Final Confrontation Read online

  The Antonia was Herod’s fortress overlooking the Temple complex. Named in honor of his friend Mark Antony, the Antonia, with its impressive towers, served as a visible reminder that law and order would prevail in a city fraught with religious fervor. Its proximity to the most sacred site in Jerusalem was not an accident. Herod’s rule might be cruel, but it was tidy.

  He had decided to receive his guests at the Hasmonean Palace, a short distance away. It was a grand palace and fitting for royal politics. The three guests had been invited to the royal baths and were now in their quarters awaiting the audience. “Show them some of our Judean hospitality,” Herod had ordered.

  Herod paced the floor, looking over a model of the city that had been a gift to him by his favorite architect. He stared at the scale replica of the various palaces and buildings he had erected and smiled to himself at his accomplishment. But far and above any other structure was the Temple—it was to dominate the city and would be Herod’s monument to himself which would outlast even Rome.

  He summoned his aide.

  “Order my conveyance to the Hasmonean,” he said. “We shall entertain our guests and satisfy our curiosity.”

  “Yes, O king,” said the aide, bowing his head.

  “And be sure all of my counselors are in attendance,” he added. “These men are magi. It might do well for some of our own sages to see what real wisdom looks like.”

  The aide gave a knowing smile.

  “It will be so ordered.”

  1 AD

  “Poor Herod,” said Kara. “He is a study in human depravity.”

  Lucifer nodded his head in agreement as they watched Herod enter his sedan chair. He had apparently ordered his guard doubled, a result of the earlier incident near the Temple site. Now he looked splendid in his royal robes, worn when receiving important visitors.

  “Human fear motivates all sorts of unruly behavior,” agreed Pellecus. “It works to our greatest advantage.”

  “Herod certainly has worked out well,” admitted Kara. “We have been able to orchestrate his fears in the most marvelous ways. And I must admit, Pellecus, the Roman strategy has been grand. Your study of the Roman mind has been impressive.”

  “The Romans are useful tools,” said Pellecus. “Easily led either through devotion to their gods or love of self. The Romans desire power. All I did was guide a few of the more ambitious families in Rome—they did the rest themselves.”

  “Herod’s compliance was a gift as well,” said Kara. “His paranoia has been challenging as well as amusing. To think the ruling family of the people of God is steeped in such political mischief and murder. Having his sons killed was one thing. But he was madly in love with Miriamne—so much so he became insanely jealous. I think her death was the most amusing of all.”

  “Murderous politics and religious fervor,” mused Pellecus. “A powerful and intoxicating stimulus among men.” Pellecus assumed his lecturing posture. “That these creatures are incurably religious cannot be denied, for indeed, wherever humans have managed to create some semblance of society, they have also managed some semblance of religion. Stone gods, wood gods, gods of the sea and gods of the forest, male gods and female gods, gods that demand bloody homage and gods that require simple ceremony—all of these and many more have been wrought in the minds and hearts of willing men. And when they become the religion of state it places an entire nation at our disposal!”

  “Yes,” said Lucifer, “as long as that nation continues to drift from the truth. But we have congratulated ourselves enough for now. True, Kara, Herod has been quite a trophy for us—at least in keeping the people subjected to his authority. But he will be dead soon. And there will be another king…always another.”

  “And we will manage him as well,” said Kara. “Herod is only one of many. I think we have become quite adept at bringing humans along.”

  “Humans are one thing,” snapped Lucifer. “But you are forgetting that there is now One born among these men whose humanity cloaks something far deadlier.”

  “Ah, the Son of Joseph and Mary,” said Kara “Little Jesus.”

  “The Son of the Most High!” retorted Lucifer. “In your eagerness to play with Rome and Jerusalem, you seem to have forgotten our supreme enemy now lives within the very kingdom you and Pellecus so proudly manage.”

  “He’s a Child who shows no signs of heavenly virtue,” said Kara. “I have had Him watched since the day He was born. He acts like a normal, human baby boy.”

  “That’s because He is a human,” said Lucifer.

  Pellecus, who had already understood Lucifer’s thinking in the matter of Jesus, began to speak.

  “Don’t you see?” Pellecus asked. “The Seed of Eve comes to avenge her. Of course He is a normal enough Boy—for now. But He will grow up one day. Kara, you were there the night He was born. Thousands of the Host were gathered around Him. The prophet said Bethlehem was to be the place. The nightmare has occurred. Jesus is the One we have been looking to destroy all these years. And destroy Him we must.”

  “This is the brilliance of the Lord,” said Lucifer. “The Son of God cloaked in the robes of humanity. When He becomes an adult He shall become our greatest threat.” He made a wry smile and added, “Provided He lives to adulthood.”

  As they were speaking, Rugio appeared and took Lucifer aside. The other two angels watched as Lucifer’s face brightened upon the words being told him by his chief warrior. He said “Well done, Rugio” and looked at Kara and Pellecus.

  “It seems that Rugio’s spies have discerned something interesting about the guests Herod intends to interview,” Lucifer said. “Something that might justify your correct assertion that the Child must die.”

