“Open Your Eyes!” (cont'd from Apr 29 post)

With teeth still tightly clinched on the visor extension I came under attack by an agent of the pit to open my mouth.  I could hear something like a suction or spraying kind of sound and a voice commanding me, “Open your mouth!” as I felt something nasty-tasting being squirted into my mouth.  I didn’t dare relax my grip because the symbol test might begin again and I also knew that this was helping to keep my outer eyes closed.  Then it started…a barrage of verbal and physical assaults to get me to open my eyes.  I knew I had to guard against this at all cost.

At first it began as a mild request.  A feminine voice asked, “Mr. Harrill, can you open your eyes?” Other agents, using different approaches increased the verbal pressure, some shaking or bumping me as well.  I heard them discussing what to do next.  Finally, one of them forced open first one eye then the other and shined a light into each one.  I was afraid that this might have disqualified me but somehow I knew that allowing the light in when it was being forced didn’t count against me.  Then, one of them in a loud masculine voice yelled angrily at me, “Hu!  Hu!  Open your eyes!  Are you playing possum, or what!”  After this, their efforts to open the eyes relented, but I expected the harassment from my tormentors to continue in new ways as had been the predictable pattern from the beginning.

At this point something began to change – in me.  My attitude toward those agents who were afflicting me started to shift.  I didn’t know who or what they were.  Could they be new recruits who had not been reduced to the capsule state yet?  I didn’t know, but I began to be concerned about them.  Whatever their state was, I saw them as being caught in slavish bondage and who really didn't understand what they were doing, and I prayed for them.  Interestingly, the more I prayed for them the less they seemed to harass me. 

Then something even stranger happened.  I saw my son James, who is a Physician Assistant, seemingly making suggestions to the agents.  He was not just a fixed likeness as I had seen of other family members earlier, but was actively moving about and interacting with some of the agents.  I was totally confused by this.  What could it mean that James was with this group?

Not until many days after I returned to consciousness did I begin to realize the extent to which there was integration between this parallel state of existence and the physical world.  A little later in the journey, I was encouraged during one my out-of-the-body observation moments when James was working with some of the others.  Suddenly, I saw a one-liner pop up on a computer screen next to him for a few seconds that read, “Jesus:  James is mine >>>,” with the arrow pointing directly toward him!

Once again, as I resumed moving slowly along the outer wall of the great pit, I became aware of gradually increasing difficulty in breathing and I began to wonder how much longer this journey would last and how it would end.  Would I indeed die and even have an encounter with Satan himself?  I was growing anxious for this experience to be over, but I remembered my commitment to do whatever it took.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Cor 15:58 (NASB)

(to be continued…)