But
Lucifer at the sight of the holy Michael, not being able to resist, was torn
with interior rage and sought to fly from his torments; it was the will of God,
however, that he should not only be punished, but also conquered, in order that
by his fall he might know the truth and power of God. Nevertheless he
blasphemed and cried out: “Unjust is God in raising the human nature above the
angelic. I am the most exalted and beautiful angel and the triumph belongs to
me, It is I who am to place my throne above the stars and who shall be like
unto the Highest; I will subject myself to no one of an inferior nature, and I
will not consent that anyone take precedence of me or be greater than I.” In
the same way spoke the apostate followers of Lucifer.
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| "Is like unto God" was the battle cry |
But
St. Michael answered: “Who is there like unto the Lord, who dwells in the
heavens, or who to compare himself to Him? Be silent, enemy, cease thy dreadful
blasphemies, and since iniquity has taken possession of thee, depart from our
midst, wretch, and be hurled in thy blind ignorance and wickedness into the
dark night and chaos of the infernal pains. But let us, O spirits of the Lord, honour
and reverence this blessed Woman, who is to give human flesh to the eternal
Word; and let us recognize Her as our Queen and Lady.”
The great sign of the Woman served the good angels as a shield and as arms of
battle against the evil ones; for at the sight of it, all their power (Lucifer and his allies) of
reasoning weakened and was brought to confusion and silence, since they could
not endure the mysteries and sacraments contained in this sign.
And just as by divine power this mysterious sign appeared, so also now the other figure or sign of the dragon appeared, in order that thus transformed he might be ignominiously hurled from heaven amid the fright and terror of his followers and amid the astonishment of the holy angels. All this was the effect of this new manifestation of the justice and power of God.mi
And just as by divine power this mysterious sign appeared, so also now the other figure or sign of the dragon appeared, in order that thus transformed he might be ignominiously hurled from heaven amid the fright and terror of his followers and amid the astonishment of the holy angels. All this was the effect of this new manifestation of the justice and power of God.mi
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| And Saint Michael was victorious |
But
the bad ones did not prevail” for injustice, lies, ignorance and malice could
not prevail against equity, truth, light and goodness; nor could these virtues
be overcome by vices. Therefore, it is also said: “From that time on their
place was not found in heaven", through the sins which these disgraced angels
had committed, they made themselves unworthy of the eternal vision and company
of the Lord. Their memory was blotted out from his mind, where they had been
written by the excellencies and graces of the nature given to them. Having lost
the right to the places, which had been reserved for them, if they had obeyed,
it passed over to mankind. To man these places were now transferred in such a
way that the very vestiges of the apostate angels were blotted out and were no
more found in heaven. Unhappy wickedness and never to be described misfortune,
which drew after itself such a horrible and dreadful chastisement!
