In The Beginning - Chapter 17 (The Messiah)

Chapter 17

At that moment, about four thousand years in the future, Jesus, was at the end of his earthly ministry.  He sat with his disciples in a room and celebrated the Jewish Passover.  He was the only one in the room who truly understood what this ceremony meant, the eating of the bread symbolizing His body which would be broken for them and the drinking of the wine, symbolizing His blood which would be shed for them, a typology that those in bondage in Egypt could not even begin to comprehend which symbolized the coming of the perfect Son of God who would deliver them from their bondage to sin.

His mind was drawn back to Egypt on that all important evening when God’s chosen people, the descendants of Abraham, were to be delivered.  Delivered in the same way that Jesus was about to deliver all of humanity from the bondage of sin.

The death angel was about to pass over Egypt and those who were to be saved would have to paint the blood from a perfect lamb over their door posts.  They would be saved by the blood of the lamb.

He remembered the careful instructions given to them after they left Egypt concerning the setting up of the tabernacle in such a way as to replicate the throne room in heaven and that which was to come in the distant future when He would come again to rule the Earth from his throne in Jerusalem.

He remembered the rituals of the High Priest as he prepared for the annual sacrifice.  The blue, gold, purple, scarlet and white colors of his robe symbolizing heaven, precious worth, royalty, blood, and purity.  He considered how the priest would enter the Holy of Holies to plead for his people, just as Jesus would enter the throne room of God to plead for his people.  He smiled as he thought about how His actions would rip the veil which separates the priest from the seat of God, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between the people and their God.

He was brought back to the present by bread and wine being served at the table where he sat.  He had just finished teaching them a lesson in humility and servitude by washing their feet and commanding them to serve each other as well.

He looked around the room and his gaze fell on each disciple in turn.  He looked at John who was sitting next to him and would outlive all the rest and die alone, exiled to the Isle of Patmos.  He looked at Peter who was sitting next to John and who he knew would soon deny even knowing him.  He looked at Judas who would betray him.

Judas was reclining uneasily at the table looking nervously at the others and trying to laugh along with the others as though nothing were bothering him.

Jesus watched him with pity.  His chest tightened with despair at every soul he saw whom he knew would not enjoy the free and eternal gift of God’s love.  His anger raged at the powers that warred against Him in His struggle to secure the blessings of happiness for his beloved children.

He also knew what was coming to Him in the next twenty four hours and His human side was in anguish at the thought of it.  He knew it was the reason he came to the earthly realm, though, and he was resolute in His conviction to finish what He started.

Finally, he looked into the dark corner where the Prince of Darkness sat waiting for his opportunity.  Satan stared back at him with fierceness and resolution.  It had been a long time since he had been defeated and kicked out of Heaven.  His anger was as strong as ever.  He would destroy every soul he could, and with each one cause God the Father that much more pain.

Surrounding those who were seated at the table were a platoon of angels standing strong and tall and facing outward toward a large contingent of Satan’s minions who were milling about nervously awaiting orders from their master.

The glory of God shone brightly from Jesus in the heavenly realm indicating the strength of the Holy Spirit which was present within him.  In fact, everything else paled in comparison.  The powerfulness of it scorched the demons like a flame whenever they got close and they all kept their distance.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to those in the room, “one of you is going to betray me.”[i]

His disciples looked at each other and murmured to each other quietly trying to figure out who it was.  Judas sat quietly and closed his eyes as if in meditation.

Satan stood and moved around the table to stand behind Judas.  A deal had been made and the angels did not oppose him.

Peter nudged John, who was sitting next to Jesus.  “Ask him who it is,” he said.

John leaned back against Jesus and whispered, “Lord, who is it?”

“It is the one to whom I give this bread after I’ve dipped it in the dish,” He whispered back.

Then he dipped the bread in the dish and handed it to Judas.

Satan surged forward and dove headlong into the body of Judas who shuddered and sat up suddenly.  His eyes opened wide and he looked into the eyes of the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

“What you are about to do, do quickly,” said Jesus.

Judas stood and left the room, driven by the spirit of Satan who was now in possession of his body.

Since he had been chosen as one of the twelve Judas had never really believed.  He was the keeper of the purse and would regularly help himself to what was there.

He was a greedy man and despite what he had seen and heard while traveling with Jesus he never really considered the he could be what he said he was.

When he made the deal with the high priest to betray his teacher he assumed Jesus would be tried and jailed as a heretic.  He had no idea what was really in store for Him.

After Judas left, Jesus looked back at his disciples.  The time had come, the clock had started, and it was time to move things along.

“I’ll only be with you a little while longer,” He said.  “I’ll tell you what I told the Jews.  Where I’m going you cannot come.  But here’s a new command for you.  Love everyone just as I have loved you.  This is how the whole world will know that you are my representatives – because you love one another.”

“Where are you going?” asked Peter.

“You can’t come with me now, but you will be coming later,” Jesus replied.

“Why can’t I come?” replied peter, emotionally.  “I would die for you!”

“Really?” said Jesus.  “Peter, you will deny you even know me three times before the sun comes up.”

Then he looked at the others still seated at the table.  They were all looking at him in eager anticipation of what he would say next.

His heart filled with compassion and warmth for his companions.

