Paradise Lost

The great 17th Century English poet, John Milton, captured the war in heaven beautifully in his epic poem, Paradise Lost.  According to Wikipedia, Milton's poetry and prose reflect deep personal convictions, a passion for freedom and self-determination - in LDS teaching, agency.

 

Listen, as I share excerpts from Book V, to these powerful words as he describes what happened in the War in Heaven in language as poetic as scripture (spelling modernized.)

 

 

As yet this World was not, and Chaos Wild
Reigned where these Heavens now rowl, where Earth now rests
Upon her Center poised, when on a day. . .
As Heavens great Year brings forth, the Imperial Host
Of Angels by Imperial summons called,
Innumerable before the Almighties Throne
Forthwith from all the ends of Heav'n appeared
Under their Hierarchs in orders bright
Ten thousand thousand Ensigns high advanced, . . .

 

Recorded eminent. Thus when in Orbs
Of circuit inexpressible they stood, 
Orb within Orb, the Father infinite,
By whom in bliss embosomed sat the Son,
Amidst as from a flaming Mount, whose top
Brightness had made invisible, thus spake.

Hear all ye Angels, Progeny of Light . . .
Hear my Decree, which unrevoked shall stand.This day I have begot whom I declare
My only Son, and on this holy Hill
Him have anointed, whom ye now behold 
At my right hand; your Head I him appoint;
And by my Self have sworn to him shall bow
All knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him Lord:
Under his great Vice-gerent Reign abide
United as one individual Soul
For ever happy: . . .

him who disobeys Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day
Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls
Into utter darkness, deep engulfed, his place
Ordained without redemption, without end

So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words
All seemed well pleased, all seemed, but were not all. . .

 

After describing that God's Words are inviolate, Milton then goes on to describe in great and beautiful detail the grand celebration in Heaven with music, flowers, and feasting; sweet visions and sweet perfumes.  All the Heavenly Hosts celebrated God's plan and the appointing of His Son, Jehovah/Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the World.  But, as the last line implies, not all in Heaven were happy. Lucifer, the second son (see Abraham 3) is angry that his plan wasn't chosen (more on the two plans tomorrow.)  As his anger grows, his rebellious and jealous nature leads him to draw like-minded spirits to his cause as they prepare to challenge God's authority.

Satan, so call him now, his former name

Is heard no more in Heav'n; he of the first,
If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power,
In favor and preeminence, yet fraught
With envy against the Son of God, that day
Honored by his great Father, and proclaimed
Messiah King anointed, could not bear
Through pride that sight, & thought himself impaired.
 

Not content in destroying his own soul, Lucifer reaches out to others and thus leads away 1/3 of the host of heaven to be cast down with him (See Revelation) Milton describes his vision of how Lucifer approached other spirits whom he knew would listen.  He describes Lucifer and his minions as apostates, and that is truly what they were.  They didn't gradually wane away; they were in open rebellion against God and His Son.

 

Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour
Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolved
With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave
Unworshipped, unobeyed the Throne supreme 
Contemptuous, and his next subordinate

Awak'ning, thus to him in secret spake. . . 
"The great Messiah, and his new commands,
Who speedily through all the Hierarchies
Intends to pass triumphant, and give Laws."

So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infused
Bad influence into the unwary breast 
Of his Associate; he together calls,
Or several one by one, . . .and casts between
Ambiguous words and jealousies. . .but all obeyed. . .

His name, and high was his degree in Heav'n;
His countenance, as the Morning Star[1] that guides
The starry flock, allured them, and with lies
Drew after him the third part of Heav'ns Host: 

 This is my favorite part as Milton unleashes his distain upon Satan:
 

O argument blasphemous, false and proud!
Words which no ear ever to hear in Heaven 
Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate

In place thy self so high above thy Peers.
Canst thou with impious obloquie condemn
The just Decree of God, pronounced and sworn,
That to his only Son by right endowed
With Regal Scepter, every Soul in Heav'n
Shall bend the knee, and in that honor due
Confess him rightful King? 
 

If you were to ask someone what Satan's plan was, that person would probably say, "To take away our agency."  But I think it is more than that.  Jehovah promised to come down and execute the Father's will and to give His life as the Savior of all Creation.  Because He bowed to His Father's will, He returned all glory to His Father.  In so doing, all would be saved from physical death through the universal resurrection, but those who remained rebellious and refused to repent, would not return to the Father but would inherit a lesser kingdom in heaven and would not receive exaltation as gods.

 

Lucifer's plan was that he would bring all souls back so that none would be lost and because he would do it, he wanted the Father's glory.  He had not intention of performing an atoning sacrifice for anyone.  He wanted to bring us all back by doing away with the Father's plan altogether.  It would have been gestapo-like obedience and mindlessness or total license to follow one's id.  In either case, mankind would be miserable here on earth and totally damned in terms of their eternal progression.  There would be no progression and Satan[2] would sit on God's throne. We would be enslaved and in chains either way. 

 

 

How thankful I am for my Savior who promised the atonement for all of God's children.  We had "exceeding great faith" that He could and would do it.  I am personally grateful that He delivered on His promise. 

[1] Lucifer's name means "Son of the Morning"

[2] The name Satan means "adversary" or "accuser"

 

 © Gebara Education, 2016