''Paradise Lost''

By Crusader1307

 Written by English Poet and Author John Milton in 1667 – ''Paradise Lost'' is not only an extrapolation of the Biblical Tale of The ''Fall of Man'' (Spiritually) – but of the ''War in Heaven'' and the creation of Mankind's greatest adversary, Lucifer. Oddly, while most people accept the commonly held version of this – the tales does NOT appear in The Biblical Text. It was John Milton whose ''story'' would serve as the foundation for the time worn and well known tale. The ''poem'' was generally a ''modern'' telling of the classic Greek Epic, with ''Paradise Lost'' consisting of 10 small books or sections. Milton was not an overtly religious Man, but no doubt spent His early days (youth), in Anglican Church – learning of The Book of Genesis and if Adam and Eve's expulsion from The Garden of Eden. He would no doubt have come to an even closer relationship to Satan – which featured in the Tale.

Milton no doubt saw the large gaps in The Biblical tale of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Eden, as the result of Satan's influence. But much of the tale is never explained. Even in the so called ''Forbidden Books'' of The Gnostic Texts, little is found to fill in the gaps (as it were). So Milton (being a talented Writer), simply created the ''missing'' information. Perhaps much was based on many hours of research from this Gospel and that ''forbidden'' text. At any rate, Milton's ''Paradise Lost'' became an overnight ''sensation''. In addition to Man's ''fall from Grace'', the story of The ''War in Heaven'' is created. Milton tells of The Angels in Heaven living in relative harmony, until Lucifer (seen as God's ''brightest''), decides that God has too, much power and knowledge. Humility being a lacking trait – Lucifer enlists other Angles with a like opinion. A ''coup'' is planned to overthrow God and those Angels that support Him. A pitched War erupts in Heaven. God's ''Army'' is championed by Michael – The Archangel.

The War ends quickly with Lucifer and His Band facing ultimate justice. But God has a plan for Lucifer. He ''casts Him from Heaven'' along with His supporters. They will be banished to The Earth, to live as God's other creation – Man. But God decides to use Lucifer as an effect to a cause. Man needs to understand the true worth of Salvation. This can only be accomplished if temptation is put before Him. If Man can turn from such, He will have exerted the theory of Free Will (which is what God always intended). Lucifer and His Minions will be allowed to influence Man's decisions and try to corrupt His Free Will. Ruling in a dimensional realm known as Hell, He will take charge of all those who fail in the attempt, as did Lucifer did. Lucifer is well and fine with the punishment, for He utters that immortal line to God ''It Is Better to Reign in Hell than Serve in Heaven!'' Milton's Poem would be interpreted as The Gospel for generations – with The Church (both protestant and Catholic) actually allowing the ''story'' to be accepted as biblical fact. Unfortunately, the tale has been linked as coming directly from The Bible (and not the other way around). In fact, Milton's Poem helped to solidify the nature of Adam and Eve, The Garden of Eden and of course Satan – so effectively, it is no doubt that The Church maintained the linkage. The Poem is still much studied and of course referenced in many disciplines.