Kind of hokey but solid in its content. Interesting and important for consideration of spiritual warfare. I've read it several times. ( )

Month of February 2022: Christian Fiction

SERIES:
1 - This Present Darkness(1986)
2 - Piercing the Darkness (1989)

“This Present Darkness” is a novel based on spiritual warfare and the true Word of God:

Ephesians 6:12: “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

The small community college town of Ashton is marked for takeover to serve as a base for evil spirits, using possessed humans, to spread their false doctrine. The Omni International Corporation, a front for the Universal Consciousness Society, which practices higher levels of spiritual consciousness through meditations, seances, and out of body experiences, has been secretly and covertly ousting people out of leadership positions and swooping up businesses and homes. Now, the final big purchase, the purchase that would change Ashton forever, is the purchase of Whitmore College. This is where impressionable minds and hearts are changed the most.

This societal cult has slowly, over the years, infiltrated into a majority of top official positions and the takeover seems a sure thing...until a new pastor, Henry “Hank” Busche is miraculously voted in and a new newspaper editor for the “Clarion”, Marshall Hogan, is hired, to replace the two previous people who were run out of town. These two would uncover a very demonic take-over from the top-down at the city, state and federal government levels.

Only the prayers of those remaining strong in their faith in God will bring in enough angels to fight the demons in the spiritual world they cannot see.

This novel depicts great imagery of how angels and demons (fallen angels, according to Rev. 12:7-9) may work in everyday human lives, in a world we cannot see, and prayer is key for victory.

MY NOTES - ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

This author uses several Bible verses to expand upon his story of the angels and demons at work in the spiritual realm.

The Bible speaks of things SEEN and UNSEEN in heaven and on earth:

Colossians 1:16 “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for him.”

The three heaven’s mentioned in the Bible: Genesis 7:11-12:

1st heaven – earth’s atmosphere – from sky to earth’s crust (Gen. 7:11-12; Deut. 11:13; Deut. 28:12; Job 35:11; Jeremiah 16:4; Judges 5:4; Acts 14:17)

2nd heaven – outer space (Gen. 26:4; Deut. 1:10; Deut. 17:3; Psalms 8:3; Psalms 19: 4, 6; Jer. 8:2; Isaiah 13:10)

3rd heaven – God’s throne (above outer space - literally) (1 King 8:27, 30; Psalms 2:4; Deut. 10:14; Deut. 26:15; 2 Chron. 2:6 Matt. 5:16; Cor. 12:2, 4)

2) Entertaining angels without knowing, either demonic or angels of God sent to help:

Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

3) Casting out demonic possession – The Bible actually has a lot to say about demonic possession. A Duck Duck Go search will bring up a lot more verses.

Matt. 12: 43-45: 43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left’. When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. This is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Mark 9: 17-29 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation, “Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”...

Luke 8:2: “and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;”

See also: Luke 8:26-30

4) The significance of the angels and other demons all looking toward the east as the storm of demons arrive from the east for the great battle for the town of Ashton: West, in the Bible, is considered God’s promised land (Israel lies west). East is considered Satan’s land (Mesopotamia lies east). Every reference of evil is from the east: Tower of Babel, Babylon (now present day Iraq), etc.

5) The power of prayer – the “good gifts” are spiritual blessings like grace, wisdom, joy, peace, power and holiness. God wants us to have these gives.

John 5:14-15: “ask for anything according to His will, He hears us”.

Matt. 7:11: “how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

James 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”….in other words, pray for others, it might save their lives and yours.


INTERESTING COMMENTARY ON ANGELS
Website: 6 Biblical Reasons to Pray to Angels
http://shamelesspopery.com/6-biblical-reasons-to-pray-to-angels/

INTERESTING COMMENTARY ON PRAYER
Website: What Happens When We Pray?
https://www.prayerleader.com/what-happens-when-we-pray/ ( )

Het is een goed boek en een toonpunt van de waarheid al zeg ik het zelf aangezien ik ook Christelijk ben ( )

53246

Frank E. Peretti’s This Present Darkness “rivals The Screwtape Letters with its keen insight into spiritual warfare and the necessity of prayer. It is fast-moving, riveting reading, ranking with the best thrillers on the bookshelf.” This book is found on the library fiction shelves under the number F/PER.