Illustrated Message Overview with Marjorie

We start today’s Illustrated Message by reading from The Holy War in Chapter 3 page 15. To download a copy of the book, click on the link at the top of this website page.

From the title, some would say, but God is a God of love, mercy, compassion etc. He is. But sometimes He has sent and continues to send thunderous preachers, the brim-stoners, the ones with a bit of edge on them as they deliver the truth with God’s sword, His word. Sometimes you have preachers who are delivering Gods word of conviction which results in sorrow for sin that leads to repentance.

Throughout the Old and New Testament, God has and will continue to raise up ministers to deliver His word of salvation to the souls of mankind, and all of these were hand-picked by God and were filled with His Spirit to fulfill the call on their lives. Even today, He is handpicking preachers who are willing to deliver a thunderous word, words of sorrow, terror and justice, and as we’ll read, are the A.K.A. names of the Captains that God sent to Mansoul. Truth be told, not too many preachers today would like to be associated with those A.K.A. names, would they.

The Holy War says;

“Now, all this time, good King Shaddai was preparing to send an army to recover the city of Mansoul from the tyranny of Diabolus, their pretended king. But at first he thought it right not to send it under the orders and command of brave Emmanuel his Son, but under some of his servants, to test the mood of Mansoul, and whether his servants could win her over to their King. The army consisted of more than forty thousand, all true men, for they came from the King’s own court, and were those of his own choosing.”

From reading this paragraph, we see that John Bunyan uses these servants and army as an allegorical type and shadow of those who God used to prepare the way, before Jesus (Emmanuel) was born. These would be all those mentioned in the Old Testament, named and unnamed servants of God. In the following excerpt we read about some of them in the books that they wrote, being divided into Major and Minor prophets of the Old Testament.

Got Questions gives a definition of Major and Minor prophets.

“Using the terms Major Prophets and Minor Prophets is simply a way to divide the Old Testament prophetic books. There are five Major Prophets: the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. There are twelve Minor Prophets: the books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The Minor Prophets are also sometimes called The Twelve.  

The Major Prophets are described as “major” because those books are longer, generally speaking, and their content has broad, even global implications. The Minor Prophets are described as “minor” because those books are shorter, for the most part, and their content is more narrowly focused. That does not mean the Minor Prophets are any less inspired than the Major Prophets. It is simply a matter of God choosing to reveal more to some prophets than He did to others.”  

The Holy War continues;

“They came up to Mansoul under the command of four brave generals, each man a captain of ten thousand men. And these are their names and ensigns. The name of the first was Captain Boanerges; the name of the second Captain Conviction; the name of the third Captain Judgement; and the name of the fourth Captain Execution. These were the captains that Shaddai sent to recapture Mansoul.”

In this present day and age, although Jesus, (Emmanuel) has come and is now at the right hand of the Father, God continues to raise up Captains (Christian ministers), like these to reach the souls of men in these last days who either don’t know who He is, or have heard about Him but rejected Him or have served Him at some point but have backslid. Let’s bring their names closer to home; Pastor Boanerges, Evangelist Conviction, Prophet Judgment, Apostle Execution. God has instituted gifts in the Body of Christ according to Ephesians 4:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 12 to win over man’s soul, to fight the good fight of faith, that men everywhere might be saved for all of eternity.  

So these Captains which were sent to preach God’s word, were the Prophets of the Old Testament. These four captains were sent to ‘recapture’ Mansoul, showing that at creation, Adam and Eve belonged to God, were in love and enraptured by Him, but fell into sin, allowing satan, (Diabolus) to be their lord. God has the authority to ‘recapture’ them even though Diabolus says the contrary.  How many today have left their love of God for the service of the devil in this world? You thought you’d never leave Him, but you did, you kept God’s laws faithfully, were enamored with Him, but somewhere, somehow, Diabolus got your ear-gate, and he has turned your heart away from God to serve him.

The Holy War says;

“These four captains, so it was said, the King thought fit to send first to Mansoul to make an assault on it; for indeed, generally speaking, in all his wars he never sent his four captains in the rear, for they were very brave and rough-hewn men, men fit to break the ice, and to have their way by the power of the sword. And their men took after them.

To each of these captains, the King gave a banner (Psalm 60:4), that it might be displayed to show the justice of his cause, and because of the authority he had in retaking Mansoul.”

This being the case, there would have been ten thousand just like Captain Boanerges, ten thousand just like Captain Judgment, ten thousand like Captain Conviction and ten thousand like Captain Execution. You could maybe say the same today that Christians look like, act like, talk like, and dress like their pastors, or evangelists that they listen to, or teachers that they follow.

