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YOLo
XL
PITTSBURGH,
PA.,
.JUNE
1,
1919
:'\0.
11
SATAN
AND
OUR
LORD
OUR
ENEMIES
When
.Jesus
had
emerged
fmll1
the
wilclPrncss
after
his
If
we
inquire,
Who
are
our
enemies,
the
answer
is,
They
forty
days
fast
and
Satan
rp('og-niz<>d
that
he
wa~
th('
promised
are
legion.
Our
arch-enemy,
however,
is
Satan
the
devil.
In
seea'
he
sought
by
various
means
to
destroy
him.
God
faet
he
is
the
great
enemy
of
mankind.
It
is
true
that
he
thw~rted
all
Satan's
purposes,
but
when
,Jesus'
was
crucified
often
advocates
what
seems
to
be
a
righteous
cause,
yet
his
Satan
probably
thought
he
had
accomplished
his
purpose.
He
real
purpose
is
ever
and
always
evil.
He
often
masquerades
must
have
been
disappointed
a,nd
chagrined
whpn
.Jesus
arose
under
a
robe
of
righteousness,
which
cloak
hides
his
wicked
from
the
dead.
Evidently
Satan
then
first
began
to
recog
purpose.
He
ha.s
ever
put
forth
error
for
truth,
attempting
to
nize
the
fact
that
the
promised
seed,
"the
seed
of
the
woman,"
make
the
truth
appea.r
as
though
it
were
error
and
eITor
~
is
the
Christ,
head
and
body.
This
is
proven
by
the
fact
that
though
it
were
truth.
Many
have
seen
the
.effects
of
hIS
throughout
the
'Gospel
age
the
adversary
bas
endeavored
by
regime
and
have
looked
forward
to
a
better
tIme,
but
have
various
means
to
destroy
the
church-the
faithful
followers
of
not
known
the
real
cause
nor
the
divine
remedy.
The
poet
the
Master.
thus
expresses
it:
St.
Peter
gave
warning
to
the
church,
his
words
seem·
"Truth
forever
on
the
scaffold;
ingly
written
for
the
very
close
of
its
earthly
caree;:
"Be
sober,
be
vigilant;
because
your
adversary
the
deVil,
as
a
Wrong
forever
on
the
throne.
roaring
lion
walketh
abou~
seeking
.whom
he
may
devour,.w~om
But
that
scaffold
swa.ys
the
future,
resist,
steadfa.st
in
the
faith,
knowmg
that
the
sa.me
afflictIOns
And
within
the
dim
unknown
are
accomplished
in
your
brethren
that
are
in
the
world".
(I
Stands
the
form
of
Christ
the
Savior,
Peter
5:8
9)
The
Apostle
emphasizes
the
word
"sober",
Keeping
watch
around
his
own."
meaning
-t~
be
calm,
possessing
sobriety
of
mind.
He
further
Because
wrong
has
so
lcmg
triumphed
over
truth.
millions
calls
attention
to
the
desirability
of
being
vigilant
in
our
have
fallen
in
despair.
They
have
not
appreciated
the
cause
watching,
and'
of
conducting
our
resistance
of
Satan
with
of
the
battle
and
what
will
be
the
result.
But
the
Christian
steadfastness
in
the
faith-"the
faith
once
delivered
to
the
who
has
been
privileged
to
see
and
a.pprecia.te
God's
plan
and
saints."
It
follows
that
one
who
takes
an
opposite
course
[6437]
(163)
"'hen
the
words
of
this
text
were
written
the
new
creation
was
unknown,
except
to
.J
ehovall.
He
had
made
provision
thprpfor
in
hi,s
plan
before
the
foundation
of
the
world.
The
prophets
of
old
diligently
inquired
concerning
this
plan,
but
it
was
not
his
due
time
to
revpal
it.
Thc
angels
of
heaven
sean'hed
and
desired
to
look
into
it,
but
to
them
also
was
it
hiddcn.
It
has
pleased
the
Lord
to
disclose
the
various
fea
turps
of
his
plan
from
time
to
time
to
membcrs
of
the
new
rreation.
"The
path
of
the
just
is
as
the
shining
light,
that
shineth
morc
and
more
unto
thc
perfect
day."
(Proverbs
4:18)
\Vith
light
comes
responsibility,
thereforc
corresponding
tests
and
trying
experiences.
The
words
of
our
text
were
spoken
by
Hanani,
the
seer,
to
Asa,
king
of
Judah,
neither
of
whom
had
opportunity
to
hecome
IIlpmbers
of
the
new
creation,
because
they
lived
and
died
before
the
beginning
of
the
church
class.
The
words
of
the
text,
however,
announce
a
fixcd
principle
or
governing
law
of
conduct
which
.Tehovah
has
ltrranged
for
the
benefit
of
all
of
his
intclligent
creatures
with
whom
hc
deals.
