He Maketh War

I once overheard someone wonder whether an encounter they'd had with a creepy individual was in fact an encounter with somebody who was possessed by a devil.  If there's a question mark over your head, then the person is not possessed.  

During the night of December 23-24, 2003, I was unexpectedly visited by a woman possessed with devils.  This sorely unpleasant meeting lasted for around 45 minutes.  I hadn't known the woman previously, nor have I seen her since.  I now know her name, and that she was a member of the Church.  To this day I am unaware of what or who she was involved with that precipitated Satan's seizing control of her.  

It became quite apparent throughout the confrontation that this sister had at least been communicating with, and attempting to aide these spirits (whom she was able to see and I was not).  They had deceived her.  She was utterly overcome and displaced.

I remember keenly the emotions I felt, every individual that was there, the room we were in, the sight and sound of it all, etc.  I've spent considerable time pondering over what transpired.  The details of that night matter to me, but are not suited for a blog post.  Really, it's not something to talk much about.  Dwelling upon evil invites darkness.

Though this woman had been completely violated, her damnable experience did not damn her.  When she left that night she had returned to herself, and her tormentors had departed.  As I reflect upon that night, it seems she would thereafter have had every opportunity to press forward in faith and repentance, seeking Christ.  Perhaps the blatant nature of her experience encouraged such a turn toward light.    

Satan maketh "war with the saints of God" (D&C 76:29).  The servants of Satan uphold his work (D&C 10:5).  If the war he waged were as outwardly diabolical and horrifying as the encounter I had that night, not a man, woman, or child would be ignorant to the fact that there is indeed a war.  They would avoid it at all costs.  Yet, he is far more cunning than that.

The war Satan wages is for the souls of men.  He leads souls carefully down to hell (2 Ne. 28:21).  The tools he uses are pride, popularity, materialism, and the lusts of the flesh (1 Ne. 22:23; 3 Ne. 6:15).  In fact, those things are not scary at all.  We are encompassed about by them (D&C 76:29).  They are exciting, enticing, titillating, and thrilling to the carnal man.  Satan will by and by claim those who belong to his kingdom (ibid.).  It is these who "need fear, and tremble, and quake," for they "must be consumed as stubble" (ibid.).

Because Satan's tactics are careful, he is able to grasp them with his awful chains and his victims know it not (2 Ne. 28:22).  His victims even take delight in their position, their popularity, and their riches.  From this there is no deliverance, because there is no recognition (ibid.).  They are blind because they are filled with darkness (1 John 2:11).  Though they claim to worship Christ, they comprehend Him not (D&C 10:58).   

Because Satan seeks to rule with blood and horror on this earth, he will not cease his efforts until the wicked destroy the wicked (Psalm 34:21).  Our hope lies in Christ, not in the father of lies.  He would flatter you (2 Ne. 28:22).  Christ desires your repentance (3 Ne. 30:2).  Awake and arise to your awful situation.
   

The Day of the Lord of Hosts Soon Cometh Upon All Nations

Many are seeking the approval of men and not of God.
  
Some feel righteous because of their acceptance and good standing before men.  They will be brought low unless they repent.


There are yet others who feel unworthy because they are less popular and not involved in the leadership circles of the church.  They feel unimportant because they feel unnoticed by men.  They will be brought lower unless they repent of their pride and idolatry.


We must feel after the God of Heaven, and not men.  Cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils.  Cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh.  For men trust in vanity, and speak lies - even Israel.  The Lord has plainly taught us this (Isa 59:1-4; 2 Ne 12:11-22; 28:31-32).