Psalm 60:4 Amplified Bible; “4  You have set up a banner for those who fear You [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder—a banner to shield them from attack],A banner that may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.”

God’s people continue to say, “The Lord is my Banner,” because it is in His power that the enemies are vanquished. The Lord is our Banner in that He is the One under whom we unite. He is our Savior. We are rescued by Him and identified in Him.

Let’s take a look at the Captains that King Shaddai chose to prepare the way of God’s salvation plan for the citizens of the city of Mansoul.

The Holy War;

“First, to Captain Boanerges (Mark 3:17), for he was the chief, were given ten thousand men. His ensign was Mr. Thunder. He bore black colours, and his escutcheon was three burning thunderbolts.”

The word, escutcheon, is a noun which means; a shield or shield-shaped emblem bearing a coat of arms. So on Captain Boanerges shield were three burning thunderbolts.

The name Boanerges comes from Mark 3:17, where Jesus gives that name to James and John as we read; “17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”;”

The Bible Hub gives this description of Boanerges;

Meaning and Interpretation:
The name "Boanerges" is of Aramaic origin, and its translation as "Sons of Thunder" suggests a characterization of James and John’s personalities or their potential roles in the early Christian community. The term implies a sense of fervor, zeal, and possibly impetuosity, reflecting the brothers' passionate nature.  

Contextual Analysis:
James and John were part of Jesus' inner circle, along with Peter. Their close relationship with Jesus is evident in several key events, such as the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13) and their presence in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42). The designation "Sons of Thunder" may reflect their boldness and eagerness in following Christ, as well as their occasional lack of restraint.
 

One notable incident that illustrates their fiery disposition is found in Luke 9:54, where James and John, upon encountering a Samaritan village that did not welcome Jesus, asked, "Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" . This request underscores their zealous nature, which Jesus gently rebuked, teaching them a lesson in mercy and restraint.

Theological Implications:
The surname "Boanerges" highlights the transformative journey of the apostles under Jesus' guidance. While James and John initially exhibited traits of impulsiveness and fervor, their time with Jesus molded them into leaders of the early Church. James would eventually become the first apostolic martyr (Acts 12:2), and John, known as the "beloved disciple," would go on to write the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.  

As Christians, we can all either personally identify with this definition of Boanerges, or we know of other Christians that resemble it, either way, God did and will continue to raise up ministers that will not settle for milk and toast sermons from the Church of Kumbaya, but will boldly preach with thunder, the uncompromised meat of God’s word that may cost them everything, including their lives or imprisonment, such as the case was with James and John.

So Captain Boanarges, A.K.A., Mr. Thunder, dressed in black colours and carried a shield with a coat of arms on it that resembled three burning thunderbolts, and had authority over 10,000 loyal soldiers who were just like him in both name and image.

Maybe some pastors need to show up at their churches like that some day...at least in the spirit realm with that kind of authority, to wake the congregation up.

The Holy War;  

“The second captain was Captain Conviction. To him, also, were given ten thousand men. His ensign’s name was Mr. Sorrow. He bore pale colours, and his escutcheon was the book of the open Law from which issued a flame of fire. (Deuteronomy 33:2)”

Captain Conviction, A.K.A., Mr. Sorrow, dressed in pale colours and carried a shield with a coat of arms that resembled a flame of fire that’s shooting out of an open book of God’s Law. Maybe some prophets need to show up to your church decked out like that, shake the congregation up, deliver the word of the Lord, bring conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment to come. Give them the meat of God’s word.

Deuteronomy 33:2Amplified Bible says; “2 He said, “The Lord came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from among ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand was a [a]flaming fire, a law, for them.”

The reading of the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai is what brought conviction of sin that lead them to repent and believe in God. Let’s read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-17. Some may not want to hear or read them, thinking that they are legalistic and no longer for today...but they are and will always be.

Exodus 20:3-17 Amplified Bible says;  

“3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship]. 5 You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [[a]demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations or in ways that impugn the character of God]; for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished the one who [b]takes His name in vain [disregarding its reverence and its power].

8 “Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath [a day of rest dedicated] to the Lord your God; on that day you shall not do any work, you or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock or the temporary resident (foreigner) who stays within your [city] gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy [that is, set it apart for His purposes].

12 “Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.

13 “You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).

14 “You shall not commit [c]adultery.

15 “You shall not steal [secretly, openly, fraudulently, or through carelessness].

16 “You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).

17 “You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Now, I can take it a step further, as Jesus took some laws to a whole other level. Like when He talked about adultery, Jesus said that even if you look at a women with lust in your heart you’ve committed adultery. How about murder? Jesus said that being angry and harbouring malice in their heart toward someone is in danger of the fiery hell. The laws that God gave are to bring conviction of sin and the reverential fear of Him.  

