"Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2

In 1976 and 1977 New York City was terrorized by a series of satanic murders. The entire nation was rivited to those bizarre occultic crimes attributed to the "Son of Sam." In time, David Berkowitz, age 24, was arrested for this historic crime spree. Much evidence has revealed that David was steeped in Satanism and participated in rituals in which members of a devil worship helped to commit those crimes. David Berkowitz and other cult members were calling on demons to come into them to empower them to kill. This is the account of God's more than amazing grace reaching into the depraved, dark world of David Berkowitz, freeing him from his torment, giving him forgiveness, eternal life and bringing him into God's wonderful family.

Samhain is an ancient Druid name for one of the highest ranking demons. This demon demanded human sacrifices, especially at certain times of the year, such as halloween. This is where the moniker, "Son of Sam" came from. David in his delusion, believed he was a solder for this demon, "Sam".

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalms 9:1,2 "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

I Was So Vicious and Destructive, I Often Caused Considerable Property Damage Like the Psalmist says in one of the above passages, I must truly thank my wonderful God for His abundant love, grace and mercy. You see, since my childhood I have been tormented and victimized by demons. During all of my childhood and for much of my adult life, cruel demons had control of me.

But thanks be to Jesus Christ, I was able to be restored in my right mind. There was a time in my life when I was living in complete rebellion against God. I was so wicked that I was actually worshipping the devil and I was involved with Satanism. Looking back at all that has happened to me, it is no surprise that I fell into such depravity

Let me tell you what some of my life was like when I was just a small child. When I was little I would often have fits in which I would roll on the floor and knock over furniture. My mother (who has long since passed away) would have no control over me. I was so vicious and destructive that I often caused considerable property damage. When I was in public school, I was so violent and disruptive that a teacher once grabbed me in a headlock and threw me out of his classroom. I was so much trouble that my parents were ordered by the school officials to take me to a child psychologist every week. But this had no effect.

When I was young I would get so depressed that I used to hide under my bed for hours. Then at other times I would lock myself in a closet and sit in total darkness from morning until afternoon. I craved the darkness and felt an urge to flee away from people. I Recall A Force That Would Drive Me Into the Darkened Streets Other times I would wake up in the middle of the night, sneak out of the house and wander the streets. I recall a force that would drive me into the darkened streets, even in inclement weather, where I roamed the streets like an alley cat in the darkness. Sometimes at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning I would sneak back into the house the same way I left, by climbing the fire escape. My parents would not even know that I was gone.

I continually worried and frightened my parents because I behaved so strangely. At times I would go an entire day without talking to them. I'd walk around our apartment talking to myself. My parents knew that I lived in an imaginary world, but they could do nothing about it. From time to time I would see my parents break down and cry because they saw that I was such a tormented person.

Thoughts of suicide plagued me continually. I was so depressed and haunted that I would also spend time sitting on the window ledge of my bedroom with my legs dangling over the side. My parents would yell at me to get in, but I seldom listened to them. I would feel such an urge to push myself out the window that my body would tremble violently. And we lived on the 6th floor! I Was So Wild, Mixed-up And Crazy I Barely Hung on to My Sanity My mom and dad tried to bring me up as best as they could.

They loved me and gave me everything that good parents would give to their only child. But I was so wild, mixed-up and crazy that I could barely hang on to my sanity. Even when I would walk down the streets there always seemed to be a force that would try to make me step in front of moving cars. I was overwhelmed with thoughts about dying. And I wasn't even a teenager! I had no idea what to do, and neither did my parents.

They tried to raise me in the Jewish faith, but they knew nothing about Jesus, the Messiah of Isaiah 53. Many of the things that happened to me might shock some people. But none of this was a shock to the Lord.

In His day, when our Savior walked among humanity, cases of children being victimized and possessed by evil spirits was very common. (Mark 7:24-30 and 9:17-29)

In fact, childhood possession cases still happen today. But modern psychology tends to dismiss these disturbed children and blame their problems on some type of organic brain damage, or family problems, or something within the child's environment, etc. There were a few times in my life when I was at a stage of equilibrium. I managed to finish high school even though most of the time I was truant or in trouble. I also spent three years in the Army. I was honorably discharged in 1974. But even in the service I had problems.

