the holy war

The Holy WarThe Holy War

Made By King Shaddai Upon Diabolus for the Made By King Shaddai Upon Diabolus for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the WorldRegaining of the Metropolis of the World

OrOr

The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of MansoulMansoul

Lesson 1Lesson 1

Class FormatClass Format

SegmentSegment TimeTime

Review the week’s assignmentReview the week’s assignment 10 minutes10 minutes

Class discussionClass discussion 10 minutes10 minutes

Specific lesson on theme from the week’s Specific lesson on theme from the week’s assignmentassignment 15 minutes15 minutes

Week 1Week 1

BeginningBeginning

toto

Opening of Ear-gateOpening of Ear-gateand Eye-gate to Diabolusand Eye-gate to Diabolus

IntroductionIntroduction

John Bunyan (1628-1688)John Bunyan (1628-1688) Written sometime during the first six years Written sometime during the first six years

of his incarceration in Bedford Prison.of his incarceration in Bedford Prison.

SettingSetting

Like Pilgrim’s Progress, setting and story Like Pilgrim’s Progress, setting and story told from the perspective of one recounting told from the perspective of one recounting events that have already taken place.events that have already taken place.

But same story is occurring constantly in But same story is occurring constantly in the lives of believers. the lives of believers.

He employs his wealth of military He employs his wealth of military experience (terminology and strategy)experience (terminology and strategy)

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?

SynopsisSynopsis• 2 Introductory Poems2 Introductory Poems

• ““To the Reader” (summary)To the Reader” (summary)• ““An Advertisement to the Reader” (defense of authorship)An Advertisement to the Reader” (defense of authorship)

• In my travels… (Bunyan’s conversion and call to preach)In my travels… (Bunyan’s conversion and call to preach)• Description of town of Mansoul in the continent of UniverseDescription of town of Mansoul in the continent of Universe

• Built by ShaddaiBuilt by Shaddai• Enjoyed great privilegesEnjoyed great privileges• Pinnacle of His creationPinnacle of His creation• 5 gates (Ear-gate, Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate, Feel-5 gates (Ear-gate, Eye-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate, Feel-

gate)gate)• Prior assault of DiabolusPrior assault of Diabolus• Diabolonians interest in MansoulDiabolonians interest in Mansoul• Council of warCouncil of war• ““Assault” at Ear-gateAssault” at Ear-gate• Death of Captain Resistance and Lord InnocencyDeath of Captain Resistance and Lord Innocency• Opening of Ear-gate and Eye-gateOpening of Ear-gate and Eye-gate

DiscussionDiscussion

Mansoul (Me)Mansoul (Me)“There is not its equal under the whole “There is not its equal under the whole

heaven.”heaven.”

• Lies between two worldsLies between two worlds• Suggests the reality that we live between Heaven and Hell Suggests the reality that we live between Heaven and Hell

(both actively engaged in seeking souls)(both actively engaged in seeking souls)• Built and founded by ShaddaiBuilt and founded by Shaddai• Built for Shaddai’s own delightBuilt for Shaddai’s own delight• The pinnacle of His creationThe pinnacle of His creation• Intended to have dominion over all and could insist Intended to have dominion over all and could insist

on iton it• Entered through one of five “sensory” gatesEntered through one of five “sensory” gates• Had well-built walls, tightly knit togetherHad well-built walls, tightly knit together• Had abundant, sufficient provision within its wallsHad abundant, sufficient provision within its walls• Operated under the best lawOperated under the best law

What were some of the town’s characteristics?