Matthew 5:21-23 says; “21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation,[a] ‘Do not murder,’[b] and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’[c] 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother[d] will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults[e] a brother will be brought before[f] the council,[g] and whoever says ‘Fool’[h] will be sent[i] to fiery hell.[j] 23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you,”

As Christians, we are more inclined to preach that we are saved by grace rather than law, but this does not mean that we don’t preach the keeping of the ten commandments, but rather that Jesus died in order that the righteous requirements of the law could be met in us, and we are made righteous by the shed blood of Jesus. The law brings conviction of sin, but it’s the work of the Holy Spirit to not only convict us of sin but gives us the ability to repent, receive forgiveness, and not continue to break God’s laws.

Romans 8:1-4 Amplified Bible; “Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], 4 so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power].”

John 16:5-15 Amplified Bible , Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His disciples; “5 But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them]. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; 10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned. 12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.”

The Holy Spirit will speak through Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers today, and yes, including all Christians, but in the Old Testament, God sent prophet after prophet after prophet to speak His words of warning.

The Holy War continues;

“The third captain was Captain Judgement. To him, were given ten thousand men. His ensign’s name was Mr. Terror. He bore red colours, and his escutcheon was a burning fiery furnace. (Matthew 13:40-42).”

Captain Judgement, A.K.A. Mr. Terror, is clothed in red and his coat of arms on his shield is a fiery furnace.

The terror of the judgment of God is clearly spoken of by Jesus in the following scriptures which He spoke to His disciples about in a parable of weeds among the wheat. Christian, you’re the wheat, but there are weeds among you, growing right beside you, living next door or across the street from you, who call themselves Christians, but are tares or weeds.

Matthew 13:24-29 Amplified Bible talks about the weeds among the wheat;“24 Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed [a]weeds [resembling wheat] among the wheat, and went away. 26 So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the weeds appeared also. 27 The servants of the owner came to him and said, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have weeds in it?’ 28 He replied to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them out?’ 29 But he said, ‘No; because as you pull out the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.”

Matthew 13:36-43 Amplified Bible explains the weeds; “36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, “Explain [clearly] to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and [as for] the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.”

Judgement and terror will come upon all the disobedient. So it’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’.

I feel like I can’t add much to this, the scriptures pretty much says it all, and nothing is going to change the judgment on those who reject God’s salvation plan which has been prophesied and preached about from the time of Adam and Eve to this very day.  

The Holy War says;  

“The fourth captain was Captain Execution. To him were given ten thousand men. His ensign was Mr. Justice. He also bore red colours, and his escutcheon was a fruitless tree with an axe lying at its root. (Matthew 3:10)”

Captain Execution, A.K.A., Mr. Justice, clothed in red and his coat of arms on his shield is a fruitless tree with an axe lying at its root.

Matthew 3:10 Amplified Bible says; "10 And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is [a]swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

John the Baptist was a good example of a prophet, like Captain Execution, that preached clearly the justice of God and His swift execution on those that were religious Jews, who did not bear good fruits that demonstrated a new behaviour which proved a changed heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin.  

John says this in Matthew 3:7-10 Amplified Bible; “7 But when he saw many of the [a]Pharisees and [b]Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the [divine] wrath and judgment to come? 8 So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]; 9 and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. 10 And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is [c]swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Matthew 7:15-20 Amplified Bible says; “15 Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets].”

There seems to be a bit of a theme running through these scriptures; fiery furnace, thunder bolts, fire shooting out of the book of the Law, terror and judgments to come. You won’t be able to stand before God and say; I didn’t know, I didn’t hear, I didn’t understand what he said. As we’ve read today, we can now see, hear and have knowledge of the truth. How many preachers have you listened to but have rejected their message? How many thunderous preachers have you listened to who have boldly preached the gospel to you but you’ve rejected? You've even come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but have rejected it. Even when you’ve sensed the terror of judgments to come, you scorned them and laughed them off and rejected it. Even in all of this, it doesn’t change God’s final judgment on your life if you reject Him, which is the lake of fire for eternity. You may have a godly appearance of a Christian, but He knows your heart and it’s not like He hasn’t warned you. From the beginning of time, God has been warning through prophet after prophet who prophesied about Jesus, who would take away the sin of the world to those who through faith in Him, would escape God’s wrath. John 3:16 Amplified Bible, “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] [a]only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Meditate on God’s salvation plan for your life. There is a holy war for your soul today, where God has sent and is sending, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers and Christians to lead you to Jesus. Today if you have heard His voice, do not harden your heart.

Here are some scriptures on salvation to meditate on.

