Here's the second testimony I'll share... from my dad's book.....
Revelation, chapters two and three, contain the Lord's message to the seven churches of Asia Minor. These sites are all located in the country today known as Turkey. A short while ago I was privileged to visit the sites of all the seven churches, and make a trip out to the Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea where John was in exile as he received the book of Revelation.
The ancient site of Laodicea lies in a plain below the mountain on which the Roman city of Heiropolis was located. Hot springs that are almost boiling create a setting where a healthy tourist trade flourishes today. The hot baths are popular for health and recreational reasons. By the time the waters have fallen down the mountainside and meandered through the valley to the ancient city site of Laodicea, the stream has become lukewarm. No good for drinking, nor are they hot enough for hot baths. John was no doubt using this local illustration when he said to the church at Laodicea, "I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot: I will spue thee out of my mouth" Revelation 3:15-16
Early in the morning Ramona and I were burdened to pray for special protection. We had a small tour group with us and, while touring in the Heiropolis above Laodicea, one of the ladies began walking along a low wall. I saw her fall off the wall, and leaving the normal walkway, I began to run toward her with the aim of helping her. Fortunately, she was not injured. While running toward her, I fell into a pit that was several feet deep. It could have been disastrous, but as I scrambled out of the hole, I found that I was completely uninjured. Now I was on guard, wary, with an uneasy feeling that this was more than a physical accident. The place seemed eerie, and I was glad to leave Laodicea.
Before touring each site either I, or the Presbyterian minister who shared leadership of the group with me, would read the passage from Revelation that related to the ancient church that had existed there in New Testament times. We read of "Pergamos... even where Satan's seat is." Photograhy of each of the locations was very important to me, and this place was filled with photographic opportunities. For that reason, I left the tour group and local guide and went off on my own. Ancient Pergamos is perched on a very high cliff. There are marvelous ruins both on the cliff top and in the area below. Ramona was with me, carrying a camera tripod for me. At one point I began to walk down the slight incline toward the cliffside, the better to get photos of the dramatic view below.
I did not trip over anything. There was no reason for what happened. I was in no hurry, but as I walked toward the precipice of the cliff I had the impression that something pushed me - hard. I began to stagger forward in an awkward run, on the edge of falling, my arms flailing madly.
When Ramona spoke to the minister's wives at a recent district clergyman's conference, she was not speaking from the standpoint of book learning and theory in her dissertation on the power of prayer. What we say to you has been tested in the crucible of experience.
Ramona saw me heading toward certain death should I plunge over that cliff and onto the rocks hundreds of feet below. She immediately cried out to Jesus. I heard her cry, but more importantly, Jesus heard her.
When my feet stopped at about three or four inches from the edge of the cliff, my arms still swinging, I knew that someone had heard that cry, for I felt the physical restraint of two mighty hands on my shoulders pulling me back.
In moments, my Presbyterian minister friend came running, looking for me with an urgent warning: "David," he cried, "Be careful, the Lord just revealed to me that Satan is trying to kill you here. As soon as I got this from the Lord I prayed for you. It was a couple of minutes ago."
Deeply shaken, I looked at him and said, "i Know it. It has already happened, but God heard your prayer and I am all right." We only told a few of the tour members what was going on. I told Rev. Ethel Calloway, who was with us, and she also confirmed that warnings had been given her by the Lord.
God does not always prevent the encounter with the enemy, but I am confident the victory is ours.




































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