Surrounded by thugs

February 5, 2004

Personal Narrations

Joel Akin

Calgary, Alberta

I found myself in a school lot surrounded by 7-8 thugs, from very large to quite small. Each held a baseball bat. I stood in the middle of this circle of attack and around my neck was a fancy looking camera. Quite large actually. In my mind I was ready to take out the camera and saw myself swinging with it but God spoke to me and said, "Don't use it as a weapon unless they refuse to lay down their weapons."

Then one by one starting with the largest they took their bats and dropped them inside the cab of this huge crane. The smallest thug was so angry that he smashed his bat against the steel shell of the crane harmlessly. I went over to the operator to see if he was all right. He appeared to be snoozing totally unaware of what had just happened.

Dad had his theory about what the dream meant and I had mine. Both turned out to be wrong. So around 5:30 I lay down and by six I had full understanding.

 I just love the way God teaches me. He asks me questions. Dozens, sometimes hundreds in a night. It seems random and all over the board. But when He is done you have the answer and you have helped answer it. He tells me its the best method because I'm forced to think and it builds step by step on a solid foundation.

So God started out with a series of impossible questions and statements.

You are surrounded by men with weapons. They are all stronger then you. All you have is a camera as a weapon but it is not a weapon. You never have to use it. They all submit to you. Why?

These type of questions went on for awhile and I kept saying, "I don't have a clue." It was like a mystery. I've never been one on mysteries where someone was killed but this is different. I know that by the end of the night I'm going to have an answer because God is going to help me figure it out. He breaks it down, He shows me each element, what each purpose is for. Or should I say He asks the questions in a simple manner that I can answer and then continues asking questions. So I will simplify it for you by cheating and giving you the answer. The camera is a machine used to record images, memories or events that have happened. But when a cameraman goes out to war his side recognizes he is a noncombatant and his job is not to fight but to record for histories sake.

But God helped me understand this camera was different. It was not a permanent fixture and could be taken off but He said it is unlikely to be removed. He reminded me of when I was a photographer in college that I would not go anywhere without my camera. It was a permanent fixture of my office for the yearbook. I loved the job.

This camera is a little different and has far more significance. This camera is a record of my spiritual achievements and a badge of my spiritual authority. God said because I have overcome all spirits, as hard as this is for some to accept, in North America whether in the air, under the earth or on the earth, they must submit. They have no choice in the matter and if they refuse to recognize that authority then I have the power to use it as a weapon against them. How do I overcome them? By shouting, preaching, yelling? No.. By none of those things. By showing them I have a record of that overcoming through the blood of Christ, the power of the holy spirit and that relationship with God. I sought God above all things and each time I suffered an attack I did not deal with it personally but brought that to God. And now God has showed me that is the secret to overcoming. And the one question I've had. Do I need to attack them? And the answer is only if they do not submit and try to attack you personally. But from the largest to the smallest they submitted. At first I was surprised that the largest would submit first but it makes spiritual sense in a way. Its often the little things we ignore and don't bring before God. For example I have often felt irritated and figured it was lack of sleep. But God suggested I bring that before Him. I did a few days ago and believe it must have been a spirit because that chronic problem I've had for years seems to be missing lately. But how can this be? How can I go to people and tell them demonic spirits are causing all those negative problems in their life? They'll think I'm nuts. Ha. I can just imagine it too.

Anyway after learning the secret of the camera I had to go and tell dad that I had finally reached the place where I understood the disciples when they rejoiced, "Even the demons must submit." Except in my case we are including the strong man and all the other power sources in all of N. America.

But even more exciting for me is the knowledge God has given me and my relationship with Him. I now know enough to write a half dozen books. I was realizing this morning that I do not think or have the same dialogue in my mind as I once did. I realize I am now 'thinking' with authority. It is a freaky thing when you know where half the church is going wrong theologically. It is so powerful I can understand what mom and dad mean when they tell me I have to be careful I don't come across as arrogant. And it further explains why God is telling me I must be tempered first so I can learn to stand in my knowledge of who I am in Christ but more importantly, learn to speak and act in love. And now I know why if I go forward into ministry now I will break. I cannot handle love as yet and that, God says, will be because I need to show you my love, the love of a woman(marriage) and teach you how to love the people of this world.