I was born into a preacher's home. Most of my childhood occurred in the relatively tranquil 1950s. Of course there were problems and the seeds of what was to come were there, however it seems, particularly looking back, that there was a remarkable measure of restraint upon many of the evil tendencies of human nature compared with today. Our leaders were men who had experienced two world wars and the great depression. They knew what it was to persevere and stand for something in the face of adversity. Authority was generally respected.

I'm sure that my perspective is limited but the world I remember was in many ways the world of "Father Knows Best," and "Leave It To Beaver." At the very least, those two TV programs were popular prime-time entertainment, something the society of that day could relate to and enjoy. The young people of today have no idea of the dramatic changes that have taken place since then. The 1960s changed our world forever.

As the 1960s began the great concern on everyone's mind was the threat of nuclear war. Communism seemed to be on the march everywhere and Khrushchev promised to "bury" us. Castro took over Cuba and invited the Soviets in to set up missiles aimed at the U.S. Our spy planes caught them at it and precipitated the Cuban missile crisis.

I was one of millions of Americans who sat glued to their TVs to see what President Kennedy was going to do about all this. As a young man, I had a very real concern that I might wind up going off to war.

Thankfully that particular crisis was defused but the decade seemed to bring one crisis after another. And it wasn't just a matter of problems being addressed and gradual change coming about. It seemed as if the whole fabric of our world was under attack, called into question and rejected by my generation. Of course, this included all of its professed moral and spiritual values as well.

I attended a Bible college during much of this period and was no doubt somewhat sheltered but it was impossible to be of college age in that era and not feel the winds of revolution that swirled around our land. I have spoken with those who were in secular colleges at the time who recall the militant spirit of many students. There were underground newspapers circulating on campuses and elsewhere that explicitly called for the overthrow of the government and the rejection of all of our cultural values and moral absolutes.

Everything that represented the "establishment" -- government, business, religion -- needed to be overthrown and replaced by the hippies' vision of "peace" and "love" -- not to mention drugs and sex with no outmoded moral restraint. I can still hear the haunting ballad that called a young generation of empty rebels to a "love-in" in San Francisco. If only they had had eyes to see what it was that pulled and drove them.

All of this took place against the backdrop of the difficult and divisive Vietnam War. I salute the men who did their duty and fought in that terrible conflict. But that war played no small part in creating the climate for dramatic and permanent change.

From a spiritual perspective it was very evident that the changes we were witnessing were in general driving men away from God and not toward Him. Something was definitely happening! But what?

As I mentioned I was in Bible College during the mid 60s. Specifically I was there because I believed God had called me to missionary service and this was the natural course of preparation. That being the case I became generally more serious about spiritual things. I needed to know more about what I was getting into!

I sought out fellowship with those who seemed more "spiritual-minded." I read missionary biographies. I listened -- and watched -- and noticed.

I noticed the tide of intellectualism that was rapidly displacing any real emphasis on spiritual power and anointing. Here we were being equipped to do battle with an unbelieving world in the realm of their minds when God wanted men through whom He could reach men's hearts.

I noticed the differences in ministries. I guess I had always noticed to some extent but more so at that time. Most "ministry," though scripturally accurate, was dry and empty. Some men with a natural talent for speaking could hold my attention and tickle my intellect somewhat, but with no real spiritual impact. But here and there I was privileged to hear someone speak by the anointing. What a difference! Those few occasions stand out in my memory like a blazing light in the midst of growing darkness.

I noticed how different the modern evangelical churches were from those portrayed in the pages of the New Testament. There was a simplicity and a power that were missing in all the religious machinery of modern denominationalism. So much was ignored or explained away.

From time to time there came into my hands reports and writings that let me know that there was more. Some of these were doctrinal matters and each issue drove me prayerfully to the Word for answers. For example, I began to see that the body of Christ was not merely a theoretical picture of the "mystical" church but a practical order of things. I saw in a measure that Christ had established apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers -- men taught and anointed by Christ the Head -- for the work of the ministry, etc. (Eph. 4:11-16). This order was to continue until we all came into the unity of the faith unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. As far as I could see that hadn't happened yet!

