Path of life

You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness and joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore [Psalm 16:11].

When I was a child, I had a dream/vision that I could see what seemed like an endless road ahead of me. I couldn't calculate the distance but it seemed to measure an entire lifetime narrowing to a small dot on the horizon. Looking on, I noticed it wasn't entirely straight, sometimes it would veer left and then off to the right, occasionally it would traverse up a hill then back down again. At each side of the path there were ditches and trenches and each one had a unique name that led down into tunnels and caverns much further below. As a youngster, I couldn't make out the names on the ditches as they seemed somewhat blurred and distorted. The path I walked had a border line at each side and further into the distance it seemed to become more defined and built up at each side. I also noticed that the surface of the path wasn't always entirely smooth. At certain points there seemed to be vicious traps along the way which led back down into the ditches. Occasionally there were large obstacles on the pathway blocking the way and making it very difficult to navigate. At the beginning of this journey I had a visceral feeling that I should always try to remain centered and stay clear of these ditches.

Looking into the distance, I could see a break in my path and looking even further it seemed to disappear altogether, but then re emerged again. Directly above the broken area’s there seemed to be something like a large dark spot overshadowing the area, but at this stage it was very difficult to make a proper sense of it. As I travelled along, I noticed beyond the borders of my path at either side were many others familiar to me and beyond them were many more who were less familiar. As far as I could see, all the others had their own unique journeys. Amongst those nearby, I felt a very strong connection and often their paths would cross mine. However, in my early journey there was one I came to rely on more than anyone. This was the one I first knew at the beginning of my journey. Her kind face was the first that came into full focus and I learned to depend and rely on her guidance. She was so very special. I would check her path frequently and noticed that hers was a different journey from mine - but very unique to her. She always remained centered in her path and in her trail was charity, kindness, and selfless love. I would draw inspiration from her walk and subsequently it would influence me and illuminate and inspire my own walk. It was easy to see how she was having a wonderful effect on others too. Between us there was an unconditional love and an unbreakable connection.

Many years later in early adulthood, I felt a growing sense of morality, and the blurred names on each ditch started to sharpen and come into focus, but still not entirely clear. I tried hard to remain centred, however, at times I found myself unknowingly slipping into some of these ditches and oddly enough remaining there for some time. As well as my own shortcomings and selfish desires, I noticed others that were permanently camped in the ditches were having a bad influence on me too. Once whilst travelling along my path, I noticed what seemed like a spectral illuminated figure far in the distance. I didn't quite know what to make of it, but I sensed a divine presence and power, like a mysterious angel. The figure was dressed in pure white and had burning eyes of fire. At that moment I had a very curious question in my mind: who or what could ever enter my path in this way? As I approached watchfully, my eyes were suddenly drawn upwards to a dark cloud emerging which I didn't see coming at all. Suddenly without any warning, I lost complete control and slipped into ditch which led down to a deep dark cavern. I tried to climb out but all of my limbs seemed paralysed and my senses were in deep shock. As I looked, the name in the cavern was suddenly clear to me. It was named 'broken heart' and immediately I felt the distress of a very frightening lonely and dark place where nothing whatsoever made any sense !

For a long period I tried to escape the cavern using vices and other methods, but I was unable to escape as I felt disenfranchised and I just found myself wandering from one area to another. During this time I encountered other caverns named anxiety, despair and loneliness. Days became weeks and weeks turned to months in this place of sadness, and I had a deep sense of foreboding. One evening I closed my eyes and my conscience drifted into a still darkness. It became overbearing and I cried out from the depths of my soul. Whilst drifting, it seemed like a strange light started to slowly emerge , and as I focused I found myself looking at the mysterious figure I had seen prior to my fall. He had a miraculous splendour about him and a luminance and intensity like the brightest light imaginable. As I looked, his eyes were like burning fire, and beyond them were deep oceans of love. He asked me to follow him as he easily and effortlessly navigated his way out and back up onto my path.

He then turned and put one hand on my shoulder and the other on my chest. He looked straight into my eyes with compassion but didn't say anything. I knew something amazing was happening but I couldn't speak at that moment, but heard the words 'bind up the broken hearted' [psalm 147:3]. As I was still unable to walk properly due to my trauma, he walked with me and supported me until we eventually came to a narrow gate. He then spoke and asked me if I wanted to enter through the gate, and if so, that it would need to be my own choice. I found my voice and asked him what was beyond the gate, and he told me I would initially find wisdom, deeper love, and blessings and more would follow at a later time. After a leap of faith I felt galvanised and passed through the gate, and when I got to the other side, I noticed my path had changed yet again and had become more illuminated. Inside I felt a kind of spiritual birth. I then looked at the borders of my path and noticed that they had somehow become more defined and the border line had also become like a supporting wall. Packed into the side of the wall was knowledge, deeper faith and spiritual wisdom.

After a while, I felt much lighter on my feet, like a heavy burden had been somehow lifted. [Mat 11:28]. Inside I felt mentally stronger although the vivid memory of the pain was still deep in my bones. As I looked, my path also seemed smoother in a way which made it much easier to walk and remain on the centre line and less likely for me to stray towards the ditches. Before he left, my comforter handed me some headwear, like a helmet and told me to wear it always for future protection. [eph 6:17] He then handed me a book and told me to feed off it daily. The text in the book was more than mere words as It seemed to be alive and full of incredible poetry, history, and tales of the journeys of others in an era gone by. As I looked around, the comforter had gone but left words in my heart that said, 'I am with you always'. [mat 28:20]. I glanced over at the border wall and noticed the names on all the ditches had finally come into full focus. They read;

Lust - Sloth - Envy - Greed - Gluttony - Wrath - Pride !

