I was reared in a wonderful Christian home by loving and attentive Christian parents that saw that my siblings and I attended church regularly. Those churches were predominantly of the Southern Baptist and old-time Methodist variety and provided an excellent foundation for a young man to learn about God, faith and the need for a savior. However, I developed a number of glaring questions in my little mind and often wondered why no one discussed what were (for me) obvious puzzlements.

At this point, I would like to say that though Journal of the Angelic is a work of fiction, it attempts to give the reader a glimpse into the heavenly realm. Many of the ideas within the book are based on God's Word (an entirely different discussion), while others explore some of the mysteries that have confounded mankind for ages...those that God left to our imagination. Many of those hidden things will not be revealed until we reside within God's kingdom; though it's worth noting that in the end times "old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions…in those days I will pour out my spirit" (Joel 2:28-29 KJV), knowledge will be revealed that men have never pondered.

When I think of an angel I think of a creation whose intelligence is vastly superior to ours. After all, they have existed with God for the dateless past and, as sinless beings, are worthy to gaze upon His humanly unknowable countenance. In Journal of the Angelic, I write that, perhaps, the one mental faculty they lack is the ability to forget. They remember every single instance...every moment...every face, every word: every thought that ever occurred to them across the ages and eons. Indeed, angels are unimaginably more intelligent than us.

It also stands to reason that angels know God far better than we will ever know Him while we are on Earth. By virtue of their unstained souls, they are able to look into the unspeakable...unknowable eyes of the Almighty God of the universe. Indeed, the angels in Heaven know God's power, His majesty, His capabilities...and His sovereignty.

So, if angels are so much more intelligent than us...and they know God so much better...how is it that one-third of them thought Lucifer had a better deal?

When I was a young fellow, I, along with my siblings, attended a small, private, Baptist elementary school. One of things I learned early on was that God is omniscient...God is all-knowing. In addition to being omniscient, I also believe God presents Himself as one who is intolerant of sin. In fact, He is the antithesis of sin...transgressions existing as perhaps the lone, self-imposed limitation of His power.

So, if God is 1) all-knowing 2) intolerant of sin, and 3) omni-present, (and I believe He is!) how is it that so many angels were able to defect to Lucifer... while still in God's presence?

Also, it seems doubtful that so many angels could have 'fallen away' in an instant. If that was the case, the angels (that know God so intimately) either lost confidence in His abilities or God's imprint failed to sustain their faith in Him. Right? No. I don't believe either scenario is correct. I believe the angels likely 'fell away' over a very long period of time, probably by a process similar to the way humans commit sin: 1) We are tempted 2) We ponder the temptation 3) we make a choice. Perhaps, the angels in Heaven 'fell away' by a similar process.

That said, how could such things happen before God's face, (referring to His omni-presence)? Also, isn't God "all-knowing"? Doesn't the Almighty know the thoughts and ways of His own creations (angels)? Certainly He does! So, how do we reconcile the fall of Lucifer and one-third of the angels in Heaven right in front of His nose? As believers in God’s sovereignty and in His Holy Word, how does one reconcile that God is intolerant of sin and "perfect," yet, somehow, sin ravaged His kingdom in His presence and with His knowledge? Doesn’t that suggest God built an imperfect kingdom? A kingdom He could not control? If God is omni-present, how could even one angel make a deal with Lucifer to commit the ultimate blasphemy? Doesn't sound right, does it??

Let me say, at this point, that I believe in the authority of God’s Word, yet occasionally puzzle over the details. Questions such as these are the impetus for my writing.

It would seem that either God knew about Lucifer's campaign and allowed sin to ravage the kingdom for eons (suggesting He tolerated the escalation and spread of sin in His presence) or He didn't know about it...which conflicts with the concept of God's omniscience and His omni-presence. How can that puzzle be resolved? Here's how! I write, perhaps God was gone.

You might ask, "How can God be both omni-present and gone, at the same time?"  I believe that God makes no reference to His abilities outside this universe. So, you don't think there is another universe/realm? Then, where was God before He created this one? Interesting, huh?

                   Please go to "Page 2" for a continuation of this discussion...