Fire and Sword Read Free Page B

appears.”
    The angels who made up Lucifer’s leading council assembled around a very ornate table, a gift to the wealthy Jew in whose home they met, from a merchant in Pompeii. Lucifer had long since given up the possibility of returning to the chamber in which they once met—in the Kingdom in Heaven. But he enjoyed the idea of meeting in the home of a Jew and an avowed Christ hater.
    “My brothers,” he began, “it is not so long ago that we met in the former Kingdom in order to discuss the outrageous behavior of the Most High. We looked forward at that time to a great struggle—one that would result in true liberation for angels. We lost our place in Heaven and carried the war to earth where, as you know, we had a measure of success in Eden.”
    Some of the angels snickered as they recalled Lucifer tempting Eve.
    “With that success we created the very real possibility of separating humans from their Creator—and hoped for some sort of compromise with Him. Instead, He was determined to stubbornly cling to the notion that humans might freely respond to Him in love. Thus He prophesied a Coming One—the Seed of the Woman—who would one day avenge the disgrace of Adam and reconcile humans back to Himself.
    “We fought with vigor and great passion—and for the most part succeeded in plunging humanity into a world of blood and murder and crime. But the Seed remained an obstacle, and we were not able to prevent its arrival. Thus we contended not with a mere man, but with God Himself wrapped in human flesh.”
    “How disgraceful,” muttered Kara.
    “And brilliant,” said Lucifer. “I never foresaw such a possibility. But in doing so, this man Jesus became for humans a sacrifice—an atonement for all crimes committed by these unrighteous, ungrateful creatures. Nevertheless we destroyed Him! I thought perhaps the matter had ended in a draw.”
    Grunts of approval.
    “Instead, as you know,” continued Lucifer, “He rose from the dead! Himself! And suddenly our contest was with a risen Savior rather than a dead one. He championed His people and stayed with them for a while—and suddenly left them with a promise that He would return again one day for a final settling of accounts.”
    The words had a chilling effect on the group. Lucifer smiled.
    “No, He hasn’t returned… yet,” he said.
    Nervous laughter.
    “But that brings us to our current situation.”
    Lucifer stood and looked out the window toward the house where the disciples were gathered. Many holy angels could be seen, almost filling the atmosphere around the building. He indicated the scene outside.
    “So many angels gathering—such a large assembly of the enemy isn’t a coincidence,” he began. “This is not about prayer—this is about war. What you’re looking at is the opening attack in a new phase of the struggle.”
    “But to what end?” asked Tinius, one of six who sat on Lucifer’s council of war. Tinius viewed Lucifer’s summations cautiously and often spoke out with a pessimism that affronted his leader. “Jesus has returned to the Most High. Is it not too soon to be praying for His return?”
    “This isn’t about His return, Tinius,” responded Pellecus. Everyone looked to the angel whose wisdom they respected. “He plainly indicated in prophetic language that His return would occur following certain catastrophic and global events.” He shook his head doubtfully. “No, this isn’t about Jesus’ departure or return; it is about another One’s arrival.”

    “Glorious! Glorious!”
    Crispin’s observation of the hundreds of holy angels descending upon Jerusalem was heartening and exciting. Since Calvary and the Resurrection, the Host had been wondering what the next phase of action might be and when it might occur. Though none could guess the Lord’s move, all knew that something spectacular was about to happen.
    “Ah, Michael!” said Crispin. “Glorious day! Just look at the Host! Great things are happening in