The Holy War Lesson 3. Goals To gain a greater understanding of the spiritual warfare in which we...

The Holy WarThe Holy War

Lesson 3Lesson 3

GoalsGoals• To gain a greater understanding of the To gain a greater understanding of the

spiritual warfarespiritual warfare in which we are engaged. in which we are engaged.

• To develop a greater awareness of the To develop a greater awareness of the methods employed by Satan.methods employed by Satan.

• To deepen our appreciation for the To deepen our appreciation for the grace of grace of GodGod in saving sinners. in saving sinners.

• To learn more about ourselves through To learn more about ourselves through empathizing with Mansoul empathizing with Mansoul (Mansoul = me)(Mansoul = me)

Key QuestionsKey Questions

• What primary Bible passages What primary Bible passages come to your mind as you read come to your mind as you read this assignment?this assignment?

• To what degree does the story To what degree does the story accurately depict Bible teaching?accurately depict Bible teaching?

Week 3Week 3

News carried to ShaddaiNews carried to Shaddai

toto

Diabolus doubles his guardsDiabolus doubles his guards

SynopsisSynopsis

Tidings are brought to Shaddai, Tidings are brought to Shaddai, and He announces his plans and He announces his plans

against which Diabolus makes against which Diabolus makes preparation.preparation.

Synopsis (continued)Synopsis (continued)

• Tidings are brought to ShaddaiTidings are brought to Shaddai• ““to a very circumstance.”to a very circumstance.”

• Sorrow in the courtSorrow in the court

• Shaddai and Emmanuel confirm their plansShaddai and Emmanuel confirm their plans• Emmanuel to make amendsEmmanuel to make amends

• Emmanuel to make warEmmanuel to make war

• The plans are published abroadThe plans are published abroad• Joy in the courtJoy in the court

• Tidings outrun the proclamationTidings outrun the proclamation


• Diabolus’ makes a fourfold counter-Diabolus’ makes a fourfold counter-planplan

1.1. To keep the news from MansoulTo keep the news from Mansoul

2.2. To put them under a new oathTo put them under a new oath

3.3. To debauch the town even moreTo debauch the town even more• That they might grow weaker and less able to That they might grow weaker and less able to

believebelieve

• That Shaddai might change His mindThat Shaddai might change His mind

4.4. To lie about Shaddai’s intentionsTo lie about Shaddai’s intentions


• Diabolus outfits the Mansoulians with Diabolus outfits the Mansoulians with armor for battlearmor for battle• Helmet of Hope of Doing WellHelmet of Hope of Doing Well

• Breastplate of Iron-heartednessBreastplate of Iron-heartedness

• Sword of the TongueSword of the Tongue

• Shield of UnbeliefShield of Unbelief

• Spirit of Dumbness and PrayerlessnessSpirit of Dumbness and Prayerlessness

• He doubles the guards at the gateHe doubles the guards at the gate

• The people practice for warThe people practice for war

DiscussionDiscussion

The whole man was corrupted at the fallThe whole man was corrupted at the fall

ImpudentImpudent

BlackmouthBlackmouth

Hate-ReproofHate-Reproof

Scorn-TruthScorn-Truth

Slight-GodSlight-God

RevengeRevenge

Mr. Vile-AffectionMr. Vile-Affection

(deputy)(deputy)

Lord Will-be-willLord Will-be-will

Carnal-LustCarnal-Lust

(daughter of Mr. Mind)(daughter of Mr. Mind)

Mr. Mind (clerk)Mr. Mind (clerk)

Lord UnderstandingLord Understanding

Mr. ConscienceMr. Conscience Forget-GoodForget-Good

Lord LustingsLord LustingsMayorMayor

RecorderRecorder

Image of ShaddaiImage of Shaddai

No-TruthNo-Truth

Sweet-sin holdSweet-sin hold - - Governor Love-fleshGovernor Love-flesh – in the market place – in the market place

Midnight holdMidnight hold - - Governor Love-no-lightGovernor Love-no-light – by the old castle – by the old castle

DefianceDefiance - - Governor Spite-GodGovernor Spite-God - by the Eye-gate - by the Eye-gate

Law of ShaddaiLaw of Shaddai

Discussion: Change of PerspectiveDiscussion: Change of Perspective

• Where is Shaddai?Where is Shaddai?• Why has he not intervened?Why has he not intervened?• Is He aware that the town has fallen?Is He aware that the town has fallen?• How will He respond?How will He respond?

For 2 chapters we have been focused on Diabolus’ For 2 chapters we have been focused on Diabolus’ perspective and that of the townsmen.perspective and that of the townsmen.

They have impugned His character and portrayed Him as They have impugned His character and portrayed Him as helpless and ignorant.helpless and ignorant.

We are left with some nagging questions:We are left with some nagging questions:

Discussion: Change of PerspectiveDiscussion: Change of Perspective

• They bewail the losing of MansoulThey bewail the losing of Mansoul

How do Shaddai and His court respond to the public report How do Shaddai and His court respond to the public report of Mansoul’s fall as she is reported as being “once famous, of Mansoul’s fall as she is reported as being “once famous, but now perishing”?but now perishing”?

