-furnished hall. His escorts turned and left. The chamber was magnificently designed to let in the Shekinah light of heaven at such angles that would create prisms of color on the reflective glass and crystal walls. The floor was pure gold that reflected like a mirror. Displays of crafts stood all around. In the midst of it all sat Lucifer, the former covering cherub. Lucifer was seated on a gold and scarlet embroidered couch, his perfect form sitting in a cross-legged fashion. His face was a picture of sublime meditative sobriety.

His eyes were closed and without opening them, he said, ‘Please be seated, Ariel.’

‘Why have you called me here, Sire?’ Ariel asked.

Lucifer allowed a slight smile to come to his lips and opened his eyes. ‘I brought you here to make you a proposal, Ariel.’

Ariel faced the lightbearer straight on. ‘You may propose all you want, Sire, but I do not guarantee that I will be able to accept any of your propositions.’

Lucifer only returned a confident smile and placed his hands in his lap. ‘But the offer I am making you is quite generous.’

‘What are you offering?’ Ariel asked.

‘The chance to be somebody important,’ Lucifer said, ‘I am offering to make you a Viceroy in our new government system.’

‘Are you bribing me to choose you over Yahweh?’

‘It is not a bribe, Ariel. It is an opportunity that I am making to you because I see potential in you. Potential that I alone see and appreciate.’

Ariel detected great confidence in Lucifer’s voice. A confidence that gave the impression that Lucifer had everything under control and all figured out. The offer was a generous one. However, there was something to the former covering cherub that Ariel did not trust. He could not put his finger on it but there was some undertone of an enormous ego that he could detect from Lucifer. It was an ego that would not hesitate to walk the road fraught with danger to attain what it wanted. Ariel wondered how far Lucifer would go to get his wishes.

‘I could have made this offer to anyone else, Ariel, but I chose you. I think there is something that we have in common and that is the ultimate welfare of our brothers.’

‘There was nothing wrong with how things were before, Lucifer. Why do you want to change it?’

‘It is because I have seen the greater vision. I see a future for our kind that Yahweh and his ways will not achieve.’

‘But Yahweh is our Creator. Why would you want to oppose him?’

Lucifer gave a chuckle. ’Do not be silly. I do not oppose him. Rather, it is he who opposes me. All I am venturing is a new direction for us. A direction that will bring out our greatest potential and destinies.’

‘But your plans fly right in the face of Yahweh’s rulership. How can you expect Yahweh to stand idly by and allow you to portion out heaven as you see fit?’

Lucifer’s tone suddenly rose as though he was not being heard. ‘It is I who has organized our numbers. It is I who has instituted our policies. It is I who has brought order among the brethren. I have run heaven while he simply hangs around and receives all the credit and honor. It is only fair that I should be allowed to lead us to our new zenith of success.’

‘Your success?’

            Lucifer gave a coy little chuckle. ‘You misunderstand. I am doing this for all of us. Yahweh lacks the commitment necessary to take us forward. By taking our cause up and making a stand, we will all succeed.’

            ‘You taught us that Yahweh was the personification of love itself,’ Ariel said pointedly, ‘if that is so, then why would he not want the best for us?’

            Lucifer shook his head gravely at this. ‘That is most undoubtedly the saddest part of it. It takes more than love to govern a kingdom properly. Pure sentimentality, though important, will get us nowhere. We need conviction. Will. Courage and a dominant spirit of enterprise.’

            Ariel stood. He knew that Lucifer’s words were convincing and in the eloquent way he shared his views, it was no wonder that he had captured the hearts and minds of so many of heaven’s inhabitants. In comparison to Lucifer, Yahweh was more simple spoken and straightforward. His way of communicating was in the validity of His word not in their delivery, but Lucifer on the other hand, had a way of weaving words into a complex web of agreeability. His voice was charming and supple as though stroking the soul into submission.

            ‘I will consider your offer, Sire,’ Ariel said thoughtfully.

