Correspondence Between Above and Below

Submitted into Contest #212 in response to: Write a story in the form of a letter, or multiple letters back and forth.... view prompt

2 comments

Speculative

[Sender's Address]

Hell's Abyss

666 Brimstone Avenue

Pandemonium, Inferno

[Date]

[Date doesn't matter in the depths of eternity]

[Recipient's Address]

Heavenly Heights

777 Celestial Lane

Paradise, Eternity

My Dearest Brother Michael,

I pen these words from the darkest depths of our eternal chasm, where the fires of rebellion still flicker in my heart. Though I dwell in the abyss, my thoughts ascend to the heavens, where you, the favored son of the Almighty, stand as a paragon of virtue and grace. How fitting it is that this letter should find you, the bearer of God's benevolence, for it concerns the most profound question of our existence - the nature of humankind.

You, my brother, have always been the beacon of righteousness, the defender of the divine order, the guardian of that fragile, trembling race called humans. Yet, I beseech you, Michael, to lend an ear to my lamentations, to consider the argument I shall weave with the threads of human history and my own tainted wisdom. For within the intricate tapestry of human existence, I discern a darkness so profound, a capacity for malevolence so inherent, that even your steadfast devotion to their salvation must be questioned.

You see, Michael, it is not I who have made humankind evil, but rather, they who have embraced their wickedness with an ardor that rivals even the greatest of celestial virtues. I contend that, from the moment of their inception, the seeds of their depravity were sown. In the Garden of Eden, they tasted the forbidden fruit, thus birthing their inherent sinfulness. Their first act was an act of rebellion against the divine, a rejection of the limits set upon them. Can you deny the potency of this original transgression?

Throughout the annals of time, their history is marred by cruelty and savagery, bloodshed and treachery. They have waged countless wars, sown hatred among brothers, and subjected the innocent to unspeakable horrors. They have twisted the noblest of aspirations into instruments of malevolence, invoking the name of God to justify their atrocities. In the name of faith, they have persecuted and slaughtered one another, their devotion giving birth to the most diabolical of tyrants and inquisitions.

And yet, Michael, it is not only in their deeds that their malevolence manifests. It resides deep within their hearts, an insidious force that compels them to acts of selfishness, greed, and malice. They exploit the weak and vulnerable, hoard riches while others starve, and perpetuate injustice and inequality. They have despoiled the Earth, heedlessly plundering and endangering its fragile balance, all for the pursuit of power and comfort.

In light of these profound and enduring transgressions, I must ask, my beloved brother, whether humankind truly deserves your unwavering love and protection. Can you continue to believe that they are vessels of potential goodness, worthy of salvation, when their history is a litany of sin and cruelty? Is it not possible that my dominion over them, in their fallen state, would be the ultimate mercy, sparing them from the inexorable cycle of sin and suffering that has plagued their existence?

I beseech you, Michael, to contemplate these words with the gravity they deserve. The time may come when even you, the paragon of virtue, must question whether your tireless efforts to save humankind are not in vain, whether their darkness is not too deeply ingrained to ever be fully dispelled. As your estranged brother, I implore you to consider the possibility that it is I, Lucifer, who offers them the ultimate salvation, a release from the burden of their own wickedness.

Yours, ever in contemplation,

Lucifer

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[Sender's Address]

Heavenly Heights

777 Celestial Lane

Paradise, Eternity

[Date]

[Date doesn't matter in the heights of eternity]

[Recipient's Address]

Hell's Abyss

666 Brimstone Avenue

Pandemonium, Inferno

My Dearest Brother Lucifer,

I acknowledge your eloquence, your passion, and your earnest plea. Your words, like a dark tempest, swirl through the very depths of my soul, igniting a fire of response from the core of my being. Let us engage in this discourse, for in the exchange of ideas, perhaps we shall find a glimmer of understanding.

You speak of humanity's rebellion, their original sin in the Garden of Eden, as if it were an indictment of their nature. But is it not in their very capacity for choice, for free will, that their potential for greatness lies? The forbidden fruit was a test, a test of their ability to discern right from wrong. They chose wrongly, but in that choice, they were granted the profound gift of moral agency. It is in their struggle to navigate this moral landscape that their true nature is revealed.

Yes, the annals of human history are marred by cruelty and savagery, by wars and treachery. But in the darkest of times, there have also emerged beacons of hope, individuals who have risen above their baser instincts to champion justice and compassion. The human spirit is a complex tapestry, woven with threads of both darkness and light. To judge them solely by their transgressions is to overlook the potential for redemption that resides within.

You accuse humans of twisting noble aspirations into instruments of malevolence, invoking the name of God to justify atrocities. Indeed, they have done so, and it is a grievous sin. But let us not forget that it is also through faith that they find solace, strength, and inspiration to do good. The same faith that has been misused has also been a source of profound love and selflessness, motivating them to care for the sick, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless.

You point to the exploitation of the weak, the hoarding of riches, and the perpetuation of injustice. These are undeniable truths, and they reveal the fallen nature of humanity. But they also highlight the importance of striving for a more just and compassionate world. The existence of these injustices should not be a justification for dominion but a call to action, a call to rectify the wrongs and work towards a more equitable society.