Character Sketches: Main ForcesCharacter Sketches: Main Forces• ShaddaiShaddai

• A Hebrew title frequently used of God the Father in the OTA Hebrew title frequently used of God the Father in the OT• Translated “Almighty”Translated “Almighty”• Communicates His All-sufficiencyCommunicates His All-sufficiency• Comes from the Hebrew word for breast – nourishmentComes from the Hebrew word for breast – nourishment• Rightful owner of MansoulRightful owner of Mansoul

• DiabolusDiabolus• King of the Blacks (Dark world)King of the Blacks (Dark world)• Great and mighty, but poor and beggarly princeGreat and mighty, but poor and beggarly prince• Greek and Latin name for the DevilGreek and Latin name for the Devil• Signifies the Accuser or SlandererSignifies the Accuser or Slanderer• The head of the whole company of fallen spiritsThe head of the whole company of fallen spirits

• MansouliansMansoulians• Natives of MansoulNatives of Mansoul• Parts of the inner manParts of the inner man

• DiaboloniansDiabolonians• Intruders, often residing for extended time in MansoulIntruders, often residing for extended time in Mansoul• Elements of the flesh that reside in every believer (even after salvation)Elements of the flesh that reside in every believer (even after salvation)

Character Sketches: War CouncilCharacter Sketches: War Council

• DiabolusDiabolus – The Greek and Latin name for the Devil (Accuser or – The Greek and Latin name for the Devil (Accuser or Slanderer).Slanderer).

• AlectoAlecto – Fierce being, one of the Furies (heathen gods), who allegedly – Fierce being, one of the Furies (heathen gods), who allegedly had her head covered with snakes and breathed vengeance.had her head covered with snakes and breathed vengeance.

• TisiphoneTisiphone – Another Fury of the lake (sister of Alecto). In Virgil's – Another Fury of the lake (sister of Alecto). In Virgil's Aeneid, she is recognized as the furious and cruel guardian of the Aeneid, she is recognized as the furious and cruel guardian of the gates of Tartarus (“deep place” of torment and suffering).gates of Tartarus (“deep place” of torment and suffering).

• ApollyonApollyon – Destroyer – Destroyer• BeelzebubBeelzebub – Lord of Flies / Filth – Lord of Flies / Filth• LuciferLucifer – The Morning Star – The Morning Star• Ill-pauseIll-pause – Orator in difficult speeches – Orator in difficult speeches• LegionLegion – named of those demonizing the man in Mark 5:9; 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 referred to a battalion of the Roman army, consisting of 4,000-5,000 men.men.

As Diabolus and his men prepared for their second assault, they held a 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? council of war to plot their strategy. Who is present at the Council?

Character Sketches: Leaders of Character Sketches: Leaders of MansoulMansoul

• Lord Will-be-will Lord Will-be-will – Emphasizes the role of the will in relenting or resisting– Emphasizes the role of the will in relenting or resisting

• Lord-Mayor Mr. UnderstandingLord-Mayor Mr. Understanding– Involved in understanding of truth– Involved in understanding of truth

• Mr. Recorder Mr. Recorder – Memory but particularly Conscience– Memory but particularly Conscience

• Captain ResistanceCaptain Resistance• Only man of war in the townOnly man of war in the town• Resistance to sinResistance to sin• Tisiphone shoots him as the temptation was underway. What does the timing of Tisiphone shoots him as the temptation was underway. What does the timing of

the attack suggest? (James 4:7)the attack suggest? (James 4:7)• His absence leaves the town without its first line of defense and allows the His absence leaves the town without its first line of defense and allows the

temptation to linger longertemptation to linger longer

• Lord InnocentLord Innocent

• Innocence before sin enteredInnocence before sin entered

• When they eat the fruit, he dies. What does his death represent?When they eat the fruit, he dies. What does his death represent?

• The permanent loss of innocency that accompanied sin.The permanent loss of innocency that accompanied sin.

The leaders of the town represent the facets of the inner The leaders of the town represent the facets of the inner man most immediately involved in responding to sin – either man most immediately involved in responding to sin – either yielding themselves as instruments of righteousness unto yielding themselves as instruments of righteousness unto God or as servants to sin (Romans 6:13).God or as servants to sin (Romans 6:13).


• What does the famous stately castle/palace in Mansoul What does the famous stately castle/palace in Mansoul represent?represent?The human heartThe human heart

• Who was its intended sole occupant?Who was its intended sole occupant?ShaddaiShaddai

• What provision did Shaddai make for the protection of the What provision did Shaddai make for the protection of the town?town?• Fortified castle - But committed the keeping of it to the Fortified castle - But committed the keeping of it to the

men of the town.men of the town.• Fortified walls - But permitted them to be broken down Fortified walls - But permitted them to be broken down

or entered only with the permission of the townsmen.or entered only with the permission of the townsmen.• What was Diabolus’ original station?What was Diabolus’ original station?

