The Curtain. David T Maddox

he convinced me that what I saw was a picture of some kind of demonic activity, but not demon possession. Beyond that, he did not know and seemed irritated that I wouldn’t drop the subject. Look, I know this has something to do with the spiritual world. Please, Chaplain. I have to know what I saw. They seemed to be coming for me. What was it, and what were they doing? Can you help me or direct me to someone who can?”

      Chaplain Forrest paused to phrase his answer carefully. He was immediately filled with a sense of conflict. He did not want to say something that would get back to Professor Thompson and offend him, and at the same time, he had a sincere desire within to help this young man if he could. This student was obviously searching for truth. It had been a long time since he really felt like a chaplain dealing with serious spiritual issues, and something deep inside told him this was important. He felt a strange sense of boldness as he prayed silently for wisdom, something he hadn’t done in a long time – and reached for his Bible – that too was something he hadn’t done while counseling in a long time.

      Unseen, there had been a change in influence within the chaplain. The three Tempters had been vanquished by his Guardian as Chaplain Forrest chose to shift his focus from self to the searcher before him and how he could help him. The prayer was the turning point as he had asked for wisdom.³² The response of the forces of light had been immediate. The void created when the Tempters departed was filled by Providers named Wisdom, Discernment and Boldness, because that is what Chaplain Forrest needed most at that moment. His light within now glowed brighter. Argon looked on in horror, considering how to respond and retrieve what had been lost with no control or influence over what was playing out before him.

      “Paul, I have to start by admitting that there is little I can do for you, but I do believe I know a man who can help you if anyone can. I have years of education and experience as a pastor. I have studied and preached the Bible for over 30 years, but what you experienced is something that is way over my head. I have avoided growing in understanding of the invisible world, choosing rather to focus on the physical world I can see and touch and feel. I have chosen that as my escape because I fear what I don’t understand – and that is wrong. The Bible teaches that what is real includes the invisible.³³ You cannot know what is real without understanding the invisible. They cannot be separated. The invisible world drives and often controls the visible world. The saying, ‘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