An Angel’s Tale

Prologue Who I am and how I came to be a witness to these (and other) events is a story that goes back to the beginning of time. . . . Before time God was. Time is measured by change – since God, by his nature, is unchanging, when only God existed there was no time. What follows, because it involves men and women of Flesh, took place in time as a series of events. But because it involves a heavenly plan designed by the Creator, it also took place and continues in the Eternal Now. This mystery of time, related and caught up in the glorious mystery of the incarnation – God made Man – makes it difficult for one such as I, tasked with the responsibility of reporting what has/is happening. As a result, I’m not sure how best to present what I have witnessed. But it seems best to me to start at the beginning and jump to the end. I will fill in the gaps along the way. I have done my best by striking a balance between the two temporal perspectives. May you see what is meant to be seen and learn what is meant to be learned? The Story begins near the beginning: The Rebellion . . . “I am going to make Flesh.” Said the King calmly. . . . As the competing choruses reached a crescendo, he let forth all his Glory and those who had stopped began to flee, for there is no room in Heaven for anything that opposes him in his glory. Michael saw this as a sign and he rose, raising his sword he cast out those who had opposed the Lord. The one who had once been the Most Favored fled at the sword that had just moments before been stayed by the hand of the Lord. He knew now that it would not be stayed a second time. As he fled he bellowed. “We will go to set up our own kingdom where we need not worship and we need not serve Flesh.” And So It Begins I don’t know how long it was, nor how I knew, but some time after the rebellion the home for Flesh was created. So I said to Satan. “It has started.” . . . The next day we were in the Garden again. “Did he really tell you not to eat from the trees in the Garden?” . . . “He has said only that ‘you must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the Garden.’ We must not touch it, or we will die.” Continued the woman. . . . “What does to die mean?” Satan asked with a smile on his face. His voice mocked innocence. “I do not know!” Replied the woman. “That is because he has forbidden you to know the knowledge of good and evil. How do you know you do not want to die?” He asked. She paused for a moment as the question had perplexed her. She looked to Adam. “We should not be talking to this one I fear.” He whispered to her. Although I heard him, Satan did not. Adam silently motioned for her to leave. “That is a good question. How do we know that it is not good to die?” She asked, directing her question to Adam. “Because he has not given it to us.” He answered. “See in this garden we have all that we need. All that is good for us he has given –“ “But what if there is more?” Satan interrupted. “He knows that if you taste of that fruit you will be like him and will know what is good and evil. You will know what to die means and you can choose for yourselves then.” With that she took a piece of fruit. “Any difference?” Satan asked. “What is difference?” She asked. “Difference is change. See there is no difference you have not died. See he lied! He told you that even if you touched it you would die.” . . . “He is right!” She said. “There is no change. I have touched it and not died, whatever that means.” Turning to Adam, She took a bite. As she took the bite, her eyes first blazed, as she tasted all that is good. But in an instance her expression changed to one of anguish and despair. Next her face showed fear and hatred. Fear of the one who had tempted her, hatred for her companion who had failed to protect her. “What have you done?” He exclaimed. “It was pleasing to the eyes and good for food, and I desired the knowledge.” She said softly, exhausted as from battle. “I now know I do not want to die. But it is too late.” “See, again he has lied to you.” Satan exclaimed. “She has not died. Won’t you taste some too?” “She has not died yet! But I know he cannot lie.” Responded Adam. “Then die she will!” Satan said, changing his tone. “And you will live forever. Do you see all these creatures? They do not suit you. Do you really want to continue without her? Puzzle overcame the man’s face. He looked to the woman. “It is not good for man to be alone.” She said. I wanted to cry out, “You won’t be alone. He will still walk through the garden. Do not doubt his power to fix this.” But I said. “Well done sir.” “Please don’t leave me to die alone. Won’t you take from the tree also?” I don’t know whether it was fear of being alone or misplaced compassion for her that he did it, but in the end he took the fruit and ate it. At that moment we were back in the throne room. “I did it!” Satan triumphantly shouted. “Yes you did.” Said the Lord, not showing the slightest concern. “And I thank you.”