The Yezidis believe in a Supreme Being--Yazdan, "the Most High." But to Him they pay no worship. He is the Lord of Heaven, and takes no account of earth. From His name in all probability they derive their own appellation of Yezidis; though the Moslems (or at least the Shiites) declare that they inherit it from Yezid ibn Mo'awiya, the murderer of Hosein, and see in it an additional argument for persecuting them.[55] From _Yazdan_ emanated seven Great Spirits, of whom _Melek Taüs_ was the first and most powerful. To him was committed the creation of the world; and the governance of it for 10,000 years, of which 4000 still remain to run. _Melek Taüs_ is an evil and a fallen spirit; but not fallen beyond redemption. He is a sort of celestial Absalom--vicious, tyrannical, rebellious; but secure of ultimate pardon and rehabilitation. "Shall there not at length come a time when the Chief of the Archangels shall be restored to his first pre-eminence? And will he not then be mindful of the poor Yezidis, who alone of all mankind never cursed him in his disgrace?" There is something distinctly quaint in this picture of a reclaimed Satan, still cherishing a faint grudge against those who denounced him in his unregenerate days. _Melek Isa_ (Jesus) is the second of the Great Spirits; and He too shall reign for 10,000 years when _Melek Taüs'_ reign is done. The story of His incarnation and passion is accepted as told in the Christian scriptures; but it is held that this, His first, coming was premature and that so He failed to break the power of evil. He did not, however, die upon the Cross, _Melek Taüs_ snatched Him away, leaving only a phantom in His room.[56] The Yezidis render to _Melek Isa_ a sort of secondary worship. His reign is not yet; and being good He is not so formidable as evil. Thus at their great feast they sacrifice one sheep to Him, while to _Melek Taüs_ they sacrifice seven. _Melek Isa_ is merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, but _Melek Taüs_ is a jealous and exacting god.