Eyewitness

PROLOGUE

“Get out of my way!” Lucifer snarled as he waved his hand in a dismissive gesture toward the two guardian angels at the threshold of Heaven. “I have important business with your Lord and I do not wish to be detained.” The guards stood fast, spears crossed, no words spoken, restraining Satan and his band of demons. Satan brought his faces inches from the guard trying to break their will. He knew, however, no one would enter without permission from God. “Must I ring the doorbell in order to gain admittance to meet with your Master?” spoke the Prince of Darkness in a sarcastic, irreverent tone. When the guards did not move, he began pacing, snarling, and wringing his hands.

Satan changed tactics as he tried tempting them to abandon their post and join him. “I can put you in a greater position than gatekeeper.” He stood facing them, his eyes shifted between the unmovable guards. “Oh come now, don’t tell me you’ve never thought about doing something that might be looked upon as evil. Everybody has thought about this kind of thing at one point or another, even the angels of heaven. Do you think you are better than the rest of your righteous comrades? Why you are nothing more than. . .”

Thunder crashed silencing Satan for a moment. The sound reminding Lucifer the Almighty God is omnipresent and will not allow irreverence in the kingdom.

“Oh, what does His Majesty want now?” He threw his head back and sighed. “I tell you this; he is always on my back about everything I do. He even screams at me for the things I don’t do. Satan, why did you do this? Satan, why did you do that? It gets so frustrating and really monotonous day after day after day, for centuries without end!” The demons behind him bellowed with laughter at the wild gestures and mocking voice. Satan turned and shot them a fierce look as they scattered looking for a place to hide.

No matter how he tried to manipulate the guards, he would not be allowed to enter. Patience, at this moment was not a virtue Satan possessed. His eyes constantly looked toward a building appearing brighter than the sun. His frustration continued to build.

“Look, it’s just over there, only a few feet from here. Let me go over there and just wait outside the door. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I did that. In fact, he would be grateful if I were to be there quicker so he may be rid of me sooner. Don’t you think your Master would be grateful to you for your initiative? Why, he might even reward you and promote you for your efforts. I only wish he would make a decision to let me have this audience or not.”

The powerful guards remained solid as statues.

Deafening thunder once again roared throughout the kingdom. The display of holy power even caused the mighty Satan to tremble, if ever so slightly. To those inside the gates of heaven it brought joy and praise with voices raised to honor their Creator. Outside heaven, Satan’s demons covered their ears; fell to their knees in terror, fear, and reverence. Only Satan continued standing in front of the guards. “Is he going to allow me to pass this day or what? I do have other pressing engagements on my schedule.” Satan’s voice sounded exasperated. “It is imperative I have this audience with your Master this day. I must insist he allow me to enter the Kingdom and go before his throne immediately. I have my petitions to be heard. If I am not allowed entry, there will be trouble somewhere in the world.” Satan laughed knowing trouble had already begun in the world, his world.

“After all, I am the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Master of Evil in the entire Universe.” He drew within a hair’s breadth from the guard. “I made that one up myself! Now will you let me in?”

Thunder boomed, along with a blinding flash of lightning directly over Lucifer, to remind him he stood on holy ground. Satan hissed but understood this and bowed, not in respect, but with the hatred he held in his heart for all things holy.

“May I now enter?”

The guards uncrossed their spears and allowed Lucifer to pass through the gate alone. Once Satan had passed, the gatekeepers stood firm with their spears crossed. The band of demons would not be allowed to enter. When they realized this, they fluttered off as they muttered under their breath. As Lucifer approached the building, another large and powerful angel confronts him. Satan recognizes him as one of his former colleagues.

“Oh, now what?” he sighed as he threw his arms out. “I am growing weary of all the delays.” The angel stood in his way, remained silent until the rant is over. “Will you please let me see your Master? I have other things to do today.”

Michael, the archangel, “We will enter together, Lucifer. You will give reverence to the Most Holy God or you will be removed from his presence. Do you understand?” The archangel’s voice growled in all seriousness. “Heed the words my Lord has instructed me to tell you, Lucifer.”

“Yes, I understand,” Lucifer answered hastily. “Now let’s go please. I’ve been detained outside long enough.” He spoke as if he ignored Michael. They entered the building side by side and made their way down a corridor, where they approached two large doors.