Chapter 3

The Spirit’s Power and Satan’s Pursuit

“… behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”–Luke 22:31

Escaping death should have ended the battle, but in reality, it marked the beginning of a deeper war—the kind fought in the realm most people never see. I had walked through the gates of death, brushed past the flames of Hell, stood in the arms of Jesus, and been sent back with divine orders.

But Satan doesn’t give up what he once had without fighting back.

My soul was on fire, but my body was still reeling from the trauma. My flesh was frail, my nerves were raw, and my heart was struggling to accept what I’d been through. Despite my newfound faith, I needed time to heal physically and find a haven.

That’s when Alex stepped in—sent by God, calm, gentle, and firm. He had the build of a warrior, yet the heart of a priest. I only knew him briefly, but even in that short time, I could tell he was something special.

Unlike others who had toyed with my emotions or taken advantage of my vulnerabilities, Alex lived by godly convictions. He didn’t just quote Scripture to impress—he embodied it.

“I’d like you to come stay at my house,” he said, as the doctor released me from the hospital. “Just until you feel stronger again. I’ll be nearby if you need anything. You’ll be safe at my place.”

Under normal circumstances, I would have been hesitant. But something about the way he said it—genuine, no pressure, no hidden agenda—put me at ease. I accepted with a sense of peace.

When we arrived at his house, it was just as I had imagined—quiet, tidy, and filled with a sense of calm. Before I went to bed, we read from the Psalms and prayed together. His voice was steady and strong.

He quoted from Psalm 27:1:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Tears welled up in my eyes. For the first time in years, I felt a sense of safety.

Resting in the Calm

Alex offered me the pull-out sofa bed in his living room before he headed to his bedroom. The soft moonlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, creating a silver path across the floor. As I lay down, I could still feel the heaviness of Heaven on my soul—the warmth of Jesus’ embrace, the light, the peace, and the love that filled every part of me.

I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer of gratitude to God, saying, “Thank You for not letting Satan win.”

Sleep came peacefully. But Satan doesn’t sleep, and the battle wasn’t over.

The First Attempt

It started with a vibration.

It was a quiet, still house, and the room was peaceful—until the door just a few feet away started to rattle. At first, it was a gentle vibration, like a breeze, but then it grew stronger, sounding like someone was trying to rip it off its hinges.

I suddenly sat upright.

Darkness had taken over the room, not just a lack of light but a heavy, almost physical darkness. An unsettling spiritual presence had crept into the air, like something coldly gripping it.

And then—I saw him again.

Satan.

There was no mistaking his form. I had seen him before, during my descent. This was the same creature, but now his rage was out of control. His twisted body pressed against the door from outside. Tall, gaunt, and hairy, his oversized hands clawed at the frame, nails like talons scraping against the brick wall. His eyes—pointed at both ends—glowed red like fire. His snout-like nose sniffed the air for weakness, and his guttural, venom-filled voice seeped through the door.

“You’re mine. You belong to me. I’ll have you tonight.”

My mind went blank. My heart was racing. My body felt like it was on autopilot. But I had a sudden realization.

Jesus. The power of that name flowed through my spirit.

As I opened my mouth to scream, Alex burst into the hallway and into the living room.

He’d heard it, too. It wasn’t a dream, and he was ready for battle. Me too.

Alex the Intercessor

Without hesitation, he reached for his Bible on the side table, flipping it open with ease and speaking with fervor: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17)

His voice echoed with authority through the air. His words were like life preservers, keeping me afloat in the darkness. As he recited Scripture, the shadows receded, as if some unseen force was pulling back.

“Satan wants you back,” Alex said with conviction.

He continued, “But he can’t reach you unless you give in to him. And I’ll help you fight that.”

His words weren’t just comfort—they were reminders. I’d seen Satan defeated. I’d heard Jesus speak. I knew the truth.

After we prayed, the door fell silent.

As the air cleared, I had a hunch he wasn’t done yet. Everything just felt too easy.

Deep Reflections

After a bit, Alex offered to stay up just in case the attacks continued. I met his gaze, filled with worry, and said, “No. I have to do this.”

It wasn’t pride. It was a purpose.

It wasn’t just a physical or emotional fight — it was a spiritual confrontation. I had to stay firm in the faith Jesus had given me and declare, one last time, that Satan no longer controlled my life.

As I settled back into bed, I reflected on how far I’d come.

Not too long ago, I was a lost, vulnerable woman seeking security in the arms of broken men. The abuse, manipulation, and spiritual bondage caused by LaCount and his mother’s witchcraft had taken a heavy toll on me. The stalking, isolation, and emotional manipulation constantly reminded me of the damage that had been done.

But what now?

Now I’m a woman who’s seen Jesus—a woman shrouded in light, saved from Hell, and chosen for a purpose.

Yes, I still had some healing to do.

Yes, I still had a lot to learn, but fear was no longer driving me.

With my eyes closed, I whispered, “I trust You, Lord.” A sense of calmness returned, and I drifted back to sleep.

Endless Pursuit

When Satan strikes, it’s never without a reason. He targets the chosen, the anointed, those brave enough to challenge the gates of Hell. That night, I knew I was one of them.

Jesus had chosen me for Himself, and the devil was furious about it.

After Alex and I prayed through the initial attack at the front door, I realized I had to face the next one alone—not because I wanted to be alone, but because I needed to stand firm. I needed to live out the truth I now held.

Devil had no hold over me, and I wasn’t giving him any power.

So, I curled up and fell asleep again. But peace, as I was discovering, does not come without its challenges.

The Second Attempt

It began with a rumble overhead, followed by a heavy thud, then a scraping noise, and finally another louder thud.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

…

FROM THE AUTHOR:  Continue reading in The WAR For Every Soul to find out what happens next…. https://www.amazon.com/War-Every-Soul-Encounters-Spirit/dp/0979567548

© Anita Hackley Lambert. Excerpted from The War for Every Soul: True Near-Death Encounters in the Spirit Realm. Used by permission.