I Felt as if I Were Being Pulled Along by a Powerful Force.  In 1975 I had become heavily involved with the occult and witchcraft. Looking back I cannot even begin to explain how I had gotten involved. It seemed that one day everything magically fell into place. Books about witchcraft seemed to pop up all around me. Everywhere I looked there appeared a sign or symbol pointing me to Satan. It felt as if a mighty power was reaching out to me. I had no peace of mind. I felt as if I was being pulled along by a powerful force. I had no idea how to fight it, and to be honest, I didn't try to. Why? Because things just seemed to be falling into place in a supernatural way.

To someone who has never been involved in the occult, this could be hard to understand. But for people who have been involved, they know full well what I am referring to. The power leading me could not be resisted, at least not without Jesus.

But I had no relationship with the Lord Jesus at this time, and so I had no defense against the Devil. A Sentence of More Than 300 Consecutive Years "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44).

Well, he certainly lied to me! For during the years 1976 and 1977 I had been lied to and deceived. And as a result of listening to him, I wound up in prison with a sentence of more than three hundred consecutive years. I was charged with six murders and a number of other shootings and crimes. (David was guilty of 3 of the 13 shootings).

When I first entered the prison system I was placed in an isolation cell for a while. Then I had been sent to Marcy Psychiatric Center. Eventually I went to Attica and Clinton prisons, and finally ended up where I am now, at the Sullivan Correctional Facility. As with many inmates, life in prison has been a big struggle. I have had my share of problems and hassles. At one time I almost lost my life when another inmate cut my throat.

Yet through all this God had his loving hands on me. I Cannot Thank Him Enough For All He Had Done For Me Over the years I have met a number of men who had accepted Christ. Many of them tried to witness to me. But because of the extent to which the Devil had me bound, it was very hard for me to truly understand the gospel. However, about 1987 I did accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. And today I cannot thank Him enough for all He has done for me.

Presently the Lord is using me to teach Bible studies in the chapel, as well as to give words of encouragement during our services. In addition, I have the authorization to work with the men whom the Department of Correctional Services has labeled `mentally disturbed' or who are `slow learners'. I have been able to counsel these troubled people and help them with some of their spiritual and physical needs.

Also, in 1993 I was able to appear on a national television program called Inside Edition where I was able to share with millions my previous involvement with Satanism as well as my faith in Christ. I have been on the 700 Club and my story has been printed in national media, video testimonies are also available of what the Lord has done in my life.

The Lord allowed me to establish a missionary outreach to Africa, Israel, Russia and Romania sending countless Bibles and Christian literature to needy churches. To work on these overseas projects is my greatest joy.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in the Old Testament book of Micah the prophet. This passage has become to me something of my love song to the Lord. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sins and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago." Micah 7:18-20

I believe that we are now living in a time the Bible calls the "last days." The time for repentance is running out. Soon the doors of heaven will be closing. I want to urge everyone who has not turned to Jesus Christ for salvation, to do so now.

Don't delay! Society is seeing an increase in demonic activity at this time. Tens of thousands of people are under intense pressure. Life in America has never been harder. About five thousand young people under the age of 21 commit suicide every year. Thousands more are addicted to drugs and alcohol. These young people are dying from overdoses of alcohol and drug related accidents. Tens of thousands of people have minds and spirits that are tormented. For many, they are at the breaking point. We are a nation in chaos and crisis.

It Is Time to Accept Jesus Christ

Lastly, I thank Jesus Christ who loves us all. "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom of priests, to serve His God and Father -- to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." Revelation 1:5,6

David prayed the same prayer that I did or anyone who is saved. You can pray it, too. With a sincere, repentant heart pray:
"Come into my heart Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner, I believe You are the Risen, Living Lord and I call on You to be my Savior. I need You and I cannot make it to heaven without You. Thank You Jesus for saving me right now!"