Ilis
govern
ing
laws
of
conduct
or
principles
do
not
change,
because
God
is
unchangeable.
(Malachi
3:6;
James
1:17)
Jehovah
dealt
with
the
people
of
,Judah
and
Israel
for
many
centuries,
and
used
them
to
make
types
and
pictures
and
illustrations
for
the
bencfit
of
others
who
should
follow
after.
As
St.
Paul
puts
it,
all
these
things
occurred
to
them
typically
and
were
written
for
our
admonition
upon
whom
the
ends
of
the
ages
have
come.-l
Corinthians
10:
11,
Diaglott.
Clearly,
then,
the
principle
or
governing
law
of
conduct
announced
in
this
text
applies
to
the
members
of
the
new
creation
and
we
may
read
the
text
as
words
spoken
directly
to
the
church.
This
is
indeed
an
exceeding
great
and
precious
promise
to
the
new
creation.
What
does
it
mean
to
the
Chris.
tian?
It
means
almighty
wisdom
cnlisted
in
one's
behalf.
It
means
almightv
power
pledged
to
one's
help
and
protection.
It
means
to
bp
the
object
of
boundlpss
love.
To
the
saint
who
realizes
and
a.ppreciates
the
import
of
this
promise
it
is
a
great
comfort
of
heart.
PERILOUS
TIMES
Through
the
Scriptures,
and
through
the
instruction
thc
Lord
has
given
the
church
at
the
hands
of
his
"wise
and
faithful
servant,"
we
have
been
again
and
again
warned
aga.inst
the
times
of
peril
which
would
accompany
the
over
throw
of
Satail's
empire
and
the
setting
up
of
Messiah's
king
dom.
During
the
entire
period
of
the
selection
of
the
church
the
saints
have
suffered
many
trials
a.nd
ha.rdships,
but
the
Lord
has
permitted
them
a.1l
for
a
good
purpose.
It
was
the
grewt
Master
who
said
that
in
the
last
days
of
the
church's
earthly
pilgrimage
the
way
would
be
fra.ught
with
many
fiery
trials,
which
would
test
the
patient
enduro
ance
of
each
one
to
the
utmost.
He
further
sa.id
that
thosc
who
in
patience
possellB
their
souls
and
cheerfully
endure
unto
the
end
shall
be
saved-sueh
will
ga.in
the
victory.
"He
tha.t
endureth
unto
the
end
the
same
shall
be
saved."
(Ma.tthew
24:
13)
Thus
he
indicated
that,
while
the
trials
and
experi·
ences
would
be
severe,
yet
to
those
who
would
patiently
en·
dure
he
would
manifeet
his
presence,
his
aid,
his
comfort
and
strength.
WHO
WILL
GAIN
THE
VICTORY?
"Par
thc
eycs
of
the
Lord
run
to
ami
fro
throllllhout
the
whole
earth,
to
shew
himself
strong
in.
the
beh.alf
of
them
whose
heart
is
perfect
toward
him."-2
Chronicle_
lo:
9.
who
has
watched
the
unfolding
of
it
in
recent
years
secs
a
reason
for
this
conflict
and
sees
the
ccrtain
victory
in
it
and
rejoices
in
hopc
for
the
blessings
that
arc
coming
not
only
to
the
church.
but
to
all
mankind.
Wrong
is
represented
in
Satan,
the
Prince
of
Darkness,
and
right
is
personified
by
Christ
.Je;,n8,
the
great
Light
that
li,!!hteth
every
man
that
cometh
into
the
\\orld.
When
Jeho
vah
expelleu
Adam
and
Eve
from
Eden
he
bpoke
io
Satan,
who
had
deceivell
Motht'r
E,ve
and
causen
tilt'
downfall
of
man.
Faying:
"1
will
put
enmity
between
thee
[Sa
tan
1
and
the
woman,
between
thy
seed
and
her
seed,
and
it
shall
bruise
thy
head
and
thou
shalt
bruise
his
hel'l."
This
statement
of
Jehovah
seems
[,lainly
to
indieu-te
that
until
Satan's
overthrow
there
will
be
constant
warfare
bl'twef'n
him
and
his
agencies
and
all
the
ageneie<;
of
light
l'mploFd
to
thl'
glory
of
God
and
to
the
spreading
of
his
Word.
OOD
AN
ECONOMIST
The
Scriptnres
show
that
Satan
uses
many
agencies
or
instrumt'nts
for
carrying
out
his
purposes.
He
is
a
wily
and
Imbtle
foe,
and
his
course
is
calculated
to
deceive
all,
linn
will
deceivc
all
exccpt
the
"elect".
Thc
"seed
of
Satan",
as
the
Lord
most
clearly
showed,
is
~clesiasticism,
led
by
a
dis
honpst
clergy.
