‘Things are not always as they seem’ is a universal truth,” he said pausing for the moment to gather his thoughts.
“I agree with Professor Thompson that what you saw was demonic activity against humans. There is nothing else it could have been. I don’t agree with him saying it was simply a nightmare. In my heart, I have an assurance that what you saw was real and that you were chosen to see it, but you were not shown everything that was occurring at the funeral in the invisible world.
“The Bible teaches that there is a great on-going struggle for humans in the invisible world. Another Paul, this one a first-century follower of Jesus wrote, ‘Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’34 What you saw in your dream is some of that which Paul the Apostle warned about. Apparently you did not see the forces of light, but they were there, for that is the conflict – light versus darkness.35 It is a conflict over every man, woman and child on the face of the earth. When you saw what appeared to be a demon reaching for you, I believe that it was a clear warning that there is a fight going on right now in the invisible world for you because you have been chosen by God for some greater purpose.”
Paul gasped and asked, “How can that be? I am not religious. I don’t even go to church. I despise the religious hypocrites I see every day. I have no respect for their so-called religion. Look at the world today, how many people die every day, killed in the name of some religion? People kill innocent men, women and children by blowing themselves up in the name of service to their god because they have been taught that their god will reward them for eternity. The history of religion is a history of the shedding of innocent blood. Where is this God you speak of who allows all of that innocent death in his name and the killer loose here in Williams inflicting death and injury seemingly at will? I want nothing to do with that kind of religion or that kind of god. I am only here today because I don’t want to become like the others I saw. This is about self-defense for me and for Samantha, my girlfriend – protection from those dark things that are after us.”
Chaplain Forrest paused and again prayed silently for guidance. In the invisible Argon screamed as if in pain. “Perhaps,” Chaplain Forrest continued, “it is because of your unwillingness to become a religious hypocrite or to accept a god of violence and hate that you have been chosen to be shown something of truth in the invisible world and how that affects the visible world. God is reaching out to you to reveal Himself as He truly is, not as He has been portrayed in the name of man-made religions. The Bible reveals a God, who has the same opinion you have expressed about what many call religion. He hates religious hypocrites and those who kill and destroy in the name of religion more than you can imagine.36 I told you there was one who I believe could help you if you are serious in your search. Are you serious?”
Paul was filled with conflicting emotions – anger, fear, passion, and desire all flooding through him at once. It was again decision time as the forces of light and darkness sought to influence the future of this young man and their conflicting agendas, but Paul chose wisely. “I must know more. I know I will never have real peace until this search ends. It is strange, but right now the only peace I have is in the search.”
“Good,” responded Chaplain Forrest. “You know the old warehouse just inside the railroad tracks down from College Church?”
“Yes,” Paul responded, “I drive by it nearly every day.”
“The old man who lives there is named Samuel Evans White. He is known around here simply as the Bookseller. He converted that warehouse into a rare and old bookstore years ago. He and his wife live upstairs in an apartment and mind the store. If anyone can help you, he can.”
“How can this Bookseller help me?” Paul asked incredulously.
“Oh, this man is so much more than a simple book salesman,” Chaplain Forrest answered. “He is an iterant preacher who for decades has gone anywhere he is invited to speak to anyone willing to listen. He looks and talks like one of the Old Testament prophets, with flowing white hair and beard. He is slight in body, but when he speaks he can burn the paint off the walls with his force and power. He knows the Bible better than any living man I know and speaks carefully to be sure what he says is absolutely consistent with all its teachings. But I have to be honest with you. Some of his teachings frighten me, not because they are wrong, but because I fear he is right. I have been afraid to allow him to speak in chapels because of the reaction he would generate. I only wish I had followed my heart and not my fears. He has things to say that the students needed to have heard.
“The Bookseller believes that 9/11 was a judgment of God, clear evidence that God’s hedge of protection around America is being taken away, making us increasingly vulnerable to the attacks of our enemies within and without. It was, however, a judgment with mercy, he would say, for only 3,000 were killed. Had those attacks come at the noon hour, the numbers could have easily exceeded 50,000.
“What frightens me most is that the Bookseller doesn’t seek to blame the nation or any group advocating what the Bible would describe as sin for this judgment. I know some have sought to blame 9/11 on homosexuality or abortion etc. He would not agree. He would take you through scripture and show you that God’s judgment falls on his own people first, the Christians of America, for the way they live and for what they are willing to tolerate.37 We proclaim one thing but live another – hypocrites just as you said. He would agree with everything you have said about religion, but disagree with your conclusion. He is the one you should go see if you really want to know what you saw in your dream.”
“Please, yes, I want to meet this man,” Paul answered. “How can I get an introduction?”
“I know him and will call him for you,” Chaplain Forrest offered. “If the Bookseller is in town, I am sure he will give you all the time you want. He will understand the importance of your search,” and with that, a phone call was made and time set aside to meet at the bookstore tomorrow at 10:00 AM.
“When you have your answer,” Chaplain Forrest asked, “please come back and let me know for I too must search before it is too late.”
Paul left to go and spend time with Samantha, wondering what all he had been told meant, but more committed than ever to stay with the search. All that could stop him now, he thought, was if the shooter made him a target – a possibility Argon intended to explore further before it was too late. In a panic, he sent off another of the dark wisps, this one to Molech, the leader of the forces of darkness over America. Molech had been chosen by the Dark Master because of his service as a god who required children be burned in the fire as a sacrifice.38 In America his success in the destruction of children through abortion, drugs, sex, rebellion and divorce was unparalleled. He would know how to deal with this young searcher.
CHAPTER 5
THE INVISIBLE CONFLICT INTENSIFIES
Thursday, January 31 – MD Minus 115 days
MOLECH CAME QUICKLY with the leaders of other cities in response to Argon’s plea. He had been following developments in Williams closely and he was not pleased. How was it possible to lose influence over this searcher and his girlfriend? How could Argon allow that worm of a chaplain to fall away from their influence after all these years of living in fear, doubt and worry? Worst of all, how could he allow the Bookseller to become involved? He was angry and puzzled, but not discouraged. The Dark Master still had many advantages in this conflict.
Argon
