“This feather business – not a very exactscience, is it? Feathers are about half a gram, and hearts are three hundred. Am I missing something, or is there a reason Hell is always so busy?”
“Then, do you mean that it is peculiar? I do use a rather nice shampoo that smells like apples. Thank— wait, what? Well, forgive me, but not everyone can shop at H&M.”
"I adore humans smelling of apples. Brings back fond memories. Forgiveness–? Very well. Your sins are pardoned; go forth, and sin no more.”
It’s dark, and it’s quiet - just the way Bella likes it. She’s tucked herself up on a park bench, sketchbook balanced on one knee as she works, only looking up when she hears company approaching.
Iblis was quite undaunted by the woman looking. The Jinn perched itself on the arm of the bench, its toes curling inward to grip it tighter. Slender legs pressed against the chest and the small chin rested on the knees.
Bartimaeus turned as he was addressed, already on his guard. ‘Brother’? That was a new one. Nowadays there wasn’t much of that amicable camaraderie going around. So there was a standard check through the planes, first, second, third, fourth, fif-oh. OH. And now there was shock and terror and ohallthingsmercifulthiscouldnotbegood.
So now he had options. Run and run and don’t stop until he reached Sweden - tempting. Engage him - Iblis - in conversation? It’d be rude to ignore the greeting and he didn’t want to offend the Father of Djinn but that did rather depend on him getting through this without passing out.
Bartimaeus opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, just about managing to croak out “Hi. Uh…y'know. Same old, I’m summoned, I obey, um…you?”
Was that… fear?
It took only a moment for the other djinn to look like he was going to pull a runner, and Iblis decided that the emotion was quite definitely fear. Borderline terror. There wasn’t anything the Ifrit could do about its menacing true form except to take a few steps back slowly to reduce the thick atmosphere of dread.
“Hi,” Iblis returned, a small smile shifting onto its lips at the casual greeting. “I stay here. Start wars, get blamed for other wars, general havoc. Same old, same old,” the Ifrit explained with a small shrug. The other djinn seemed to have recognised Iblis, which wasn’t quite shocking. Still, it did leave Iblis at a slight disadvantage.
It tilted its head, the smile waning a bit. “I’m not going to hurt you, if you’re worried. Perhaps you’d feel more comfortable on the first plane,” Iblis suggested mildly. “I don’t recognise you.”
”Normal? What is normal supposed to smell like? —I showered this morning…”
“Calm down. I didn’t it like that. I’m sure your personal hygiene is impeccable, judging by the state of your hair. Your clothing leaves a little to be desired, but no one’s perfect.”
The human world did not have much in the way of entertainment. Iblis, though adept and skillful in the ways of meddling with human affairs, was not particularly interested in their petty wars and deaths. It’d lost its appeal after the first million times. Still, the creature had its duty to perform, and Iblis was nothing if not loyal. And, anyway, if Iblis didn’t stick around in the human world, how else would it find stray members of its family?
This one, for instance. Though Iblis had a rather unintimidating appearance on the surface and several planes in, it wouldn’t do much to convince a high-level djinn.
First of all, you have no idea how long I have been looking for an explanation to the whole Lucifer/Satan/devil thing. Your explanation untangled a lot of knots in my mind formed my contradictions and misinformation that I have received from others. Thank you for that. Secondly, I’m hoping you’ll be able to tell me as I haven’t been able to find an answer elsewhere: why did Lucifer fall/ why was he cast out? I know you mentioned that he thought himself above God, but why and in what way? Thanks.
There are multiple theories as to why Lucifer rebelled, but I’ll attempt to outline the three most popular ones that I’ve come across. As you can probably imagine, there is also a lot of overlap in these theories.
1. Pride and Envy
This is probably the most commonly heard theory of the three. It presents Lucifer as being unsatisfied with zir position in the hierarchy of heaven, and wanting YHWH’s throne for zirself. In my opinion, it is also the shallowest of theories. Lucifer is characterized as a static, one-dimensional entity that seeks power with no other justification other than the perceived glory that comes along with it. Sometimes this theory is developed further, in which Lucifer is said to believe that ze could do a better job than zir maker, but it never goes any further to answer the obvious question: What was so wrong with the system in the first place that made zir think ze could do better?
2. Revolt against tyranny
Contemplation concerning the previous question is what leads to the theory that many Luciferians hold, in which Lucifer is believed to have rebelled against YHWH’s tyranny, and the injustice of his divine law. The precise problems with YHWH’s system vary from interpretation to interpretation, and draw a lot from UPG and SPG. Sometimes the oppression is said to have been aimed at the angelic hierarchy, while other times Lucifer is said to have fought against the imprisonment of humanity in their ignorant, child-like state of innocence within the Garden of Eden. Note that Paradise Lost suggests that Lucifer fell before the fall of humanity, while biblical scripture does not actually indicate what the relationship of the two was. Like I said—lots of different interpretations here, though the overall concept remains the same in most cases.
3. Loved God ‘too much’
Believe it or not, this theory existed before the popularization of Supernatural’s Lucifer-themed plot, however It has gotten more attention since then. It is most prominent within Sufi theology, where Iblis takes the role of Lucifer.
The gist of it is that Lucifer refused to bow to mankind, because:
a) ze was created from fire, while man was molded from clay. Zir pride would now allow zir to submit to a creature less than zirself
b) it went against a direct command of YHWH/Allah, who had said that his angels should bow only to him. Mankind was not deserving of the same praise given to God, and zir love for god would not allow zir to go against his previous command.
“Iblees (Satan) name comes from the root بلس (balasa) which means to give up hope or to despair, because he despaired in the mercy of God. Thinking that you’ve slipped up or intentionally sinned so much that Allah can’t and won’t forgive you isn’t real talk, it’s satanic." —
We’re meant to believe this implies ʾIblīs is too proud to accept Yahweh’s grace but all I read into it is that He really is the most humble lover. We’re suggested the ability to constantly push further on divine restraints and then expect mercy. His most beloved angel is not given to that disgusting insubordination and is damned.
Yet He is the one whom we suggest struggles with pride? (via whoreofabaddon)
This concept that humanity is entitled to redemption and salvation while Lucifer is undeserving of this mercy can be found within most Christian traditions as well. There’s one song in particular I’m reminded of, Embracing Accusations by Shane and Shane, that plays with this idea (though it’s original intent was no doubt to place him in the role of the malicious devil whispering in one’s ear).
Its ironic that the majority of rhetoric concerning Lucifer makes him out to be unrepentant and hateful when the very scripture of various traditions suggests otherwise.
As an angel, Lucifer was created to love and serve his god with every fiber of his being. Falling does not erase those instincts, rather, it makes it so that he is unable to fulfill the very purpose he was created for.
Melek Taus, after his exile, was said to have “repented and wept for 7,000 years, his tears filling seven jars, which then quenched the fires of hell”.
Perhaps it is not that Lucifer’s pride is so great that he would not repent. Perhaps instead he does not believe himself worthy of his god’s forgiveness, regardless of whether or not his reasons for disobeying and falling were right or wrong.
