Realm of the Dead Read Free

flesh's desire, Lucifer transported them to the holy city and seated Yeshua atop the pinnacle of the temple, thinking that he might commit Him to self-destruction, and add to El's already stated public confirmation.
    Lucifer then said unto him, "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands, they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."
    Lucifer swelled with pride at quoting El's words, thinking to tempt Yeshua to justify Himself and to show His power before men, demonstrating before all that He truly was who He claimed to be.
    Yeshua stood unmoved by Lucifer's ploy to move God's hand in presumption and replied, "It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
    The Prince of the Power of the Air stood baffled and hardened his resolve to commit Yeshua to sin. Thinking that the pinnacle of the temple was not high enough to motivate Yeshua to worship him, Lucifer took him up into an exceeding high mountain. There the angel of light projected a spectral array of all the kingdoms of the world, from the mighty cities of the Roman and Chinese empires, to the pomp of thrones and stately palaces. A barrage of light and fancy did he display that showcased all the wealth, pleasure, and gaiety of the world; and when he was done he said unto Yeshua, "All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
    Yeshua smirked, unmoved by the glitz and splendor and spoke in authoritative rebuke and warning. "Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.'"
    Lucifer scowled, and seeing that Yeshua would not be moved, turned away from Him in a frustrated huff, and left Him for a season.
    Immediately a cadre of angels materialized. Azaziel bowed his head in reverence and gave his master food that He might strengthen himself. The angel looked toward the direction Lucifer had gone, then spoke to his Lord. "This thing that you are doing can lead to only one outcome, my Lord."
    Yeshua nodded. "Indeed."
     

*   *   *
    Michael stared at Iblis as he sat in the holding cell he had created for him. Iblis's demeanor seemed fainter, less regal, the residue of light from the Shekinah clearly gone. His head was bowed and he spoke in unintelligent mumblings.
    "I cannot go back," Iblis said. "I have forsaken the King of Hosts, yet I stand on the ground of Heaven, free from the shackle of my master, free from the despot, Lucifer." He spoke as a man in a daze. Sweat beaded his brow and he shivered as though ill. "Kill them...kill them all..."
    His voice trailed off as Michael entered his presence. "Iblis of house Issi, do you know where you are?"
    Iblis looked up at Michael with glazed and bloodshot eyes. He smiled, then his chin drooped to his chest as though a great weight were attached to it.
    Something is wrong.  Why does he seem so confused? Michael thought to himself.
    "Iblis of house Issi, you are commanded to speak. Do you know where you are?"
    Iblis raised his head and looked into Michael's eyes. "Woe is me! For I am undone because I am an angel of unclean lips, and I have dwelt in the midst of a people of unclean lips. My eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts, yet I have surrendered my birthright to follow a rogue son. Yea, Prince of Kortai, I know where I am. I reside within the Holy City of God, yet His presence is denied me. Even though I dwell in the third Heaven, I do not feel His presence. Despite my works for Heaven's cause, I had hoped that I might but glean from the fields of His mercy. Yet I stand in a cell. Yea, High Prince, I know where I am, but alas, I perceive you do not possess the Lord's mind on my being here."
    Michael winced, for indeed he had not consulted the Lord on the decision to return Iblis to Heaven, yet Lucifer had to be stopped. Michael needed all the intelligence he could gather to discern his brother's