Heaven Bound

In case you have not noticed, the demonic seems to be manifesting around us in ways never seen before. A sure sign that the day of the Lord is near  – for not since the days before the flood has evil of this magnitude been made manifest.  Therefore, it is imperative that believers in Christ have their spiritual armour intact and ready for use.  If you’ve let your sword get a bit rusty, sharpen it up – you’re going to need it. If you’ve let your helmet slip slightly askew, get it straightened on now.  Fasten your breastplate and get ready for action – for there will be no sitting on the sidelines, when this battle gets rolling. 

Many of us are crossing our fingers and hoping to be raptured before ever being called to battle; but, the reality is this –  the battle is already underway and is intensifying daily ….. and, there is not a soul on this planet, who will not be directly affected by this in one way or another in the days to come.

In Revelation 9:1-3, we are told that one day soon the abyss will open up and the demons that have been held there (described as locusts and scorpions), will emerge to torment all those on the earth who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads.  I cannot tell you when that day will happen, but, if what we are seeing now is any indication, it can’t be far away.

How many of you saw this horrific headline this weekend – “South Beach cannibal growled like wild animal … ate the face of homeless man “.

http://www.local10.com/news/News/Witness-describes-face-eating-man-shot-by-police/-/7659550/14236278/-/djbd6z/-/index.html..

Or this recent news story – “Japanese man cooks and serves his own genitals to paying guests.”   http://japandailypress.com/

Isolated incidents?  We’d like to think so. One, a victim of his own inner demon and a culture that seems to have a penchant for the bizarre. The other, the victim of some psychopathic drug crazed individual. Or, so we would like to believe. So much easier to believe than the reality that cannibalism like sodomy are serious indicators of a culture in decay, a culture sliding dangerously close to the edge of the abyss.

Yesterday, my friend Nan and I went to Waikiki as we often do to minister among the homeless and to some of the other general population (local and tourists) that live and play in the area.  And, as we were walking through the park, we noticed a very thin man who appeared to be in his late fifties sitting at a picnic table. He had a back pack with him and was smoking a cigarette and while,  I wasn’t certain that he was homeless, I was certain he had not eaten in a while, or at least not regularly, as all his ribs were showing.  I pointed him out to Nan and said, “I wonder if he could use some food?”  But, for some reason, she shook her head “no” – “I have a bad vibe about him”, she said.  I was surprised at her remarks and argued – “But, look how thin he is”.  And, she again said, that she had a bad feeling about him.  Stumped, I thought it over briefly and decided to approach the man anyway.  I was carrying a lot of food and I couldn’t see not offering it to someone, who appeared to be in need.  So, I walked over and ask him if he could use some food – to which, he replied –   “Why, yes, I could”  and, “thank you very much”  And, he seemed genuinely grateful, as I unloaded a number of items from my bag on to the table.

When Nan saw me talking to him and unloading food, she came on over and joined in the conversation. We found out that the man’s name was Ken and that he was here from California.  According to Ken, he had recently purchased a one way ticket to Hawaii on the advice of his doctor, so that he could de-stress and bring his blood pressure down – a less than plausible story, (in my opinion) as Ken obviously had no money for food or lodging, which is not exactly the way to de-stress, but, we listened to him anyway and waited for an opening to interject about the Lord.

He went on to tell us how he had once lived a very privileged lifestyle, was college educated and had even driven a Ferrari at one time. He pulled out his driver’s license and indeed a much healthier and prosperous looking Ken smiled back from the photo, proving that at least at one point in time, he was a very different individual than the one sitting before us on the beach today. He told us he was the son of a very wealthy father, who had acquired vast amounts of money by buying up real estate in California. He also told us that his father was missing three fingers on one hand and that in his opinion, his father had always felt the need to over achieve in order to make up for that deficiency.  He also, told us that he had never been told about Jesus when he was growing up and that he was worried now that his aging father was going to die before ever knowing Jesus himself. Ken also told us that he felt that he has been a disappointment to his father because, he never made money or excelled in business the way his father expected.

Nan and I were quite taken by this story and Ken even pulled a small Bible out of his satchel. When ask if we could pray for him, Ken readily said, “yes” and, when we finished praying, there were visible tears in his eyes. Ken told us that he was hoping to receive some money from home soon so that he could go back home.  At that, Nan gave him a small amount of money and we bid him farewell –  but, just as were turning to walk away, Ken said something unexpected to Nan, which turned the whole conversation up-side down. He looked at her and ask her –

“how is your daughter doing?” 

How is your daughter doing?  It was as if a switch had flipped, and a formerly warm conversation suddenly grew ice-cold.  I could see Nan stiffen up as she replied, “I don’t have a daughter,” – (although, she does).  “Why, do you ask?”  To which, he replied rather confusedly, “I don’t know”.

Both of us were taken aback and I could tell that Nan was visibly shaken by his question as neither of us had offered up any personal information about ourselves. Therefore, the question was completely bizarre and out of context to the rest of the conversation, we had been having.

I woke up this morning thinking about this incident and the strange headlines that I had read recently and wondered if there was any connection. After praying about it and mulling it over, I called my younger daughter “Pix” to get her take on it.  

Immediately, she pointed out that there is much more going on with Ken than meets the eye, to which I agreed.  No one comes to Hawaii in an emaciated state on a one way ticket without something else going on. It just didn’t make sense.  And, while Ken himself seemed touched by the little bit, we had to share with him – the demon, Nan had sensed inside him was not. And, he wanted her to know it.

“And, how is your daughter doing?  Also, to be interpreted as – “I know you have a daughter, …… maybe, I know her name, ….. maybe, I even know where she lives …….”

 A chilling thought for any mother …. the question itself, a repulsive violation of everything that is pure and good.  The parting shot, I believe by a mocking entity, who wanted the last laugh on Nan, as, it was she who did not want to approach Ken.

Yes, we are living at a point in time, when evil is openly manifesting around us or is swirling just below the surface. It’s important that we are aware of this for the Lord has not called us to sit idly by. Now more than ever, we need to gear up and pray up in order to be ready for the battle at hand for Jesus has given us everything we need to exercise authority against the forces of darkness in the power of his name until he deems the time is right for taking us home.  May we therefore, wisely make use of all of the weapons he has made available to us as we serve him in these last days.

Please keep Nan and I in prayer, as we minister in Waikiki. And, please let me know how I can pray for you. May the Lord’s blessing be upon each and every one of you. And, as always,

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee.”  Psalm 122:6   Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy