Hell's Gate: Battle for Man's Soul

By Don Guthrie

Pastor Moses Samuels, a former drug addict turned minister of the gospel, is called by God to Henrick, Texas, a town hes never heard of. In obedience, he makes the move and discovers a town overrun with Satan worshippers. Ninety percent of the population is involved in the satanic cult. His job is to lead the people of Henrick out of their bondage to Satan. In the process of doing so, he is arrested and beaten and faces death when the cult makes preparations to offer him as a sacrifice to Satan.

Hells Gate is a book about demons, angels, and the power of Almighty God. It shows how God can work in and through us to accomplish great things if we are willing to obey and follow him.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479785193

Don Guthrie

Don Guthrie is a compassionate, Christ-filled pastor, evangelist, and Bible teacher who lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his wife of forty years. He is a father of three, two daughters and one son. Don is an avid guitar player and enjoys playing music in churches and nursing homes. He loves to read, especially the Bible, and spends as much time as possible with his wife, children, and three grandchildren. His greatest desire is to serve Christ and help others find salvation through him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Book preview

ONE

T he angel made no sound walking through the grass. He was invisible, less than a shadow in the pale moonlight. Mortal men could not see him, nor could they sense he was there. Yet his presence had not gone unnoticed by the horde of demons surrounding Pastor Moses Samuels’s home.

The demons were aware the angel was approaching. They could sense him long before they could see him. They could feel the holiness of God radiating from him while he was yet a distance away.

The angel was aware of the demons as well. They were part of the reason why he was on earth. God the Father sent him to deliver a message to the demons gathered around the pastor’s home.

He continued to walk until he arrived at the place where the demons had gathered. As he approached, the demons looked at him with hatred in their yellow eyes. He stopped just a few yards short of where the first demon stood. The stench of evil coming from them made it difficult for the angel to remain calm in their presence. Standing before them, he looked first at one then another—staring at them as they were staring at him—while displaying the boldness of God by his actions.

There were demons everywhere. They came in every size, shape, and description and had surrounded the preacher’s home. There were giant demons, short demons, and everything in between. All of them were ugly, grotesque, and vile.

Looking at them, he thought, These demons were once angels of light. Now they’re demons, followers of Lucifer and doomed for all eternity.

It was long before God created the earth and everything in it that Lucifer led one-third of the angels in heaven in a rebellion against God. His goal was to control heaven and place himself on the throne of God. The revolt was put down, and those who followed him were driven out of heaven. God had judged them, and his judgment was final. Sometime in the future, a time known only to God, they would be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to suffer forever. Until that day comes, they would remain the grotesque, ugly angels the angel was seeing before him at that very moment.

Looking at them, he could only feel sadness in his heart. How could so many of God’s holy angels have chosen Lucifer over God? God created everything, including the angels. What would make a created being think he could take God’s place? It was unfathomable.

It had never crossed the messenger’s mind to join in the revolt, but many of his brothers had. They were now among the fallen. When they were created, they were beautiful angels of light, but the moment they turned their back on God, they turned into hideous angels of darkness.

To distinguish a fallen angel from his holy ones, God caused the fallen to turn into ugly and frightful angels. They were now angels of unspeakable ugliness with fangs and claws and eyes that resembled burning brimstone. Their skin had the appearance of a rough-skinned reptile and a face that was more serpentlike than manly. They were a sad but fearsome sight.

They were doomed, and there was no redemption available to them. The moment they rebelled against God, their path to destruction was determined. They would suffer eternal punishment forever.

The demons surrounding Pastor Samuels’s home that night were among the fallen. They were followers of Satan, and he was their king. This night, he had sent them to destroy the new pastor who moved into town the day before.

They gathered in a large number, believing numbers would give them the strength to fulfill their master’s wishes. However, each time they tried to enter the pastor’s home, they were met by a barrier they couldn’t get through. Their inability to enter the house filled them with rage. If they weren’t able to fulfill their mission, their master would be upset, and they had no desire to face his wrath.

It was soon evident to them that God had placed a barrier around the pastor’s home. Even so, they hadn’t stopped trying to enter. Now to add to their frustration, here was a messenger angel who had come to give them grief.

In a voice that sounded like thunder booming, the angel spoke. In the name of Almighty God, you are commanded to leave this place and never return. The ground on which you stand is holy. The Almighty sanctified it and the man you wish to destroy. He belongs to God, and his soul was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. He is a servant of the Almighty, and you cannot have him.

By the authority of Almighty God, you are commanded to leave. If you refuse, you will face the wrath of God tonight.

One of the demons, a giant who stood well over ten feet tall, stepped out from the horde of demons. As he walked toward the angel, he drew his gigantic sword from its sheath. His face was already grotesque, but because of his anger and frustration, he looked even uglier and fiercer than before.

This giant was one of Satan’s most trusted generals. He was big and he was mean. He numbered among the fiercest of all of hell’s demonic warriors. Many messengers had fled from him in terror in the past, but for some reason, this messenger was refusing to move.

In a voice that sounded like steam escaping a leaking steam pipe, the demon spoke. We take our orders from no one but Lord Lucifer. If you desire to see tomorrow, you better turn around and head in the other direction. Lucifer claimed this human’s soul, and we’re here to take possession of it. There is nothing you can do to stop us.

The messenger stood his ground, refusing to move from the spot where he stood. He stared at the demons with no sign of fear or weakness.

This wasn’t what the demon expected. He expected the angel to back down or run away. This angel confused him. A messenger wasn’t a warrior and drew their swords only on rare occasions such as a ceremony. He never saw one act like this one. As a result of the angel’s actions, the demon stopped, holding his sword and trying to make sense of what was going on.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning streaked through the sky. First, one, then another and another appeared until seven bolts of lightning streaked through the night. There was something different about this lightning. It wasn’t normal lightning.

Often, in the skies over Texas, heat storms were seen and heard in the sky. However, in a heat storm, the lightning streaked across the sky. This lightning was centered on a precise spot next to where the messenger was standing.

Suddenly, standing next to where the angel stood were seven of God’s mighty warrior angels. The moment the demonic army failed to heed the orders of God, the warriors were dispatched. They were there to enforce God’s will and to protect the shepherd.

They arrived at the speed of light, riding the back of a lightning bolt. The moment their feet touched the ground, they drew their swords. Without any hesitation, they started advancing toward the demons. The messenger stood where he had been since arriving. He never pulled his sword and would not unless the warriors needed him. He would stand aside and let the warriors do what they were trained to do.

As the warriors advanced, the demons attacked. The giant was the first of the demons into the battle. He was met by the first of the warriors and quickly defeated. Soon, all warriors were engaged in battle.

When a sword of a demon and a sword of a warrior touched in the battle, lightning flashed in the sky. The sounds that were made by the battle were that of thunder rolling in the sky. Anyone who heard the battle would associate it with nothing more than an electrical storm. The sounds generated and the lightning flashes were seen and heard over a large part of Texas. Meteorologists announced over the radio and TV that what the people were seeing was only a weird electrical storm. There was no need for them to fear or take cover as no tornados were brewing in the sky. The battle continued.

There were over fifty demons present. Some of them had claws and some of them had fangs. These tried to bite or rip the angels apart. Some had swords and some had spears. They tried to hack or pierce the angels in order to kill them.

With there being so many demons and only seven warriors, one would have thought the demons had the advantage. After all, they outnumbered the angels more than seven to one. Even so, the angels still had the upper hand. They were stronger and quicker than the demons and were able to overcome their adversaries quickly.

When an angel pierced a demon with his sword, the demon dissolved into nothing. As he dissolved, he was forced from this world into the bottomless pit where he would await the final judgment of God.

In a matter of minutes, all the demons were gone, and only the angels remained. They were unscathed and unharmed, not once touched by a demon’s sword, spear, or claw. They were as strong and powerful as they had been before the fight began. The sky, which had been filled with thunder and lightning, was now clear, and the stars were shining brightly.

