Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue (29 page)

1. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
   

2. This ancient battle represents the time when the angel Lucifer rebelled against God and convinced one-third of the angels to fight with him. (See Isaiah 14:12–14 and Revelation 12:3–4, 7–9.)
   

3. In the Bible, angels are usually depicted in a warriorlike form and sometimes equipped with swords (Genesis 3:24; Numbers 22:22–23). Although they may “go undercover” and appear as humans, in their angelic form they have wings (Exodus 25:18–20; Isaiah 6:1-5). Their appearance often causes great fear in the people who see them (Luke 1:11–13, 19). Conversely, our culture often depicts angelic beings in very unbiblical ways—as babies with wings or as sensual fairylike creatures.
   

4. Psalm 37 and Jeremiah 12:1–4, 14–17 both say that the wicked will prosper for a time but that ultimately only those who are faithful to God will have a future of promise.
   

5. Malco is short for malcontent or discontent. Escapism ultimately causes people to become discontent in the real world and the challenges we must face.
   

C
HAPTER
15

1. The word
   esca
   comes directly from the stronghold in this book, escapism. Romans 6:12–14 warns us to not let sin control us. Ephesians 5:18 also warns against letting wine or drink (forms of escapism) control us.
   

2. These are video games, Internet usage, romance novels, alternate-reality games, television and movies, alcohol, gambling, and drugs, to name a few.
   

3. Sin is tempting because it appeals to our flesh. The Bible tells us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear and that with each temptation He will make a way for us to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must look for that avenue of escape and take it. Remember that according to Romans 6, we are free from the power of sin because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can be and are victorious through Christ! (See also 1 John 5:4.)
   

4. In addition to those depicted in this book, consequences may include laziness and apathy when operating in the real world; losing valuable relationships with family, friends, and most important, Jesus Christ; losing jobs; wasting time, money, energy, and talent.
   

5. In Jude 9, the angel Michael is battling with the devil and rebukes him in the name of the Lord. In Luke 8:26–31, demons controlling a man recognize Jesus and cry out fearfully in His presence. In Mark 9:38–39, Jesus tells His disciples not to forbid others from casting out demons in His name.
   

6. Carliss was never deceived because she knew the Prince and His truth. She also understood about the great battle that was raging for the lives of fellow Arrethtraens.
   

7. In the letters to the church, there are multiple exhortations for believers to overcome. See Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; and 21:7.
   

C
HAPTER
16

1. Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the L
   ORD
   run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
   

2. Some examples are Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Isaiah 35:4; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10; and 2 Timothy 2:1.
   

3. As people become more enamored with the lifestyle of escapism, they invest more of their time, finances, and emotions in their chosen avenue of escape. This provides more resources for those who offer these activities to expand their influence to others. The cycle continues to grow as more people and resources are added.
   

4. The Life Spice represents eternal life.
   

C
HAPTER
17

1. The book of Psalms has many verses addressing this. One example is Psalm 34:17: “The righteous cry out, and the L
   ORD
   hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
   

2. This is the Prince, and His words come from Hebrews 9:22.
   

3. We frequently forget who we are and the power we have in Jesus. We often need to be reminded that we are sons and daughters of God! Read John 1:12.
   

C
HAPTER
18

1. Sometimes we are moving too much or are too distracted with media or activities to hear the Lord’s call. When we purposely
   eliminate distractions in life, we are better able to focus on hearing His call (Psalm 46:10). Rest of answer based on personal experience.
   

2. The ancient text that told about the esca lizard in
   chapter 6
   also mentioned the morning star. The passage in Revelation uses this symbolic name for the power of Jesus Christ, given to those who overcome.
   

C
HAPTER
19

1. Hebrews 13:5 says that God will never leave us nor forsake us. During those times when we feel we have no real options, we should not rely on our emotions but on the Bible and the Holy Spirit. Wise counsel from godly friends or mentors can also help. Rest of answer based on personal experience.
   

C
HAPTER
20

1. First John 5:5 says that simply believing that Jesus is the Son of God enables us to overcome the limitations of a fallen world.
   

2. Often it seems that evil prevails, and we wonder why God and His mighty angels do not stop the evil, but this can be because Christians are not rising up to answer God’s call to prayer and action. Often, revival starts with one man or woman who is motivated by the Holy Spirit and acts in obedience. Supporting verses include James 5:16; Ephesians 6:12; and 2 Corinthians 10:4.
   

3. Moses, Gideon, David, Esther, Elijah, Joseph, Ruth, Joshua, and many other biblical men and women accomplished great things despite their unfavorable situations. God works in this way so it is obvious that God is the one who should receive the glory for the victory.
   

4. Carliss is referring to the war between God and Satan, which will finally end at the last battle when Satan and his demons are cast into the lake of fire. See Revelation 20:10.
   

C
HAPTER
21

1. John 3:19–21 explains that evil hates the light because the light exposes its wickedness.
   

C
HAPTER
22

1. Any time we try to fix our sin simply by changing how we act, we aren’t addressing the true source of the problem: our heart. Rest of answer will vary with experience.
   

C
HAPTER
23

1. The hawk Spirit represents the ways the Holy Spirit may work to bring protection, wisdom, insight, and even prophecy into our lives.
   

C
HAPTER
24

1. We should forgive others without limit (Matthew 18:21–22). God commands us to forgive and promises to respond to us as we respond to others (Matthew 6:14–15; Mark 11:25–26). Rest of answer based on personal experience.
   

2. He does this to affirm in our hearts that He truly is Lord of our lives and that nothing is more important than Him. However, in this He blesses us—not always in the ways we wanted or expected, but always abundantly, beyond what we can ask or imagine (see Ephesians 3:20).
   

3. Perfection will be experienced on the day the King creates a new perfect kingdom. This represents the future when God establishes His new heaven and new earth.
   

A common temptation for many young people is to escape into a world of fantasy. This escapism has many forms, many of them made possible by a proliferation of technology in our society. Video games, romance novels, movies, Internet alternate-life sites, and role-playing games are just a few of these common escapist pastimes.

Although an occasional, temporary reprieve from the challenges and hardships of this world can be a harmless relief, escapism can easily become a powerful stronghold in a person’s life. This can become a serious problem even for believers. The list of negative consequences includes discontentment, laziness, apathy, disobedience, rebellion, stealing, lying, deviant behavior, even suicide.

In
Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue
, I have used allegory to depict the dangers of letting escapism overtake one’s life. Young men and women both face this temptation. They can become discontent with school, parents, privileges, jobs, relationships, relationship status, and much more. Only when we completely trust in the Lord and in His good will toward us and make the choice to face our real circumstances and problems do we find peace, contentment, and true joy in whatever condition we are in.

Lady Carliss was a devoted Knight of the Prince who had to face this battle and overcome it, just as each of us must overcome certain battles in our lives. By her faithfulness and desire to live a pure life (thirsting for righteousness)—and with the help of the Prince and those He sent to her—she was victorious.

It is my earnest prayer that all who read this book will take hold of the victory that Jesus has already won and live victoriously for Him.

But holdfast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

“He shall rule them with a rod of iron;

They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels”

—
as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star
.

—R
EVELATION
2:25–28