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Titus 3:5 

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

Acts 4:12 

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 10:9 

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Mark 16:16 

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

1 Peter 1:8-9 

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Today, let’s look at another piece of armour that Diabolus has to offer his subjects of the city of Mansoul for protection from King Shaddai’s Army. We will be reading from The Holy War in Chapter 2, point #4 on page 14 and 15. If you haven’t downloaded the PDF book, just click on the link at the top of this website page.

The Holy War Diabolus says;

“‘4. My shield is unbelief; calling into question the truth of the word, or all the sayings that speak of the judgment that Shaddai has appointed for wicked men. (Job 15:26) Use this shield. Many attempts have been made upon it; and sometimes, it is true, it has been dented. (Psalm 76:3). Those who have written of the wars of Emmanuel against my servants will testify that he could do no mighty work there because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:5-6)”

We see Diabolus sweating right now, he’s strategizing to clothe his subjects with armour, which is really an armour of lies and deception, to think that they can protect themselves from God’s word. To make it personal, to think that you can actually protect yourself from the Bible, God’s written Word -  who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Diabolus wants to clothe you today with a shield of unbelief, to protect you from God’s word penetrating into your life to operate in power.

Mark 6:1-6 Amplified Bible says; “6 Jesus left there and came to His hometown [Nazareth]; and His disciples followed Him. 2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and many who listened to Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things [this knowledge and spiritual insight]? What is this wisdom [this confident understanding of the Scripture] that has been given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? 3 Is this not the carpenter, [a]the son of Mary, and the brother of [b]James and Joses and [c]Judas and Simon? Are His sisters not here with us?” And they were [deeply] offended by Him [and their disapproval blinded them to the fact that He was anointed by God as the Messiah]. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor (respect) except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And He could not do a miracle there at all [because of their unbelief] except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 He wondered at their unbelief.”

Jesus concluded by, “wondering at their unbelief”. Other translations say marveled, amazed, appalled, surprised, astonished ... at their unbelief. Even though laying hands on the sick and healing them is a big miracle and ‘makes the news’, the power Jesus walked in (and wants us to walk in), was so much more powerful than that – it was the miraculous that He walked in.  

Unbelief in what God’s word says in the Bible can and will effect the operation of the Holy Spirit’s power to perform miracles thru His ministers, and even Jesus Himself could only heal a few sick people as a result of their unbelief in Him and His word. So long as the devil can get a person to doubt what Jesus says in His word, they might witness a few healings, but will not experience the miraculous, simply because of their unbelief in what the Bible has to say about the performing of signs, wonders and miracles. As Christians, we are not only surrounded by unbelievers that doubt God’s word, but also Christians that doubt God’s word, and as a result, they never witness the miraculous that Jesus spoke of in His word. Christians that shield their lives by doubting God’s spoken word, will not experience the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit until they lay down the shield of unbelief and take up the shield of faith.

Ephesians 6:16 Amplified Bible says; “16 Above all, lift up the [protective] [a]shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Romans 10:17 Amplified Bible says; “17 So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.”

1 John 5:4 Amplified Bible says; “4 For [a]everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].”

As Christians, we can’t put faith in Christ alone as a person without also having faith in what He said in His own words. We can’t have one without the other, it’s either all of Christ and what He said or nothing. There’s no place to be double-minded.

James 1:1-7 Amplified Bible says; “1 [a]James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)!

2 Consider it nothing but joy, my [b]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 7 For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].”  

A good question to ask yourselves today is; am I double-minded when it comes to putting faith in all of what Jesus says in His word, do I believe in Jesus but not all of what He says?

Mark 16:17-20 Amplified Bible says; “17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord was working with them and confirming the word by the signs that followed.]”

Let’s look at a good example of Jesus clearing the room of all those who did not believe in miracles, before He could raise the dead daughter of Jairus to life.

Mark 5:35-43 Amplified Bible; “35 While He was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue official’s house, saying [to Jairus], “Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher any longer?” 36 Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power].” 37 And He allowed no one to go with Him [as witnesses], except Peter and [a]James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He looked [with understanding] at the uproar and commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing [in mourning]. 39 When He had gone in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping.” 40 They began laughing [scornfully] at Him [because they knew the child was dead]. But He made them all [b]go outside, and took along the child’s father and mother and His own [three] companions, and entered the room where the child was. 41 Taking the child’s hand, He said [tenderly] to her, “Talitha kum!”—which translated [from Aramaic] means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” 42 The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they [who witnessed the child’s resurrection] were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.”