Without their uttering a word, the warriors left, returning to heaven like they came, riding on the back of a lightning bolt. The messenger watched as they returned, wishing he was heading back to heaven with them, but he had one more mission to complete before he left.

Standing in the pastor’s yard, he raised his hands toward heaven and started praising God. He praised him for the warriors’ victory. He praised him for keeping him safe. He praised him because he was God. Then he turned toward the pastor’s house and started walking silently toward it to where he was to fulfill the second half of his mission.

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The barrier that prevented the demons from entering Pastor Samuels’s home didn’t affect the angel. As a messenger of God, he was able to pass through it as if it didn’t exist.

Silently, he walked through the wall. Making no sound, he climbed the stairs and entered the pastor’s bedroom. There, he found Moses Samuels on his knees pouring his heart out to God. Silently, he crossed the room and stopped next to where the man was kneeling. He listened as Moses prayed then gently placed his hand on the man’s head.

The moment the angel’s hand touched him, Moses stopped praying. Around him appeared a glow that engulfed him. He started speaking in tongues and praising God. A feeling of peace and calm overwhelmed him, filling his body and soul with awe. Never had he felt as close to God as he did at that moment. The more power that was transferred to him, the more he praised God.

The angel kept his hand on Moses for twenty minutes during which time, power, and peace flowed into the man. Then he removed his hand, and the glow and the feeling ended. He left the room in the same way he had come, through the wall. He had not spoken a word or made even the slightest sound. He was completely invisible, but the presence of God was surely in that place, and the power and strength of the Lord had been transferred to Moses.

TWO

L ucifer sat on his golden throne dressed in one his finest red robes. He was awaiting a report from one of his scouts. He had to know if the troops he sent to destroy the new pastor in Henrick were successful. As he waited, he nervously drummed his fingers on the arm of the throne. Several of his attendants tried to calm him, but nothing seemed to help.

Hours went by. Night on earth turned to day. Yet Lucifer heard nothing from his army. He called to one of his spies and ordered him to go to Henrick and check on his army. He had to know what happened.

Three hours passed before the spy returned and slithered through the doorway of Lucifer’s throne room. He was hesitant to approach the throne knowing Lucifer wouldn’t like what he had to report. He hid behind a rock pillar and waited, hoping Lucifer wouldn’t see him, but his efforts were in vain.

Lucifer saw him crouching behind the pillar. He shouted at the top of his demonic lungs. Get in here, you worthless worm! I want your report and I want it now, and it better be what I want to hear.

The spy crawled across the floor of hell and stopped before Lucifer’s throne. He refused to raise his head or even look upon his master. He lay on the floor of hell with his eyes closed tightly and his face pressed to the floor.

Lucifer shouted so loud that the walls of his kingdom shook. His shouting caused a massive earthquake to start on the surface of the earth. He shouted again, ordering two of his guards to pick the idiot up and make him talk. Again, the ground on the earth shook with an aftershock.

Two massive guards picked up the spy. They held him up between them, making him stand up before Lucifer.

Lucifer glared down at the spy. Give me your report, or I will destroy you where you stand. What happened to my army? Why haven’t they reported to me? What is the fate of the preacher I sent them to destroy?

The spy, shaking like the last remaining leaf on a tree in a windstorm, began to speak. Lord Lucifer, almighty leader, god of the world—

I didn’t ask you to kiss up to me. I want your report! shouted Lucifer, his eyes bulging and his face a dark shade of purple. I’m about fed up with you. SPEAK, YOU WORTHLESS SLIME! Again, the surface of the earth shook.

With fear in his eyes and his voice trembling as much as he was, the spy spoke. Lord Lucifer, your army failed you. They were defeated by the host of heaven and dispatched to the pit. None of your army remains to report back to you. The preacher is alive and gaining strength from the Almighty with each passing moment. Please don’t destroy me. I’m only reporting what you sent me to find out.

Lucifer stared at him with hate in his eyes. Why should I let you live? What are you worth to me? I sent you to learn what happened to my army and the man they were sent to destroy. You brought me bad news. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Why shouldn’t I kill you?

