Ashes Before the Throne

Before humanity fell, Heaven did. Before Eden. Before the serpent. Before the cross. There was a war. Azerothiel was once among Heaven's greatest guardians—a mighty Watcher entrusted with the foundations of creation itself. But when Lucifer's rebellion swept through the Host, one moment of hesitation cost him everything. Cast from glory into the depths of Hell, he spends millennia as a broken servant of darkness, carrying the weight of a choice he can never undo. His latest assignment should be simple: corrupt Thomas Sterling, a brilliant London barrister whose relentless ambition is quietly hollowing out his soul. But something has changed. The fallen angel can no longer stomach the work he was created to do. As Thomas's carefully constructed life begins to fracture, Azerothiel finds himself confronted by an impossible question: can a creature who has fallen beyond redemption still choose compassion? And if grace is stronger than rebellion, could even the ashes of Heaven become the birthplace of hope? Spanning from the splendour of creation to the modern world, Ashes Before the Throne is an epic Christian fantasy that reimagines the unseen spiritual battle behind human history. Richly imagined, emotionally profound, and deeply rooted in biblical themes, it explores pride and humility, justice and mercy, and the relentless pursuit of a God who refuses to abandon what He loves. Perfect for readers who enjoy the imaginative scope of The Screwtape Letters, the epic spiritual warfare of This Present Darkness, and the literary depth of Paradise Lost, Ashes Before the Throne is a powerful story of redemption, sacrifice, and the astonishing reach of grace. Stripped of his power and his name, he must stand before the Throne he once abandoned to answer a daring question: Is God's love truly expansive enough to redeem a demon? A Narrative Flight of Theological Wonder Inspired by a daring theological thesis, Ashes Before the Throne is a gripping exploration of pride, sacrifice, and love that no law can contain. It is a story that moves from the cosmic battlefields of the Empyrean to the gritty reality of modern London, ultimately proving that Love is the only note that truly matters in the Symphony of existence. About the Author Lance Peppler was inspired to write this narrative after a series of intentional monthly breakfasts with his father, Dr. Christopher Peppler — a pastor and theologian. While the book is a work of pure fiction anchored in biblical settings, it serves as a testament to the expansive, majestic nature of a love that seeks out those who deserve it the least.