02. Delivered from Demon Possession
CHAPTER TWO DELIVERED FROM DEMON POSSESSION
We had heard of demon possession and thought we understood the fact that we are wrestling against “principalities and powers.” But the evening of August 11, we had definite proof of satanic power that holds so many in bondage. It was an experience we shall never forget!
We had been sent word by Christians on Guimaras, across the bay, that a young girl by the name of Rosita Garcia, 16 years old, had been attacked for six nights by demons. Several attempts had been made to cast them out, but to no avail. The attacks all followed the same pattern. The demons came to her at about 10 P.M, staying from three to six hours. The believers wanted to bring her to us for observation and to see if we could help her. Our first reaction was one of fear, but we did consent to have her brought over.
We gathered all our school notes on demonology, looked up every Scripture concerning it, but still felt woefully inadequate. Praise God, He is not! The girl arrived with two Christian girls about 5 P.M, Sunday afternoon. She was dealt with concerning acceptance of Christ, but she was mortally afraid. The demons had told her they would kill her if she did accept Him. That night in the Gospel hour, however, she made a public profession of Christ. She seemed quite sincere, but very fearful.
We had picked a group, Miss Kemery, Bill and me, Mr. Galila (our assistant director) and his wife, a Christian nurse and several men students to help us. We were twelve in all.
We gathered in our sala after the evening service as we had felt after much prayer that the best approach was to have another praise and prayer service. The songs were all concerning assurance, the blood, and Christ. Then, praying very quietly, we began reading Scripture about fleeing from the Devil and cleaving to the Lord. At about 9:45, while Mr. Galila was reading a portion of the Word, Rosita’s eyes began to get glassy and in a few minutes we realized that “she was no longer with us,” and that she couldn’t hear a word we were saying. At the stroke of 10, she slumped over and the demons took possession.
She began to struggle and to fight them off, saying pitifully and in terror, in the dialect, “No, noo-o - I will not go with you - you are bad.” We realized she was going to hurt her body, so we quickly spread a large mattress on the floor.
While we sang, at the words “Christ,” “God,” “blood,” the demons seemed to become infuriated.
There were three of them, according to her conversation and what she told us later. She continued to resist them. You could feel the very evil presence in the room. It is impossible to describe the torment the girl was going through. Up to this time we had been sitting praying, but then we threw ourselves to our knees pleading with the Lord to give Rosita deliverance.
Finally, Mrs. Galila felt an urge to kneel beside Rosita, commanding the main demon, by name, to leave her. Oh, yes, do not be surprised! They DO have names; they do not always conceal them. This one said he was “Verono.”
She continued to command him boldly, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to leave the girl and not to return. We all redoubled our prayer efforts. The struggle became worse at this time, and we realized from what she was saying in the dialect that she was being beaten about the head by the demons.
Mrs. Galila persisted, and then we began to fear for the girl’s life. I didn’t like the way she looked and had the nurse go to her. She was cold and her pulse was almost gone. We rubbed her limbs and wrapped her in blankets. At about this time, we could tell the demons left her and she fell into a deep, normal sleep. Her pulse returned slowly to normal.
We let her sleep about ten minutes and then awakened her and had a hot drink ready. She was able to recount in detail what had taken place. While the demons were with her, she was completely unconscious of our presence and had not been able to hear our voices. At any rate, the demons told her they would not return; that this was God’s house. But, oh, the battle they put up! This was the hardest attack but the shortest, lasting only forty-five minutes. We felt the victory was a complete one, that God had taken her for His child and that the demons would not return.
We were all exhausted and it was a week before any of us who were there felt rested. If anyone at home would have told us of such a happening we no doubt would have smiled. But we know the power of Satan now! We have not only felt it but have seen it with our own eyes.
There is a sequel to this story. We put Rosita and her companions to bed in one of our bedrooms and they passed a peaceful night, leaving the next morning for the other island. Praise God, the victory was complete! They have sent word back to us that the demons have not returned and that Rosita is quietly rejoicing in her salvation. The Message MRS. WILLIAM HOPPER