An Archangel's Name

It isn't so easy to find the names of all the archangels. You have to go back into the folk traditions to find them, and not every source will agree with all of the others. Only the first three are actually named in the Bible, as far as I could tell, but there is still a general consensus that there are seven, and some agreement on a loose sense of each one's name. Getting the interpretations came close to guesswork, as I had to use my own understanding to make full sense of what I did find. But these are my best ideas and approximations, except where the traditional stories are clear enough.

     Michael - Who is like God?
     Gabriel  - The Strength of God
     Raphael - The Healing of God
     Uriel        - My Light is of God
     Selaphiel - He Prays to God
     Jeremiel - The Mercy of God
     Zerachiel - The Command of God

     also:
     Phanuel - He Brings God's Presence
This last one is not a commander, but has an important role as a messenger. He may be next in line if ever called upon, since he is the prototype of the prophet/apostle.

Tradition says that the rebel's name was
     Lucifer - A Fiery Zeal for God,
and places him to the left of the Throne, a position of trust and authority, where he stands to accuse us of being unworthy of Heaven. We might wonder why he is still allowed to be there, representing his rebellion and betrayal. But there are really supposed to be eight archangels, as the number seven stands for perfection, but eight is completion.

     Zeal (He was the first)
     Likeness
     Strength
     Healing
     Light
     Prayer
     Mercy
     Command (Obedience)
These names still represent the ways in which we should relate to God, to show our respect and reverence.

However, we don't call the rebel by his heavenly name these days. Rather, we refer to him as the Accuser, Shaitan, and expect him to be an enemy. Perhaps Lucifer has chosen to call himself Allah, and claims all those who could not discern good from evil. If one can be deceived by temptation, and be willing to practice violence and cruelty in  Allah's name, and dare to call that good, then perhaps being an outcast is justice. For in this way, it is revealed who is not worthy, and who knowingly follows the Liar, just because it suits him, and he doesn't have to be so "spiritual."

Then there are those who turn away from what they know is good, and despise their own consciences, refusing to turn back from selfishness and ask God for mercy. They too see the way of the world as cruel and open to those who would take any advantage, and they don't care about the unfortunate and oppressed. They will be surprised to find out that there is more than this one life, and that our choices do have consequences.

But what happens to people who would want to be good, but can't find the strength to follow what their conscience says is right? Perhaps for them the only hope is faith in the Lord, to confess contritely and beg for mercy. Jesus has promised to save all who believe and follow Him. Hopefully, our Lord will be merciful to all who would try to keep a good conscience, who admit their failures, and come in faith  to ask for mercy. This might turn out to be the great majority of humanity, especially if God has had a hand in the world's other religions.

And what shall be Lucifer's just due, if he proves his point? What if humans can't be made worthy of Heaven? Is this all merely a test, passing judgment on each age and generation, to see how far we have yet to progress? Will this world continue until Lucifer is satisfied, that finally we have learned, and now we are worthy to be welcomed into the Heavens? Perhaps, it is our capacity to let faith shape our own conscience and character, and to know when we fall short, that is being tested. So our hope in Jesus is all that saves us, and all that we need. When the rebel kneels, and vows obedience, will he not also be forgiven?

Is there some way to fix our minds, or to redirect our wills without taking away our freedom? Would doing that diminish us, or perfect us? Is some brain-machine interface that we can wear possible, to retrain the way we think, and give us access to the powers of faith when we are ready to be truly the children of God?

I might really be willing to wear a cap, or a headband, until I can learn how to live as I should. It would be better than the Devil's  alternative, that we should be cast out and destroyed. Especially if we will receive an extension of our lives, instead of harsh judgement. That would be its own kind of justice, but with mercy - a kind  of probation.

And maybe I could even forgive Lucifer for playing his part in the winnowing out of those of us who were not willing to admit their faults and receive God's grace. Maybe he was assigned the job, because he doubted that raising humans to become angels would ever work. After all, doubt is not the same as rebellion, is it? It's a tough job, and he does it well. I just wish that what he despises was not so deep in our nature, and so hard for us to overcome.