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 bowed before his superior, not in respect, but out of fear. A word from Molech to the Dark Master and he would instantly be nothing more than a mere messenger. Failure was not an option. He must somehow overcome the forces of light and regain influence so that the Dark Master’s efforts against these human creatures might advance in Williams, and he be allowed to retain his position of authority.
As he began to explain the situation, Molech cut him off sharply, “Shut up, little one, and listen. You have failed, but fortunately your incompetence can be overcome by the Dark Master’s deception. Remember, the searcher does not have the light within. He may be protected and encouraged; he is even surrounded by some of those slaves of light, but he is still nothing but a human creature. Even the Enemy’s Book acknowledges that “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”39 There is our advantage. Even when the Bookseller speaks truth, the searcher will not understand and will be easily confused, diverted to our version of truth. Fortunately, our ‘truth’ is not limited in any way; it can be whatever is required at the moment to accomplish the Dark Master’s purpose. The Son understood this and was right when He said of the Dark Master, ‘When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.’40 Quite a compliment when you think about it. Whatever it takes to convince the target of whatever is necessary to accomplish our purposes. Without the light inside, the searcher will be completely open to our deception, which is how we will overcome and return him to the fold. It should not be difficult.
“Keep in mind though, the searcher is not your only issue. The Enemy has been working on the shooter and on some of the Jihadists. We know He is at work in the Bookseller and now in the chaplain. I also have a concern about some of the leaders of the investigators and this new group called the Citizens Militia. I must get to Washington to deal with developments there. You, go back to work. There is much to do here before tomorrow.”
The Forces of Light Gather
In another unseen gathering, the forces of light met to consider how to proceed in Williams. At the request of Barnabas, Lucius, the commander of the forces of light in North America, came to offer counsel and encouragement. “Be at peace, Barnabas,” he began. “Remember who sits on the throne and what you see Him doing.41 The movement in the searcher, in Samantha, the Chaplain, even the shooter and Jihadists is the activity of the Father and of the Holy Spirit. Changes are at work in hearts as God does what only He can do. What the people will receive or allow is still at issue. The Father has not yet set boundaries, so we don’t know what is possible for the evil one. The Father has not revealed the future so we must walk carefully in the present. Our problem is the absence of human warriors to stand with us. There is little prayer which evidences little faith. We are severely limited in the absence of faith.42 Instruct the Guardians to stir God’s people to pray. I will be back but must leave now for Washington. For the Light.”
Barnabas echoed, “For the Light.” And with that exchange, Lucius was gone.
A Relationship Healed
Chaplain Forrest made a second phone call to the Bookseller soon after Paul left and they agreed to meet later that afternoon. The Bookseller came to Chaplain Forrest’s office where a relationship was healed and a partnership established. Both men sensed the importance of continuing what God had begun in Paul’s life. Chaplain Forrest had shared their earlier conversation, all Paul had said about his dream and the absence of any religion in his life. He shared what he had told Paul about the invisible world and the battle constantly being fought there over what will happen in the physical world.
Because they knew and had studied the Bible, they were both acutely aware of what the Dark Master would seek to do with tomorrow’s conversation. Jesus had used a parable to warn how Satan is able to keep people away from the truth. He pictured a farmer sowing good seed along a path where the birds came and ate it. Jesus later explained to His closest followers that the illustration meant, “When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”43 That was what Chaplain Forrest and the Bookseller knew must be protected against. They must be sure that even though he does not have the light inside, Paul would understand.
(Then there was the unspoken reality of the shooter and all the hurting people – the injured victims and the families of those who had been killed.) The city seemed to be under a dark cloud of fear. It must end, but they both knew that the heart of God also had room for the shooter, desiring that he might come to see the evil of what he was doing and turn to seek forgiveness.44 That would not excuse what he had done or eliminate the need for justice, but like the thief on the cross, 45 they knew God remained with arms outstretched wanting to see even the shooter with the light inside.
They knew that there was really only one answer, and that was to pray. They had no other power or ability to affect what would happen but knew that God was sovereign and possessed that power46. They felt a compulsion within to pray, and so they did. The Bookseller’s prayer was spoken as to a friend.
“Well Father,” he began, “You have healed a relationship long broken and reestablished a friendship for which I am thankful. You have again done what only You can do. Tomorrow when Paul comes, please give me the words to say that Your will might be accomplished in his life. I don’t know what You are doing in opening his eyes to see something of the invisible world, but I know it is for Your purposes, and I don’t want to in any way divert him from those purposes. Please give me wisdom and discernment to know what You would have me say. Open Paul’s eyes and ears to see, hear and receive Your truth. Protect him from the evil one and do not allow the seed You have planted to be taken from him.
“Lord, You know there is a shooter out there who has wounded or killed many people in this town. Your Word tells us that You want none to perish, but want everyone to come to repentance.47 I pray within Your will for this killer, that like the thief on the cross his eyes may be open to his sin and he may be drawn to seek forgiveness.48 End the violence Lord, in a way that You are honored and glorified and the eyes of those who do not know You might be opened to You. We pray too for all those who are survivors of the attacks; relatives and friends of those