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The Holy War

The Holy War. Made By King Shaddai Upon Diabolus for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World Or The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul. Lesson 1. Class Format. Week 1. Beginning to Opening of Ear-gate and Eye-gate to Diabolus. Introduction. John Bunyan (1628-1688)

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The Holy War

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  1. The Holy War Made By King Shaddai Upon Diabolus for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World Or The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul Lesson 1

  2. Class Format

  3. Week 1 Beginning toOpening of Ear-gateand Eye-gate to Diabolus

  4. Introduction • John Bunyan (1628-1688) • Written sometime during the first six years of his incarceration in Bedford Prison.

  5. Setting • Like Pilgrim’s Progress, setting and story told from the perspective of one recounting events that have already taken place. • But same story is occurring constantly in the lives of believers. • He employs his wealth of military experience (terminology and strategy)

  6. Goals • To gain a greater understanding of the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. • To develop a greater awareness of the methods employed by Satan. • To deepen our appreciation for the grace of God in saving sinners. • To learn more about ourselves through empathizing with Mansoul (Mansoul = me)

  7. Key Questions • What primary Bible passages come to your mind as you read this assignment? • To what degree does the story accurately depict Bible teaching?

  8. Synopsis • 2 Introductory Poems • “To the Reader” (summary) • “An Advertisement to the Reader” (defense of authorship) • In my travels… (Bunyan’s conversion and call to preach) • Description of town of Mansoul in the continent of Universe • Built by Shaddai • Enjoyed great privileges • Pinnacle of His creation • 5 gates (Ear-gate, Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate, Feel-gate) • Prior assault of Diabolus • Diabolonians interest in Mansoul • Council of war • “Assault” at Ear-gate • Death of Captain Resistance and Lord Innocency • Opening of Ear-gate and Eye-gate

  9. Discussion

  10. Mansoul (Me)“There is not its equal under the whole heaven.” What were some of the town’s characteristics? • Lies between two worlds • Suggests the reality that we live between Heaven and Hell (both actively engaged in seeking souls) • Built and founded by Shaddai • Built for Shaddai’s own delight • The pinnacle of His creation • Intended to have dominion over all and could insist on it • Entered through one of five “sensory” gates • Had well-built walls, tightly knit together • Had abundant, sufficient provision within its walls • Operated under the best law

  11. Character Sketches: Main Forces • Shaddai • A Hebrew title frequently used of God the Father in the OT • Translated “Almighty” • Communicates His All-sufficiency • Comes from the Hebrew word for breast – nourishment • Rightful owner of Mansoul • Diabolus • King of the Blacks (Dark world) • Great and mighty, but poor and beggarly prince • Greek and Latin name for the Devil • Signifies the Accuser or Slanderer • The head of the whole company of fallen spirits • Mansoulians • Natives of Mansoul • Parts of the inner man • Diabolonians • Intruders, often residing for extended time in Mansoul • Elements of the flesh that reside in every believer (even after salvation)

  12. Character Sketches: War Council As Diabolus and his men prepared for their second assault, they held a council of war to plot their strategy. Who is present at the Council? • Diabolus – The Greek and Latin name for the Devil (Accuser or Slanderer). • Alecto – Fierce being, one of the Furies (heathen gods), who allegedly had her head covered with snakes and breathed vengeance. • Tisiphone – Another Fury of the lake (sister of Alecto). In Virgil's Aeneid, she is recognized as the furious and cruel guardian of the gates of Tartarus (“deep place” of torment and suffering). • Apollyon – Destroyer • Beelzebub – Lord of Flies / Filth • Lucifer – The Morning Star • Ill-pause – Orator in difficult speeches • Legion – named of those demonizing the man in Mark 5:9; legion referred to a battalion of the Roman army, consisting of 4,000-5,000 men.

  13. Character Sketches: Leaders of Mansoul The leaders of the town represent the facets of the inner man most immediately involved in responding to sin – either yielding themselves as instruments of righteousness unto God or as servants to sin (Romans 6:13). • Lord Will-be-will – Emphasizes the role of the will in relenting or resisting • Lord-Mayor Mr. Understanding– Involved in understanding of truth • Mr. Recorder – Memory but particularly Conscience • Captain Resistance • Only man of war in the town • Resistance to sin • Tisiphone shoots him as the temptation was underway. What does the timing of the attack suggest? (James 4:7) • His absence leaves the town without its first line of defense and allows the temptation to linger longer • Lord Innocent • Innocence before sin entered • When they eat the fruit, he dies. What does his death represent? • The permanent loss of innocency that accompanied sin.