It seemed that everywhere I looked men had their own ways of doing things. Men trained other men to perpetuate their traditions. Most "ministry" was little more than human religious effort. God was on the sidelines somewhere -- or out of the picture altogether.

Was it all black? Was everyone around me lost? No! God does have a remnant even as He did in Israel, but I sensed things heading in the wrong direction in the churches even as they were in society as a whole.

I mentioned reports. I heard accounts -- some of them pretty dramatic -- of God mightily moving somewhere with anointed preaching accompanied by miraculous power. Some of these at least rang true and made me hungry for more than I saw around me. While I knew and respected the fact that the devil is very much in the sign and wonder business to deceive, my conviction grew that anything God had ever done was possible today. He hasn't changed!

It was a challenging time, hearing many voices, trying to discriminate among them. Sometimes from the same source I would glean some good things yet others just didn't stand up to the witness of the Spirit or the Word.

Just for one example: I had certainly not been raised as a Pentecostal yet that was a natural direction to explore. I did encounter one particular independent Pentecostal church that had an unusual measure of life. For awhile I attended there on Sunday evenings and found it an oasis. The people worshipped with uplifted hands. I heard some preaching that had some life in it. There was a measure of balance and order in the exercise of spiritual gifts. I witnessed genuine miracles.

I'm thankful for the experience. It came at a dry time. And yet, as hard as I tried, I could never quite reconcile their doctrine of "tongues evidence" with the Word. And I saw -- and experienced in a measure -- the effect of that false teaching as people tried over and over to somehow "get" this experience that was supposed to be the doorway to just about everything of spiritual value.

It was a great blessing later on when I met Bro. Thomas who saw the same things in the Word that I did about the issue -- but who nonetheless himself actually had the gift of tongues! But for a time I felt like I was in a strange no-man's land and that issue was just one example. On the one hand were those who didn't think much of tongues and on the other were those who thought too much of them! Why not an honest scriptural balance?

One area of doctrine that is particularly relevant to our subject here is that of the coming of Christ. The denomination of which I was a part is unashamedly premillennial. That is, they believe that Christ will return to this present earth to reign over its nations for 1000 years of peace and prosperity. Frankly I never seriously considered the matter until later.

Of course there are differences among those who believe in a coming millennium. Some embrace the "rapture," tribulation, Antichrist, millennium scenario made popular by the Scofield Bible. Others teach that believers will be here for "the tribulation" and Christ will return after it to establish an earthly kingdom. The denomination did not take sides in this issue, caring only that its people believed in the so-called "millennial reign" itself.

However, I cared! The more I looked into the issues and the Word the stronger my conviction became that the dispensational rapture teaching was dangerously wrong. In the strictest sense I don't believe in the rapture at all. That will no doubt shock some but hear me out!

The term "rapture" -- a term that appears nowhere in the Bible -- refers to the theory that Christ's coming will be so secret that the only evidence of it for the world is to be the sudden mysterious disappearance of millions of Christians. Only after the Christians have literally vanished into thin air (with pilotless planes crashing, etc.) will the real trouble start. Then after seven years of progressive hell on earth Christ is supposed to come again again -- this time openly -- and begin His reign.

I definitely believe in the second coming of Christ -- just once and openly! Every eye will see Him! This is one issue I felt very strongly about -- and still do. How many careless, sleeping Christians are sitting in dead churches vainly expecting the Lord to "snatch" them out before things get bad? And -- worse -- how many in those dead churches even know the Lord at all?

Even then I had an inward sense that things would get progressively worse till the end. I saw the Lord using the fires of tribulation to come to purge and purify the true church that she might be a fit bride for the Heavenly Bridegroom.

This is a fairly sketchy overview of my college years. It was a time of learning and changing, listening and evaluating, trying to make sense of all the religion around me, and trying to discover where I fit in. I sensed that I was going in a different direction than many of my classmates but didn't see any clear alternative to the road I was on at the time.

