THE SAR'IM CHRONICLES BOOK 1: THE EMPYREAN WAR DAVID P. AGUILAR JR. THE SAR'IM CHRONICLES Volume I: THE BOOKS OF WAR Book1: THE EMPYREAN WAR INSPIRED BY YAH'S holy spirit ii Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................... iv Cast Of Characters ..................................................................... v Chapter 1: The Tragic Prince ..................................................... 1 Chapter 2: A Rift in the Substance ........................................... 10 Chapter 3: Drawing the Kherev ............................................... 18 Chapter 4: The Song of Israfel ................................................. 25 Chapter 5: Creation and Desolation ......................................... 32 Chapter 6: The Second Day ..................................................... 40 Chapter 7: The Unfolding of The Shekinah ............................. 49 Epilogue .................................................................................... 62 iii THE Empyrean War INTRODUCTION The Sar’im Chronicles is the title given to a series of books that will be divided into five distinct volumes. The first of these, The Books of War, contains three books that deal primarily with the theme of the eternal conflict between the powers of angels and demons. The Books of War set forth the history of this conflict, from its origin until it became fully manifest on Earth, bearing not only on the spiritual characters that are its principle players, but also the humans who are caught in the middle. Volume 2: The Books of Conflict, deal with the theme on a more personal level. Gone are the grandiose battles that take place in the Heavenly Kingdom, above the Ark, at the Tower of Babel. The three books that fall under this heading show how individual characters, such as Abraham and Moses, deal with the spiritual world and its factors, and they reveal the fact that individual choices have a great impact on the history of our world. The third and fourth volumes, likewise, present unique viewpoints to the spiritual controversy, but the fifth volume is unique even among these. Volume 5: The Books of Ages present disjoint episodes from the history of the warfare, nevertheless they hang together on the central idea that Yahshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) was ordained from the foundation of the world to present Himself as a Sacrifice for fallen man. This eternal truth has had an impact both before and after the incident actually occurred, and the age in which men are living matters not nearly as much as the quality of that man’s character as it relates to the divine purpose. — David Aguilar iv THE Empyrean War CAST OF CHARACTERS Here is a list of the major individuals who are mentioned within this book: Adonaim, The Seven Archangels (Guardians of the Shekinah – The Residence) Michael – “Who is like El” (Cherub) Lucifer – [Azazel/Satan] “Lightbearer” (Cherub) Raphael – “Healing of El” (Virtue) Phaniel – “Face of El” (Throne) Sarakiel – “Prince of El” (Seraph) Raguel – “Ally of El”(Principality) Camael – “He who sees El” (Power) Seraphim (Blazing Ones) Israfel – “The Burning of El” Jehoel – “Mediator of El” Hadarniel – “Benevolence of El” Petahel – “Impulse of El” Kemuel – “Assembly of El” Cherubim (Near Ones) Gabriel – “Strength of El” Za’afiel – “Wrath of El” Sh’fiel – “Spy of El” Puriel – “Flame of El” Azrael – “Helped by El” Gadriel – “My Helper is El” Turel – [Abaddon] “Rock of El”/”Destroyer” Zephon – “Looking out” v Ophanim (Thrones) Raziel – “Mystery of El” Zadkiel – “Righteousness of El” Zagzagel – “Splendor of El” Ikari’im (Principalities) Cerviel – “Arm of El” Anael – “Glory of El” Ithuriel – “Discovery of El” Ko’achim (Powers) Typhon – [Sammael] “Northern Darkness”/”Poison of El” Lahatiel – “Burning of El” Andiriron – “Might” Malakim (Virtues) Uzziel – “Strength of El” Lasetiel – “Bearing with El” Adriel – “My Help is El” Hashmallim (Dominions/Dominations) Zahariel – “Brightness of El” Matmoniel – “Minister of El” Kafziel – “Speed of El” vi THE Empyrean War CHAPTER 1 – THE TRAGIC PRINCE Fear not. You may call me Za’afiel, and I am sent with a message for you and yours. My testimony contains many issues of which you need to be aware, for they relate directly to the unfolding of these last few days before all is complete. I am sure you know that there has been a war going on for some time. The actual conflict is passed, thank IaH, but much controversy remains, and the time has come for your people to take their last, decisive stand. You noticed that I veiled my face when I spoke that Name. Yes, it is the Name of highest reverence, even for myself, one of the highest Querubim – which your human writers have often spelled “C-H-E-R-U-B-I-M,” but