As I continued on, I glanced behind me and could still see the remains of the battle I had encountered and I remembered my personal anguish and despair. However because of the comforter, I was now much stronger and able to cope with the journey ahead. My step and stride was now lighter like I had the wings of a dove. (psalms 55:6). Looking ahead, I could see I still had much further to go, but the shattered path in the distance somehow seemed a bit closer. Given my recent experience, I predicted the dark spot above my path was in fact more darkened clouds, a severe testing period which seemed more severe than my recent encounter ! I wondered what lay ahead. Much time passed and I started to get curious about the ditches and crossed over into the pathways of others. I spoke with them and told them about my comforter and asked them if they had encountered him. Many said they had out of politeness and some said they hadn't. Some others claimed to be followers of the comforter and some even told stories about him. However when I spoke with them, their description was somewhat different from mine and this left me somewhat disappointed. Once I crossed the path of another and when I told them about the comforter they went into a rage and said they hated the comforter! This really shocked and saddened me!

I broadened my search and eventually found some others like myself who bore witness and testimony to the comforter. They described him vividly and said that in the comforter there was hope, truth, deeper love and life [Gal 2:20]. As they walked their own path, they also wore a helmet and had other armour that I wasn't quite familiar with. Most of them were wearing very sturdy shoes which steadied them on their paths. I also noticed they had the same book I had been given. As they walked, they fed off the manna of the book, almost devouring it, and as they did, the more illuminated their paths became. They had no trouble navigating at all as there appeared to be a guiding light in front of them at all times. As I looked closer, I could see in the distance the comforter leading their way, and placing lamp stands to ensure they didn't fall into their own ditches. In their trail was humility, faithfulness and righteousness and their journey was propelled by a selfless love. I had an overwhelming sense that their paths were much brighter than my own.

Much later in life, I met my comforter again on my path and he spoke words into my healed heart. He said I am altering your path for a greater purpose. He told me I had reached a milestone and he was crossing my path with another whom I was already very familiar with. He said our paths had crossed on many occasions in the past and that the one I had come to rely on at the beginning of my journey was now diminishing. He handed me something like a paper scroll and I opened it up. The scroll said: I am lining up your stars in the heavens and super imposing your paths that they should become one and the same. I questioned my comforter about this change of direction as it didn't sit well with me and I felt an overwhelming fear of the unknown. He assured me that he would guide and strengthen me and said to me; ‘you only see a brush stroke but I can see the full picture. My purpose for you is perfect and I am lining your new twin path with prosperity and love and I am giving you another and yet others still that you can call your own. I am teaching you about deeper love, and this deeper and higher love will propel you both and keep you safe here and in the future'.

He then took an object like a writing tool and turned to a large canvas which had my path sketched on it. He then began to erase my immediate path and sketched a new destination just like an artist using paints with an easel. He said ; ’See, I lift my hand and erase the old and show you the new'. As I looked at the new path he had sketched, I noticed it was rocky and full of many difficulties and obstructions leading into new mysterious ditches. I followed the line of my path and noticed that it still led to the dreadful darkened clouds at a some point in the future. I confided in my comforter again, and he calmly said; 'your thoughts are not my thoughts, and this is my will and in me you must trust'. [Isaiah 55:8]. See how I place my lamp stand before you for light and guidance. I am aligning your paths as she has attributes and love that you need and you have gifts and faith that she needs. You cannot prosper or experience a higher love without one another'. He then handed me a breastplate and said; 'you will need this for your journey as it will protect you from the things that must take place'.[1 John 3:22]. After I armed myself, the comforter left, and I set off on this new mysterious path.

As I travelled, over a very long period of time, the prophesy's of the comforter came to pass and everything he had said proved truthful as children and love flowed into my life. Although he put deep truths in my heart, on many occasions I still fell victim to some of these ditches due to unforeseen traps and obstacles of deception on my path. However, I continued to live off the manna, and found that when I did, it would much improve my faith and understanding. As I broadened my search, I began to see things through the eyes of understanding, [eph 1:18] and I began to fully comprehend the meaning of my journey and the armour I was given. Once I looked upwards, and another world opened up before me. I saw a great battle in the heavens, and there was an ongoing war between Angels and Demons. In this mysterious celestial world, there was an evil army divided into several ranks and it seemed so very well organised. Generals would issue orders to subordinates and they spent most of their time attacking souls travelling on their paths.

These agents of evil would fly down using weapons of destruction easily knocking innocent souls into their ditches. If they didn't fall after the first attack, another stronger and more powerful creature would help out to ensure they went hurtling into a ditch. Other creatures were entering and exiting the ditches periodically like insects going in and out of a nest. Sometimes they would attack others on more illuminated paths, but had little or no effect as they were protected by the angels and heavenly armour and they would eventually give up and quickly move on to a more vulnerable victim.

As I travelled, my path led me in several directions and eventually led me high upon a hillside to a large rock where I rested. [exodus 33:21] From here I could see beauty and splendour all around as the heavens seemed to meet the earth and I felt much closer to the comforter. As I gazed into the past, I could see the entire journey I had travelled on since the beginning. I remembered the one I first knew who's path had now come to an end and I remembered everything she had selflessly given me, her love, patience and her charity, and how her path had a wonderful influence and illuminated my own. I stood up from the rock where I sat and looked towards the heavens with a tear in my eye and I prayed and honoured her with love as I quietly praised the comforter for her love. She was the strength and foundation of everything I am.

Every virtue she gave me I felt compelled to pass on to others who came after me on their own journeys. I thought about others close to me who's paths had also come to the end, and remembered them in my thoughts and prayers. As I glanced ahead, I could now see the break in my path had come even closer. High above the broken area, massive threatening clouds were starting to gather in a quickened motion and I felt I was surely heading into an angry storm. I looked for ways to possibly circumvent, but there was no way around it. Once again I looked back at my recent past and turned my thoughts to the one who had been super imposed on my path as our stars were aligned in the heavens. I recalled how the comforter altered my path for a greater purpose and remembered how I tried to resist him at that time. Sitting now reminiscing, I realised how perfect his purpose was. The bond between her and I had grown stronger everyday and eventually into a deeper love that is so hard to put into words. We shared in everything and our creativity led us to happiness and prosperity. She taught me about deeper love and patience and brought beautiful kindness and joy into my life and one so special I could call my own blood. As I stood up, I praised the comforter for everything and named my resting place 'The Rock of Salvation'. [psalm 62:1]

Sometime much later as I travelled along with my book of knowledge and my basic armour, I instinctively slowed my pace. All around me the air became nauseating and everything seemed very still. As the light started to fade, there seemed to be a menacing silence in then air. I looked up and the dark angry clouds I was expecting were suddenly in full flow overhead. I knew this was coming as a terrible fear swept over me and I had a strong sense that I was about to be ambushed.!

Then almost immediately several creatures crawled out from the dreadful ditches below and started to smash up my path with massive clubs. The tools they used had names on them but I couldn't make them out in the chaos. My path seemed to give way so easily and it was all I could do but watch in fear and horror. Then suddenly one of the creatures came from behind and struck me hard on the back of my head and I fell down in a daze. I remember thinking that if I wasn't for my helmet it could have been a fatal blow. I scrambled to my feet and then another smashed a club hard into my heel and I fell to my knees. I looked on, and the creatures that were effortlessly tearing up my path then started to attack and destroy my border walls.

I got up once again and turned, and one of them drove a club hard into my chest, but it had little effect as I was wearing a protective breastplate from the comforter. I then took my book of knowledge and with both hands struck back at the evil creature. To my amazement, the creature fell over easily and stayed down. Now as my path was almost destroyed, I scrambled over to a border wall for some stability. By now there were several demonic creatures attacking me from either side and I was using my book to fend them off, just like swatting very large insects. As these creatures carried out their evil attacks, I remember they also screamed out loud with words of terrible blasphemy. The sound of their voices screeched with a high pitched demonic resonance. Then out of nowhere a winged creature swooped down and knocked my book from my grasp followed by another large creature which descended from above and used its entire body mass to knock me clean off the border wall and straight down into a very dark cavern.

The cavern had a familiarity about it and its name read 'broken heart'. Only this time it was without doubt a much more debilitating place. Adjacent to it was another cavern named rejection and this led into other caverns called anxiety and despair. I felt mentally sickened by these dark caverns and my mind was filled with pain and torture. I moved from one area to the next trying to make some sense of it all, but nothing made any sense, it was a living hell ! I looked high above me where my path once was - there was nothing left. All I could see above me was a continuous angry storm raging in the heavens. This was the same storm I had foreseen so many times on my early journey, now it was a reality! I looked at the floor level of the cavern and the remains of my path were in complete ruins. I called out to my comforter but this time he was silent. [Job 34:29]. I felt completely alone, isolated and rejected. I remembered my last encounter in this ditch, but it was so mild by comparison. These walls were dark, lonely and debilitating.

In the midst of my suffering, I rummaged through the rubble and found a section of my border wall which was called wisdom, but it had been heavily damaged by the demon army. I searched for another border called hope but could find nothing at all. I kept on searching through the rubble and eventually found love, but the letters were distorted and somehow the words spelled loathing! Finally, I found a section that remained intact and it read the word ‘Faith’. Although all my surroundings in the ditch were somewhat eclipsed, this border had a strange mysterious luminance and its bright light filled the cavern with a comforting glow. This warmed my heart a bit and I sat the section upright and placed one hand on it for support and comfort. I then fell into an sleep exhausted. I dreamt that the unclean spirits were lashing out at me again, smashing clubs hard into me. This time I could see the clubs had the name 'Rejection' written all over them. They pounded me so hard until it climaxed into a scream! Then the dream would start over and repeat itself until it eventually it became a kaleidoscope of repeated visions that woke me up with a sudden jolt ! When I awakened, I realised I was just going from one nightmare to another. I went from one dreadful cavern to another searching for answers, and I looked and searched for ways to escape. I tried climbing up the walls, but it was futile and the despair was becoming more intense.

One night I had another dream. I was in a small boat with the love of my life. The boat was damaged and had a massive hole and the waters were rushing in. I had a small container as did she. I was furiously scooping the water out and screaming at her, 'help me ! Please help me ! We're sinking' ! But she just sat there crying and said, 'I can't help, I really want to but I can't move my limbs and I'm so cold' I scooped faster still, but eventually the waters filled the boat and we went down. As we were sinking the last thing she said to me was 'I'm so sorry'. When I awakened, I looked at my border of faith and suddenly had a thought. I started searching through the rubble and after a long period, I eventually found my good news book. By some miracle the book seemed completely intact and had a strange glow similar my border of faith. I then realised I was spiritually starving and read and devoured the content. As I fed from the manna of the book, I discovered passages that began to make sense. [psalm 88] There were chapters of others who had experiences similar to mine. Their paths were often much more severe than my own and their encounters brought them down into different types of ditches and trials. However the comforter always led them out of the ditch back onto a more illuminated path as each chapter had a great purpose.

Once whilst reading the book, I glanced over and noticed another object that was glowing beneath the rubble. I pulled it free and when I cleared the surface area, It read the word Hope! [Isaiah 40:31]. I took the slab and placed it next to my border of Faith. As I continued to devour the word, I then came to a chapter which looked like some kind of roadmap. The map had clear instructions on how to escape these caverns, however, It would be necessary for me to bring along my borders of faith and hope. I pondered long and hard over this treacherous journey and eventually I managed to strap the heavy objects to my back using the buckles and straps of my breast plate. I figured that the journey would have been much easier without the extra load, however the book informed me it would be otherwise impossible. I had no other choice.

As I set off, I allowed the map to guide me. The first part of my escape seemed simple enough, however after a period, the weight of the borders was overwhelming and I had to rest up for long periods. As I continued upwards, the map would take me in a direction that made no sense whatsoever but I followed it in good faith anyway. At one point I came to a tunnel which was dark and very daunting. As I approached, I noticed it had names such as fear anger and irritation, but still I was driven on. After a lengthy period I cleared the tunnel and then realised that somehow I had come closer to reaching my path. As I glanced up, I noticed that my path was still in a state of utter chaos and I wasn't sure what I was going to do, If and when I ever got back there. Much later, I came to another dark tunnel named frustration and resentment. As I passed through I felt my vision was impaired and as a result my pace was terribly slow. My thought process seemed severely hindered and at times I felt I was overwhelmed with confusion. Then on several occasions just when I thought I would pass through, I found myself back at the start of the tunnel and my journey would begin all over again. Every hour I prayed and cried a river [hebrews 5:7]. I eventually managed to pass through, but the pressure of these obstacles was taking their toll and I had to rest up for long periods.

Once whilst resting I meditated and thought about the comforter. I prayed in my heart for guidance and strength, and I knew that although he was silent he was somehow helping me. Although my borders were dreadfully heavy, the further on I got, somehow the more illuminated they became giving light in a very dark place. I soldiered on and eventually approached an area, From a distance, it seemed to be glowing. As I got closer, I could see before me a blazing fire. I looked for many ways to circumvent but there was no other way around it. I considered back tracking through the tunnels and back into the caverns, but somehow I knew I had to find a way through. I looked again at the map in the book and searched for different angles and tried cross referencing different chapters, but I couldn't find an easy option. I then considered removing my borders and some of my armour, but somehow I knew deep down that this was futile and I actually needed their protection more than ever.

I came closer and stood still for a long period gazing into this wall of fire and had no idea how to pass through. As I stood paralysed, I was unable to move further forward and I could feel a tremendous heat on my face. Then I turned, looked behind me and there stood the love of my life, the one that had been super imposed on my path and she was saying; 'you must pass through, there is no other way' I turned and looked ahead and suddenly in the midst of the blaze I could see the comforter. He was standing in the middle encouraging me to pass through. He then laid words in my heart that gave me tremendous courage. I then realised all at once that this was no ordinary fire, but in fact a 'Holy Fire'. [Acts 2:3]. I stepped forward with my borders of faith and hope together with my armour into the burning furnace, and the heat was excruciating! As I entered I felt my anger being seared and replaced with a calmness. I felt my irritation being scorched and replaced with patience, and my loathing being scalded and replaced with a strange selfless love.

As I passed through the fire, I felt exhilaration, like something had changed, and changed for the greater good. I pondered over this for a spell and knew in my heart that my character had been much improved and another regeneration had taken place in my spirit. I looked down at my feet and noticed another slab lying flat. It was named love. [1 Cor 13:13] I picked it up and strapped it on my back with faith and hope and somehow the load seemed lighter. I continued onwards. In the near distance I could now see my path was much closer and I only had one obstacle remaining which was a very high wall leading back up to my path level. I knew almost immediately how to proceed.

When I came to the wall, I took my border of faith, which was the largest slab and laid it at an angle upright to the wall. I then laid my border of hope on top of faith leaving a lip edge to give me a footing. I then climbed up to the top of faith which was now the base of hope, and carefully placed love above hope as the third tier, again leaving a lip edge. I then climbed to the top of hope and then finally eased my foot onto the top of love. I reached out for the edge of my path but I was still a few feet short. I paused and pondered for a spell then took a massive leap for the edge! As I leapt skywards for the edge, my slabs collapsed with the impact of the thrust but luckily I managed to catch an edge with my fingertips. As I tried to pull up, I lost my grip and in an instant I was suddenly in mid air facing a very heavy fall. Suddenly out of nowhere with absolute precision timing, a hand with incredible strength and grip locked onto my wrist and pulled me up with ease, [Exodus 13:9] just like a father hoisting up their child, and I immediately Found myself back on my path.

I looked straight at the one that saved me and I knew it could only have been him. I stood for a long time staring at the comforter. He looked exactly the same as before, dressed in spotless white linen with a golden sash and eyes of burning fire, and beyond them deep oceans of love. Then I asked him, what had just happened. Finally he spoke clearly and told me everything that had happened and why. These were the words he sowed deep in my heart:

'Your heart was righteous but your character distorted your ways. This opened up avenues for deception, and your zeal for enlightenment eventually plunged you into ditches ultimately leading to your downfall. I foreseen all these events coming and kept you safe in my dwelling and set you high upon a rock [psalm 27:5] to prepare you for what was to come. The one you hold the dearest was taken from you, in that your senses be sharpened as I called you into deeper waters of sanctification and understanding'. He paused... Rejection was used to propel you to see the error of your ways and without this, there would be no change or reform. In the depths of your brokenness you found strength in me, and your faith which is your greatest gift drove you on a journey to higher wisdom and love. The burning fire was a furnace of chastisement where you were sanctified with my holy fire as the poorer aspects of your character were seared and new virtues were birthed'.

I just stared back at my comforter trying to absorb his words. After he explained everything to me, I fully understood the things he was telling me. Although I was severely injured, battered and bruised from my escape, there was a great joy and peace in my heart and suddenly all my brokenness made almost perfect sense. Immediately I started to weep as the intensity of my journey and joy became overwhelming. I was so emotional and relieved, I fell to one knee. He then put one hand on my head and put these thoughts deep in my heart ; your words to me are most precious and I see your heart, and when your prayer comes wrapped in tears, they have an increased intensity and sincerity about them that allows my spirit to move on you. [psalm 56:8]. Look and see how I guide you into deeper things, and see how I illuminate your path ahead. Your faith is a never ending journey and the fuel that propels the soul towards me is your humility and brokenness. Understanding is knowing the vehicle is broken, knowledge is knowing what is broken and wisdom is knowing how to fix it. At this point I felt an overwhelming love for the comforter as he was full of truth. He looked back at me with fiery eyes and immediately read my mind. He said; 'And I love those that love the truth and those that stay true to me will be blessed and justified and shown great mysteries beyond the understanding of man. [proverbs 8:17].

As he led the way he said, 'I have much more to teach you about this world'. As we set off on my path I could barely walk even a few steps due to the pain running through my body. He turned back and again put words into my heart. He said; 'you have just experienced the most traumatic period of your entire life and it's taken a very heavy toll on you. You have been attacked by the darkest powers of hell and your incredible faith has carried you this far. Although you have survived and learned much, you must endure your pain and carry your cross like I did. Over a period the pain will diminish'.

He then handed me a pair of shoes which were marked as 'peace'. He said; 'these will keep you stable on your path and when the enemy comes along they will enable you to stand firm. The enemy is incredibly strong but remember these shoes are for stability and peace'. He then handed me a sword, like nothing I had ever seen before. He said; 'This is a divine sword of truth. It is sharper than anything on the entire earth and will cut through the lies and deception of the enemy. [eph 6:17] Add these to the armour I have already given you and walk in faith and be strong'.

As we continued, I could still feel the effects of my wounds but somehow it was much easier to endure due to understanding. I looked at the borders of my path and noticed they were packed with knowledge and wisdom giving my path a greater stability than ever. As I glanced to my right at the comforter I began to wonder about the love of my life. Once again he read my thoughts and said; 'Now you understand why I aligned your stars, why I brought you together and why I broke you apart. There is purpose in everything I do for the greater good. I hear your hearts desire, however that is not for now as much healing must first take place and you have much more to learn. You must put your trust in me, and if you do, I will give you a new virtue of forbearance which is something you will need'. As we proceeded, I took a final glance back at my broken path for the last time. The comforter then made a diversion from my path and headed back down into the caverns. After my recent trauma I was naturally concerned but at the same time I had little to fear and remembered his divine words 'trust in me'. As we headed down beyond the surface ditches, we came to an area which had long stretched corridors and on both sides as there were so many caverns.

This time I had no fear as I was in the presence of the comforter. There was a strong sense of familiarity about these caverns as each one had its own name. As I looked, I observed some of the names which were; sadness, worry, and fear, and these caverns led into deeper and more horrific areas which were named ; depression, anxiety, and despair. Inside each area, there was many lost souls along with several demonic creatures. The creatures seemed to be invisible to the tortured souls. There was just as many evil creatures as there was souls and the unclean spirits took on various forms with an outwardly appearance that was terrifying but mainly repulsive!

I immediately recognised some of these unclean spirits that had overpowered me and had destroyed my path. The souls inside the caverns seemed very sad and lost and couldn't seem to find any way out, which I could easily identified with. Whenever a soul would make an attempt towards the corridor to escape, a demon would quickly seize them and lead them back inside the cavern. They were using heavy chains and they strapped them around their victims necks, eventually overpowering them. Some of the souls seemed so sad and helpless that they just sat down weeping with their head in their hands. Eventually they got up and headed to interconnecting caverns named hopelessness, addiction and ill health, where many other souls already were. As we headed further down into lower realms, the air seemed to get thicker and there was a more foreboding sense of evil in and around the corridors. I looked up and noticed some of the names ; hatred, anger, hostility and bitterness. Inside there were many souls and just as many demons at work.

Whenever a soul would move around the area, a demon would shadow them and encourage them to remain in a debilitating state. The souls had a permanent scowl on their faces and existed in a constant state of frustration with aggressive outbursts. Some demons would climb on the backs of their victims and whisper evil thoughts to them to ensure that the soul reacted in the same bitter way to every situation in their lives. Over time the evil creatures would escort their victims into adjoining caverns which were named : indignation, violence and unforgiveness, eventually plunging their lives into a complete darkness. As I looked on, I noticed one particular soul who stood out from the rest. The soul was angry and bitter but also had an aura of sadness and tender love about them too. The soul was speaking aloud saying how much they loved their family and friends and how life had dealt them a bad hand. They complained about how they were once so successful and rich and they had eventually lost everything. Then the soul started to read a book. It was the same book as my own which was full of encouragement, wisdom and love. As they continued to read, their anger dissipated somewhat and their heart was suddenly filled with more faith and hope.

After a period, the unclean spirits returned in numbers like they were alerted.

This time they had weapons of discouragement, hatred, pride and blasphemy. They started on their victim and knocked the good book from his grasp, and they continued to assault and abuse their victim from every angle until the soul was almost left for dead. The demons wrapped a chain from hell around the victims neck and started to drag him into the adjacent cavern of despair and darkness and then suddenly, like a drowning man clutching at a straw, the soul screamed in desperation And called out to the comforter ! help me.... He asked for forgiveness of his sins and said in his heart that he believed ! [Romans 10: 9-10] I looked at the comforter and he immediately stepped forward towards the soul. As he approached, he raised one hand and the demons dropped their weapons in fear and trembling and scattered all at once ! The comforter then helped the soul back to his feet, removed the chains of despair and placed his right hand on his chest. The soul was weeping hard and the comforter blessed and saved him and filled his heart with hope and love. He then led the soul to the entrance of the cavern. He motioned with his right hand and an angel of salvation seemed to appear from nowhere.

I was stunned, and as I looked around, to my amazement I noticed that no other soul in the area could see any of these events unfolding ! The comforter handed the soul some spiritual armour and the angel directed him back to his own path of salvation. As the comforter made his way back towards me, the demons spoke up in fear ! They said ; 'have you come to torture us before our time' ? The comforter replied : 'You have already been judged for the things you have done before the ages, but now is not the time'. As we headed deeper into other caverns, I looked at the comforter and thought about the events that had just unfolded. He read my mind and said to me: 'Anyone who calls out my name, I will come to them and If a soul calls on me with humility and sincere repentance of the heart, I will hear their cry, rescue and save them.

'Many call on my name when the troubles in their lives become overbearing and overwhelming. However what you just witnessed is hidden from the proud, the idolators, the immoral and those who rejoice in their own iniquity. They will continue to remain weighed down with all the troubles in this world. Although they have a freewill, they choose the path that is broad and ultimately their fate will rest in their own hands'. We then came to another cavern which was named greed, selfishness and respectability. As I looked on from the entrance, the setting looked like a vast classroom area. I noticed there were so many souls and they were all sitting at a desk like students and dressed in fine and expensive attire. The air was filled with the stench of pride, greed and vanity and they all had a great sense of their own self importance.

Some were counting vast sums of money, and the larger the sums, the more they wanted to protect it. The more money they had, the more puffed up they looked. Some were sitting back with their hands behind their heads and had arrogant opinions about almost everything! As they stretched out, they rested their foot on the head of some poor soul so as to keep themselves in a very comfortable position. If the soul complained about anything, the rich student would threaten to take away the little money they had and add it to their own wealth. Out of fear and oppression, the soul backed down and continued to support the rich student keeping them in their fancy lifestyle. Further on, there were others fighting over wealth and there was no limit to what evil they would do to one another to get into the seat. As I looked around, others had stock piles of money so high that it grew into a throne of gold which was fit for a King! As they gazed at their personal throne, they climbed up and exalted themselves and sat down and spread out their arms. As I looked closer, their faces had become contorted with pride and their inner souls projected a deep sense of complete self aggrandisement. Their thrones only brought them a superficial happiness, but deep down they were most discontent and had no real joy in their heart.

As I looked to the head of the vast classroom, there was a demon posing as a guru who counseled them in everything they did. Their guru had an incredible infectious personality and entertained the students with humour and compliments. The guru very skillfully mixed up truths and lies and they laughed out loud and believed everything that he said. He told them that all the wealth they had was so well deserved as they were all so immensely gifted and talented and that they should act accordingly. He told them that a 'love for money' was just an old wives tale and the only people that really loved money were the ones that didn't have any ! And they cheered out loud as they were spiritually blind and full of themselves. He then skillfully turned self indulgence from a deadly sin into a virtue and they all lapped it up and offered up a round of applause. He appealed to their ego's very subtly elevating them above the average person to the status of 'The Elite'. He taught them how to increase their wealth and how charity was wasted on the poor and how to properly use some charities to serve their own ambitions. He sowed selfishness and greed so deep into their hearts that eventually they felt that no moral standard could or should ever apply to them. They were above the law of men and the spiritual laws of the universe.

As he was speaking, one student had their head down and was reading the good book. The guru who became irritated made his way over and swiped the book and held it up high as an object of ridicule. He used humour to explain to the class how the poor needed fairy tales in their lives to give them a false hope. He then forced the soul to their feet and persecuted and ridiculed them and the students believed and applauded him again. He quoted passages from the book and used blasphemy and the students laughed out loud as they so loved their guru. He turned back to the soul who felt naked and embarrassed among the others. He then handed the book back to the soul and paused and slowly said; ‘only you can decide'. As the soul held the book, the persecution and laughter in the classroom intensified and the embarrassment for him became overbearing !

At that, before my very eyes, the book began to disintegrate like it was thousands of years old and the pages turned to dust and just fell through his fingers. As he sat down, he put his hands over his face and just wept. I turned to the comforter and he spoke to my heart. 'The seed of faith is planted in some but they are not able to overcome the world at large. The demonic forces and their love for money is overwhelming and then all is lost. Money is the root of all evil and mans pursuit of it can lead him into deep and very comfortable ditches in life that they may never escape from. Eventually this love for money leads them into a spiritual bankruptcy and imprisons them here, destroying their paths. However, I have not forgotten any of them as I am the good shepherd. I will visit and call on all of them, and if they invite me in to eat, I will dine with them and show them treasure beyond their worldly wealth. [Rev 3:20] No soul will ever have an excuse when the day of reckoning comes. But for now, as they live and breathe, I have not forgotten them'. We moved into what seemed like the enormous cavern. At the entrance I could see a multitude of souls and above the entrance it said 'World Religion' and 'Deception'. There was so many souls and it was impossible to count all of them. As we passed through, there were souls on their knees holding up their hands and praying to idols and statues. They were joyless in their worship and in their hearts was sadness fear and even condemnation.

Close by, there were demonic creatures dressed in holy garments posing as teachers and spiritual leaders who robbed the souls of their identity and wealth. Each creature had a book of abomination to hand which looked identical to the book of truth. The creatures read out passages from their book and mixed up truths with lies leading to mass confusion. The lost souls listened intensely to the demons and believed the lies more than the truth. Hanging around the souls necks were crosses which they clung to and put all their faith and trust in, but written on the back was the word idolatry ! but still they held these objects over and above the word. As we passed through, we came to many other souls who were lying on their backs and looked anaemic and close to death! As they called out for help, demonic creatures injected a virus of deception into their bloodstream ensuring they remained spiritually sick and weak. As we moved through the multitudes, we came across others who had self righteous and hypocrisy written on their backs and a veil of deceit over their faces. They held their religion way and above all others and had indignation and condemnation for all other souls who practised any another religion. They spent all their time counting their own good deeds blinding them spiritually. Their words were completely insincere and their false worship became a kind of 'self worship'.

Then we came across the young who were delirious and high on life's emotions! Demons were using air waves to pump music hard into their minds keeping them in a constant state of euphoria. They were in such a highly charged state, that their minds became desensitised and ordinary life meant very little to them as nothing holy was ever able to penetrate into their conscience. We then reached an egress back to the corridors and I started to think hard about these trapped souls and their counterfeit religions. The comforter turned to me and read my mind and said; 'Of all the ditches and caverns, this is one where a great battle is taking place. World religion is riddled with corruption and condemns more souls to hell than anything else. The evil one and his minions work hard to keep these souls in a constant state of confusion and delusion. They pose as something pure and holy but they are murderers and liars and many will fall for their machinations and schemes. However if anyone should call out my name and overcome the world, I will hear them and release them from their prison and these evil chains and show them a path to glory and salvation'.

We moved down to the lowest level and came to a vast area. A multitude of suffering souls were being escorted by unclean spirits through a very wide gate. The demons had a chain around their necks and were hauling them along like helpless slaves. Among the souls were murderers and liars, manipulators, blasphemers, bigots and deceivers, followed by the sexually immoral, the proud, those that worshiped money, those that practised magic arts and all the idolators. There was also many souls being led by false prophets and preachers.

As we walked towards them it seemed that most of them didn't even realise where they were headed. Beyond this, some way in the distance stood a very large structure and as we came closer, I could see very tall gates stretching beyond the red skyline and across a great distance. In the centre of the structure was a sign that read 'Hades' and through the gates I could see burning sulphur and brimstone as far as the eye could see. At the base of the gates were a countless number of saints dressed in sack cloth and they had the spirit of truth and repentance about them. As the demons approached the gates with their victims, the saints raised their arms up high and called down a holy fire from the heavens and the demons were compelled to lay down their chains as the saints had great power over them. With the wiseness of serpents and a gentle love [Mat 10:16] they ministered to the souls and had tongues of fire. As they spoke the gospel, the demons would climb on the souls backs and whisper evil thoughts in an attempt to counter the good news and the chains around their necks began to choke the victims.

The saints who were resolute then raised the book of truth high in the air and swiped the demons off the victims backs and so the battle for the soul would continue. There was a countless number of battles going on simultaneously. Those that chose to ignore the good news were escorted through the gates into a Hell fire to await final judgement. Some were being dragged by chains and to my surprise many were headed towards the gates voluntary of their own freewill.

Others however who chose to hear and believe the word were escorted to a narrow gate to receive their salvation and eternal life. I turned to the comforter and again he spoke to my heart. He said ; ’The saints you see dressed in sack cloth are my true followers in the world, the redeemed sons and daughters and my true disciples. Their calling is to break the curse and chains of the evil one and plant a seed of truth in the hearts of lost souls. Each saint has unique gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit dwells within them and their nature has been made new and they can never be snatched from my hand. [John 10:28] These are my sheep. The souls you see in chains are steeped in their own sinful nature and although they have heard the word, they stubbornly refuse to listen and therefore they are unable to comprehend or even see the demonic forces influencing their lives. They are the goats and their journey is a road to perdition'. 'Many will pass through the wide gate and still there will be others that have even called my name but have no sincerity in the hearts. Their destiny is also eternal damnation'.

[mat 7:13-14].