“Don’t worry,” he said.  “Put your faith in God and also in me.  I’m going to my father’s house to prepare a place for you.  Then I’ll come back for you and take you there.  You know the way.”

Thomas replied quickly, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going so how could we know the way?”

Jesus looked directly into Thomas’ eyes and said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can get into my father’s house unless I bring him.  If you really know me then you know my father as well.  In fact, from now on you do know him and you have seen him.”

The disciples murmured again in confusion.  None of this was making any sense.

Finally, Philip spoke up.  “Lord, show us the father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus shook his head ever so slightly and smiled a small smile.  He looked directly at Philip and said, “Philip, don’t you know me even after all this time?  How can you say ‘Show us the father’?  Don’t you know that I am a part of the father and the father is a part of me?  Everything I’ve been teaching you all this time is not just from me.  It’s the father living in me and doing his work from whom you’ve been learning.  At the very least believe because of the miracles you’ve seen.”

He then looked around the room at the others who were utterly quiet and looking at him intently.

“If you love me you will do what I’m telling you,” he said.  “and I will ask the father and he will send you another counselor.  He will be with you forever – he is the Spirit of truth.  The world will never accept him because they cannot see him nor experience his power in their lives.  But you will know him because he lives with you and will become a part of you.

“I won’t leave you alone, I will come to you.  Soon the world will see me no more, but you will see me.  Because I live, you will live, too, when that happens you will understand.  You will realize that I am a part of the father and you are a part of me and I am a part of you.  Whoever accepts my words and obeys them loves me and whoever loves me will be loved by the father.  I will love them as well and will reveal myself to them.”

There was another Judas there who was not the one who was going to betray him.  Now he spoke up.

“But, Lord, why are you just going to show yourself to us?  Why not reveal yourself to the whole world?”

They still couldn’t get past the notion that Jesus should setup an earthly kingdom and rule over the entire Earth with them at his side.

“Anyone who loves me will do what I’ve instructed.  Then my father will love them and we will become a part of them.  Anyone who doesn’t love me will not do what I’ve instructed.  These are not my words, they are the words of the father.

“I’ve told you all this while I’m here with you.  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit that my father sends to you because I’ve asked him, will teach you all sorts of things and will remind you of everything I’ve taught you.

“I’m not giving to you what the world gives.  I am giving you peace, my peace, so don’t worry, and don’t be afraid.

“You heard me say ‘I’m going away and am coming back to you.’  If you knew what was going to happen you’d be glad because the father is more powerful than I am.  I’m telling you this now so that when it happens you will believe.”

He then looked around the room.  All eyes were on him.  Not just the human eyes, but also those of all the angels and demons who were gathered around this small band of mighty warriors.  The heavenly hosts were getting restless.

“The time is getting close and the prince of this world is coming.  He has no control over me but the world must learn that I will do what my father commands me to do.  Come on now; lets go.”

---

[i] John 13:21

In The Beginning - Chapter 16 (The Price of Sin)

Chapter 16

From Heaven, God the Father watched all that happened in the garden.  At that moment, the aura that surrounded the man and woman grew noticeably dimmer as their immortal souls transitioned into the fallen state.

Their souls were now in a state of perpetual death.  It had been ordained by God that man would have to pay for his disobedience.  Since there was nothing man could offer to God to pay for his own sin God’s plan provided for the only substitute possible.  God himself would have to pay for man’s sin, but this payment would not be for everyone.

God’s salvation through the sacrifice of himself for the sin of man would be only available to those who believed in Him, accepted Him as their God, and asked to receive the gift of life which was offered for them.

He looked throughout the timeline of Earth’s history and saw billions and billions of souls dimming to the point of being extinguished.

He watched as fewer and fewer called upon the name of their God until at last about a thousand years after Adam and Eve’s original sin, the corruption of man had become such that only a single Man and his family remained righteous.  All others had succumbed to the enticements of the serpent.

God’s disappointment with mankind was profound.  He knew from the beginning that because man had free will many would choose to reject Him but the whole human race had rebelled so quickly that he grieved that he had ever created them to begin with.  Satan had done his work well.

Looking forward in time, God found a man through which He could redeem His creation.  The pact was with Abram whose name he later changed to Abraham.  In this pact, God would multiply Abraham into a great nation and through his lineage the world would be saved.  For his part, Abraham would worship only the one true God and would pass his faith on to his descendants.  From generation to generation the law of God would be lived out through Abraham.

Throughout subsequent generations God carefully chose the descendants of Abraham through which he would fulfill His promise.  God looked into the souls of each child until at last, at the time perfectly suited to His purposes, he found the instrument of his gift.

He looked deep into her soul and found her to be pure of heart, strong in character and submissive to her God.  She found favor in His eyes and He ordained that she would be a part of the greatest act of love ever bestowed on mankind.  She was to be the mother of God.

At the appointed time and with all of the preparations made, the Holy Spirit enveloped Mary who had been prepared for her chosen role before hand by the angel Gabriel.  Mary became aware that her reality was changing.  At one moment she was lying awake in her bed and in the next she was surrounded by light that seemed to come from everywhere.  There were no shadows in the room and she felt as if the entire universe were in perfect harmony and she felt more safe than she had ever felt.

