They shuffled aimlessly about the elaborately decorated anteroom in muted conversation, timidly awaiting the arrival of their master. Lucifer had called for, an unheard of, emergency meeting. Their glances betrayed their thoughts of how to place blame on the others for their collective failure to miss their assigned deadlines.
All seven generals (some may secretly call them princes, others, call them gods) were greatly renowned among the people of earth, and faithfully worshiped by most.
Generals Gluttony and Sloth huddled around the wine bar and were in muted discussion about both the reason for, and the suddenness of, their summons.
It had been rumored about that that worship thing WAS the problem. It was indeed many, but not ALL. Lucifer had stated this fact specifically at their last meeting, more than 6000 earth-years ago.
He had been given the entire earth by the Creator, and boasted that even the Word of God stated that all mankind would worship him.
They still shuddered to remember the fate of Lucifers’ chief scribe at the time who in some as yet unexplained loss of sensibility, blurted out the ‘rest of the quote’ from of all places, Rev 13:8-- “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
The fear in their eyes, and their sudden but obvious discomfort attracted the attention of Generals Greed and Envy who had been in conversation about the recent success of their human lieutenants whom they had originally cooperated to place in control of all human wealth. Why, they said, some of our lieutenants have even persuaded humans that our greys are in fact, alien gods from another planet. Some of the same promise unearned shares in enormous wealth. However, these generals were concerned that their collusion was now beginning to engender so much strife between human greed and envy that Lucifer sensed that there was so much competition between the two that the mission success was in jeopardy.
Generals Lust and Wrath were talking about the cooperation of their earthly patrons in their assigned and well financed but seemingly divergent tasks of pedophilia, abortion, murder, rape, mayhem and world peace and how successful they were in disguising their actions in both politics and religion. Not to mention the great human push toward planet worship and witchcraft. Surely, they thought, Lucifer would be well pleased in how they had organized their command.
General Pride, as usual, seldom talked to anyone. And, as was his nature, he was always alone, having obtained as his gift from his master the art of self worship.
When he did speak, however, he insisted to the point of implied mayhem that his spoken words not be questioned. With a muted winks, the other six generals avoided confronting him at all costs.
General Pride, for the life of himself, could not imagine the slightest disagreement coming his way from anyone, least of all, Lucifer.
As the seven so mused, suddenly the sound of harps and muted drums interrupted the stillness of their thoughts, and as the doors swung wide, they were beckoned to the conclave, and each was joined on either side by a bevy of nude human forms, each in their own mind’s preferred imagination.
Exactly as it happened before, thought General Sloth. Lucifer always throws one hell of a party.
But, General Envy, as was his wont, sensed that this was not just another party. After all, they were not done yet with their tasks on earth. Not by a long shot, he thought. It used to be easier, even though those damned Christians had always been a pain in the ass, lately, they seem to have united in their defiance.
Thus, as the doors shut, and a scowl spread across Lucifer’s beautiful and comely face, it was no surprise to General Envy that indeed, that those damned Christians were foremost on Lucifer’s mind.
Not 'religious' 'denominational' Christians, mind you, for those have long since been deceived by a plurality of Generals Pride and Envy chosen human disciples with a smattering of General Lust's boys and girls. No indeed...Lucifer already owns those, lock, stock and barrel.
In booming voice, Lucifer demands...Just HOW are we going to finish this thing if we cannot conquer the believers in that imposter? There is no bible burning left. We already did that, several times.
Ahh.. yet another timid scribe Doubt blurted out...SIR..they have the Word in their being. The only way is to kill them. After all, Sir, there is not that many...
Point of order...interrupted another scribe.. just as he disappeared in a bright flame... "It is also written that we are prohibited from outright killing them, without the Creator's permission"...
Lucifer, with a scowl and a booming yet melodious voice..I TOLD YOU NOT TO EVER ALLUDE TO THAT NAME...He leaped to his feet and demanded..
SILENCE...sit and hear this...hear it well lest you all perish with your human followers.
Prince Doubt, the scribe will address this assembly.
Prince Doubt?,,,,You are up...
To be continued in Pt II:
