THIS PRESENT DARKNESS - WEEK 12 CHAPTERS 41 - 42

THIS PRESENT DARKNESS by Frank Peretti

Well, here we are fellow Book Clubbers, the last post of This Present Darkness. This has been such a timely book for me. It has served as a reminder that despite the tension and unrest in the world around us, there is a God who ultimately rules, and one day, all will be set right. There is good and truth, and one day they will cover this universe from end to end. Hallelujah! But for now, let's plunge back into where we left off last week. It's time for the final showdown.

Despite Lucius' confrontation with Rafar, we knew he couldn't beat the powerful demon. After all, there has to be a battle between Tal and Rafar. One that will settle things for the ages, so Lucius is destroyed and sent to the abyss.

Definitely, one of the most powerful scenes in these chapters is the freeing of Sandy. The knife is handed to her both spiritually and physically. I have to tell you my heart broke for all of those we have known in life that have been lost to suicide. The chains that bound them to what seemed like unbreakable circumstances were overwhelming. But God wasn't finished was He? Guilo shows up and he slices through those binding chains. Sandy spiritually begins to leave the dark depths and move towards the light. The beautiful frosting on this cake, restoration! Her dad's waiting for her. (Wasn't it fulfilling when Hogan punched Shawn?)

Then we moved to the anticipated battle between Tal and Rafar. Last time they battled it lasted 23 days. I am wondering if it was the time an angel was sent to Daniel in the Bible and was intercepted by the Prince of Persia, and Michael intervened. Rafar ultimately is destroyed, but not without an exhausting battle. Tal cries out for the prayers of the saints. For some reason I continued to have a visual of Moses watching the Israelites battle the Amalekites. When his arms were uplifted and supported by Aaron and Hur, the Israelites prevailed. When the prayers of the saints go up, Tal is able to get the upper hand over Rafar.

Speaking of Michael, the Archangel, you know that that's who The General is right? The Strongman is defeated and the darkness is overcome by the light. The town of Ashton is released from the evil stronghold. Families are reunited. Wrong accusations are righted.

The last scene we see is the saving of Bernice. She doesn't know where to go or what to do, but the Holy Spirit does. God never leaves a seeker of Him behind. What a promise! The angels can't exit Ashton without watching this and rejoicing. Luke 15:10.

And that's where it ends! I hope you enjoyed the book! I know I sure did! If you are looking for the next chapter in all of this, you might want to check out Peretti's sequel, Piercing the Darkness.