(.John
8
:44)
It
was
so
in
the
days
when
.Tesns
was
on
thc
carth
in
the
flesh.
It
is
so
now
when
Christ
is
prcsent
gathering
unto
him
his
"jewels".
The
"seed
of
the
woman"
is
thc
"seed
of
promise"--'the
offspring
of
the
Abra·
hamic
(Sarah)
covpnant,
which
is
the
Christ,
Jesus
anrl
the
church,
his
body.
I
Galatians
3:
16,
2fl)
By
and
through
this
800d
God
has
promised
to
bless
all
thc
familics
of
the
ea.rth.
Beforp
the
blessing
come"
howevpr,
this
seed
must
hruise
the
head
of
the
serpent,
Satan.
It
must
put
wrong,
on
the
scaf·
fold
and
lift
the
truth
to
its
proper
elevation.
God
is
a
great
economist.
Hc
causes
the
wrong
of
others
to
result
finally
to
his
own
glory
and
to
the
good
of
those
that
love
him.
\VD1ile
he
is
not
the
author
of
evil
he
pcrmits
it,
'ultimately
overruling
the
final
res~lt
for
g~.
By
permitting
evil
he
has
allowed
Satan
to
maDlfest
the
Wicked
depth.s
of
a
totally
depraved
character,
and
has
demonstrated
to
men
and
angels
the
baneful
effects
of
sin.
Those
who
have
fought
(Jon
the
side
of
right
and
truth,
who
have
fought
valiantly
and
faithfully
to
develop
a
character
pleasing
to
the
Lord,
and
continue
thus
to
the
end
of
their
oourse.
have
the
promise
of
the
great
reward
of
an
abundant
entrance
into
the
everlasting
kingdom
of
our
Lord
and
Savior,
Jesus
Christ.
It
was
evident
tha.t
Sata.n
thought
the
promised
seed
whieh
was
to
bruise
his
head
was
a
natural
seed,
hence
he
sought
to
destroy
everyone
who
seemed
to
him
a
possihle
s~.
He
caused
the
murder
of
Ahel.
When
God
had
made
promlse
to
Abraham
that
he
should
ha.ve
a
son
Satan
connived
at
the
deba.uchery
of
Abraham's
wife
that
he
might
thwart
God's
purpose.
\Vhen
the
promise
came
to
David
and.
he
was
anointed
king,
Satan
vainly
endpavorpd
to
destroy
hlm.
When
Mary
had
conceived
by
the
power
of
the
holy
spirit
and
wa.s
looking
forward
to
the
birth
of
the
llIan-child
Jesus,
Satan
Bought
to
ha.ve
her
put
to
death
under
thc
terms
of
the
:M0
saic:
law.
Vou. XL PITTSBURGH, PA., JUNE 1, 1919 No. 11 WHO WILL GAIN THE VICTORY? “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong im the behalf of them whosc heart is perfect toward him.”—2 Chronicles 16:9. When the words of this text were written the new creation was unknown, except to Jehovah. He had made provision therefor in his plan before the foundation of the world, The prophets of old diligently inquired concerning this plan, but it was not his due time to reveal it. The angels of heaven searched and desired to look into it, but to them also was it hidden. It has pleased the Lord to disclose the various features of his plan from time to time to members of the new creation. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18) With light comes responsibility, therefore corresponding tests and trying experiences, The words of our text were spoken by Hanani, the seer, to Asa, king of Judah, neither of whom had opportunity to become members of the new creation, because they lived and died before the beginning of the church class. The words of the text, however, announce a fixed principle or governing law of conduct which Jehovah has arranged for the benefit of all of his intelligent creatures with whom he deals. His governing laws of conduct or principles do not change, because God is unchangeable. (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17) Jehovah dealt with the people of Judah and Israel for many centuries, and used them to make types and pictures and illustrations for the benefit of others who should follow after. As St. Paul puts it, all these things occurred to them typically and were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages have come.—1 Corinthians 10:11, Diaglott. Clearly, then, the principle or governing law of conduct announced in this text applies to the members of the new creation and we may read the text as words spoken directly to the church. This is indeed an exceeding great and precious promise to the new creation. What does if mean to the Christian? It means almighty wisdom enlisted in one’s behalf. It means almighty power pledged to one’s help and protection. It means to be the object of boundless love. To the saint who realizes and appreciates the import of this promise it is a great comfort of heart. PERILOUS TIMES Through the Scriptures, and through the instruction the Lord has given the church at the hands of his “wise and faithful servant,” we have been again and again warned against the times of peril which would accompany the overthrow of Satan’s empire and the setting up of Messiah’s kingdom. During the entire period of the selection of the church the saints have suffered many trials and hardships, but the Lord has permitted them all for a good purpose. It was the great Master who said that in the last days of the church’s earthly pilgrimage the way would be fraught with many fiery triala, which would test the patient endurance of each one to the utmost. He further said that those who in patience possess their soula and cheerfully endure unto the end shall be saved—such will gain the victory. “He that endureth unte the end the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) Thus he indicated that, while the trials and experiences would be severe, yet to those who would patiently endure he would manifest his presence, his aid, his comfort and strength. OUR ENEMIES Tf we inquire, Who are our enemies, the answer is, They are legion. Our