We then moved toward the narrow gate where many were passing through. At the other side of the gate, the saved souls were met by Angels of salvation. As the Angels danced for joy and sang a melody from the heavens, the comforter moved towards the regenerated souls with a burning fire of love in his eyes. He placed one hand on their shoulder and another on their chest and with divine power their iniquity was immediately forgotten like it never even existed.

He drew out the stain of hell deep in their souls and justified and sanctified them. He then opened the book of life and wrote a new chapter guaranteeing their name among the stars for all eternity. [Rev 20:12].

From the narrow gate we headed back up toward the caverns. We slowly headed up a very long passageway, and after what seemed a long journey we arrived at a different type of cavern. Unlike the others, this one seemed empty but somehow absolutely terrifying! Suddenly I had a strange sense of foreboding and the comforter turned to me and said; 'What I am about to show you will require wisdom and understanding and will draw on all your strength'. I looked at him wide eyed but said nothing.

At the rear end of the cavern there was a huge gap in the outer wall and I could see the outer atmosphere which was a fiery red. As we moved closer, I could hear a very low rumble which resonated deep in my bones and down into my soul like the sound of many thunders. We then came to a great precipice and I gazed far down into what seemed like eternity itself. We stood at the edge and I could feel an intense heat on my face. We stood and paused... Below us was an enormous lake of burning lava with fire and brimstone which seemed to go on forever. It was a place beyond suffering and even death itself, and was so debilitating and overpowering that if it weren't for the comforter, I wouldn't have been able to stand my ground.

In this 'Lake of fire' was a myriad of suffering souls and they seemed to be moving from side to side with no rest and an unrelenting contortion on their faces. It was all I could do but look and be still. I turned to the comforter and looked straight into his eyes and I sensed a feeling of great sadness for the tormented souls. What was before me now required no explanation ! Everything I had read in my book was true and had come to pass. Below was the destiny and culmination of everything evil and impure as death and even hades were swallowed up by an outer darkness of eternity itself. As the smoke of their torment rose up to the heavens, my heart wept.

We travelled back through the corridors of doom as the comforter skillfully led me back to my own path. As I glanced behind me, the ruins of my immediate past were still there to see and I was able to calculate my suffering time period at approx 7 years. Everything now made perfect sense and I understood perfectly why the comforter allowed these things to happen and why he took the love of my life away. As I looked to the future, my path was completely restored and its borders were packed with wisdom, knowledge and a strengthened faith. As I turned to the comforter he looked at me with those fiery eyes which were full of Heavenly love and he spoke into my heart and said; 'walk in peace and in righteous love and remember me everyday’. 'Speak of these things to others and gather my chosen ones and guide them through the narrow gate to salvation' [Mat 28:19]. My blessing and anointing is on you and this armour will protect you from the evil one. There is a day coming soon, a day of reckoning where the heavens and earth will be shaken and the four horsemen of the apocalypse will be released. [Rev 6]. 'In these days of trial and tribulation, men will languish and wish death upon themselves and they will run for the hills and shake their fists in anger at the heavens. [Rev 9:6]. Woman will fall to their knees and clutch their wombs and cry for their sons and the unborn. These will be the darkest days the earth has ever known as evil will rise up and overwhelm all of mankind'.

'Before this I am coming for my bride and my church, the first fruits of who have kept my council as I bring my reward with me. Woe to those that hear my words and reject the good news, as judgement is coming to them and their road will be a path to destruction and eternal damnation. But joy and peace to those that heed this warning and hear the good news as they will be received into my kingdom and live forever as it is written'. [Rev 21: 6-7] As we walked towards a new dawn, my comforter crossed over to the paths of others who were in desperate need, but I knew in my heart his spirit was always by my side. I looked above me and the sun was shining and I could feel its warmth resting on my face. For a brief moment I remembered my despairing trial which now seemed like a lifetime ago. I looked ahead in the distance and up the mountainside at my Rock of Salvation and remembered how it comforted and prepared me for my day of reckoning .

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling, he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle, and set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5.)

My eye was drawn back down to my revitalised path and I noticed something in the near distance. I quickened my stride and looked closer and noticed someone was sitting on my border wall. As I got closer, I focused my eyes and could see it was a woman. She was perched on the border wall as she splayed her arms out to balance herself.

Behind her was a bright sunlit background which highlighted her silhouetted shape and her lovely posture. Her hair was dark and shoulder length and danced in the gentle breeze. From a distance I could see she was smiling and as I drew closer, she gazed at me with those familiar brown eyes and I knew immediately it was the love of my life.

I paused for a moment and just stared at her beauty. In that moment I remembered how her love had been taken from me and how the absence of that love had driven me and moulded me for his purpose. In that single moment I remembered my prayer to the comforter that I had prayed so many times, how I had once given up all hope and didn't believe the impossible could possibly come true. Then all at once he was true to his promise: (psalm 37:4)

She stood up and motioned towards me and cupped her hand around my face. We sat back down and I looked into her eyes and sensed a love that I hadn't felt for a very long time and knew the comforter had touched her heart and reconciled us. She then spoke to me in gentle loving tones. She said; 'I'm sorry I had to go away for a while but I'm back home now'. I said I was sorry too, that I also had to leave us for a while for the greater good. We sat back down and she held my hand in hers and I felt a familiar warmth as she pulled me close. I glanced to my right and noticed the sun was setting beautifully on the horizon. I said to her; ‘Look ! She turned around and just smiled and said to me; 'let's watch it together'.

In Jesus name Amen.