In order for the miracle to be performed by Jesus, the spirit of unbelief that scornfully mocked His words, could not be allowed to enter the room with Him, and only those who had faith in His words were only allowed to enter. So no matter how the fiery dart of death presents itself, you may have to clear the room of all unbelief that scornfully laughs at your faith in the miraculous words of Jesus.

In Acts 9:36-43, the Apostle Peter cleared everyone of the saints and widows out of the room before he prayed for Tabitha to rise from the dead, and it’s interesting to see that it wasn’t just the widows who had her not only dead and almost buried, but the saints also were removed from the room, which leaves room to speculate that they believed in Jesus, but didn’t have faith to raise the dead like Jesus said they could, and Peter had them removed from the room. The widows understood death, they had lost their spouses, they were acquainted with death, so naturally looking at the circumstances, they were mourning and crying.  

Jesus clearly says in Matthew 10:8 Amplified Bible; “8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”  

Clear the room of unbelief. You may have to do that once in a while during your time of ministry and you need discernment to do that. But you need to know what’s in operation in your midst, faith or unbelief. Some of you ministers would rather prefer the multitudes to stay that are full of unbelief, lest you offend them, instead of clearing the room and allow only those that are walking in faith before you minister healing, signs, wonders and miracles that you’re commanded to do. You might offend someone, but you might be better off to have a half dozen in your midst that are walking in faith, than a multitude of friends and family that are walking in unbelief. Just saying.

The Holy War Diabolus continues;

“Now, to handle this weapon of mine rightly, it is not to believe things because they are true. If he speaks of judgement, do not care about it; if he speaks of mercy, do not care about that; if he promises, if he swears that he will do such-and-such to Mansoul, but, if she repents, no harm will come to her but only good, disregard what is said, question the truth of it all, for it is to wield the shield of unbelief as my servants ought to do. And he who does otherwise does not love me, nor do I count him anything but a personal enemy.”

Diabolus is demanding that his ‘servants’ must walk in unbelief toward God and King Shaddai and His army and that if any faith is put in God, you’re Diabolus’ enemy. These subjects of Diabolus were at one time subjects of King Shaddai, and are a type and shadow of once Old Testament believers in God, now backslidden, and Diabolus is continuing to secure his Lordship over the city of Mansoul, by sowing unbelief towards King Shaddai. To this day the devil is continually causing Christians to backslide thru unbelief in what Jesus said in His word, and as a result, they are laying down their shields of faith and have taken up shields of unbelief in the spoken words of Jesus. So Christian, you may say that could never happen to you, well if that’s the case, how is it that there are entire denominations that reject what’s written in the Bible that applies to all Christians regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire with the evidence of speaking in tongues as well as operating in signs, wonders and miracles in the name of Jesus. Here are some scriptures for you to look up and read; Acts;1:8, Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:15-17. 

There is a link at the bottom of this message called Holy Spirit Power which talks about the Gifts of the Spirit and Speaking in Tongues.  

Hebrews 3:12-19 Amplified Bible talks about the peril of unbelief; “12 Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving [a]heart [which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart] that turns away from the living God. 13 But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. 14 For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end, 15 while it is said, “Today [while there is still opportunity] if you hear His voice,
Do not harden your heart, as when they provoked Me [in the rebellion in the desert at Meribah].”

16 For who were they who heard and yet provoked Him [with rebellious acts]? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose dead bodies were scattered in the desert? 18 And to whom did He swear [an oath] that they would not enter His rest, but to those who disobeyed [those who would not listen to His word]? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest—the promised land] because of unbelief and an unwillingness to trust in God.”

We see that this is being written to brothers and sisters in the Lord – Christians. The rest of the Lord is that rest and refreshing in the Holy Spirit that was promised in Isaiah 28:11-12, by speaking in tongues for New Testament saints. But because of unbelief and unwillingness to trust in God. So many don’t want to loose the multitudes or offend them by clearing the room. Some may say that by clearing the room of unbelief they may loose all their church except for maybe a half-dozen. But why not do that? Sometimes you may need to clear the church of unbelief to have faith to see the miraculous performed.  

This is all the more reason to meditate in Bible scriptures that pertain to faith, so that when the fiery darts of the devil are coming at you from all directions, (and they will), you are able to quench them by the shield of faith and speak God’s word as it would apply to the attacks on you as a Christian.

1 John 5:4 Amplified Bible; “4 For [a]everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].”

James 1:3 Amplified Bible; “3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].”

1 Timothy 6:12 Amplified Bible; “12 Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.”

Christians, God is calling you to walk in signs, wonders and miracles by faith. You might have to clear the room to see it operate though. You might have to say in a nice Christian way... ‘there’s the door, I can’t have you in here while I’m praying, I have the sick to pray for and I can’t pray the prayer of faith with you here because of your unbelief, you need to go outside’. Now, maybe Jesus had a little more tack than that when he only called Peter, James and John to raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead, it doesn’t say, but it would seem that they knew the room was full of unbelief. It doesn’t say they were offended with Jesus, but they were all astonished when they saw the little girl raised from the dead.