What lessons might we learn from Shaddai’s response to What lessons might we learn from Shaddai’s response to Mansoul’s sin?Mansoul’s sin?

• How we should respond to sin ourselvesHow we should respond to sin ourselves• How much sin runs contrary to God’s purposesHow much sin runs contrary to God’s purposes• God’s grief over sin is an active grief. He responds to meet God’s grief over sin is an active grief. He responds to meet

man in his deep need.man in his deep need.


• The omniscience of GodThe omniscience of God• His knowledge of all things that are His knowledge of all things that are • His knowledge of all things that will beHis knowledge of all things that will be

Though the report came publicly and appeared to be news Though the report came publicly and appeared to be news in Shaddai’s court, it was not new to Shaddai and His Son. in Shaddai’s court, it was not new to Shaddai and His Son. What Bible doctrine does Bunyan highlight with the What Bible doctrine does Bunyan highlight with the following teaching?following teaching?

““only the King and His Son foresaw all this long before, yea, and only the King and His Son foresaw all this long before, yea, and sufficiently provided for the relief of Mansoul, though they told not sufficiently provided for the relief of Mansoul, though they told not everybody thereof”everybody thereof”

““when the King and His Son . . . consulted about what they had when the King and His Son . . . consulted about what they had designed before”designed before”

1 Corinthians 2:7-81 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.crucified the Lord of glory.


• Revelation 3:18Revelation 3:18 Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

• Isaiah 53:5Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

• I Peter 1:18-20I Peter 1:18-20 Knowing that you were ... redeemed with Knowing that you were ... redeemed with precious blood, as of a precious blood, as of a lamblamb unblemished and spotless, the unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of foreknown before the foundation of the worldthe world……

• Genesis 3:15Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.

The Godhead knew of the fall in eternity past and The Godhead knew of the fall in eternity past and counseled together as to how they would provide for counseled together as to how they would provide for man’s redemption.man’s redemption.

Can you think of any verses that support this?Can you think of any verses that support this?


• It would be recovered in such a way “that both the King It would be recovered in such a way “that both the King and his Son would get themselves eternal fame and glory and his Son would get themselves eternal fame and glory thereby.”thereby.”

• Emmanuel would “lay a foundation of perfect Emmanuel would “lay a foundation of perfect deliverance” from Diabolus and his tyranny.deliverance” from Diabolus and his tyranny.

• While upholding justice and equityWhile upholding justice and equity• He would take a journey into the country of UniverseHe would take a journey into the country of Universe• To make “amends for the follies of Mansoul”To make “amends for the follies of Mansoul”

• Emmanuel would make war upon DiabolusEmmanuel would make war upon Diabolus• Emmanuel would, “through…His matchless love,” bring Emmanuel would, “through…His matchless love,” bring

Mansoul into “a far better and more happy condition Mansoul into “a far better and more happy condition than it was in before it was taken by Diabolus.”than it was in before it was taken by Diabolus.”

What are the details and characteristics of the plan to What are the details and characteristics of the plan to recover Mansoul?recover Mansoul?


• All the nobles “were taken with the business”All the nobles “were taken with the business”• All were “wondering at the glorious design…between the All were “wondering at the glorious design…between the

King and his Son”King and his Son”• The “courtiers could scarce do anything…but they would The “courtiers could scarce do anything…but they would

mix, with the doing thereof, a noise of the love of the mix, with the doing thereof, a noise of the love of the King and his Son, that they had for the town of Mansoul.”King and his Son, that they had for the town of Mansoul.”

• The nobles were not “content to keep this news at court;” The nobles were not “content to keep this news at court;” but “themselves came down and told it in Universe.”but “themselves came down and told it in Universe.”

How does the court of Shaddai respond to the report of His How does the court of Shaddai respond to the report of His plans to take back the town?plans to take back the town?

They did this even though they did not know as yet the They did this even though they did not know as yet the exact part that Emmanuel would play.exact part that Emmanuel would play.


• I Cor. 1:24 I Cor. 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of Godthe wisdom of God..

• Luke 2:13-14 Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.men.

• I Peter 1:12I Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look intowhich things the angels desire to look into..

• Revelation 5:10-12 Revelation 5:10-12 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many many angelsangels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."and glory and blessing."

Can you think of any verses that allude to this response in Can you think of any verses that allude to this response in heaven to the plan of salvation?heaven to the plan of salvation?


After spending some time in Shaddai’s court, we are After spending some time in Shaddai’s court, we are directed once again to the diabolical cunning occurring in directed once again to the diabolical cunning occurring in the town.the town.

Upon learning that Shaddai knows of Diabolus’ successful Upon learning that Shaddai knows of Diabolus’ successful overthrow of Mansoul, Diabolus is afraid.overthrow of Mansoul, Diabolus is afraid. He reveals his insecurity by devising a fourfold strategy.He reveals his insecurity by devising a fourfold strategy.

What are the four parts of his strategy?What are the four parts of his strategy?