The spy was scared badly; he was about to faint. Never had he been scared this much. Not even when he stood before Almighty God and received his sentence for following Lucifer had he been this scared.

Lord Lucifer, I have served you faithfully. I always report to you what I find when you send me on a mission. I did exactly what you told me to do. Please spare me. I will do anything you desire me to do, but please, let me live!

You are worse than a maggot. I ought to stomp you to pieces with my foot, but because you have been faithful, I’ll let you live for a while until I decide what I want to do with you. Guards, get this trash out of my sight. Throw him in a holding cell until I can determine what I want to do with him. Now be gone, all of you.

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The guards dragged the spy out of the room, leaving Lucifer to fume in silence. He rose from his throne and started pacing back and forth across the floor of hell. God blocked my efforts. Who is he to stop me from doing what I want to do? That preacher has to be stopped. I don’t know why he’s in Henrick, but nothing good can come from it. I have worked too hard corrupting those people to have one of God’s preachers disturb them.

Guards, get in here! he shouted. Again, the surface of the earth trembled. Several guards came in and positioned themselves before Lucifer. Call a meeting of my advisors. Have them assembled in the Hall of Meeting in ten minutes. Go and collect them for me.

Fifteen minutes later, Lucifer strutted into the meeting hall. He was flanked by his bodyguards and several scribes. The scribes were there to record the proceedings for posterity. The meeting room was full. Every advisor in the kingdom was present. They stared at Lucifer, waiting for him to speak.

Gentlemen, he said. "I have heard some discouraging news. I sent fifty men, under the leadership of a trusted general, to Henrick. I sent them there to destroy Moses Samuels. As you may recall, he was a pastor in Richmond, Virginia, who caused us to lose many souls we had corrupted. He stole them from us and gave them to God.

Several days ago, this Moses Samuels left Richmond and moved to Henrick. I sent an army to destroy him before he had a chance to cause trouble with our followers. My army didn’t kill him, and the preacher still lives. We’ve invested too much time and effort in Henrick to allow this preacher to mess things up for us. What do you propose that we do?

The advisors sat around the table thinking and pondering over the words of Lucifer. Many ideas were suggested and voted down. The debate continued for several hours. The only solution they could think of was the need to destroy the preacher and get rid of him. It was suggested that they might use the same strategies on him they had used on other preachers in the past. They could entice him with an ungodly woman. They could plant drugs on him or get him to start using drugs again. They could corrupt him with riches or by some other means.

Lucifer glared at them, his yellow eyes showing the contempt he had for them. "This preacher isn’t like other preachers. He believes completely in God. He’s unwilling to bend or give in to corruption. He refuses to make any decisions without consulting God and getting his approval.

If we are to have an opportunity to corrupt him, we’ll have to be patient and watch him closely. When he shows any signs of weakness, we’ll move in and destroy him. To this, they all agreed.

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The meeting adjourned, and Lucifer went back to his throne room. Guards! he shouted. Bring the prisoner to me.

Two guards left the throne room to retrieve the spy. They dragged him kicking and screaming before Lucifer and threw him to the floor.

Lucifer hissed at him, Arise, you worthless bag of cow dung.

Slowly, the spy got to his feet and stood before Lucifer. He refused to look at him until asked to do so.

I’ve made a decision. I’m not going to kill you. Instead, I have a job for you.

When the spy heard this, he stood a little straighter and looked directly at Lucifer. Anything you desire me to do, I will do, master. Your wish is my command.

I will probably regret it, but I want you to go to Henrick and watch the preacher. Stay out of sight and report to me what you see and learn. I want to know everything about him. Find out who he’s associated with and what they’re planning. Find a fault in him, some flaw or weakness, so we can tear him apart. Anything you find, report it immediately. Your life depends on your service to me. If you fail, I will destroy you.

Your wish is my command, sire, said the spy. I will watch him and report back to you as ordered. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to serve you.

Get this worthless scum out of my sight, ordered Lucifer. The guards picked up the spy and threw him out the door.