• One of the elevated servants of ShaddaiOne of the elevated servants of Shaddai• Had been made the “son of the morning” (Isaiah 14:12)Had been made the “son of the morning” (Isaiah 14:12)


• What Bible passages help us see why and how What Bible passages help us see why and how the Diabolonians sought to change their the Diabolonians sought to change their station?station?• 2 Peter 2:42 Peter 2:4 Some angels sinned and were punished Some angels sinned and were punished• Jude 6Jude 6 Some angels did not keep their first estate Some angels did not keep their first estate

(original integrity)(original integrity)• Isaiah 14:12-15Isaiah 14:12-15 Speaks of “King of Babylon” (14:4) Speaks of “King of Babylon” (14:4)

and Lucifer (14:12) almost interchangeably.and Lucifer (14:12) almost interchangeably.• Intent seems to be to communicate how Lucifer (spiritual Intent seems to be to communicate how Lucifer (spiritual

being) can energize a physical beingbeing) can energize a physical being• And how what was originally true of Lucifer in his fall will And how what was originally true of Lucifer in his fall will

manifest itself in those who follow him.manifest itself in those who follow him.• As they manifest his pride, so they will duplicate his fall.As they manifest his pride, so they will duplicate his fall.

Discussion - The Diabolonians First AssaultDiscussion - The Diabolonians First Assault• Met a decisive rebuff by Shaddai. What was their punishment?Met a decisive rebuff by Shaddai. What was their punishment?

• Matthew 25:41Matthew 25:41 - Then He will also say to those on His left, “ - Then He will also say to those on His left, “DepartDepart from Me, from Me, accursed ones, accursed ones, into the eternal fireinto the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his which has been prepared for the devil and his angels”angels”

• Isaiah 14:15Isaiah 14:15 - - How you have fallen from heavenHow you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the , O star of the morning, son of the dawn! dawn! You have been cut down to the earthYou have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!, You who have weakened the nations!

• Jude 6Jude 6 - And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper - And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.day.

• 2 Peter 2:42 Peter 2:4, For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but , For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgmenthell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;;

• Revelation 12:3-4aRevelation 12:3-4a – – 3)3) Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having 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.seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.4a)4a) And And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earthearth. .

• 1/3 of all of the angels followed Lucifer in his fall from heaven.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.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 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.Some of the fallen angels were cast into hades to await their final judgment.

Discussion - The War CouncilDiscussion - The War Council

What were their primary questions entertained by the council and how did What were their primary questions entertained by the council and how did the council resolve them?the council resolve them?

1.1. Whether all of the council members should openly participate in the Whether all of the council members should openly participate in the assault on Mansoulassault on Mansoul

• Decided that only two should show themselves initially, and that one Decided that only two should show themselves initially, and that one should be Diabolusshould be Diabolus

2.2. Whether to confront the town in their true ragged garments or find a Whether to confront the town in their true ragged garments or find a way to disguise themselvesway to disguise themselves

• Decided to use a common disguise so as not to alarm the citizensDecided to use a common disguise so as not to alarm the citizens• Diabolus would take the form of a Dragon (under their dominion, Diabolus would take the form of a Dragon (under their dominion,

familiar, wise)familiar, wise)• They would never suspect an attack in this wayThey would never suspect an attack in this way

3.3. Whether to mask their treasonous plot or to openly declare itWhether to mask their treasonous plot or to openly declare it• Decided to cloak their plan under the guise of aid and flatteryDecided to cloak their plan under the guise of aid and flattery

4.4. Whether they should include in their strategy some strategic offensive Whether they should include in their strategy some strategic offensive strikesstrikes

• Decided the strategic strikes could prove most advantageousDecided the strategic strikes could prove most advantageous• Selected their first target – Captain ResistanceSelected their first target – Captain Resistance

Diabolous’ SpeechDiabolous’ Speech

At what gate was this speech delivered?At what gate was this speech delivered?