What does this stratagem say about Diabolus’ pretense What does this stratagem say about Diabolus’ pretense of providing the townsmen of Mansoul with liberty?of providing the townsmen of Mansoul with liberty?

Strategem #1 That the “news…should be kept from the Strategem #1 That the “news…should be kept from the ears of the town of Mansoul”ears of the town of Mansoul”

• Diabolus works to blind the minds of menDiabolus works to blind the minds of men• And aims to keep them blind (II Cor. 4:4)And aims to keep them blind (II Cor. 4:4)• He tries to keep the Word confined to as small a sphere as He tries to keep the Word confined to as small a sphere as

possible.possible.• God would have His Word run freely (II Thess. 3:1) God would have His Word run freely (II Thess. 3:1) • and dwell richly (Col. 3:16)and dwell richly (Col. 3:16)• Satan covets opportunity to snatch away seed before it can Satan covets opportunity to snatch away seed before it can

penetrate men’s ears (Matt. 13:19)penetrate men’s ears (Matt. 13:19)


““Thinking…that Shaddai had not power to absolve them from Thinking…that Shaddai had not power to absolve them from this covenant with death, and agreement with hell.”this covenant with death, and agreement with hell.”

From what passage is this language borrowed?From what passage is this language borrowed?

Strategem #2 That a “new oath” be imposed upon the Strategem #2 That a “new oath” be imposed upon the townsfolk “that they should never desert him”townsfolk “that they should never desert him”

Isaiah 28:15 (Speaking of the scoffers who were leading Judah)Isaiah 28:15 (Speaking of the scoffers who were leading Judah)Because you have said, Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact And with Sheol we have made a pact The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselvesourselves with deception." with deception."

This passage is followed by a passage (28:16) that speaks of This passage is followed by a passage (28:16) that speaks of Messiah’s ministry as the chief cornerstone.Messiah’s ministry as the chief cornerstone.


What are Diabolus’ goals with this strategem?What are Diabolus’ goals with this strategem?

Strategem #3 That a new piece of legislature be drawn up Strategem #3 That a new piece of legislature be drawn up that “gave license to all…to do whatsoever their lustful that “gave license to all…to do whatsoever their lustful appetites prompted them to do”appetites prompted them to do”

• That Mansoul might grow weaker and less able to believe or hopeThat Mansoul might grow weaker and less able to believe or hope

“The bigger the sinner, the less grounds of hopes of mercy.”“The bigger the sinner, the less grounds of hopes of mercy.”

• That Shaddai might change His mindThat Shaddai might change His mind

“might repent…of pursuing…their redemption”“might repent…of pursuing…their redemption”

and thus make their estrangement and punishment permanent and thus make their estrangement and punishment permanent like Shaddai had done with Diaboluslike Shaddai had done with Diabolus


Why might this stratagem prove effective?Why might this stratagem prove effective?

Strategem #4 That all be convinced “that Shaddai was Strategem #4 That all be convinced “that Shaddai was raising an army, to come to overthrow and utterly to raising an army, to come to overthrow and utterly to destroy this town of Mansoul”destroy this town of Mansoul”

• It would distort Shaddai’s intentionsIt would distort Shaddai’s intentions• It would predispose the people to misinterpret His wordsIt would predispose the people to misinterpret His words• It would nullify any offer by Him to extend mercyIt would nullify any offer by Him to extend mercy• It would ensure that the town stayed loyal to DiabolusIt would ensure that the town stayed loyal to Diabolus

““Blood, blood, nothing but blood is in every blast of Shaddai’s Blood, blood, nothing but blood is in every blast of Shaddai’s trumpet against poor Mansoul now.”trumpet against poor Mansoul now.”

But…But…

Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace Grace to you and to you and peace peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us blessed us with every spiritual with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose uschose us in Him before the foundation of the in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be world, that we would be holy and blameless holy and blameless before Him before Him In loveIn love He predestined us to He predestined us to adoption as adoption as sonssons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intentionkind intention of His will, to the praise of of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowedfreely bestowed on us in the on us in the BelovedBeloved. .

In Him we have In Him we have redemption redemption through His blood, the through His blood, the forgivenessforgiveness of our trespasses, according to the of our trespasses, according to the riches riches of His of His grace grace which He which He lavishedlavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His mystery of His will, according to His kind intentionkind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritanceinheritance, , having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were believed, you were sealed sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge pledge of our of our inheritance, with a view to the inheritance, with a view to the redemption redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope hope of of His calling, what are the His calling, what are the riches riches of the glory of His of the glory of His inheritance inheritance in the saints, and what is the in the saints, and what is the surpassing surpassing greatness of His power toward us greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the working of the strength of His might strength of His might

Ephesians 1:1-19


How does Diabolus’ armor compare to the Christian’s How does Diabolus’ armor compare to the Christian’s armor in Ephesians 6?armor in Ephesians 6?

SalvationSalvation Hope of doing wellHope of doing well

RighteousnessRighteousness Iron-heartednessIron-heartedness

Word of GodWord of God Wicked tongueWicked tongue

FaithFaith UnbeliefUnbelief

PrayerfulnessPrayerfulness PrayerlessnessPrayerlessness

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