Outside, the spy thanked his lucky stars that Lucifer spared him. Then he started on his journey to Henrick, where he was to watch the preacher and look for any signs of weakness he could find.

THREE

M oses had never experienced anything like what he had experienced that morning. Words could not explain what he felt. The experience made him feel as though he was in the presence of God and surrounded by his holiness. It had been the next best thing to being in heaven itself.

When the messenger entered his room, the battle was over, and all the demons had been dispersed to the pit. However, long before the battle had started, Moses had fallen to his knees to pray. At eleven o’clock, he had gone to bed but was awakened around one. There was a burden on his heart he couldn’t explain, so he got out of bed and down on his knees to pray it away.

There had been similar incidents that happened to him in the past, and like this time, he had gotten out of bed and down on his knees to pray. What transpired this time was similar to the others, yet it was very different. He awakened with a burden on his heart, knowing that God was calling him to pray about something yet had no idea what he was to pray for.

He did not know that angels and demons were fighting outside of his window. He did not know that Lucifer had sent demons to destroy him. He did not know that God had sent angels to save him. He didn’t know that an angel had come into his room to empower him for the difficulties he would face in the days to come.

Moses was aware of the electrical storm outside. He had heard thunder and had seen the lightning flashing while he was on his knees. What he didn’t know was that while he was praying, the battle had erupted. Unbeknown to him, his prayers and praises to God gave the warriors the strength they needed to overcome the demons and dispatch them to the pit.

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After what had happened to him, there no way he could go back to sleep. He was tingling all over, from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. Never had he felt as alive as he had that moment.

The dial on the alarm clock read 4:30 a.m. It was too early to get up, but there was no way he could get back to sleep. Never had he prayed as hard or as long as he had this morning. Never had he felt a burden as heavy as this had been. Never had he felt as much joy and peace as he felt at that moment.

Well, he thought, I might as well take a shower and get dressed. The sun will be up in an hour or so, and I want to drive through Henrick. Maybe then I can determine why God wants me here.

After showering and getting dressed, he picked up his Bible and went downstairs to the kitchen. After setting up the coffee pot, he sat down at the bar on the only bar stool he had. That stool was the only seat in the entire house, but hopefully his furniture would be here soon, and he could furnish the rest of the house.

Picking up his well-worn Bible, he held it by the binding and let it open to where it would. This was a daily ritual for him, letting the Bible fall open and trusting God to show him what to read. This morning, it opened to the Psalms. The first scripture that caught his eye was Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore will not we fear. As he continued reading the passage, he read, Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Leaving the Bible open, Moses bowed his head to pray. "Lord, what is it that you want me to see, and what is it that you want me to learn from this particular passage? Why was my heart burdened so this morning, and why do you want me in Henrick?

"I am your servant, Lord, and I desire only to do your will. You are my refuge and my strength. Since the day I met you, you have always been my companion. There has never been a time I have not felt your presence, but this morning was special. I’ve never felt your presence as I did then and still do. Let me experience your presence in that manner again. It was awesome.

"I want to thank you for the many blessings you’ve bestowed upon me. I want to thank you for the new life you’ve given me, and I want to thank you for taking a worthless sinner and changing me into your image and likeness.

"My Lord and my God, may your name be exalted upon this earth, even as it is in heaven. I ask that you give me the opportunity to lift your name and exalt you in this place where you have called me to be.

"I love you with all my heart, and I desire to serve you for the rest of my life. Fill me with your Spirit, and use me as an instrument of your grace. Amen."

Shortly after finishing his prayer, the coffee pot beeped. After preparing a bowl of cereal and filling his coffee mug, he sat down to enjoy his breakfast. He left his coffee black, no cream or sugar—black, strong, and tasty—that’s the way he liked it. As he sipped the coffee and ate his cereal, he tried to make sense of what had happened.

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It was during the wee hours of the morning that he had awakened with the burden on his heart. Things like this had happened before, and always, he’d prayed until the burden lifted. However, this time was different. When he awoke this morning, he had been terrified. He had a feeling of extreme dread, as if he was in the presence of a great evil. He felt as though he was smothering and couldn’t get his breath.

