Demon's Gateway

Everyone in town had been told.  “The gigantic entrance to the cavern in the limestone cliff above the town should be entered with great caution.  Do not enter it alone; and be careful who goes with you; and especially careful with whoever you meet there.  The cavern is the passageway to and from Hell.”

After an almost 45 minute climb, Elaine Harris and I had finally reached the massive dark entrance to the cavern overlooking the town.  The town’s buildings were tinted in the orange light of the setting sun.  She and I were dressed in rugged, full length pants, shoes and thick jackets. 

 “Tonight’s gonna be cold, Jimmy.”  17 year old Elaine worried, “The wind is already strong.  It’s causing weird sounds to come from inside the cavern, and amplifying them.”

I, Jimmy Manetti, who was also 17, nodded and pointed to the town.  “Everyone down there’s hearing these sounds.” 

“They are bizarre sounds.”  She said, “They are the voices of demons.”

“Are you sure of that?”  I asked, “Are you sure this is another ‘Devil’s Night’?  Are you sure it’s tonight?” 

“Yes.  It will be happening again.  It will be real, and it will be tonight.”

“I agree.”  I told her, “With only us to stand in the way.”

“During the last Devil’s Night,” She told me, “I was unsure and scared, but I had a reserve of inner strength to help me find my way.  This time the inner strength is gone.”

I reminded her, “The Lord did say that wherever two or three are gathered in His Name, there He would be in the midst of them.  We should find our strength renewed in Him.”

“True.”  She told me, “Before the demons emerge on this Devil’s Night; both you and I are gathered here in the Presence of the Lord, at the entrance to His enemies’ open gateway.”

The entrance was struck by a strong gust of wind, accompanied by another voice.

“You’re only two?”  A loud, echoing, amplified, laughing, young female voice boomed from inside the deep darkness, beyond the cavern’s 30 foot high entrance.  “You two aren’t the only entirely human, sin filled beings who will be going through here tonight!” 

We both shuddered, but only for a moment.

Elaine said, “I recognize her voice.”

“So do I.”  I called out in annoyance.  “Okay Roxanna!”  My voice now echoed just as loudly as hers.   “We know it’s you!  No one to be afraid of!”

Roxanna’s echoing voice boomed again, in mocking laughter.  “You should be!”

“Well we’re not!”  Elaine called out, just as annoyed, with her voice also echoing just as loud.  “So come on out and show your unrepentant self!”

“No!”  Our classmate called out, “Both of you come in here!”

In the amplified echo of her words, we heard other voices repeating, “Both of you come in here!”

These were male voices, which now repeated, along with Roxanna “Come in here!  Come in here!  Come in here!”

Now the trembling Elaine called out, quoting scripture.

“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.  What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”

I called out, “I call upon the Lord to shut and lock the door of this demons’ gateway, so that the demons will no longer be able to attack any more members of our community; and we will all be healed.  I ask in Jesus Name.  Amen.”

Then Elaine and I turned around and began to climb down the cliff, away from the entrance.

Above us we heard Roxanna cry out.

“Where are you going?  Come back!”

We climbed further down, and heard our classmate’s echoing voice call out again. 

“You’ve shut to door to the demon’s gateway, and now I can’t get out!  I’m locked in here with all these demons!  Come back!  Get me out of here!  Get me out!”

Elaine and I halted in our descent.

I asked, “Do you want to go back and get her out?”