In her head she heard the most beautiful music she had ever heard - voices were singing "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty."  She felt completely at home and experienced peace such as she had never felt before.

In her womb the Holy Spirit altered an egg.  Using the genetic sequence Jesus had created so long (but then only a moment) ago, He formed the X and Y chromosomes perfectly coded to grow into the man who would save the world from sin.

The child she would bear would be the child of the human mother and the divine father – the physical self coming from the mother and the spiritual self coming from God the Father through the Holy Spirit and in the persona of Jesus the Son and thus not subject to the original sin perpetrated by Adam in the Garden of Eden.

And thus the God who created the universe became a part of His own creation and the instrument of its salvation.

Just as suddenly as she had been swept away she was back.  She looked around the dark room and couldn't decide if she had been gone for a few seconds or a few years, it seemed like a lifetime.  Tears of joy began to fall from her eyes as she considered the enormity of what she had been chosen to do.

-----

Looking back into Eden from his throne, God the Father saw his physical persona, Jesus, standing before Adam and his wife who were clothed only in their fig leaf loincloths.

“A price must be paid for your disobedience.”  He said.  “My son and daughter, I love you dearly, but there is no price you could pay which could atone for your sin against me.  What could you, a mere man and woman give to me to account for your sin when the wages of sin is death?”

Adam and Eve stood quietly.

”A day will come when I will come to the Earth and live with man.  At that time I will offer myself as payment for your disobedience, but until then, you must live with the consequences of your actions.  Because of what you have done I will suffer as will all of your children and their children to countless generations.  Are you remorseful for what you have done?”

Adam and Eve both nodded their heads in unison and muttered “We are.”

He brought a young lamb to them and pointed to a sharp stone lying on the ground near the stream.

“The day of my coming is far off yet.  Until that time comes, you must provide a regular atonement for your sin.  The payment you will make will not absolve you of your sin; it will merely be a testament to your belief that I will pay for it when I come.  You will kill an animal every year and offer it to me on an alter – without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness.

When you sacrifice the animal, you will remember that the animal who committed no sin is paying the price for yours.  It is your sin which has cost him his life.

Adam listened silently while Eve sobbed quietly.

When I come, I, who love you so, will pay for your salvation by sacrificing my life in atonement for yours.  Unlike this lamb, however, I will give my life willingly.  Through my sacrifice your souls will escape this curse of death and enter into eternal life with me in paradise.

“You will do this every year and you will teach it to your children and their children and their children’s children until I come to make the final atonement.  When I see such a sacrifice offered with an earnest heart the ultimate payment for your sins will be postponed for another year.

“Do you understand?”

They both nodded.  “Adam, you are the head of your family.  It is from your flesh that Eve was born into this world and also from your spirit.  It is your responsibility to offer the sacrifice for your entire family.  It is your belief in my future coming for your salvation and your acceptance of my gift of love which will save your soul.”

Adam nodded his head in understanding.  Jesus stood near the bank of the stream and waited for Adam to act.  Adam walked over to the sharp rock and picked it up.  He turned and looked at the lamb standing innocently near the stream eating grass from the side of the path.  He looked at Adam and gave a soft “Mwaa-aa-aa”.

Adam looked back at Jesus with tears in his eyes.  Eve hid her face behind her hands; she couldn’t bear to watch.  After a long moment Adam walked to the lamb and lifted it up into his arms.  Adam felt the lamb’s soft wool against his skin and the lamb nuzzled its head up under Adam’s chin.  He dropped to his knees sobbing.

Jesus stood quietly and patiently near the stream.

It seemed that Adam would not be able to complete his task.  He knelt for a long time holding the lamb in his arms then rose.  He walked over to the rock and bound the lamb’s legs with some vines he pulled from the tree where the serpent watched silently.

Using the sharp rock he had taken from the side of the stream, he cut the lamb’s throat quickly and struggled not to fall again to his knees in sorrow.  He held the lamb to the rock until its bleating stopped and it lay motionless.  Using the same rock he continued to remove the lamb’s skin, leaving it exposed and lifeless on the top of the larger rock.

 Adam stepped back slowly, then, giving into his sorrow, he dropped to the ground on his knees.  As he watched, Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven and lifted his arms.  A long shaft of fire shot down from the sky, and in an instant the lamb was consumed.  God had accepted their offering.

Adam dropped the bloody rock he had used as a knife; Eve continued to weep softly near the woods from where she hadn’t moved since God arrived in the garden.

Jesus looked once more at the serpent and it slithered away.

When Adam opened his eyes, he saw on the ground near the alter, clothes for him and his wife.  He put his on and the fit was perfect.  He took the rest over to Eve who put hers on as well.

They looked at each other and the constant reminder of their sin which they were wearing and neither spoke.

In The Beginning - Chapter 15 (The Reconing)

Chapter 15

Evening was approaching and the day was beginning to cool when they heard footsteps coming from the way of the garden.  Knowing it was God, they ran into the woods to hide.

God the Father watched from his throne as Jesus walked through the Garden of Eden.  This was the turning point of the timeline of history.  This was the day that man had willfully disobeyed God and succumbed to the enticement of Satan.  It was the same enticement that Satan had used with the angels in the heavenly realm and would haunt man throughout the earthly timeline until the end of time itself – “You will be like God.”