the “Ch” is a harder sound than this implies, like a “K” or a “Qu.” But you thought angels had wings? Why, you are looking at them now. Notice that this “white garment” is actually composed of feathers, interlaced and held together. Watch as I unfold them ever so slightly, so... We Cherubim have two wings, so when we are “clothed” we appear as ordinary men, unless we actually wear other apparel – be it armor or robe. The order just above us, the Seraphim, or “Burning Ones” have six, so while they may keep two folded over themselves, they have four remaining visible. The order just below us, the Ophanim, or, as they are often called, “Thrones,” have four. The other Orders are, by rank – the Ikari’im (Principalities), Ko’achim (Powers), Malakim (Virtues) and Hashmallim (Dominions) – and these all have two as well. And what does “Cherubim” mean? It is translated as “Wise Ones,” or “Emanations of Knowledge,” with a connotation of “nearness,” but the testimony I bring to you concerns one who was not quite so wise... or so near. My name means “Wrath of El.” El is a singular form for Elohim, which translates into English as God, or Lord. It does, however, have a higher meaning than the other word for Lord, Adonai, which is the title given to each of the seven guardians of the Presence... but I will get to that. You can see why in the past my brethren hesitated to give their names – so much explaining. For now, let us say that the only ones we call Elohim (a royal “we” as you humans say) are IaHVeH Himself and Prince Michael. As for “Wrath,” that is only a bad thing if outside of the Elohim’s protection, but this concept may not become clear to you until the very end of what I have to say. I 1 realize that this has been a lot of information very quickly, and there is much more to come, but these things are necessary for your understanding of what is to follow. So shall we proceed? And I will give you translations of most of the new names or terms I use as I go along. It has been over six thousand years since that time, and still the details are burned into my memory. I am not sure if I can get across to you the true horror of the events that unfolded before the Heavenly Throne Itself. Humans have been greatly desensitized – even in the most peaceful of your regions, you grow up amidst tales of violence, a history of bloodshed, and a knowledge of impending death. Not so for the angels. I cannot make you feel what I felt the first time I held a Kherev, or the first time I put it to use. I will tell you what that is shortly, and I think I had better work my way up to it. Yes, your History (for such I will call the Scriptures your people possess) describes the main events of the War of Sin, but how... how could it ever be complete without your being aware of the pain of its unfolding? How can we make you understand – the abomination of sin, the desolation of rebellion; it is a desert in the soul, a wilderness in the mind, and whosoever finds a way into those dark regions, may IaH have mercy on them! Who can tell it like one who has seen it? And that is why I am here. There were seven holy messengers that once surrounded the Throne of our Father. These were Michael (Who Is Like El), Lucifer (Light Bearer), Sarakiel (Prince of El), Raphael (Healing of El), Camael (He Who Sees El), Phaniel (Face of El) and Raguel (Ally of El). Now there are four. Adonai Lucifer, as you already know, rebelled and fell away. But what you may not know is that he took with him Raguel and later, Sarakiel. After the conflict, El Michael left of His own accord, and a Cherub, Gabriel (Strong One of El), was appointed to fill the space left vacant by Lucifer. Also, during certain occasions, when there need to be seven, the chief Seraph Israfel (Burning One of El), Raziel (Mystery of El) who was once of the Ophanim, but is now a Cherub, and myself would stand in. Raziel’s story is an unusual one, but I will tell you of him also during this tale. It seemed strange to me indeed that the conflict would actually find its origins within one of the most holy Seven. Adonai Lucifer was not only an Archangel, he was also of the highest rank among the Cherubim. I should make it clear, though, that the title Adonai and the position as Archangel overrides an angel’s actual designation among the Orders. For example: Sarakiel is a Seraph, Raguel is a Principality, Phaniel a Throne, Camael a Power and Raphael a Virtue, but they were all of equal rank with the Cherub Lucifer and (nominally) with Michael. As for myself, I was the second- ranking Cherub below Gabriel before his promotion to Archangel. When I first heard of the Controversy, it was by the whisper of Sh’fiel (Spy of El), a Cherub who had worked together with me on many tasks before.