Statement by the poster of this letter who goes by the name Data
Junkie. "I came across this beautiful letter online Saturday from a
prisoner in China, held for being a Christian. With this past week's
arrest in China of 130 Christians was it? as well as their moving into
Sudan to conquer the Christian resistance, I find the 1997 letter
invaluable into showing us the true story behind today's
headlines:"
Quote:
November 14, 1997 From Prisoner 354-B9
To My American cousins in Christ,
It's frigidly cold here this morning. My cell is unheated and I cannot
feel my legs. This is a blessing. Today I will be beaten and tortured
before breakfast and I will not feel the pain as much. Numbness from
the cold makes the tortures bearable. I will have to remember to
scream on que so as not to upset the guards. I wonder if they are as
bored with my cries as I am with their beatings? In prison, everything
becomes routine, even torture.
I prayed for you again. I have much time on my hands here and
thankfully no blood. I once heard a rumor that the churches in America
each had a complete Bible of their very own. Could such a thing be
true? Once at a house church meeting, just before my last arrest - how
many years has it been? - I actually held a page of Scripture in my
own hands and was allowed to read it to the church. I myself was
holding the Word of God. I knew then that I was favored of the Lord.
Such a great honor.
In my dream today I went to Heaven again and one of the Splendid Ones
spoke with me about you. He showed me the great Russian bear - not at
all dead as you have supposed - hibernating, rejuvenating, readying to
attack you. Her sharp paws were unsheathed ready to slice and maul you
into submission.
"Why do they disarm? " I asked.
The Splendid One replied, "They are at ease in Zion but soon will
be at ease no more."
"I do not understand," I replied a bit confused.
"Many saints of the West have become wealthy and do not know that
they are really wretched and poor and miserable and blind and naked.
They usually equate the blessing of God with having money. They do not
know of His true riches," said the glorious being.
Then Jesus Himself entered the place where we were talking. All bowed
low and worshipped but I wept bitterly. Though He knew the answer, he
asked me why I wept so. "Lord," I said, "Your
sufferings only lasted a few days and mine have gone on for years. I
have suffered much more than you. Why?"
With a great compassion, He seemed to look right through me (I felt
him do this). He said, "Son, I have allowed you to sip suffering
in small swallows so that your faith would not fail. I swallowed the
dregs of the poison of sin whole. It was a torture you could never
understand and it would have undone you. You have drank of my cup. Be
patient a while longer."
I begged his forgiveness. His hand raised only to wipe my tears away
and he held me close in understanding. I breathed in the perfume of
His grace which seemed to fill me with new Life.
I awoke.
My dear cousins, you are not prepared for the sufferings to come. Lose
this world now and let its claims on you fall away. If you gain Christ
you will lose nothing important.
Not long ago I saw my reflection for the first time in years from a
medicine chest in the infirmary. My teeth have rotted and I look
decayed. My once handsome face is etched with pain. I look like a
corpse straining to draw breath. The doctor gave me hot water to drink
for my illness - we have no medicines here. It helped a little.
I felt so sad for myself and was glad my mother was dead. My condition
would have killed her. As I headed back to my cell, the Holy Spirit
said, "Don't despair. I will show you as you look to me."
I suddenly saw my image reflected in the ice. The bumps of the icicles
took the lines away and I looked young and alive again. The best part
was the snow. It gave the impression that I was dressed in a white
robe of righteousness like the saints in heaven wear. It was
delightful!
My smiles shock the guards. I can only explain that He is with me.
Dear American cousins, we are praying for you so that when night
crashes on your land, and it soon will, your faith will not fail. Put
the Cross back in your Gospel preaching and prepare your people to
carry it or they will fall away.
It is very cold here. I am praying for a blanket or some rags to keep
warm with.
He is with me.
Signed,
A nameless prisoner
His ambassador in chains