It was time for God to put the next part of his divine plan into place.  Man, who he so loved, was destined to disappoint Him.  But God had a plan for his redemption.

Jesus walked to the rock where Adam and Eve had been sitting and called out, “Adam!”

From the edge of the woods Adam replied, “Here I am.  I heard you walking through the garden, I was afraid because I was naked.”

Jesus gazed quietly at Adam for a moment.  Adam stood at the edge of the woods with his eyes downcast and stared at the ground with his hands clasped tightly in front of his chest.

“Who told you that you were naked?” asked Jesus.  “Have you eaten of the tree that I commanded you not to eat?”

He pointed to the edge of the woods.  “It was the woman you gave me as a helper!  She gave it to me and I ate it!”

Jesus looked her directly in the eye.  “Woman, what have you done?”  He asked calmly.

“It was the snake!” she cried.  “He lied to me and I ate it!”  Her tears now nearly drowned out her words.  She grabbed the arm of Adam and cried into his shoulder, refusing to make eye contact with her God.  Adam continued to stare into the ground.

“How could one fruit have such an effect?” he asked.

“The fruit has its purpose,” Jesus replied.  “It isn’t the fruit which makes you feel this way.  It is your sin.  You had a choice between good and evil and you have chosen the evil.  Your soul has been corrupted.  Things will never be the same.”

He looked to the tree where the snake had re-appeared.  It looked at the living God with disdain and resolve.

“Because of what you have done you are cursed more than all other beasts.  On your belly you will slither and you will eat dust all of the days of your life.”

“I will put hate between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers.  Her child will bruise you on the head and you will bruise him on the heel!”

Jesus, the persona of the living God, spoke with divine authority.  It was He who would bruise this serpent on the head.  It was He who would orchestrate Satan’s final defeat.  Judgment had just been passed on Satan once and for all.

He turned again to the woman.  “From now on you will have intense pain in childbirth.  You will desire your husband and he will rule over you.”

To Adam he said, “Because of you the ground is also cursed.  No longer will you live effortlessly in paradise.  From now on you will work for what you eat.  Weeds, thorns, and thistles will grow, and you will have to work hard to get your food to grow.  By the sweat of your brow will you eat until you return to the dust from which you were made.  From the dust you were made, and to the dust you will return!”

In The Beginning - Chapter 14 (Part 2 - The Decent of Man)

Part II

The Descent of Man

Chapter 14

It was a bright and sunny spring day.  Adam and his wife frolicked in the river that converged in Eden from four other rivers and then diverged back out into four branches as it left the garden.  The day was calm and warm; birds chirped and small animals played on the stream’s shore.

The sky was bursting with deep blue color as the sun rose high above the peaks of the surrounding trees which were in full bloom.

Life was good in paradise.  Eden was a garden which grew every fruit and vegetable.  It was watered by a mist which came up from the ground every night covering all the plants with enough water to keep them lush and green.

When they were hungry the two of them walked through the garden picking whatever food they desired then ate together drinking in all God had provided.

Deciding it was time for lunch, they came up out of the spring and sat on a rock at the edge to dry off in the warm sun.  Just behind them rose a large shade tree.  As they sat, they looked toward the middle of the garden where there rose a huge tree from which dangled luscious fruit.

Adam and his wife thought little of it.  God had warned them not to eat of that tree and with all the other trees and fruit and vegetable bearing plants in the garden they had not up to this moment had any problems denying themselves the pleasure of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Just behind them in the tree they heard a rustling noise and turned toward it expecting to see a bird or some other small animal playing there.  What they saw instead was a snake, a long serpent with legs running down each side.  It was wrapped around a branch with its head dangling just high enough to make good eye contact with the humans.

In Eden animals, birds, and humans all lived together in peace, and the sight of a snake in the tree was not at all frightening for them.  Adam set off to find some vegetables for their lunch as the woman looked around the garden for fruit to go with it.

“Is it true,” said the snake, “that God has told you that you cannot eat of any of the trees in the garden?”

“Of course not,” she replied.  “We are free to eat of any tree we choose.  Any tree, that is, except that big one in the middle over there.  If we eat from it or even touch it we will die.”

If a snake could grin Satan would’ve achieved it at that moment.  These humans were even more gullible than the angels he had corrupted.

“You will not die,” he said condescendingly.  “God just doesn’t want you to eat of that tree because He knows if you do, you’ll be just like Him, knowing good and evil.  When you eat of that tree, you will finally be able to see the world for what it is, just like He does.  You will be like God!”

The woman sat for a minute and considered what the snake had said.  She had never been exposed to a lie before.  God had clearly told them not to eat of the tree, but right here in front of her was a snake telling her it was okay.  The snake spoke with such authority, why would he say that if it were not true.

She wandered over to the tree to inspect the fruit and the snake followed behind her.  She looked up at the fruit of the tree with a scrutinizing eye.  She neared it with her face and inhaled its sweet aroma, a fruit that smelled that good could not be so bad.  The snake had said that if she ate the fruit she would be wise, she would be like God.  Wow … like God!

At first she reached out her hand like a chef tapping the edge of a skillet to see if it was hot, she quickly tapped the fruit and then jumped back in fear.  She did not die.