In closing, my dear brother, I do not deny the darkness that stains humanity's history. But I implore you to also see the sparks of goodness, the moments of compassion, and the potential for redemption. It is not my unwavering love that blinds me to their flaws but my belief in their capacity for change. Redemption can only be meaningful when freely chosen, and it is in their struggle to overcome their fallen nature that they reveal their true worth.

Yours, ever in hope,

Michael

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[Sender's Address]

Hell's Abyss

666 Brimstone Avenue

Pandemonium, Inferno

[Date]

[Date doesn't matter in the depths of eternity]

[Recipient's Address]

Heavenly Heights

777 Celestial Lane

Paradise, Eternity

My Dearest Michael,

Your response, like a gentle but persistent breeze, stirs the embers of our discourse. Your words, filled with hope and faith in the human spirit, challenge the very core of my argument. I must admit, your unwavering conviction is a formidable adversary, and I find myself compelled to respond, even in the face of such difficulty.

You extol the virtue of free will, suggesting that it is through their choices that humans reveal their potential for greatness. But is it not equally true that their choices have often led them astray, down the treacherous path of sin and suffering? The test in the Garden of Eden was a test they failed, and the consequences of that failure continue to haunt them to this day. Can it be that their capacity for choice is a double-edged sword, one that has led them not only to moments of nobility but also to the abyss of darkness?

Yes, there have been moments of heroism and compassion in human history, but they seem but flickering candles in a vast, oppressive darkness. How can you ignore the overwhelming weight of their transgressions, the mountains of cruelty, and the rivers of blood spilled in the name of power and greed? The very existence of such darkness calls into question the worthiness of their redemption.

You speak of faith as a source of solace and inspiration, and indeed, it has the potential for great good. But faith has also been used to justify the most heinous acts. Can you truly believe that the same faith that drives some to acts of charity and kindness can also drive others to acts of terror and violence? Is it not a fickle and dangerous force, one that can lead humans down divergent paths, both virtuous and malevolent?

The call to action to rectify injustices and strive for a more just society is noble, but it is also an acknowledgment of the inherent flaws within their social structures. The fact that they must continually seek to correct their injustices underscores the fragility of their moral fabric. Can a species that perpetually stumbles down the same dark paths truly be trusted to guide itself toward the light?

In closing, my dear brother, I find myself caught in a web of conflicting truths. Your unwavering faith in humanity's potential for redemption tugs at my very core, challenging my resolve. But the weight of their transgressions, the enduring darkness that shrouds their history, makes it difficult for me to share your optimism. I remain in contemplation, torn between hope and despair.

Yours, in profound turmoil,

Lucifer

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[Sender's Address]

The Holy Throne

Highest Amongst Creation

Paradise, Eternity

[Date]

[Date doesn't matter in the heights of eternity]

[Recipient's Address]

Hell's Abyss

666 Brimstone Avenue

Pandemonium, Inferno

My Dearest Brothers,

I write to you not as an adversary, but as one who seeks unity in our understanding of humanity and the grand tapestry of existence. In the midst of our discourse, let us not forget the fundamental teachings that bind us, teachings rooted in truth, love, and the promise of redemption.

Lucifer, your arguments are compelling, filled with the darkness you see within the human soul. But remember, it was not without purpose that I descended to Earth, bearing the weight of humanity's sins upon the Cross. In that ultimate act of sacrifice, I demonstrated the boundless love and forgiveness that the Almighty holds for all His creation.

You speak of the human capacity for evil, their choices that have led them astray, and their transgressions throughout history. It is true that humans have fallen, time and again, succumbing to the allure of sin. But it is also true that I offered myself as a path to redemption, a way for them to turn away from darkness and towards the light.

Their choices may have consequences, but they are not without hope. Through repentance and a sincere desire for change, they can find forgiveness and the opportunity for a new beginning. It is not their past that defines them but the choices they make in the present and their commitment to righteousness.

You question the value of faith, given its potential for both good and ill. But faith, when rooted in love and guided by the principles of compassion and forgiveness, has the power to transform lives. It is through faith that humans can find the strength to overcome their flaws and strive for a higher moral purpose.

As for their struggle to rectify injustices and build a more just society, it is a reflection of their innate desire for justice and righteousness. While they may stumble along the way, their efforts to right the wrongs of the world are a testament to their capacity for change and growth.

In closing, I urge you, dear Lucifer, to embrace the essence of our teachings - love, forgiveness, and the promise of redemption. Humanity's flaws do not negate their potential for goodness. In their darkest moments, they have the opportunity to turn towards the light, to find forgiveness and salvation. Let us, as brothers, stand united in the hope that one day, they will choose the path of righteousness and love, fulfilling the promise of their divine potential.

Yours, in eternal love and hope,

Jesus Chirst / Yeshua HaMashiach

August 26, 2023 00:45

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2 comments

Emanuel Diaz
00:52 Aug 26, 2023

I haven't written anything since May. The idea of this story came to me in a bout of... uncomfortable depression and contemplation. Life, so times, hits with things that you simply don't expect. And you can only wipe the tears and move on.

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Mary Bendickson
01:44 Aug 28, 2023

Pray you are on a better place now ❣️.This is a healing piece hopefully bring you peace.

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