The next step on that road was to apply to the denomination as missionary candidates so that is what my wife Sue and I did. We were accepted and I spent the following year as a student in their "School of Missions." The denomination had a sensible policy of "proving" their missionary candidates. Rather than sending them directly overseas they assigned them to some kind of ministry service in the U.S. for two years. Their assignment brought us to central North Carolina in the summer of 1968.

I won't say a lot about my brief pastoral experience except to say that it furthered my "education" in the condition of much of the evangelical church world. Part of that education was a growing realization that I was not equipped to do much about it -- certainly not to "turn things around."

Just before Christmas of that year I believe the Lord anointed me in a measure to preach a couple of messages that at least served as a witness to that church. One message was directed to those who knew the Lord and one was directed to those who didn't (probably most of the congregation).

After the second message I felt very strange. I had the distinct sense that I had turned some kind of a corner although I couldn't have explained the feeling beyond that. It was as though I could hardly remember things that had just happened. They seemed hazy and distant. I felt that something different lay ahead but didn't know what.

On New Year's Eve Sue and I attended a joint "watch night" service at a church some distance away. It was a Tuesday evening. Unbeknownst to us, Bro. Jen Hartman and his family were also attending a service that evening -- at the Bible Tabernacle in Southern Pines, about 50 miles away! The next evening was our regular midweek service and Jen excitedly told us about their visit and shared some copies of the Midnight Cry Messenger they had brought back.

As I read the papers I became more and more interested and excited. I recognized in them many of the things I had privately become convinced of during the previous few years. Besides that, the church had been experiencing an amazing phenomenal visitation of God during the previous year and a half especially. I devoured everything Jen had brought back and just thought and prayed about it all.

At the time the Bible Tabernacle was holding 4 services a week -- Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and 2 services on Sunday. This made it convenient for me to visit as the midweek services didn't conflict with ours so I determined to visit and see for myself on the following Tuesday. And so we went.

The church building was a pretty non-descript block building on Route 1. The meeting room held maybe 200 or so people. As soon as we stepped in I knew that the Lord was there in an unusual way. There was an electric air of anticipation and every seat was full. The worship was free and real and the preaching of the Word was anointed. I had experienced a measure of these things here and there but nothing like this!

The people warmly received us and before I left I had gathered up a lot more reading material and I'm sure some tapes of services as well. During the following week I devoured these materials and continued to weigh and consider.

At this time Bro. Thomas and a few others had just moved to Jacksonville, Florida to begin the work there. On the following Tuesday evening we went back for another visit and were overjoyed to find out that Bro. Thomas was back for his first visit since moving! The level of excitement in the air was even greater than it had been on our previous visit and we were in for a treat.

One thing was certainly different: there was a vision that came forth during the service! Bro. Thomas, knowing that I was a visiting minister, spent about ten minutes explaining for our benefit what was going on. He explained that the church had been experiencing visions for more than a year, something they had never sought nor anticipated. He explained that they had carefully examined everything that had come forth by the Word and by the Spirit and had had to conclude that they were of God and honored the Word. He explained that those who had visions had been carefully instructed to resist the devil with all their might anytime a vision began to form lest it be of the devil.

He said that these visions were like the vision Peter had on the rooftop when he went into a trance. Later on I witnessed many of these when the seer would simply become motionless for a period of time. Then they would come out of it and be enabled to write down exactly what they had seen and the words they had heard. They would then recount what they had seen and the body as a whole would consider and discern the content. I don't at this time remember the vision that particularly came forth on that occasion but I do remember that it was spiritually edifying and "rang true."

And then Bro. Thomas began to preach! I had heard messages that were anointed before but nothing like this! It was so evident that I was hearing a real living message from God and not just a "sermon." What a difference! As someone who had been trained to construct (prayerfully, of course!) sermon outlines and then follow them I was amazed to observe Bro. Thomas just get up and yield himself to the Lord and literally minister by the hour with no notes whatsoever! And what he said was so engaging, so highly charged with life that after an hour and a half or more it seemed inconceivable that more than 15 minutes had passed!

I can still remember that message. He titled it "Complete in Him" and it became Tape No. 092 on the old tape series. How wonderful it was to see Christ and what He did at the cross so exalted and set forth in such clarity and power. What light it shed on the "second work of grace" doctrines that put so many into bondage. How full and edified we all felt as we drove home after the service. I was getting a pretty good glimpse of the new direction the Lord was taking us.