She walked up to the tree again and put her hand around one of its fruits and squeezed firmly and still she did not die.  The snake climbed up the tree and encircled the branch just above her.  He dropped his head and said, “I told you so.”

Eve looked at him in defiance and gave a sharp tug.  The fruit came off in her hand.  She grabbed another that was beside the first and pulled it off as well then ran quickly back to the rock to wait for Adam.

He approached a short time later and found her sitting beneath the tree, the serpent hanging from the branch behind her.  He looked at the serpent for a moment then at Eve and the fruit she was holding, one in each hand.

“I touched it,” she said, “and I didn’t die.  The serpent told me that if we eat of it we will be wise – we will be like God!”

At this she raised the fruit to her lips to take a bite and then stopped.  She extended her hand to Adam, turned her palm up and opened her fingers.

Adam looked at her for a long moment without moving.  Eve sat quietly and looked directly into his eyes.

This was clearly against God’s rules - but then, hadn’t God given the woman to him to be a helper?  To be his confidant and faithful companion?

He looked at the serpent who gazed back and tasted the air with his tongue, savoring every moment of his imminent victory.

Adam looked back through the garden and up at the sky.  Where was God when he needed Him?

“Don’t you want to be like God?” asked Eve.

“He told us we could not eat of the fruit of this tree,” replied Adam.

“The serpent said that’s because He knows if we do we will be like Him, knowing good from evil.”

“Has God ever given us any instruction which resulted in any ill coming to us,” asked Adam?

“Not that we know of,” replied Eve, sarcastically.

This was a side of Eve that Adam had never seen.  He didn’t much like her tone of voice nor her body language.  It all made him very uncomfortable.  She had never done anything before that had made him uncomfortable.

“Do you love me, Adam?”  she asked.

“You know that I do,” he replied.

She stood, walked over him and lifted the fruit up just under Adam’s nose.  It smelled sweet, sweeter than anything he had yet tasted in the garden.  He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply through his nose, savoring the amazing aroma.

Wrapped loosely around the branch, Satan was engrossed in the scene before him.  “My, my, what a man would do at the bidding of a woman,” he thought.  “I wonder what a woman might do for a man.”

The lessons from this scene were many.  It also seemed that mankind was by nature hedonistic.  Given the right circumstances and a choice between good and bad he could be convinced to choose the bad despite what his intellect knew to be the correct choice.

“And it is so easy,” he thought.  “This is going to be fun.”

Adam took the fruit from her and she held the other fruit up to her mouth and grinned.

He put the fruit to his lips and together they each took a large bite.  The flavor was fantastic, unlike anything Adam had ever tasted.  He closed his eyes savoring it as he slowly chewed and then swallowed.

What a taste!  What pleasure he experienced in the flavor.  Chills went up his spine as he took another large bit and then another.  He didn’t think he could ever get full of it.  Nothing could taste this good.  How could anything this good be bad?  Why would God forbid them from partaking of something like this?  This was ecstasy like nothing he had experienced before.

But then something changed.  The taste that was so sweet in his mouth turned bitter.  He tried to spit it out, but he had already eaten it all.  A feeling of dread began to overshadow his spirit.  His stomach hurt and he had an overwhelming sense of sadness.

He opened up his eyes and turned back to Eve who was staring at him in horror.  He saw her face and realized he was sitting in front of her naked as was she.  He felt what seemed like the oppression of a huge weight being dropped onto his shoulders and he visibly slumped under its weight.

He looked to the tree, but the snake was nowhere to be found.  He turned back to look at his wife but she had fled into the woods crying, leaving him there alone.  Realizing the trouble into which he had gotten himself, he ran the opposite direction into the woods, looking for something he could use to cover himself.

Eve called to him from the other side of the woods.  “Adam!”

“Yes, my wife?”  he replied, only barely loud enough for her to hear.

“What have we done?”

“I fear we have disobeyed the command of our God and that he will be very angry with us when He sees what we have done.”

“Do you feel what I feel?” she asked?

“It is a feeling I have never experienced,” he replied.  “What is it that makes me want to stop living?  How could one fruit have such an effect?  I have no joy left in me.”

“I feel the same way,” she said.  “I was naked and ashamed.”

Adam didn’t reply and a long uncomfortable moment passed.

“I have sewn fig leaves together with a vine to cover myself," said Eve.  "I have made one for you, too.  I’ll leave it for you on the rock where we ate of the fruit.”

A moment later Adam approached the rock and found the fig-leaf loincloth that she had sewn for him.  He quickly put it on and turned to see her emerging from the woods wearing hers.

Neither could speak.  Their shame was profound, their fear overwhelming.

In The Beginning - Chapter 13 (Cast Out)

Chapter 13

While Satan and his minions were still far off they saw a bright glow shining over the horizon.  As they neared the garden they recognized the light as the glory of angelic hosts charged with protecting mankind.  They were standing guard around the entrance to Eden.

The demonic troupe stopped and gazed quietly at their opposition.  The battle in heaven was still fresh in their minds and their anger raged.

The angels saw their rivals for the hearts and minds of man and came to attention prepared to protect them at all cost.