  “Really, lord?” said Pellecus. “And what do these wise men from the east bring to us that we could not discern ourselves?”

  Lucifer smiled.

  “They have been following that star,” he said, looking up at the evening sky where the star hung over the city. “The star that has persisted these many months since the Child’s birth; the star that has been a grim reminder, a death knell to lovers of freedom and the sure sign of an unfolding prophecy ushering in the era of the Christ.”

  Kara and Pellecus joined him as they all looked up at the early evening sky where the star shone over the region. All of them shuddered at the thought of the Lord’s words in Eden beginning to manifest: The Seed of the woman would one day crush the head of the serpent.

  “But take heart, brothers,” Lucifer added, as the magi were being introduced to Herod. “The star, perhaps, shines in different ways.”

  My prince?” inquired Pellecus.

  “One prophecy fulfilled, Pellecus,” remarked Lucifer. “The Child has been born and this star has gloriously proclaimed His birth to men who have sought to worship Him. Now perhaps this same star will reveal something menacing to others who would be interested in the birth of a King.” He glanced toward Herod. “Particularly another king!”

  “Welcome to my kingdom,” said Herod with a sweep of his hand in a magnanimous gesture. “I hope you have been well attended to?”

  The magi stood uneasily before Herod. His reception hall was a mixture of Roman splendor and traditional Greek décor with a few Hebrew motifs thrown in. The couriers who fawned upon the old king stood to his left suspiciously eyeing the visitors. A scribe was writing down every word that was spoken.

  “Yes, my lord,” spoke Caspar. “We have been very well attended. Many thanks for your gracious hospitality.”

  “How very gratifying,” said Herod. “Please sit and refresh yourselves.”

  Attendants brought in three sumptuous chairs, plumed with peacock feathers and gold braid. The three guests sat down.

  “Wine perhaps?” asked Herod. “It’s a Babylonian variety. Quite refreshing.”

  “Thank you, no, majesty” said Melchior. “Our business will take us from your hospitality tonight.”

  “Oh?” said Herod, as he took a goblet from a steward
. “Such a shame. And what is your business with me? What is it that I might be able to help you with?”

  “Something wonderful, my king,” began Caspar. His face lit up as he began recounting the tale that had bound the three magi together for so long.

  “We are all from the east, King Herod. All of us are skilled in the arts of divination and astrology. We are conjurers and seers, and have often served our own sovereigns in these regards. We realize these practices are abhorrent to Jews, but in our country it is a way we communicate with our gods and prophecy the future.”

  “Yes, I know all about you,” said Herod. “My guards questioned your servants. You are quite renowned in your own country. But your mission is still a mystery. What brings you to Jerusalem?”

  Caspar stood to speak.

  “The star, majesty.”

  “The star?” asked Herod, amused.

  Laughter echoed through the room..

  “Yes, O king. The star that recently appeared in your sky.”

  “Oh that one,” said Herod. “It seems this particular star has brought in all sorts of interesting people from many places: oracles and prophets and a seer from the desert…” He reached for another goblet of wine. “And of course a few frauds who were whipped and driven out of the city. That star has been a great source of trouble to me. But my own sages assure me it is beginning to wane. Isn’t that right, Archelaus?”

  Herod’s son and heir answered as if startled from a dream.

  “Why yes, father,” he said. “That is their belief.”

  “So you see, gentlemen, the star that brought so many to Jerusalem—looking for everything from great treasure to great destinies—will soon disappear.” Herod smiled. “It always amazes me how people run to this or that sign in the heaven. My own wise men believe it to be a harbinger of good will for my kingdom—the beginning of a glorious new season for the throne of Judea. I hope they are right.”

  He looked in the direction of the star as if he could see it through the palace wall. He seemed to sink back in a moment of private reverie.

  “It is indeed a beckoning star that has caused dreamers as well as drifters to go looking for something larger than themselves. Somewhat like my father—a dreamer who found practical politics much more convincing than stars in the sky. He never trusted seers…”

  Herod suddenly had a suspicious look in his eye.

  “Pray tell me what is it the star had you searching for?”

  “A King, sire,” said Melchior.

  Herod laughed and indicated himself.

  “You have found him! The star was correct in bringing you here!”

  The room burst out in laughter.

  “We seek a very special King, majesty,” said Caspar. “Not of this world.”

  “Oh?” replied Herod coldly. “Indeed? A King not of this world…”

  He looked at his advisors who merely shrugged.

  “Someone marvelous, your majesty,” said Caspar, convinced Herod would share his joy. “We are searching for the One long foretold in your own faith. We are seeking the King of the Jews! The star was only a sign to us. It was a starting point. But your Lord spoke to us that this King was to be born around the time of the star’s appearance. Surely your own priests have realized the star’s significance?” He paused and added with a sense of one who has uncovered a great secret. “A King has been born in Judea!”

  Herod could hardly control himself. He snapped an order for more wine. The terrified steward brought him another goblet. Herod drank, warily eying the magi who were awaiting his response.

  “A King of the Jews?” he finally said. “In my kingdom?”

  “Yes, sire,” said Caspar. “But let Balthasar tell you. He was the one to whom the meaning became clear.”