Over the next few weeks I continued to read and listen all I could. There was very little that I had much of a question about as I believe the Lord had been at work preparing us to receive many of the things that the church believed. One issue, however, was crucial to us in particular: the millennium!

I later learned that Bro. Thomas himself had only recently been led to consider and reject the traditional belief in a future millennium. As I said earlier, I had been brought up in a denomination that believed in it and I had never seriously looked at the doctrine or considered anything else. I was vaguely aware that some of my professors had privately had their doubts about this belief but of course were in no position to say anything about it.

It didn't take long as I examined some scriptural writings on the subject and examined the scriptures themselves -- prayerfully -- to conclude for myself that when Christ comes everything will be over. One scripture alone should be enough: "But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:29-30.

If God destroyed them all -- and it's going to be like that when Christ returns -- who will be left for Christ to reign over?! God didn't come down to set up a kingdom over Sodom (!); He came to rescue Lot and destroy it.

This is certainly the "short version" of my examination of the subject but there was no question that I became thoroughly convinced that my former belief had been in error. At this point things changed. Up to now it had been exciting to learn and grow in the light of the things we were experiencing and learning. But now I had a scripture-based, prayerfully-considered conviction that clearly was at odds with my denomination. What to do?

Here we were, missionary candidates who would be expected to sign a premillennial doctrinal statement. I could not, in good conscience do that. I don't believe in "blind" loyalty to anyone. I believe that the Lord expects us to seek Him first and foremost and to walk in the light of His Word as He reveals it and to have a good conscience in doing so. For example, I highly respect Bro. Thomas and seriously consider anything he says but my convictions are not the result of closing my eyes and saying, "OK." They are the result of being a good "Berean" (Acts 17:11) and going to the Lord and to the Word until I am convinced by the Lord.

Obviously something had to give! I'm afraid that too many ministers in this position just swallow their convictions and then rationalize their decision to do so. That is the power of religious tradition and the religious "systems" that hold so many captive. I've had men sincerely tell me that they proposed to stay in the "system" and work to make things better from "inside." I wish it worked that way! People don't understand the real power behind religious systems. It is so much more than merely sincere but misinformed people. Demon power is involved.

And so, in a few weeks there came an opportunity to formally leave the church and the denomination behind and begin the scary and wonderful journey of moving ahead and trusting the Lord to lead and provide. He has never failed!

I wish I could say that it was all easy! Many did not, of course, understand. Some were convinced that we were off following the devil, etc. The devil, himself, wasn't too happy and made it his business to try to inject as much oppression and confusion as he could muster. For the most part I kept to myself over the next few weeks, reading, considering, praying, asking the Lord to teach me and show me what I needed to know.

I didn't know much! And there was a lot to "unlearn." But the Lord is faithful. The fact is that we'll continue to learn as long as we are here -- if we are willing. In process of time we (the Hartmans and Sue and I) moved to the Southern Pines area and became a part of the church there. I'm so thankful! It hasn't always been easy but following the Lord in this world is never without its challenges. But what other way is there?!

A lot of this has been to lead up to something. When we became a part of this work there were a few doctrinal issues to work through, but one thing couldn't be sidestepped: the visitation! The greatest concentration of phenomenal manifestations occurred in the fall of 1967 and the spring of 1968. Our first visit was in January of 1969 so these things were pretty fresh! And plenty of things were still occurring almost as a matter of course.

To say that there were visions was a considerable understatement! There were hundreds of them at the very least. It would be impossible to adequately convey all that happened. Although I wasn't there during much of it, I'm pretty well acquainted with those who were and have heard many of the tapes that were made at the time.

Most of the visions were given to children and young people. In particular they were given to those who had very little knowledge of the scriptures and who could not possibly have made up what they related. Many of the earliest visions were exact repetitions of visions that occurred in the scriptures.