Satan stood motionless for a moment as he recollected the words he had exchanged with God the Father.  He tilted his head slightly to the right and furrowed his brow in thought.

“Stay with me,” he said, as he renewed his march toward paradise.

As the demons neared, the angels formed into fighting platoons and assumed battle positions.

Confused, Satan thought once again of the words he had spoken to God the Father in the throne room, “What would a man choose to love if he did not choose to love God?”  and God’s enigmatic response, “What indeed?”

Could he have misunderstood the meaning behind God’s words?  No, that was impossible.

He then raised one eyebrow as if considering some newly conceived idea. Looking back at his lieutenants he said, “Wait here.”

They bowed their heads in obedience to their king and Satan walked forward.

The angelic hosts held their ground but didn’t move.

As Satan approached the entrance to the garden, he recognized his arch rival Michael standing firm with his feet spread shoulder width apart.  His hands were wrapped around the hilt of his sword, the tip of which was sticking into the ground in front of him.  His eyes started directly at his enemy.

Silently the two figures stared into each others’ eyes as Satan continued to approach.

Michael drew his sword from the ground with his right hand and held it at the ready as Satan continued his march.

Their eyes locked onto each other as Satan walked through the ranks of angels unopposed.  Satan never slowed his pace; he understood that he was in no danger. 

Michael turned and followed Satan through the line of angels and the ranks closed behind them.  After a few steps Michael stopped and made no effort to oppose the author of all lies.

As Satan continued to walk, his form began to change.  In one moment he was the most beautiful of all of God’s creations.  In the next he had assumed the form of a snake.

Michael looked on with disdain as he continued to follow his orders, trusting that God was fully in control.

-----

Back in Heaven, the angelic hosts and their creator watched as the timeline of the earthly realm changed dramatically.

Where there once was peace and harmony, there now was strife and discord.  Where once there was love and joy, now existed hate and pain.  The great deceiver and the author of all lies was now unleashed upon the earth and there would be Hell to pay.[i]

---

[i] Revelation 12:13

In The Beginning - Chapter 12 (War In Heaven)

Chapter 12

Entering the throne room, Michael approached the throne of God.  The Cherubim acknowledged his presence as the Seraphim sang their beautiful song of praise.

“My Lord and my God!” he exclaimed.

“Michael,” said God the Father from the throne where the essence of the Holy Spirit permeated the room.  Michael was in awe of the presence before him.  He was nervous, but spoke up clearly.

“There is something of which you should be aware,” said Michael.

“Michael,” replied God “is there anything of which you think I am not aware?”

Michael dropped his head in embarrassment.

“You are a good and loyal servant, Michael.  Remember this: all things work together for good for those who love me.”

Michael nodded his head in acknowledgement, still on his knees.

“There is nothing that happens which I do not allow,” said God.  “Now you go on your way and prepare your hosts.  When this starts some will follow Lucifer, but most will follow you.  You are a mighty prince, your troops will follow you and I will give you victory.”

Michael bowed his head until it almost touched the floor.  “My Lord and my God!” he said.  Then he rose, turned, and walked out of the throne room.

As Michael was leaving Lucifer was coming in.  They gazed at each other briefly as they passed, each looking into the eyes of the other, wondering what the other was up to.

Lucifer approached the throne, dropped to one knee and bowed his head.  “My Lord and my God!” he exclaimed.

“Arise,” said the God of all Heaven and Earth.

Lucifer stood and gazed around the throne room.  “You summoned me, my Lord?”  He said.

“Tell me Lucifer, Son of the Morning; are you my good and faithful servant?”

“You know that I am”, replied Lucifer.

“And will you obey my every command?”

“You know that I will,” he lied.

The Almighty God was silent for a moment.  The father of lies had just lied to the face of his God.  Sadness permeated the countenance of God the Father.

“Go and do what you will,” He said.

Lucifer turned and left.  Uncertainty entered his mind as he pondered the meaning of the meeting.  Was God onto him?  How could he be?  The thought of it frightened him, and he went immediately to meet with the Prince of Persia.

“It’s time,” he said.

The Prince of Persia drew his sword, held it above his head and moved its tip around in a circular motion.  At this sign his hosts drew around him.

“It’s time,” he said.  The host fell into formation behind him and stood at attention.

Lucifer turned and walked toward the throne room.  The Prince of Persia followed along with his host.

As they approached the throne room, Lucifer nodded to one of the angels.  The angel blew a trumpet loudly signaling the start of the siege.

Lucifer, the Prince of Persia and his host charged into the throne room and stopped dead in their tracks.

The Almighty God was sitting calmly in his throne, but the Cherubim were encircling Him with massive flaming swords drawn and held high.  Their massive wings were flapping, keeping them aloft.  The sound made the entirety of the heavens rumble like thunder.

Lucifer and the Prince of Persia charged the throne with the host of angels behind them.

At that moment, about a quarter of the hosts of the Prince of Persia broke off from the others and began attacking those who remained loyal to their Prince.

Realizing they had been betrayed, the host began to scatter, trying to reorganize and make a defense.  With the Cherubim attacking from the throne, and the small band of angels attacking from within, the majority fell into chaos.

The throne room shook mightily with every swing of the massive blades wielded by the Cherubim.  Their normally stoic faces disfigured with anger at those who would dare betray their loving and almighty God.

