The Devil Went Back To Heaven, Part Iii

...At this point Rob stopped, slowly shook his head, while we all though this whole thing was unreal, then he said,”The damnedest thing that I saw was that the Devil, at this point, did kneel. “The fiercest rebel in all history now relinquishing it without a fight, I did not know how to comprehend it, what person has ever seen such a sight? “It was then St. Peter seemed to listen to a voice that nobody else could hear, turned to Satan, said,’God is forgiving, He knows your minds and tells me you’re sincere. “ ‘He says he’s been waiting for a long time to see this prodigal son make his way back, He knows that you regret your evil ways, but proclaims there is something you still lack. “ ‘ You’ve equated Free Will to sordid deeds, and while much of what you spoke of is true, the other extreme, Free Will turned to good, is a lesson that’s still eluding you. “ ‘But before you set upon your penance, we must do something about that cruel form, as your punishment has come to it’s end, you will wear the face of a demon no more.’ “With that the horns that adorned the beast's head shrank until they were entirely gone, the skin turned from red to an olive-tan, upon his wings white feathers grew, rather long. “Atop his head grew a man of yellow hair, the hooves stretched until again they were feet, and one again the Morningstar was an angel perched upon the Heavenly street. “Lucifer just looked on, shocked and amazed, no longer did talons stretch from his hands, it all seemed subline until Peter came up holding nothing but a broom and dust-pan. “He said,’The Lord has ordered you to clean up the dust from all the souls who pass this way, so you’ll see first hand the good Free Will does when wielded by souls with a moral sway. “ ‘By watching and seeing those who in life chose to use God’s greatest gift for the good, you’ll understand why we bear his image, and what awaits when we do as we should.’ “And without a single word of complaint, Lucifer took up the dust-pan and the broom, silently set about sweeping up the place, he who’d once been the prince of creeping doom. “The St. Peter turns back to look at me, said,’Hey Rob, I’m sure this all seems absurd, but it’s no accident you ‘died’ just now, this was something God meant you to observe. “ ‘I can’t say why He chose you to do this, he’s always cagey about His prophets, but the good news, they are reviving you, it would seem that your time is not just yet.’ ” CONCLUDES IN PART IV.