Neither Bro. Thomas nor the people knew what to make of it all. On one occasion there seemed to be a particular spirit of unbelief regarding what was happening when one told about seeing four chariots and mountains made of brass. The whole vision was relayed along with the words. Even Bro. Thomas didn't recognize the vision but everyone was amazed as a man in the congregation called their attention to Zechariah 6. There it was in exact detail!

And so for months, vision after vision after vision came forth, some focusing on truth relative to the end of the age, some with instructions for the church and the ministry, and some revealing wisdom as they dealt with spiritual needs of every sort. Bro. Thomas was, of course, deeply concerned by all of this and called on everyone to seek the Lord with all their hearts about it. Everything that came forth was examined by the Spirit and by the Word. By every means he knew, Bro. Thomas was determined to be sure that these things were of God and not the devil.

Recently we received an email from someone who knew about all of those things that happened back then and wondered how Bro. Thomas felt now, looking back. Bro. Jimmy Robbins visited with Bro. Thomas and relayed the question. In essence, Bro. Thomas said that he believed that the visitation was of God. However, he also pointed out that they didn't seek nor did they anticipate any of it. Before it all happened he and the people emphasized Christ and the Word and that they have since as well. It was just something God sovereignly did for His own purposes.

And so, by every means at their disposal, Bro. Thomas and the people had to conclude that God was visiting them in a most unusual way. And then more things began to happen! Suddenly two angels -- heavenly messengers -- began to visit and it was back to even more serious praying! Again, by every means he could think of, Bro. Thomas put these two messengers to the test almost to the point of being overly skeptical. Again, he could only conclude that they were sent of God. They honored God; they honored the Lord Jesus Christ; they honored the Word of God; they honored the shed blood, and so forth.

Although he was aware of the presence of a supernatural being, Bro. Thomas himself never saw the angels. On a very few occasions, however, he was allowed to "converse" with them briefly. He would ask a question and the angel would speak to the one who was temporarily allowed to operate in that realm and they would repeat the answer. (I would encourage you to read Bro. Thomas's own account of some of these things.)

One thing in particular Bro. Thomas asked one of the angels on one occasion concerned some of the visions. He wanted to know the reason for there being so many visions that were taken right out of the Bible itself. The answer was two-fold: the first reason was that they might know that the visions were of God and secondly that they might know things that were taking place in the earth.

It's one thing to know what the Bible teaches. It's another for the Lord to supernaturally intervene and reveal that something in particular is being fulfilled right then! I think of the believing remnant of Israel who eagerly awaited the coming of the Messiah. They knew from the scriptures that He was coming, yet when the time came God on several occasions sent angels to announce that the time had actually come.

Why would He visit a small church in North Carolina in such a way? Why did the angels appear to the shepherds near Bethlehem? I believe that in both cases God desired to reveal relevant truth to His people. In the case of the shepherds they told everyone they knew! Luke 2:17-18. God was preparing His people to receive their Messiah. It wasn't just for the shepherds. I believe likewise that there were many things that were made real during the visitation that were meant to be shared with the whole body of Christ. The Lord desires to prepare His people for what lies ahead.

And about the time Bro. Thomas and the people were trying to adjust to the visitation of angels, some of the young people began to be taken on trips in the spirit. Some were taken back in time and allowed to witness Bible events, particularly the crucifixion of Christ. One was allowed on several occasions to visit heaven. Several were taken abroad in the earth and shown many things regarding Satan's kingdom and its activities.

It was an amazing time and this is only the very sketchiest picture of it. And along with it was the tremendous anointing I later witnessed on Bro. Thomas. It was a manifestation both of great power and of great revelation of the Word. If anything was truly at the center of the visitation it was this ministry of the Word. All of the phenomenal things obviously had their place but the revelation of the Word....! It was something of which I don't believe any of us have ever seen the like.

We hear many today convey the idea that preaching is all but "boring" and that what they truly want is a lot of phenomenal feelings and experiences. Well, the preaching that came forth in the midst of all the amazing phenomena was anything but boring! It was full of life and power. Heb. 4:12.

