Publication date
6/1/19
Volume
40
Number
11
The WatchTower
Who Will Gain the Victory?
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1919/11/1919-11-1.html
 
 
 
 
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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