  “Yes, please do,” said Herod. “But first allow me to convene my own holy men. They will be interested in this I am sure. And as you have pointed out, they certainly could not have missed the significance of this incredible sign in the heavens.”

  He ordered his aide to summon all of the scribes and chief priests. The aide bowed and left. Within a short time he returned, and with him were several of the higher- ranking priests of the land, including Matthias, the chief priest who had just completed evening prayers at the Temple.

  They all listened as Balthasar recounted how their journeys began independently of each other. All of them had been stirred by the strange new star in the east. And all had researched the ancient texts, but could find no record of any previous appearance by this particular star.

  “But one evening, as I was reading the texts from the holy pages of other lands, I came across the writings of your own prophets. As I read I heard a voice directing me to Jerusalem where a new King had been born. I immediately knew this new King was the One whose coming was foretold by your own prophets. This was the King of Kings—the Messiah! That was when the significance of the star became clear to me.”

  Several men in the room muttered the word ‘Messiah’ with astonishment. Herod looked at his own holy men who were either complete fools for missing such an event or wise enough to realize that these magi were in error.

  “And so, majesty, we came to your city to ask you where we might find the One born King of the Jews so we might worship Him.”

  Herod rose with a pensive look on his face. He paced distractedly, drinking in all of these words. The magi watched as he drew near his priests. Finally, he turned back to them and spoke.

  “My lords, I would be honored to help you out in this wonderful mission,” he said. “But I only ask that you wait in your rooms while I confer with my council. This is, after all, a matter of sacred as well as national interest and I shall seek an audience with my high priest. We shall then see you off as quickly as possible so you might fulfill your holy task.”

  The magi were escorted back to their rooms leaving Herod alone with his council in the reception hall. Once all of the servants had also departed, he turned to the high priest and demanded of him what this was all about.

  “Is this star a sign or not?” he asked. “Are these magi to be trusted? Tell me, high priest—where is the Christ to be born?”

  The high priest deferred to one of the scribes, who walked before Herod and declared, “When the Christ is born we should look for Him in Bethlehem, O king, in Judea. It is so written by the prophet.”

  The high priest looked at the other priests with a puzzled expression. He made a motion and priests huddled together to discuss the particular scriptures that related to the Messiah’s birth.

  “Bethlehem?” Herod said. “The Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem?”

  He laughed at the thought of such an insignificant town being the birthplace of Messiah. Suddenly one of the priests began to quote the prophet:

  “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

  “Bethlehem,” Herod repeated. “David’s city. It might just be…”

  “I must caution your majesty that this is perhaps not Messiah,” said Matthias. “While there have undoubtedly been many male children born in Bethlehem since the star’s appearing over these last months, it does not mean this is the Christ.”

  The priests watched as Herod sat down on his throne.

  “Of course we might send to Bethlehem, my king,” offered another priest. “We might inquire as to any newly born boys in the region…”

  “Get out, all of you,” Herod snapped. “It took men from another land to recognize that the Messiah might have been born just a few miles from here. Go and study some more—all of you!” He then added, “You, high priest—you shall remain.”

  The priests left the room. Herod called his aide in and had him send for the wise men. Perhaps he might gather more information from them. Within minutes the three men reappeared. Herod stood to greet them with an animated expression.

  “Wonderful news, my friends,” he said, stepp
ing down from his throne. “The young King is to be found in Bethlehem!”

  “Bethlehem…the house of bread,” said Caspar. “How fitting!”

  “Yes,” said Herod, quelling his anger. “But before you leave, you must tell me how long you have been on this quest?”

  “Sire, we have been inquiring of this for nearly two years—when the star first appeared. But we only recently understood the meaning of it all and began our journey.”

  Interesting,” mused Herod. “So the Child might be up to two years of age?”

  “I suppose so,” agreed Melchior. “But one never knows until one sees the Child.”

  “Yes, well be off with you and have a wonderful and blessed journey!”

  “Thank you sire,” said Melchior.

  The three magi thanked the king for his hospitality and his information. They bade him farewell and turned to leave.

  “Also…”

  “Yes majesty?” answered Caspar. “Was there something else?”

  “A king’s time is never his own or I would accompany you,” said Herod. “For I, too, wish to come and worship the new King of the Jews.” He sighed. “But urgent business holds me here in Jerusalem.” He then looked up as if inspired. “Unless…”

  “Yes?” inquired Caspar, warily.

  “Unless when you have found Him you might send word to me. That way I can come and worship the Child myself at a more opportune time.”

  “Of course, King Herod,” said Melchior. “We shall be delighted to send word to you when we have found the King. Your heart must be overjoyed that the true King of Israel has been born.”

  “Indeed,” said Herod. “There is only one King over Israel.”

  CHAPTER 4

  “Herod has been quite useful to us.”

  Demas was a spirit of control who had been assigned to Herod. He had thrown in with Lucifer at the last moment of the insurrection in Heaven when he discovered he fell out with some of the other angels at the Academy. He had become a skilled and discreet seducer of humans, and was able to inflame their ambitious natures. He was therefore also influential with Matthias, whose position as high priest was less pious than political.