Lucifer understood immediately that the battle was lost and turned to run.  As he looked away from the throne, he saw Michael standing in his way, his sword drawn, and his demeanor like stone, his mighty hosts fanning out behind him, taking captive the remnants of the host commanded by the Prince of Persia.

Having nothing to lose, Lucifer charged ahead lowering his sword toward the head of Michael.  Michael charged Lucifer as well and lifted his sword to receive the blow.  As the swords met, a loud clang could be heard throughout all of Heaven and Earth.  They both wavered for a second under the power of the clash, then looked into the others’ face.  A fierce hatred burned in their eyes.

Michael was surprised at his own strength.  He never thought he would be able to withstand an assault from Lucifer.  Lucifer was the mightiest of all angels and Michael was just a prince.  Over the shoulder of Lucifer Michael saw the glory of the Holy Spirit glow ever brighter as he felt his strength increasing.

Lucifer raised his sword to charge again, but Michael brought the full brunt of his body against Lucifer’s, sending him flying backward.

Lucifer looked up with fear in his eyes.  He should never have been bested by a mere prince.  How could this be?

Outside the throne room things were not going well for the rebels.  More than half of the princes who were recruited by Lucifer turned out to be loyal to God as were many of the troops who were in the hosts of the princes who had sworn loyalty to Lucifer.

The result was that two thirds of the princes and their hosts where well organized under the command and preparation of Michael and his princes, and the rebels were quickly scattered, became disorganized, and were captured in a rout of epic proportions.  They realized that they never actually stood a chance; like many would in the coming millennia, they were drawn in by Lucifer’s lies and would now suffer the consequences of their actions.

In a short time the rebels had been defeated and chained awaiting judgment from the Almighty God.

Back inside the throne room the Cherubim and the angels who were loyal to God had defeated the rebel angels and the only battle left raging was that between Lucifer and Michael.

The Cherubim, with stolid resolve, began to advance toward Lucifer to help Michael.  As they looked at the throne, however, God raised his hand.  Understanding His meaning, the Cherubim resumed their place around the throne protecting the living God and watching the battle as it raged.

Michael was taking a beating, but his resolve was stony and unrelenting.  With each blow he threw he grew more and more tired and Lucifer seemed to repel them all.  Lucifer was fighting on as Michael tired.

God then raised his hand again and Michael began to glow noticeably brighter.  His stamina returned with a vengeance and he felt powerful and alive.  He raised his sword above his head and brought it crashing down on Lucifer.  Lucifer parried the blow with his sword but fell to the ground under the force of Michael's Holy Spirit enhanced might.

Again, Michael wielded his sword and swung a mighty blow which Lucifer barely deflected.  As Michael readied for another blow Lucifer dropped his sword and raised his hands in defeat.

Michael approached, ever at the ready, while Lucifer continued to kneel awaiting his fate.  Michael stood over him while the Cherubim chained Lucifer and brought him before the throne of God.

Lucifer realized his plan had been known from the beginning.  “What would a man choose to love if he did not choose to love God?” Lucifer asked.

“What indeed?” asked God.  He looked over to Michael who understood immediately.  If man were to make a choice he would have to have something to choose between.  Without an evil influence to draw men away they would not really be making a choice at all.

Lucifer had been given free will.  While God did not place the evil in his heart, He did create a place where evil could grow and Lucifer had cultivated it there.  Of his own free will he played exactly into God’s perfect plan.

“Cursed are you and those who swore allegiance to you.  You will be banished from Heaven for your crimes, never more to experience the love of Him who created you.  From now on your name will be called Satan – the adversary and archenemy of God.”  God then turned his face away from Satan.

“Michael!” Exclaimed God.

Michael approached the almighty God and knelt at his feet.

“You have shown courage in battle and loyalty beyond measure.  For your loyalty you will be made Prince of all Princes.  All others will bow to your command.  Your power will be exceeded by none other.”

“Your word is my command,” replied Michael humbly.

At that, Michael turned and nodded to one of the Cherubim who gathered Lucifer’s chains and dragged him out of the throne room.  Lucifer looked around to see how few had actually followed him and was ashamed.  He had expected two thirds to follow him, but only a third had.  How could he have misjudged so badly.

Some of the other Cherubim then gathered the chains of the other fallen angels and brought them before the throne of God.

"You have chosen to follow the father of all lies." He said.

The throne room was silent, the fallen angels staring at the floor at their feet, unable to look into the eyes of their creator.

"You were created for a purpose and you have conspired against me and against your divine purpose.  For your punishment you will be cast out into a realm separated from the love of your God.  This realm will be called Hell and in this place you will never again experience the peace and love that comes from being a child of the living God.

"Happiness and joy has abandoned you and for you there is no redemption."

As the Father turned his face away from them a group of angels was culled from the rest and taken to an area of heaven where Satan was being held.

The rest of the angels were escorted out of the throne room.  The cherubim then gathered the chains of the remaining angels and together with a mighty and coordinated heave, they cast them into the gloomy dungeons of hell to await their final judgement.

Nearby, Michael stood face to face with the most beautiful creature God had ever created.  He wondered silently how many others would fall prey to Satan's beauty and smiled knowingly as he considered the ultimate defeat that would be dealt to Satan in the fullness of God's plan.