arch-enemy, however, is Satan the devil. In fact he is the great enemy of mankind. It is true that he often advocates what seems to be a righteous cause, yet his real purpose is ever and always evil. He often masquerades under a robe of righteousness, which cloak hides his wicked purpose, He has ever put forth error for truth, attempting to make the truth appear as though it were error and error as though it were truth, Many have seen the effects of his regime and have looked forward to a better time, but have not known the real cause nor the divine remedy. The poet thus expresses it: “Truth forever on the scaffold; Wrong forever on the throne. But that scaffold sways the future, And within the dim unknown Stands the form of Christ the Savior, Keeping watch around his own.” Because wrong has so long triumphed over truth, millions have fallen in despair. They have not appreciated the cauge of the battle and what will be the result. But the Christian who has heen privileged to see and appreciate God’s plan and [6437] who has watched the unfolding of it in recent years sees a reason for this conflict and sees the certain victory in it and rejoices in hope for the blessings that are coming not only to the church, but to all mankind. Wrong is represented in Satan, the Prince of Darkness, and right is personified by Christ Jesus, the great Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. When Jehovah expelled Adam and Eve from Eden he spoke to Satan, who had deceived Mother Eve and caused the downfall of man, saying: “I will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman, between thy seed and her seed, and it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Thig statement of Jehovah seems plainly to indicate that until Satan’s overthrow there will be constant warfare between him and his agencies and all the agencies of light employed to the glory of God and to the spreading of his Word. GoD AN ECONOMIST The Scriptures show that Satan uses many agencies or instruments for carrying out his purposes. He is a wily and subtle foe, and his course is caleulated to deceive all, and will deceive all exeept the “elect”. The “seed of Satan”, as the Lord most clearly showed, is ecclesiasticism, led by a dishonest clergy. (John 8:44) It was so in the days when Jesus was on the earth in the flesh. It is 80 now when Christ is present gathering unto him his “jewels”. The “seed of the woman’ is the “seed of promise’—the offspring of the Abrahamic (Sarah) covenant, which is the Christ, Jesus and the church, his body. (Galatians 3:16, 29) By and through this seed God has promised to bless all the families of the earth. Before the blessing comes, however, this seed must hruise the head of the serpent, Satan. It must put wrong. on the scaffold and lift the truth to its proper elevation. God is a great economist. He causes the wrong of others to result finally to his own glory and to the good of those that love him. While he is not the author of evil he permits it, ‘ultimately overruling the final result for good. By permitting evil he has allowed Satan to manifest the wicked depths of a totally depraved character, and has demonstrated to men and angels the baneful effects of sin. Those who have fought on the side of right and truth, who have fought valiantly and faithfully to develop a character pleasing to the Lord, and continue thus to the end of their course, have the promise of the great reward of an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was evident that Satan thought the promised seed whieh was to bruise his head was a natural seed, hence he sought to destroy everyone who seemed to him e possible seed. He caused the murder of Abel. When God had made promise to Abraham that he should have a son Satan connived at the debauchery of Abraham’s wife that he might thwart God’s purpose. When the promise came to David and he was anointed king, Satan vainly endeavored to destroy him. When Mary had conceived by the power of the holy spirit and was looking forward to the birth of the man-child Jesus, Satan sought to have her put to death under the terms of the Mo saie law. SATAN AND OUR LORD When Jesus had emerged from the wilderness after his forty days fast and Satan recognized that he was the promised seed, he sought by various means to destroy him. God thwarted all Satan’s purposes, but when Jesus was crucified Satan probably thought he had accomplished his purpose. He must have been disappointed and chagrined when Jesus arose from the dead. Evidently Satan then first began to recognize the fact that the promised seed, “the seed of the woman,” is the Christ, head and body. This is proven by the fact that throughout the Gospel age the adversary has endeavored by various means to destroy the church—the faithful followers of the Master. St. Peter gave warning to the church, his words seemingly written for the very close of its earthly career: “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”. (1 Peter 5:8, 9) The Apostle emphasizes the word “sober”, meaning to be calm, possessing sobriety of mind. He further calls attention to the desirability of being vigilant in our watching, and‘ of conducting our resistance of Satan with steadfastness in the faith—‘“the faith once delivered to the saints.” It follows that one who takes an opposite course (163)
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