Part 4 (1/2)
The dying drunkard, the fallen woman, and the suffering of the innocent are the evidences of Satan's failure rather than the realization of his purpose.
His own terrible sin before G.o.d would not be condemned in the eyes of the world, for it is that which they most idealize and praise. In his sin he aspired to that which is highest, and proposed to realize his ideal by his own self-sufficiency and strength. True, he has lowered his Creator, in his own mind, to a level where he supposes himself to be in legitimate compet.i.tion with Him, both for authority over other beings and for their wors.h.i.+p. Yet this unholy ambition and disregard for the Creator is a most commendable thing according to the standards of the Satanic order. In the language of the world, Satan is simply ”self made”
and every element of his att.i.tude toward his Creator is, as a principle of life, both commended and practiced by the world.
Though hiding himself, Satan has had the satisfaction, under limitations, of governing the affairs of men; and the delight, to a large extent, of receiving their wors.h.i.+p. The greatest care was taken in the law governing G.o.d's ancient people that they should not offer their sacrifices unto devils, which was the practice of surrounding nations (Lev. 17:7; Deut. 32:17). In violation of these special laws, Rehoboam inst.i.tuted special priests for the devils (II Chron. 11:15), while the wors.h.i.+p of devils, according to the New Testament, is to continue throughout the age: ”But this I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to G.o.d: and I would not that ye should have fellows.h.i.+p with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and the table of devils” (I Cor. 10:20, 21). ”And the rest of the men that were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not wors.h.i.+p devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and bra.s.s, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk” (Rev. 9:20).
Again: Satan's ambition is leading him to make this age of his special opportunity as near perfect as his wisdom and power will permit. And in this connection it may be noted that Satan's ambition was not to become a fiend, but rather to become _like_ the Most High. He will, therefore, strive for all that is moral and good: yet at the same time do all in his power to draw men from their natural reverence of G.o.d, that, in due time, they may acknowledge himself without fear. The Satanic ideal of this age is, then, an improved social order, a moral and cultured people, who are devout wors.h.i.+ppers of himself, though for the present they may imagine they are wors.h.i.+pping Jehovah through their empty religious forms and ceremonies, while they are really in a state of G.o.d-dishonoring unbelief, and all their thoughts are energized by Satan alone. The Satanic message for this age will be reformation and self-development, while the message of G.o.d is regeneration by the power of the Spirit.
Satan, in his imitation of the Most High, is also working toward a universal kingdom of morality and peace upon earth, which will be temporarily realized under the reign of the Beast (Rev. 13). The difference between Satan's ideal and the purpose of G.o.d, apart from the utter folly of the one and the glorious certainty of the other, is of both method and time. According to the Satanic program, the present order of society, with himself on the throne, is to be developed into an ideal brotherhood, in which all men will practice that which is moral and good. According to the program of G.o.d, this is an evil age of darkness and pollution, in which the folly of Satan and man is to be proven, and out of which He is to gather the heavenly people for His own name. The kingdom of righteousness is then to follow, being ushered in by Christ-enthroning and Satan-dethroning events. There will then be a perfect humanity and social order for ”all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest” and ”righteousness and peace shall cover the earth as the waters cover the face of the deep.”
The master pa.s.sion of Satan leads him, not only to strive for the success of his own projects, but also to wage an unceasing warfare against Jehovah. These two lines of activity are inseparable; for he cannot establish and develop his own kingdom, and, at the same time, permit his subjects to be translated out of his kingdom into another, especially when they remain in the midst as a living power and testimony against him. Nor can he reasonably allow the accomplishment of any of the projects of G.o.d; for it is predicted that at the completion of these his own doom will be at hand. The present time is, therefore, to Satan, the struggle for his own existence, as well as the realization of all that has been his ambition in the ages past. The warfare is no mere pa.s.sing amus.e.m.e.nt for him, for he, in desperation, is facing a terrible and awful judgment if he cannot succeed in his purpose.
The spectacle now presented to all enlightened beings of the universe, is that of a mighty celestial being, the G.o.d of the earth, who is by creation the full measure of perfection, both in wisdom and beauty, making his last and most desperate warfare, both to realize his own ambition and to thwart every movement of the Most High; knowing that in failure there is no ground for mercy, but only the terrible destruction that has been so long predicted. He knew when he formed this G.o.d-dishonoring purpose that it must either wholly succeed or he himself fall into terrible judgment. On the other side of the conflict there is perfect calmness and certainty as to the end, for the judgment and sentence are past; yet every true believer is implored to be instant in season and out of season in the present projects of grace, that the sufferings and separations of earth may be cut short in righteousness.