            ‘By all means,’ Lucifer replied with suave confidence. ‘I am sure that you are a wise angel and will think of the greater good of us all. Choose well, Ariel. Cast your faith with whom has vision of a greater heaven.’

            The meeting was over and Lucifer’s two agents escorted Ariel out of the hall chamber. When they reached outside one of them turned to Ariel and said coldly, ‘Choose wisely, my friend. Soon there will be no place in heaven for those who oppose our master Lucifer.’

            Ariel did not like the angel’s tone but thought it better not to let his annoyance show. ‘I will give the decision the consideration it deserves,’ Ariel returned.

            The two agents did not reply but watched Ariel depart.



            The temple yard was relatively deserted. Ariel made his way through the portico and headed in the direction of the throne room. The clouds above the Mount was not brightly lit by Yahweh’s Shekinah glory, therefore he surmised that Yahweh was not there but in the temple. After speaking with Lucifer, Ariel decided that he needed to speak with Yahweh. Ariel had many questions and doubts that were created by his conversation with the former covering cherub and he somehow felt he could not untangle them without first hearing from Yahweh himself.

            Ariel knew that to speak with Yahweh personally, apart from when there was a general meeting for discussions on the Mount, was a breach of protocol. Only the ministering spirits and the archangels could do so. However, Ariel felt this was no time to be deterred by protocol. A lot was at stake now, including his very destiny. Lucifer had brought up certain points that were now roaming through the angel’s mind. He needed answers. He needed clarification on many things. 

            When Ariel came to the entrance of the throne room, he was surprised when the guards both stepped back without a word and gave him pass. Ariel paused, expecting the guards to say something but they stood still and said nothing. Hesitantly, Ariel walked into the throne room.

            ‘You may approach the throne,’ a deep but quietly majestic voice called from the end of the room. There were intermittent rumbles of thunder.

            It was Yahweh.

            Before him and forming a semicircle around the throne were the seven spirits. Yahweh sat on his throne of gold and sapphire; his glory was not emanating in full but he looked nonetheless resplendent and impeccable. Not seeing Lucifer in his usual place, covering Yahweh, brought home just how much heaven was changing. Ariel approached the throne and bowed.

            ‘I am greatly troubled, my Lord.’

            Yahweh gestured for Ariel to stand straight and face him  ‘You are afraid?’

            ‘Yes,’ Ariel found himself saying.

            ‘You wish you were more courageous,’ Yahweh said.

            ‘Yes, Lord,’ Ariel replied. He was amazed at how Yahweh was able to read his mind, even though he knew he was omniscient still there was a fascination in how he was able not only to know his thoughts but to also know the emotions that spawned them.

            Yahweh looked upon Ariel with a softness of visage that spoke of great compassion. ‘Courage is not the absence of fear, Ariel. True courage only comes alive when you persevere despite what your fear is telling you.’

            ‘Lord,’ Ariel said, ‘is there any way this situation can be resolved? Perhaps you can negotiate on the terms that Lucifer has made and maybe find a middle ground.’

            A hint of sorrow crossed Yahweh’s features. ‘I know the nature of the plans that Lucifer has. You must trust me, Ariel; I know what the outcome of it will be. It will come to no good. Even if I compromised halfway with Lucifer’s terms, eventually, he will push for more leeway. His brand of freedom would soon encroach on the rights of others.’

            ‘But Lord, perhaps we will learn from it.’

            ‘Some lessons are too costly to learn,’ Yahweh replied, ‘Lucifer is proposing a path that cannot be returned from.’

            ‘What will be the outcome of it all?’ Ariel asked brokenly.

            ‘I created all of you as sentient beings with free will, Ariel,’ Yahweh replied. ‘Lucifer as well as all of you have the ability to think and make a rational choice. Choices pave the path of our destinies. All is possible when one obeys.’

            ‘What if Lucifer makes war with you? Can he win?’