  14. Discussion • What does the famous stately castle/palace in Mansoul represent? The human heart • Who was its intended sole occupant? Shaddai • What provision did Shaddai make for the protection of the town? • Fortified castle - But committed the keeping of it to the men of the town. • Fortified walls - But permitted them to be broken down or entered only with the permission of the townsmen. • What was Diabolus’ original station? • One of the elevated servants of Shaddai • Had been made the “son of the morning” (Isaiah 14:12)

  15. Discussion • What Bible passages help us see why and how the Diabolonians sought to change their station? • 2 Peter 2:4 Some angels sinned and were punished • Jude 6 Some angels did not keep their first estate (original integrity) • Isaiah 14:12-15 Speaks of “King of Babylon” (14:4) and Lucifer (14:12) almost interchangeably. • Intent seems to be to communicate how Lucifer (spiritual being) can energize a physical being • And how what was originally true of Lucifer in his fall will manifest itself in those who follow him. • As they manifest his pride, so they will duplicate his fall.

  16. Discussion - The Diabolonians First Assault • Met a decisive rebuff by Shaddai. What was their punishment? • Matthew 25:41 - Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” • Isaiah 14:15 - How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! • Jude 6 - And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. • 2 Peter 2:4, For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; • Revelation 12:3-4a – 3) Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.4a) And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. • 1/3 of all of the angels followed Lucifer in his fall from heaven. • The devil and his angels are destined for eternal fire prepared for them. • Some of those angels were “cut down to earth” to influence and “demonize” men. • Some of the fallen angels were cast into hades to await their final judgment.

  17. Discussion - The War Council • Whether all of the council members should openly participate in the assault on Mansoul • Decided that only two should show themselves initially, and that one should be Diabolus • Whether to confront the town in their true ragged garments or find a way to disguise themselves • Decided to use a common disguise so as not to alarm the citizens • Diabolus would take the form of a Dragon (under their dominion, familiar, wise) • They would never suspect an attack in this way • Whether to mask their treasonous plot or to openly declare it • Decided to cloak their plan under the guise of aid and flattery • Whether they should include in their strategy some strategic offensive strikes • Decided the strategic strikes could prove most advantageous • Selected their first target – Captain Resistance What were their primary questions entertained by the council and how did the council resolve them?

  18. Diabolous’ Speech At what gate was this speech delivered? Ear gate • He plants doubt about the goodness of God • They are enslaved but don’t know it • Shaddai has power, but less than good motives • His laws are “unreasonable, intricate, and intolerable” • Whets interest in something God did not intend for them to have • Questions the validity of the King’s warnings and the appropriateness of the penalty • Minimizes the offence against the King

  19. Ill-Pause’s Appeal He eloquently attributes to his master qualities that Diabolus denied to Shaddai. • Diabolus loves them greatly • Diabolus has their best interest at heart • Diabolus will be their best teacher

  20. Quotes from “To the Reader” • When men, let them make what they will their own,Till they know this, are to themselves unknown. (Jer 17:9) • Men are not known to themselves until they understand the truths of this story • What here I say, some men do know so well,They can with tears and joy the story tell.The town of Mansoul is well known to many,Nor are her troubles doubted of by anyThat are acquainted with those HistoriesThat Mansoul and her wars anatomize. (II Cor 10:13; Rom 7:22-25a) • Men who have experienced these things can relate to what he writes and know it to be true • For they are true: he that will them denyMust needs the best of records vilify. (Gen 3, Rom 5:12) • All records verify this story • Bible • History of the human race

  21. Quotes from “To the Reader” • For my part, I myself was in the town, …Then I was there, (Rom 5:12) • Bunyan was in the town as are we all • Then I was there, and did rejoice to seeDiabolus and Mansoul so agree. (Eph 2:1-3) • The state of our hearts before salvation was to rejoice in agreeing with Diabolus • Mansoul, the desire of both princes was:One keep his gain would, t’other gain his loss.(Luke 22:31; Eph 2:4-5ff) • We are intensely desired by both realms

  22. Quotes from “To the Reader” • Mansoul! her mighty wars, they did portendHer weal or woe, and that world without end:Wherefore she must be more concern’d than theyWhose fears begin and end the selfsame day;(II Tim 4:6b-8a) • The longevity of the struggle • WWI – “The war to end all wars” • Quote from Alexander Whyte • With those, which, if a Christian, thou wilt seeNot small, but things of greatest moment be. (II Pet 3:18) • Grave importance of these matters

  23. The Holy War

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