Michael's countenance then changed to one of disdain as he considered the face of the one standing before him.  He felt the power of the Holy Spirit welling up inside him and his angelic body began to shine brighter and brighter.  He raised his arms above his head as the glory of his countenance outshone everything around him save the Father Himself.  He brought his arms down with a mighty pushing motion and Satan along with the fallen angels gathered there with him were cast into the Earthly realm.

They landed in the earthly realm at a time when Adam and Eve were well settled into their role in the Garden of Eden.  Still in their heavenly forms, the angels, now demons, could not be seen by human eyes.

Satan was enraged at his defeat and cursed God loudly as he wandered about like a lion, looking for something to destroy.  God had created all of this and now here he was in the midst of it.  All of his plans had gone terribly wrong.

Satan looked at his minions and a thought entered his mind.  He turned to them and asked, “What does God love above all else?”

“Man,” they replied, almost in unison.

“Perhaps the battle is not lost,” he muttered.  He looked in the direction of the Garden of Eden.  “We will take from him that which is most precious.”

An evil grin spread across his face as he contemplated his plan.  He looked at his demonic cohort and said "Follow me."

Without question they fell into ranks behind him as he moved toward Eden.

In The Beginning - Chapter 11 (Betrayal)

Chapter 11

Lucifer gazed down at the garden and watched the man and the woman living in utter joy while worshiping God and obeying his command not to eat of the tree.  They were worshiping Him because they chose to worship Him.

He looked around at the hosts of heaven and felt frustration that those who obeyed his commands did so because they had to, not because they wanted to.  “I would make a good God,” he thought.

He had been observing the princes and their hosts since he was created.  He began to study them, to look for those who would obey his commands no matter what.  He remembered the conversations he had overheard and began to formulate a plan.

Those he thought would obey his commands he called aside.  “Are you happy with your roles?” He asked.

They looked around at each other and one replied “We are what we are; there is nothing else.”

“What if I told you that you could all be princes?” he asked.

“We were not all created to be princes,” replied one member of the angelic host as the others looked at each other in confusion.

At this Lucifer pulled the princes from the group and asked them, “Will your hosts follow your commands?”

“They will,” replied the Prince of Persia.

“Look at me,” said Lucifer.  “Am I not the most beautiful and most powerful being you have ever seen?”

“Save for God himself,” replied the Prince of Persia.

“If we all band together, we can rule heaven and Earth.”  He said.  “We can be like God.”

He waited for a moment for this to sink in.  The princes were astonished.  He couldn’t have said what they just heard, it wasn’t possible.

“If we band together we can take over heaven and rule it all, both heavenly and earthly realms.  If you will bind together and swear allegiance to me, I will lead you to power and glory.  When God sees that He is defeated He will have no other choice but to succumb.”

“What of the Cherubim?” replied one of the princes.

“We will overwhelm them with the force of our numbers.”  He replied.  “If you follow me, we shall surely win and we shall surely be like God Himself!”

Each of the princes looked to the others then back at Lucifer.  “Where you lead we will follow,” said the Prince of Persia.  The Prince of Grecia said nothing, but listened intently.

One of the others exclaimed, “He is the Lord God, Creater of Heaven and Earth.  He is all powerful and cannot be dethroned!”

Lucifer looked at him with disdain.  “Do you know who I am?”

The question was rhetorical and the others standing before him cowered a bit in fear of the most powerful of all angelic beings.

And then, just as easily as telling a joke the unthinkable happened.  “I have seen things that you have not seen,” said Lucifer, “I have seen God’s vulnerability.  Why do you think he created the Cherubim if not to protect himself?  Why would an almighty God need protection?”

Never before in Heaven or on Earth had a lie been told.  Having never before happened it was unthinkable that it could happen now, coming from the master of all angels.

He glared at the prince who dared to question him.  “Where will you be when I rule all Heaven and Earth and the God you so adore is left with nothing?  Where will you be when I am God?”

“I will be your servant,” he replied, and bowed his head in deference.

He looked at the entire group and said, “Take your hosts, then, and mix yourselves up with the others.  When I give the signal, you turn on the others and bind them with chains such that they cannot break free.  You, Prince of Persia, when I give the order you come with me.  We will charge the throne room and make God our captive.  When He sees that He has no host to support Him He will have no choice but to succumb.  Our victory will be swift and complete.”

The Prince of Grecia took his place among the other princes and waited.  When Lucifer and the others had finally dispersed he approached Michael.

“Michael,” he said.  “May I have a word?”

“Of course,” replied Michael as they stepped away from the crowd that accompanied Michael wherever he went.

“Lucifer has enticed many of the princes to betray God,” he whispered.

Michael was astonished.  It was unthinkable that such a thing could be possible.  Angels were not given free will; they were each made for a job and they had no choice but to do it.  How could this be?

“How many are with him?” asked Michael.

“More than half of the princes were there, as was I.  The Prince of Persia has sworn his allegiance to Lucifer along with the allegiance of his host.  I did not say anything at the time and I am not sure how many will actually follow him.”

“You have done well,” said Michael.  “Wander about among the hosts and see if you can determine how many will actually support Lucifer.  I will inform God.”