            ‘He cannot,’ Yahweh replied with calm resolution.

            ‘Then why would he seek to oppose you?’

            ‘In his pride he thinks he can win. For Lucifer, his strategy is one questioning my character – my right to rule. Such a conflict cannot be solved by enforcing my sovereignty.’

            Ariel hung his head in silence for a moment then said, ‘Lord, why should I trust you over Lucifer?’

            Yahweh gave a soft smile. ‘That is what it all comes down to, Ariel. Trust. It is the fabric that holds all things in creation in cohesive order. Why you should trust me above Lucifer? There is a principle that rings true for all situations. By the fruit you can know the tree. Look Ariel, and see what my actions are. In the end only you can judge.’

            ‘Lord,’ Ariel said, ‘what if I make the wrong choice?’

            ‘No choice is made in ignorance, Ariel,’ Yahweh responded, ‘the heart shines light on the thoughts of the mind but you can choose to forsake what the light shows you and choose darkness instead. You cannot choose two masters. You will love one and despise the other.’

            ‘Lord, it is not easy.’

            ‘I know,’ Yahweh replied. ‘Nothing that involves one’s destiny is ever easy.’

            ‘I wish I knew the outcome.’

            ‘That would obliterate the need to trust.’

            ‘Is trust worth all the trouble?’

            ‘Trust is the mother of many virtues. It is the life spring of long-suffering. Long-suffering builds patience, patience builds hope and when you have hope all things are possible.’ 

            ‘Why do you not intervene now? Stop Lucifer from making all these instruments of war?’

            ‘How should I stop him, Ariel?’

            Ariel thought for a moment, then said, ‘Could you not exile him or imprison him?’

            Yahweh sighed as though in contemplation. ‘That would leave many questions unanswered. There are issues that Lucifer’s actions have brought up and creation will not be restored to its harmony until these issues have been fairly and transparently resolved.’

            ‘Therefore, if there is a rebellion, then you must allow it?’        

            ‘Things must take their course.’

            ‘Does it have to be so, Lord?’

            ‘Free will is involved, Ariel. It is not my nature to coerce or force my will upon anyone. If one wishes to love and trust me it will not be by twisting the truth. The inhabitants of heaven must of their own free will choose the path they will take.’

            ‘But if they turn away from you, then what will become of them?’

            Yahweh was silent for a short moment, grief crossing his features. ‘Naturally, there are always consequences for choices made. I will not stand idly by and watch Lucifer desecrate and destroy heaven with political intrigues and division.’

            ‘Then you will destroy them?’

            ‘No.’ Yahweh nodded, ‘I created angels to be eternal beings.’

            ‘Then what will you do to those who choose to rebel?’

            ‘Judgment and eternal darkness.’

            ‘What will that be like?’

            ‘That is only for the future. For now we must dwell on the issues at hand.’

            ‘Then you will allow us to rebel?’

            ‘Yes.’

            ‘But why?’

            ‘You have free will.’

            ‘But you could stop it.’

            ‘I do not coerce or force my will. I set the boundaries and the judgment for crossing them. The responsibility of choice is yours.’

            ‘I do not understand. In the end it makes us susceptible to error.’

            ‘To err is not to fall. Failing to repent and face the truth is the ultimate fall.’

            ‘Is this the best way, Lord?’

            ‘It is.’

            Ariel’s eyes still questioned.

            Yahweh gave a faint smile. ‘I would rather to be loved freely than to manipulate anyone to love me. Only love given by free will is true love.’

            Ariel took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ‘Thank you for seeing me, Lord. I will think on your words.’

            Yahweh nodded affectionately. ‘I am pleased that you chose to see me, Ariel. You have the heart of a seeker. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened unto you. Ask and you will receive.’

            ‘All things in its due time,’ said Ariel.

            Yahweh nodded. ‘All things in due time.’

            Ariel managed a sad smile then reverently left for the temple’s exit.