I remember one occasion when Bro. Thomas visited in North Carolina. When he stood up he basically said he didn't have anything and just began to make some general remarks. Then he paused momentarily and said something like, "Well, maybe I'll comment a little." About two hours later we all sat there with our mouths open wondering where the time had gone! The Lord had just taken over and it was like a mighty river had flowed over us -- such clarity, such power, such revelation!

With regard to all the phenomenal things that happened, on the one hand I had no problem with God doing any of those things. The most important question to be considered was simply whether they were, in fact, of God. The fact that I'm still here makes it obvious that I am satisfied that they were. I am well acquainted with the things that happened and the people that were involved. I know something of their seriousness in seeking God lest these things be of the devil. I know that the emphasis has never been upon the phenomenal but upon the Word. I can't find anything that happened out of harmony with the Word.

No one was any more skeptical and concerned than was Bro. Thomas himself. I can't blame anyone for being cautious in this area. On the one hand there are many religious groups in our day who just don't believe in such things at all, that they passed away with the apostles. This is just nonsense and unbelief. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!

On the other hand, one of the characteristics of the last days is great deception -- involving lying signs and wonders -- by the devil. And our land is filled with people chasing signs, wonders, feelings, and experiences. I am convinced that much of it is, indeed of the devil. But God is still alive and real! And I believe that He is still among His people to reveal the things they truly need to know.

If the visitation was of God -- and I believe that it was -- it happened for a reason. God wasn't just entertaining us. He certainly didn't do it to exalt us or make us something great. He didn't do it to amaze us and give us wonderful spiritual experiences and feelings. He had a purpose. I would never profess to know His whole purpose. The best thing I can probably do is to give you my perspective on it as the Lord enables. (I believe that there is also a reason that I have a burden at this present time to share these things.)

When I came into contact with these things I truly didn't have a problem actually believing that such things could be. And it wasn't the "wow" factor that got my attention. With my background what got my attention was not the fact of the visitation but the message. Over and over again it was as though the Lord was drawing our attention to things in the scriptures and, with great emphasis, telling us that we were seeing the fulfillment, or that it was just ahead and time was short.

Naturally, the overriding emphasis was on the coming of the Lord and it's nearness. Over and over again the Lord warned of both the nearness and the suddenness of Christ's coming and of the necessity of being awake and ready. Never was there any hope suggested for those who weren't. And it was made very clear that the opportunity for being ready was getting very short. The message of the ten virgins in Matt. 25 is that some will wake up and find out that they don't have what they need and that it's too late.

Very closely related to this -- and very central to our subject in general -- is the nature of Christ's coming, that is, what will actually happen when He comes. During the visitation, and over the years since from time to time, there has been an absolute consistency in the way God has revealed the coming of Christ to us: WHEN CHRIST COMES THIS WORLD WILL BE DESTROYED BY FIRE. And it is not way off sometime! And it will happen suddenly and without warning.

This is a sobering message to put it mildly. In one vision the Lord pictured the removing of His people and immediately afterwards the person saw the world like a ball of yarn soaked in gasoline completely enveloped in flames. Many other visions have shown the same truth pictured in various ways. Some have seen the people left behind running and screaming in terror but with no place to hide.

This is a dramatic picture but is it according to scripture? Peter thought so. Read II Peter 3:10-12. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

That's what he was looking for. He also refers to the world in verse 7 as being "reserved unto fire." He directly compares the fiery judgment to come with what happened in Noah's day. Is this what most church-going people in our day are expecting?

Paul was. In II Thess. 1:7-10 he says, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."

The day rest and deliverance come for God's people is the day destruction comes for the rest of the world.

Jesus certainly was explicit about this as we have pointed out, telling us that His coming would be like the days of Noah and also of Lot. In both cases the deliverance of the righteous took place as the wicked were destroyed.

Noah's message to his generation was to flee from judgment to come. I believe that that should be our message as well because it is surely coming. One of the first visions that was given was taken directly from Joel 2. It was given to one who was unfamiliar with the passage and the words were quoted exactly. The person both saw the vision and heard the words and related them to the congregation.

I will quote just the first three verses and encourage you to read through verse 11 at least. "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them."

