More thoughts on the mystery of 3 a.m.
by Michael H. Brown
We received literally dozens of letters over the weekend on the mystery of 3 a.m. -- whereby so many Christians seem to awake at the stroke of that hour. Just about everyone felt it was a call to prayer, often for God's mercy (see previous story and also a sample of the letters). Why is three a.m. significant? It has often been called the "witching" hour, and is the end of what I'm told are nightly witchcraft rituals. Many feel a dread or demonic presence and pray to chase it away. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is marshalling His forces. Others believe that in ancient times a day was 12 hours long and that Christ thus rose from the dead at 3 a.m. on Easter morning -- an intriguing idea and if true one that would show His breaking the power of evil at that hour.
I can't remember all the times I've heard people say that such and such monumental event or vision or whatever happened at precisely 3 a.m. There are famous visions that occurred at that specific time, some that seemed good, some that did not seem holy. I remember seven years back when folks were passing around photos said to be Christ appearing at 3 a.m. to a seer in Africa. The problem was in the eyes, which looked neon red -- catlike -- and threatening. A clergyman tied into these events was recently removed from the Vatican.
I have seen other instances of dubious visions occurring at this time, although let me hasten to add that there have also been those that seemed authentic. As I mentioned, 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. is when satanists, reversing all that is good, declare a holy time (as we do between 12 and 3 p.m.)
We'll continue to try and get to the bottom of it.