Ear gateEar gate

• He plants doubt about the goodness of GodHe plants doubt about the goodness of God• They are enslaved but don’t know itThey are enslaved but don’t know it• Shaddai has power, but less than good motivesShaddai has power, but less than good motives• His laws are “unreasonable, intricate, and His laws are “unreasonable, intricate, and

intolerable”intolerable”• Whets interest in something God did not intend for Whets interest in something God did not intend for

them to havethem to have• Questions the validity of the King’s warnings and the Questions the validity of the King’s warnings and the

appropriateness of the penaltyappropriateness of the penalty• Minimizes the offence against the KingMinimizes the offence against the King

Ill-Pause’s AppealIll-Pause’s Appeal

He eloquently attributes to his master qualities He eloquently attributes to his master qualities that Diabolus denied to Shaddai.that Diabolus denied to Shaddai.

• Diabolus loves them greatlyDiabolus loves them greatly• Diabolus has their best interest at heartDiabolus has their best interest at heart• Diabolus will be their best teacherDiabolus will be their best teacher

Quotes from Quotes from “To the Reader”“To the Reader”

• When men, let them make what they will their own,When men, let them make what they will their own,Till they know this, are to themselves unknown. Till they know this, are to themselves unknown. (Jer 17:9)(Jer 17:9)

• Men are not known to themselves until they understand the truths of Men are not known to themselves until they understand the truths of this storythis story

• What here I say, some men do know so well,What here I say, some men do know so well,They can with tears and joy the story tell.They can with tears and joy the story tell.The town of Mansoul is well known to many,The town of Mansoul is well known to many,Nor are her troubles doubted of by anyNor are her troubles doubted of by anyThat are acquainted with those HistoriesThat are acquainted with those HistoriesThat Mansoul and her wars anatomize. That Mansoul and her wars anatomize. (II Cor 10:13; Rom 7:22-25a)(II Cor 10:13; Rom 7:22-25a)

• Men who have experienced these things can relate to what he writes Men who have experienced these things can relate to what he writes and know it to be trueand know it to be true

• For they are true: he that will them denyFor they are true: he that will them denyMust needs the best of records vilify. Must needs the best of records vilify. (Gen 3, Rom 5:12)(Gen 3, Rom 5:12)

• All records verify this storyAll records verify this story• BibleBible• History of the human raceHistory of the human race


• For my part, I myself was in the town, …For my part, I myself was in the town, …Then I was there, Then I was there, (Rom 5:12)(Rom 5:12)

• Bunyan was in the town as are we allBunyan was in the town as are we all

• Then I was there, and did rejoice to seeThen I was there, and did rejoice to seeDiabolus and Mansoul so agree. Diabolus and Mansoul so agree. (Eph 2:1-3)(Eph 2:1-3)

• The state of our hearts before salvation was to rejoice The state of our hearts before salvation was to rejoice in agreeing with Diabolusin agreeing with Diabolus

• Mansoul, the desire of both princes was:Mansoul, the desire of both princes was:One keep his gain would, t’other gain his loss.One keep his gain would, t’other gain his loss.(Luke 22:31; Eph 2:4-5ff)(Luke 22:31; Eph 2:4-5ff)

• We are intensely desired by both realmsWe are intensely desired by both realms


• Mansoul! her mighty wars, they did portendMansoul! her mighty wars, they did portendHer weal or woe, and that world without end:Her weal or woe, and that world without end:Wherefore she must be more concern’d than theyWherefore she must be more concern’d than theyWhose fears begin and end the selfsame day;Whose fears begin and end the selfsame day;(II Tim 4:6b-8a)(II Tim 4:6b-8a)

• The longevity of the struggleThe longevity of the struggle• WWI – “The war to end all wars”WWI – “The war to end all wars”• Quote from Alexander WhyteQuote from Alexander Whyte

• With those, which, if a Christian, thou wilt seeWith those, which, if a Christian, thou wilt seeNot small, but things of greatest moment be. Not small, but things of greatest moment be. (II Pet 3:18)(II Pet 3:18)

• Grave importance of these mattersGrave importance of these matters

The Holy WarThe Holy War

the holy war

Documents