You have to confront unbelief in people, in a nice way, but don’t be afraid to tell those in the room who are full of unbelief to go outside for a bit and they can come back when you’re finished praying. The spirit of unbelief will manifest. In order for you to have faith to perform miracles, sometimes you have to clear the room. You may say, that doesn’t sound very Christian. But Peter had to clear the room because of unbelief. Jesus couldn’t do many miracles because of unbelief.  

There is a lot of unbelief in the body of Christ today, a lot of unbelief in God’s word, a lot of unbelief in the power of the Holy Spirit, a lot of unbelief in speaking in tongues and operating in the nine gifts of the Spirit that 1 Corinthians 12 talks about, a lot of unbelief that says that that happened then but not now, and we could go on and on. If you’re around that for a long time, you’ll walk in unbelief just like those around you.  

For whatever reason, when you have a whole congregation or a room full of unbelief, the Holy Spirit is not able to operate, or chooses not to operate and it’s not that He can’t. I’m not sure quite what it is but it seems like He can’t, because as we read already, “He could not do a miracle there at all [because of their unbelief]”.Likewise the Holy Spirit is so grieved by unbelief that He’s not able to operate and or simply chooses not to. There are a lot of ‘what ifs’. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are moved by faith, not unbelief. We know that Jesus has all authority over the devil, even the spirit of unbelief.

We read this earlier from Mark 6:3-6; “3 Is this not the carpenter, [a]the son of Mary, and the brother of [b]James and Joses and [c]Judas and Simon? Are His sisters not here with us?” And they were [deeply] offended by Him [and their disapproval blinded them to the fact that He was anointed by God as the Messiah]. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor (respect) except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And He could not do a miracle there at all [because of their unbelief] except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 He wondered at their unbelief.”

They were deeply offended with Jesus which blinded them. Jesus saw that and realized the disrespect they had to Him, especially in His own town with family and relatives, hence, He was restrained because of their unbelief. So, if Jesus couldn’t do it, I’m sure we aren’t able to when in similar situations, because if He had to clear the room because of unbelief (with Jairus’ daughter), there will be times that you’ll have to clear the room of unbelief also for miracles to happen.

A good question to ask yourself today is, where am I walking in unbelief? Where am I holding up the shield of unbelief? Where am I grieving the Holy Spirit because of unbelief, to the point that a minister of the gospel would have to ask you to leave the room, would have to ask you to go outside and come back in after prayer.  It’s a valid question. Examine your heart today. Where are you walking in unbelief and literally using it as a shield to shield God’s word? Where are you operating in unbelief? Instead of  holding up the shield of faith against the devils fiery darts of fear, doubt and unbelief, where are you holding up the shield of fear, doubt and unbelief that his hindering God’s word from operating in your life and ministry? Look around those who are directly involved in your ministry to see if they are of faith, because that which is not of faith is sin, Romans 14:23. Has the spirit of unbelief caused you to reject the power of the Holy Spirit in your meetings, rejecting what the Word says about signs and wonders following the preaching of the gospel, rejecting the gifts of the Spirit operating in your meetings. It might all come down to unbelief and if so, it needs to be repented of, because it’s sin. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your unbelief, for not believing in His words.

Here is a link to our previous Illustrated Message Series on Holy Spirit Power.

To read the prophecy from today's service, click on this link.

Today we will be reading from The Holy War in Chapter 2 at paragraph 5 on page 14.  If you don’t have your PDF copy of the book you can download it here or on top of this website page.

Last weeks message we read how Diabolus was perverting and twisting the helmet of salvation and today we’ll study how he does the same to the breastplate of righteous.

The Holy War, Diabolus continued:

“2. My breastplate is made of iron. I had it forged in my own country, and all my soldiers are armed with it. (Revelation 9:9) In plain language, it is a hardened heart, a heart as hard as iron and as much past feeling as a stone. Once you wear it, neither mercy will win you over, nor judgement frighten you. This, therefore, is an essential piece of armour for all who hate Shaddai and fight against him under my banner.”

That’s what the devil has to offer you today if you’re an unbeliever. The devil has planned from the beginning of time to harden mankind's heart towards God, with a heart as hard as iron and as much past feeling as a stone. Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about the heart of a man or woman without God.

Prior to God destroying all of mankind, except Noah and his family, Genesis 6:5 Amplified Bible says this is what their hearts were like; “5 The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually.”