Well may believers study their own motives in service in view of these vastly differing programs; and question whether there is in them a humble willingness to co-operate in the present purpose of G.o.d in preparing the Bride for the returning King: or whether they have carelessly fallen in with the Satanic ideal, which rejects the coming Kingdom of Christ by an unholy attempt to establish the present kingdom of Satan.
The program of Satan, which the world calls ”optimistic” rests on the Satanic purpose of a reformed society: the program of G.o.d, which is called ”pessimistic” in that it discredits this age, rests upon the infinite wisdom, love and power of G.o.d; and is so certain and near that the believer is taught to watch, wait, and be ready for the first Divine movement toward this glorious end.
Chapter VII.
Satan's Methods.
The two great activities of Satan, already mentioned, are referred to in II Thes. 2:4 in connection with the Man of sin, who will be Satan's last and greatest manifestation. This being is spoken of as he ”who _opposeth_ and _exalteth_ himself above all that is called G.o.d, or that is wors.h.i.+pped.” These two activities are inseparable in that, while Satan is seeking to exalt himself above all that is called G.o.d or that is wors.h.i.+pped, he can keep his subjects or prolong his own existence only by an unceasing warfare in which he opposes himself against G.o.d.
Whether Satan now believes that he may yet succeed in spite of the decree of the Cross and the evident superior power of G.o.d, is not revealed.
It is still further revealed that the enmity of Satan is not only toward the person of G.o.d, from whom he has everything to fear, but also toward every true child of G.o.d. Too much emphasis cannot be placed on this fact. Satan has no controversy or warfare with his own unregenerate people, but there is abundant Scripture to prove that he makes unceasing effort to mar the life and service of believers. The motive for this effort is all-sufficient: they have ”partaken of the Divine nature” (II Pet. 1:4), and afford, therefore, a possible opportunity for Satan to thrust his fiery darts at the Divine Person. Thus the believer becomes a medium of connection between the Divine Person and the Satanic Order; for G.o.d literally loves the unsaved through the believer (Rom. 5:5): and on the other hand, the prince of the Satanic system, as well as many of his subjects, is seeking an opportunity for a thrust at the person of G.o.d. Several important pa.s.sages on the latter point may here be noted: ”These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jno. 16:33). ”Yea, and all that will live G.o.dly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim. 3:12). ”Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (I Jno. 3:13). ”Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (I Pet. 5:7-9). ”Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of G.o.d, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (literally, artifices) of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but again the princ.i.p.alities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:10-12 R.V.).
The teaching of these pa.s.sages clearly indicates the Satanic enmity toward the believer, and the believer's utter helplessness apart from the Divine sufficiency. They also reveal a degree of enmity which would result in the believer's life being crushed out, were it not for the evident answer to the prayer of Jesus: ”I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one” (Jno. 17:15). Certainly there is abundant reason for the believer to expect the fiercest opposition from the Satanic host in all his life and service; and faith alone insures his victory over the world.
The believer is also the object of the Satanic attack because of the great fact that unto him is committed the great ministry of reconciliation; that by his testimony both in life and word, and by his prayers, the facts of redemption may be given to the world; and if Satan can but cripple the believer's service, he accomplishes much in resisting the present purpose of G.o.d. No other explanation is adequate for the dark ages of Church history, the appalling failure of the Church in world-wide evangelism, or her present sectarian divisions and selfish indifference.
This blighting Satanic opposition can be detected in every effort for the salvation of the lost. It may be seen in the fact that no personal appeal is ever made to the vast majority even in this favored land; or, when an appeal is made, it is easily distracted or diverted into the discussion of unimportant themes. The faithful pastor or evangelist is most sorely a.s.sailed, every device of Satan being used to distort the one all-important message of Grace into something that is not vital. The evangelist's call for decisions is often c.u.mbered with that which is misleading or is a positive misstatement of the terms of Salvation; thus the appeal is lost and the whole effort fails. The action of Satan may also be detected in that a humble messenger who is loyal to Christ and His Salvation by grace alone, will be almost unheeded at the present time: while the vast throng will be found supporting that which is religious only in its externals, but which is, in reality, a gospel of morality and subtle denial of the redemption that is in Christ.
Again, the opposing power of Satan may be seen in the matter of Christian giving. Millions are given without solicitation for education, culture, and humanity's physical comfort, but real world-wide evangelization must ever drag on with its shameful limitations and debts. This warfare of Satan is even more noticeable in the believer's prayer life; this being his place of greatest usefulness and power, is subject to the greatest conflict. In this connection it may be stated safely that there is comparatively no prevailing prayer to-day; yet the way is open and the promises are sure. Then, also, if the believer cannot be beguiled into indifference or a denial of Christ, he is tempted to place an undue emphasis upon some minor truth, and, in partial blindness, to sacrifice his whole influence for good through the apparent unbalance of his testimony.
