Bringer of Light

"Relax. It will take you some time to become oriented, to absorb the truth. You are dead."

"But--but you're not--who are--are you dead?"

"Well, yes. I have been dead for a very long time, much longer than you have been alive."

"So--you--you're a ghost? Am I...oh God, I'm dead! I'm not ready! Am I a ghost?"

"If you wish to call it that. You are in the spirit realm, you have left your body in the material plane. Some people call it limbo. I watch over this realm."

"But--where is God? Or Heaven? Or Satan? You--who are you? You can't be them--you're a--woman!"

"Indeed, I was a woman. I am not God, nor am I Satan. But the people in your realm call me Lucifer."

"Then you are the Devil! Oh dear God--why? I know I sinned plenty, but I didn't think I was too bad, and I repented! I never meant--you're taking me to hell, aren't you, you--"

"I am not the Devil, and, as I said, this is not Hell. You have nothing to fear but death itself, and you are already dead."

"Then who the hell are you?"

"I am Lucifer. In life, I was the Queen and last ruler of Babylon, the daughter of King Balthazar. I ruled over my people well, I was kind, loving, generous. I freed the Jewish people who had been enslaved during Nebuchadnezzar's reign. I welcomed all foreigners, all cultures, let them worship any Gods or Goddeses they chose. I let them live freely, as long as they kept the peace. I loved all equally, and my kingdom of Babylon was the greatest kingdom of all, a peaceful kingdom where men and women were free and equal."

Lucifer paused. She could tell the poor soul's fear had temporarily subsided, and he now listened to her in awe and curious wonder. So she continued.

"At that time, one of the Jewish slaves I had freed had grown to prominence. He was a natural leader, and he led his people with the same love, kindness, and generosity that I valued so dearly. His name was Yeshua, and we soon fell in love. I would have made him my king.

During the same time, however, the Romans were growing in strength, power, and numbers, and soon they were conquering every kingdom in the vicinity. They realized they would never conquer us if they did not first divide our people.

So they used Yeshua's teachings and his image to form a new religion, and it, too, quickly grew in strength and numbers, for Yeshua had become a very influential figure. They made Yeshua the God of this new religion and made him infallible, someone who could not love a mortal woman, even if she was a queen.

And so they spun their web of lies and turned me into a pagan witch who worshipped all other Gods and Demons, a temptress who wished to seduce their Yeshua, their very own God, and turn him mortal. That is how they turned our people against me, and with that, my kingdom was conquered.

In the end, they betrayed Yeshua. They crucified him and continued to use his name and image as a symbol of their faith. And that is how they conquered the world."

The soul was mesmerized by Lucifer and her words. He craved to know more.

"So--how did you end up here, in the spirit realm. Can you not cross over to Heaven? I thought the Devil--err--Lucifer reigned over Hell?"

"The Romans burned me as a witch, and I passed to the spirit realm. I had a choice to continue on and rest my soul, but I chose instead to stay behind in limbo and lead the lost spirits. I lead them with kindness, love, and generosity, the way I led my people in my lifetime. I help them cross to the other side. I prepare them, and then I lead them to the light.

That is why they gave me the name Lucifer, or Luxifer. It is sometimes translated as 'morning star' or 'fallen light', but it means 'bringer of light' in Latin.

They gave me the name when they learnt of my deeds in the spirit realm. Queen Marreah Maghdalenaa was my true name, and they erased it from history and made me the Devil of their religion. And, within such a patriarchal society, even in Hell a woman cannot lead, so eventually Lucifer became known as a "he", and I became the Devil himself."

"So there is no Devil then? Is there a God? What happens when we cross?"

"I am afraid I cannot give you those answers. I have never crossed beyond the light. God may be there, or there may be nothing. I cannot promise anything. What I can tell you is that your soul will not be at rest here. The light is warm, it is welcoming, so I believe it is good, and I believe it is there that your soul may rest. Do you think you are ready for me to lead you?"

"I don't know Lucifer. I am still letting everything sink in. It's so much to take in. I'm dead."

"It is ok. You will be alright. There is no rush to be ready. You have eternity to prepare, and I will be here to lead you."