Genesis chapter 6 is a good read that depicts just how wicked mankind had become and when you read the full chapter, it sounds very familiar to the days that we are living in, with the only difference is that today we have the Holy Spirit who is the Restrainer of God from pouring out His wrath on earth. We can be thankful, that after Jesus ascended to heaven, He did not leave His believers as orphans but sent the Holy Spirit to comfort them, and to offer salvation to anyone who receives Him as Lord and Savior from the wrath of God that is going to be poured out on earth in the very near future.

The Holy War, Diabolus says;

“My breastplate is made of iron. I had it forged in my own country, and all my soldiers are armed with it. (Revelation 9:9) In plain language, it is a hardened heart.”

The following scripture in Revelation, is a good depiction of the devil’s soldiers that are at war with God for the souls of mankind and this is a good illustration of how hard-hearted this army will be like.

The Holy War, Diabolus describes the following;  

“Once you wear it, neither mercy will win you over, nor judgement frighten you. This, therefore, is an essential piece of armour for all who hate Shaddai and fight against him under my banner.”

This scripture in Revelation describes the demonic manifestation that will torment mankind and that is referenced in The Holy War.

Revelation 9:7-10 Amplified Bible; “7 The locusts resembled horses prepared and equipped for battle; and on their heads appeared to be [something like] golden crowns, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. 9 They had breastplates (scales) like breastplates made of iron; and the [whirring] noise of their wings was like the [thunderous] noise of countless horse-drawn chariots charging [at full speed] into battle. 10 They have tails like scorpions, and stingers; and in their tails is their power to hurt people for five months.”  

It’s inevitable for the unbeliever who rejects God’s salvation to be clothed with a hard heart towards God, it’s just the norm for them, and in the following scripture Jesus parallels the days of Noah to the future day of His return.

Jesus says this in Matthew 24:36-39 Amplified Bible; “36 “But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man (the Messiah) will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected judgment].”

The following scripture sums up the hardness of man’s heart prior to the flood, and it’s important to keep in mind that this is how Jesus describes the condition of the majority of mankind’s heart will be prior to His return.

Genesis 6:11-12 Amplified Bible; “11 The [population of the] earth was corrupt [absolutely depraved—spiritually and morally putrid] in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence [desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power]. 12 God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction.”

Sound familiar? It’s all over social media, and it’s not getting any better, and is all the more reason to not allow the devil to clothe you with a hard heart towards God’s salvation, because at any time Jesus will return and you don’t want to be left behind to face seven years of tribulation as described by Jesus in Matthew 24.

The Apostle Paul says this about the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the rapture of the church in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Amplified Bible; “16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the [a]archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth]  will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord! 18 Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died].”

In The Holy War, Diabolus offers to clothe the city of Mansoul with a breastplate of armour, a hardened heart, that in reality, cannot withstand the love of King Shaddai, for no matter how hard the heart of man is, God’s love always prevails without violating mans freewill, and salvation is still a free gift that can be received or rejected because of a hardened heart. The Holy Spirit will continually penetrate the hard heart with the love of Jesus, but even then, a person still has a will to accept or reject that love and forgiveness.

The Holy War, Diabolus says;

“Once you wear it, neither mercy will win you over, nor judgement frighten you. This, therefore, is an essential piece of armour for all who hate Shaddai and fight against him under my banner.”

Jesus says in Matthew 13:14-17 Amplified Bible; “14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will hear and keep on hearing, but never understand; And you will look and keep on looking, but never comprehend; 15 For this nation’s heart has grown hard, And with their ears they hardly hear, And they have [tightly] closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, And hear with their ears,  And understand with their heart, and turn [to Me] And I would heal them [spiritually].’ 16 But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, many prophets and righteous men [who were honorable and in right standing with God] longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Hebrews 4:12 Amplified Bible; “12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The word of God can penetrate the hardest of hearts and cause a man or woman to reason right from wrong whether they want to or not, yet it’s still up to them to receive or reject God’s salvation plan. I wonder how many people because of hardening their hearts, have rejected Jesus as Lord of their lives, only to have died to then spend an eternity in hell, a place that was made for the devil and his angels.

At this part of The Holy War, Jesus has not yet given up His life for the city of Mansoul and Diabolus is going to great lengths to secure Mansoul’s allegiance to him alone by hardening their hearts towards King Shaddai and His Son’s plan of salvation for their souls.

Let’s take a look at what God’s breastplate of righteousness is that He offers to cloth those who are born again believers of His Son, Jesus.  