Satan's warfare against the purpose of G.o.d is still more evident in his direct hindering of the unsaved. Not only are they constantly blinded to the Gospel, but, when the Spirit would draw them, their minds are often filled with strange fears and distorted visions. Their inability to cast themselves upon Christ is a mystery to themselves, and nothing but the direct illuminating power of the Spirit in conviction can open their eyes and deliver them from their gross darkness.
Satan has always adapted his methods to the times and conditions. If attention has been gained, a complete denial of the truth has been made; or, when some recognition of the truth is demanded, it has been granted on the condition that that which is vital in redemption should be omitted.
This partial recognition of the truth is required by the world to-day, for, while the direct result of the believer's testimony to the Satanic system has been toward the gathering out of the Bride, there has been an indirect influence of this testimony upon the world which has led them to see that all that is good in their own ideals has been already stated in the Bible and exemplified in the life of Jesus, and that every principle of humanitarian sympathy or righteous government has been revealed in the Scriptures of truth. Thus there has grown a more or less popular appreciation of the value of these moral precepts of Scripture and of the example of Christ. This condition has prevailed to such a degree that any new system or doctrine which secures a hearing to-day must base its claim upon Scripture, and include, to some extent, the person and teachings of Jesus. The fact that the world has thus partly acknowledged the value of the Scriptures is taken by many to be a glorious victory for G.o.d; while, on the contrary, it cannot be proven that fallen humanity is any more inclined to accept G.o.d's terms of salvation than in the generations past.
It is evident that this partial concession of the world to the testimony of G.o.d has opened the way for counterfeit systems of truth, which, according to prophecy, are the last and most to be dreaded methods in the Satanic warfare. In this connection it must be conceded that Satan has really granted nothing from his own position, even though he be forced to acknowledge every principle of truth save that upon which salvation depends. Rather is he advantaged by such a concession; for the value and delusion of a counterfeit lies in its greatest likeness to the real. By advocating much truth, in the form of a counterfeit system of truth, Satan can satisfy all the external religious cravings of the world, and yet accomplish his own end by withholding that on which man's only hope depends. It is, therefore, no longer safe to blindly subscribe to that which promises general good, simply because it is good, and is garnished with the teachings of Scripture; for good has ceased to be all on one side and evil all on the other. In fact, that which is evil in purpose has gradually appropriated the good until but one issue distinguishes them. Part-truth-ism has come into terrible and final conflict with whole-truth-ism, and woe to the soul that does not discern between them. The first, though externally religious, is of Satan, and leaves its followers in the doom of everlasting banishment from the presence of G.o.d: while the latter is of G.o.d, and ”has promise for the life that now is and that which is to come.”
It is also noticeable that the term ”infidel” has, within a generation, disappeared from common usage, and that manner of open denial of the truth has been almost wholly abandoned. Yet the real Church has by no means lost her foes, for they are now even more numerous, subtle, and terrible than ever before. These present enemies, however, like the unclean birds in the mustard tree, have taken shelter under her branches, and, like the leaven in the pure meal, they are penetrating and appropriating her most sacred altars and inst.i.tutions. These vultures are fed by a mult.i.tude, both in the Church and out, who, in Satanic blindness, are committed to the furtherance of any project or the acceptance of any theory that promises good to the world or is apparently based upon Scripture; little realizing that they are often really supporting the enemy of G.o.d.
A counterfeit is Satan's most natural method of resisting the purpose of G.o.d, since by it he can realize to that extent his desire to be _like_ the Most High. Every material is now at hand, as never before, for the construction of those conditions that are predicted to appear only in the very end of the age. In II Tim. 3:1-5 one of these predictions may be found: ”This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of them that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of G.o.d; having a form of G.o.dliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Every word of this prophecy is worthy of most careful study in the light of the present tendency of society. The fifth verse is especially important in connection with the subject of counterfeits to the truth: ”Having a form of G.o.dliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Here it is stated that in these last days forms of G.o.dliness shall appear which, however, deny the power of G.o.d; and from these leaders the believer is warned to turn away. The important element in the true faith which is to be omitted in these ”forms” is carefully defined elsewhere in Scripture: ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of G.o.d unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. I:16). ”But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of G.o.d, and the wisdom of G.o.d” (I Cor. I:23, 24). Therefore, that which is omitted so carefully from these forms is the salvation which is in Christ. This is most suggestive, for ”there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,”