Just getting out of bed and down on his knees was almost more than he was able to accomplish. His mind had been fuzzy and his joints had been weak. His first thoughts had been I’m having a heart attack. However, he wasn’t having any chest pains or discomfort around his heart.

Where had the fear come from? Many times in the past, he had faced fear, but this fear was different. It was something he couldn’t explain.

When he had finally gotten to his knees and started praying, the fear left him. As he continued to pray, the burden lifted, and his breathing returned to normal. Before long, he was pouring out his heart to God in prayer. He prayed for the town and for the people living there. He prayed against the evil overshadowing the town and for all the people that were affected by it. There had to be a reason for what he felt.

Maybe it had something to do with the town. Maybe it was because of the stories he heard when he stopped to eat at a truck stop outside of town. Maybe it was things he’d seen when he drove into town the previous day for groceries. Something caused it; what it was, he had no idea.

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Only three days ago, he was living in Richmond, Virginia. Two weeks earlier, God told him in a dream that he was to leave Virginia and move to a place called Henrick, Texas. It took him a great deal of effort and determination, but here he was. He made it. What little furniture he owned was somewhere en route between Richmond and Henrick on a moving van he’d hired to move them here. As of yet, he’d heard nothing from them.

Shortly after he arrived in Henrick, he purchased several items to get by with. At a secondhand store, he purchased a mattress, one barstool, a coffee pot, several bowls, and some coffee mugs. At least he would be able to sit at the counter to eat, read his Bible, and drink coffee. Hopefully the moving truck would show up soon, and he could get on with his life—that is, if he could figure out what God wanted him to do with his life.

Thankfully, he brought several things with him in the car. Among them were several changes of clothes, his Bible, and his laptop computer. Everything else was on the moving van en route somewhere.

He had driven cross-country in his well-worn 1989 Honda Civic with 250,000 miles logged on the odometer. The paint was faded, and it had several dents in the body. The interior was worn and the radiator leaked. Several friends had told him the car would never make the trip, but he had placed his trust in God and the old car did fine.

The car had actually started acting like a new one. It handled better, the engine was tighter, and it hadn’t missed or sputtered even once since he left Richmond. To his surprise, the radio had started working. It hadn’t worked since the day he bought the car three years ago.

Now two days after leaving Richmond, he was in Henrick. The only things he had in the house were the things he brought with him in the car and the few things he purchased at the secondhand store. He had no idea where his furniture was or when it would arrive.

Shortly after arriving in Henrick, he met with the realtor. He signed the necessary papers, and after the paperwork was done, the realtor shook his hand and handed him the keys to the house. He was now the owner of a house in a place he didn’t know existed a month ago.

The house was far from being new. It was built in the early fifties, but it looked to be solid. It was a two-story bungalow with four rooms and a bath downstairs and two bedrooms and a bath upstairs. There was plenty of room for an office, a spare bedroom, and a lot of storage space.

He had purchased the house, sight unseen, from an online realtor a week before he left Richmond. The house was going to need a little work and some tender loving care, but that was OK. He was absolutely sure that he was where God wanted him to be.

FOUR

T he messenger stood before Almighty God, humbled in his presence but proud to report a job well done. Father, the mission you sent me to fulfill has been completed. Moses Samuels is empowered, and the demons are gone from him.

Thank you, my son, replied God. I received a report from the warriors when they returned. They told me that the demons had been dispersed and all was well. They also told me of the great courage you displayed while in the presence of the demons. You are to be commended for your bravery.

It is you, Father, who is to be commended. It is you, the ruler of all heaven and earth, whom we are to respect and obey. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to serve you. Blessed be your holy name.

Thank you, my son. When you were with the preacher, what did you sense in him? Was there any weaknesses or doubt in his heart?

No, Father. I felt only dedication to you, more so than I have seen or felt or seen in any other. He is much like the Moses of old, dedicated totally and desiring only to serve you. I have not felt such dedication in a human in the past five hundred years. He’s your man, replied the angel.

"He will