"Opened Eyes" (Part 9 - End)

by Joseph Linhardt, ©2003-2004 

(From Part 8...)

The force of the blow sent painful shockwaves down Peter’s arm, but he ignored the pain. He pushed his shield upward as hard as he could, trying to force the demon back. The dark thing immediately knew what Peter was trying to do; using its tremendous power, the terrible creature pushed his mace against the shield with all the hatred and evil that was in him. Peter gritted his teeth, straining with all his might against the terrible strength of the demon.

“You cannot defeat me!” gritted the demon as he slowly thrust Peter’s shield down. “You were a fool to fight!”

“I will not…let you win!” gasped Peter. He pushed harder, but his strength was fading fast. A horrible sense of defeat came over him as he realized the demon was far stronger than him.

Suddenly, Peter remembered his confrontation with the demon in the ravine. Without a second thought, he screamed as loud as he could into the demon’s face: “In the name of Jesus, get back!”

Instantly, like the others before him, the demon screamed in terror and leaped back! He could stand against attacks, assaults, failures…anything but that pure Name.

The sword in Peter’s hand began to glow brightly as the name of Jesus was spoken. New strength filled Peter. He knew he could win.

The demon was still dazed and faltering. Peter took advantage of its weakness and leaped forward, his glorious white sword shining! The demon raised its mace desperately just as Peter’s strike came down.

CRRRRING!

The screeching sounds of metal being torn in two split the air! The dark mace the demon had used was thrown to the floor, completely cut in two and ruined!

“This…cannot be!” growled the dark demon. Its arm hung uselessly at his side; the white sword had pierced him. Peter lifted the shining weapon and pointed it toward the sky he could not see.

“The Lord has defeated you, not me!” he shouted into the demon’s face. “Let Bryan go!”

The demon knew he could not win. His power was broken and gone.

“You may have won this battle,” he hissed at Peter. Black smoke poured from its mouth. The fire of hatred burned brightly in its eyes. “But I will destroy you one day!”

Like the demon that had fled before him, the wounded thing leaped through the stone ceiling of the cave and vanished without disturbing the smallest pebble.

Silence settled in. Peace came to the room. The sword continued to glow brightly, illuminating the entire room. By its light, Peter saw, sitting in an opening that was cut into the wall of the room… Bryan. Peter walked slowly to him, breathing a quiet sigh of relief.

“Bryan,” he said softly. Bryan slowly looked up. For the first time, he did not see a burning, consuming blackness that had tormented him. Instead, he saw a shining, white light that filled him with calm. The power of the demons over him had been broken. He was free.

“Peter?” he said. Wonder filled his eyes. “How did…what…” his voice trailed off. He sat gaping in amazement at Peter.

“We can talk later,” said Peter. “Let’s just leave.”

  *                  *                  *

Peter and Bryan had left the cave and were walking toward the ravine when a familiar voice spoke.

“Welcome, Peter,” it said. Peter turned and saw Malachi standing behind them. “You have done well,” he said.

“None of it was me,” replied Peter. “God won the fight.”

“And saved me,” put in Bryan. Malachi smiled.

“True. Our Lord is always watching for those who will obey Him. There will be many more such battles you will fight in your lifetime. But, as you both have discovered,” said Malachi, looking pointedly at Bryan and Peter, “you cannot ever win on your own strength. The battle belongs to the Lord.”

Bryan and Peter thought about this for a long moment. Finally, Bryan spoke.

“Will things go back to normal?”

Malachi nodded. “Yes. You will once again not be able to see us…or them. But,” he raised a cautionary finger, “you must remember this: demons will always look for a chance to destroy you…or take your will captive.” He looked long at Bryan. “You both know how to defeat them. Do so.”

A mist had started to rise. Malachi’s white figure was becoming blurry and indistinct.

“Wait!” called Peter. “What are we supposed to do?”

“The Lord used you to rescue Bryan, didn’t he?” asked Malachi. His voice was fading. Peter had to strain his ears to hear Malachi.

“Yes.”

“He will send you both to rescue others as well.”

Peter could make no reply. The mist hid Malachi completely and muffled all noise. The faint, falling sensation that Peter had felt when he had first fallen into the ravine filled him. He could see nothing. A soft, whispering noise filled his ears. He sank backward and blacked out.

  *                  *                  *

“Peter!”

A faint, worried voice echoed through Peter’s whirling mind.

Who is that? Where am I?

“Peter, open your eyes, please!” pled the soft voice.

He felt someone gently shaking him. His head ached abominably. Slowly he opened his eyes. At first, all he saw was a blur of color. The sunlight was shining on his face, making him squint.

“Are you all right? Can you hear me?” the voice asked anxiously. Slowly, Peter’s eyes focused on the blur that was kneeling over him. Jenny’s worried face became clear.

“Jenny? What are you doing here? What happened?” he asked, his voice strained with pain. He could not focus his thoughts; his mind was a whirling blur.

“Are you kidding?” she said, clearly relieved. “You fell down the slope and into the ravine! I was worried when you didn’t get up!”

Peter moved his hand to touch the large bump on his forehead. “I… I think I remembering hitting my head on something hard.”

“Like that rock?” asked another voice. Peter glanced at the source and saw Bryan sitting a short distance from him, pointing to a large stone. An unpleasant lump stood out from his head as well.

“Bryan…you okay?” Peter asked.

He nodded and grimaced. “I think so.”

Jenny looked anxiously first at her brother, then Peter.

“Can you both walk?” she asked worriedly. “I could go for help.”

Peter slowly struggled to his feet. He tottered unsteadily for a moment. “I think I can,” he said. “But my head is throbbing like crazy.”

Bryan and Jenny laughed. Smiling, Peter joined in.

“Well, come back to our house,” said Jenny, laughing. “I’ll get both of you an ice pack.”

*                  *                  *

“Sit down,” Jenny ordered firmly. “I’ll be right back.”

She walked out of the comfortable family room and into the kitchen. Bryan waited until she was out of hearing before he spoke.

“Peter…do you remember any of what happened?” he asked in a low voice. “You haven’t said a word about it.”

“I know,” replied Peter. He sank back against a well-cushioned couch. “I really wasn’t sure but…since you remember it too, I think it was real.” He shook his head in wonder, completely overwhelmed. “It’s just so incredible.”

Bryan sighed. “But why? Why us? Why did we get to see angels and demons?”

Peter thought a long moment before answering. “To show us how to fight,” He said at last. “I’m sure that’s why.”

Bryan looked doubtful and confused. “Fight what?”

“The spiritual war that we, that all Christians, are in,” said Peter flatly.

Bryan had no reply for that. He sat with his head bowed, thinking for a long moment.

“Well…now what do we do?” he said at last, looking up.

Peter glanced quickly into the kitchen. Jenny was nearly finished preparing the ice packs.

“We do what the angel told us,” he said firmly. “We let God use us to rescue the souls of those Satan holds captive.” He looked intently at Bryan. “The way he held you.”

Peter paused, and took a deep breath. A fierce, determined light shone from his eyes as he finished his thought.

“And we do this: we fight against Satan and his demons in the name of Jesus.”

Want to comment on this article?

Please click here for a comments/suggestions form.