This is just one example of the Lord's direct warning that judgment was drawing near upon an unprepared world. I do not hear this being preached (other than Bro. Thomas). I am more convinced than ever that part of the reason Jesus warned of deception concerning His coming (Matt. 24:4) is that He foresaw the rise of false doctrines like the Rapture-Tribulation-Millennium teaching of dispensationalism.

For 150-200 years or so, Satan has carefully crafted these theories, interweaving them with some true things, having them embodied in the footnotes of a popular edition of the Bible (The Scofield Bible). Many good and sincere people have been spoiled by these ideas. I've heard men I respect minister life and blessing when they talk about Christian living. Yet, when they try to get into their church's teachings on Christ's coming their ministry is suddenly dry and lifeless. There's a reason! There's a difference between ministering by tradition and ministering by revelation. Tradition is a great enemy to God's people: it keeps them from hearing His voice.

As I consider the many things the Lord said during the visitation -- and I'll enumerate more of them as I go -- I notice a parallel between the revelations then and the revelations at the time of Christ's birth. Many of the things revealed concerned future things but in both cases there was an announcement of something that was happening THEN. With Christ it was His birth. It was true that there were wonderful things to come but God wanted His people to know that HE WAS HERE. Scripture was being fulfilled.

I believe that along with the future things God revealed to us was also an announcement regarding things that were taking place THEN. The thing that stands out most in my mind is the loosing of Satan. It is one thing to believe theologically that there is a loosing of Satan at the end of the age; it is quite another for God to come down and supernaturally announce that it is taking place. And that is what I believe happened.

The release of demon power that had previously been restrained was a recurring theme. In one key vision, Rev. 9:1-11 was literally and precisely given to one of the young people. This vision pictures an angel unlocking the "bottomless pit" and releasing a horde of "locusts" who stream forth to attack men, led by Apollyon, the Destroyer. Other visions complemented this as well, such as the four angels of Rev. 7 holding back the winds. Others, not directly taken from the scriptures, depicted the same theme of restraint and then release of devil power.

On one occasion about this time Bro. Thomas was allowed to converse briefly with one of the heavenly messengers and this messenger said that Satan was loose like never before. This statement, coupled with everything else that had come forth, caused Bro. Thomas and others to wonder where all this fitted in with what the scriptures taught. On a subsequent visit Bro. Thomas asked the angel about this. He asked specifically if this loosing of Satan was the one referred to in the Bible, the last loosing of Satan before the end of all things. The answer was -- "Yes."

I don't know whether that fits in with your tradition or theology but it's something to pray about and consider -- seriously! For me it was a perfect fit. It laid bare the spiritual side of what I had been seeing, feeling, and observing in the world around me.

I should mention a couple of other experiences that bear particularly on this. Two different young people each were taken in the spirit by an angel to see a revelation of these things. Both of them saw great numbers of dark, ugly, wicked beings in a place of confinement. They saw spirits of various rank and power. Then each one saw the release of these spirits upon mankind.

I remember listening to one young lady describing her experience and what she saw. She saw large numbers of these wicked spirits streaming forth and immediately attacking and entering into people. She saw so many spirits go into some that, in her childlike way, she said it seemed like they'd never fill up.

On other occasions they were taken to different places and shown how spirits work on and affect people. I recall two examples. In one place two people were having a heated argument while a dark figure ran back and forth between them speaking in their ears. In another scene a man was observed driving angrily and recklessly whenever a demon spirit would come near yet he would drive normally when the spirit would withdraw.

These things, pictured in various ways, were given to teach the people about Satan's kingdom and the reality of demons and how they work, but they were also given, I believe, as an announcement of a critical event on God's prophetic timetable: the final loosing of Satan. It signaled the beginning of the last short period of this world's history. We are well into that period as I write these words. The ongoing and progressive effects of Satan's loosing are obvious to anyone with any spiritual discernment at all.

God's people need to understand what's happening in the world, what they're up against. At the same time they need to see as never before, the cross and the absolute victory that Christ won on behalf of every child of God. The very gates of hell will never prevail against His Church! It's high time we wake up to the reality of these things and, as our Lord instructed us -- "Be ready." To be continued.

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