Ephesians 6:14 Amplified Bible; “14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having [a]tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart),”

Truth and Righteousness go hand in hand, one without the other doesn’t work well, the belt is what holds the breastplate in place. Now we’re not talking about military terms and armour, but what we’re talking about is an upright heart. In order to have a breastplate of righteous you have to walk in truth. Who is the truth? Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father except by Him, John 14:6.

2 Corinthians 5:21 New King James Version;“21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 Amplified Bible; “21 He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”

Right standing with God is what the devil has been trying to pervert and twist from the time of the fall of Adam and Eve to the death, resurrection and ascension of His Son Jesus, and up to this present time we are living in. Let’s look at what Got Questions has to say about the breastplate of righteousness.

“The breastplate of righteousness refers to the righteousness purchased for us by Jesus at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). At salvation, a “breastplate” is issued to each repentant sinner. It is specially designed by God to protect our heart and soul from evil and deception. Our own righteous acts are no match for Satan’s attacks (Isaiah 64:6). The breastplate of righteousness has Christ’s name stamped on it, as though He said, “Your righteousness isn’t sufficient to protect you. Wear mine.”  

As we wear Christ’s breastplate of righteousness, we begin to develop a purity of heart that translates into actions. Wearing this breastplate creates a lifestyle of putting into practice what we believe in our hearts. As our lives become conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), our choices become more righteous, and these godly choices also protect us from further temptation and deception (Proverbs 8:20; Psalm 23:3).”

To read the full teaching on the breastplate of righteousness click on this Got Questions.

What it comes right down to, is that all mankind's righteousness is as filthy rags before an all Holy God, and Diabolus does not want the city of Mansoul to come to the understanding of God’s salvation, and this is why he’s scrambling to keep them in his kingdom of darkness by strengthening them to harden their hearts against King Shaddai. Isaiah 64:6 says;  But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.”, 

The Dake Annotated Reference Bible notes that the Hebrew word for ‘filthy rags’ is ‘ed’, which means “to set a period, the menstrual flow, the rags used by women in their monthly periods”. That’s grossly descriptive of what our own righteousness depicts.

There’s a temptation that many people today fall into on a regular basis, called self-righteousness, trusting in their own righteous works, that leads to twisting their evil deeds and calling them good, and  twisting another persons good deeds and calling them evil. A good example of this can be found in the following parable that Jesus spoke.

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus talks about the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax collector; “9 He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [posing outwardly as upright and in right standing with God], and who viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood [ostentatiously] and began praying to himself [in a self-righteous way, saying]: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—swindlers, unjust (dishonest), adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but was striking his chest [in humility and repentance], saying, ‘God, be merciful and gracious to me, the [especially wicked] sinner [that I am]!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his home justified [forgiven of the guilt of sin and placed in right standing with God] rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself [forsaking self-righteous pride] will be exalted.”

In The Holy War, Diabolus is all about calling evil good and good evil, and even to this very day we can see all over the social media sites this agenda is being pushed to harden a man or woman's heart towards God and His salvation plan.

Isaiah 5:20 Amplified Bible says this; “20 Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

There’s a big price to pay for calling good evil an evil good, and the end result is judgment before the Great White Throne depicted in the following scripture.

Revelation 20:11-15 Amplified Bible depicts the final judgment of those who call good evil and evil good, who have hardened their heart towards God and rejected Jesus’ Lordship in their lives, who were given an opportunity to repent but chose not to. It says; “11 And I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them [for this heaven and earth are passing away]. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth]. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and Hades (the realm of the dead) surrendered the dead who were in them; and they were judged and sentenced, every one according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades [the realm of the dead] were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire [the eternal separation from God]. 15 And if [a]anyone’s name was not found [b]written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.”

That is the end of the story for the person who hardens their heart against God, calling good evil and evil good, who chooses to serve the devil instead of serving God, who rejects Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. God has no choice but to give them the judgment they deserve. He gave them opportunity to repent, but He doesn’t violate man’s will, He never has and never will. You don’t want to end up at that final judgment. Christians don’t end up at that judgment but will be judged at the Bema Seat. If you end up at the White Throne Judgment, it’s over, there’s no going back. Your life will be exposed before an all Holy God, then to be hurled into the lake of fire, which was prepared for the devil and his fallen angel, not for you. But because you chose to serve the devil, that’s the end result. All the more reason today to not harden your heart, to allow Jesus to lead you to repentance. Don’t harden your heart to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, yield to it and repent. God’s will is that everyone comes to repentance according to 2 Peter 3:9; “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Hebrews 3:15 says; 15 while it is said, “Today [while there is still opportunity] if you hear His voice, Do not harden your heart, as when they provoked Me [in the rebellion in the desert at Meribah].”

Let’s read again the opening paragraph from the message.

The Holy War; Diabolus continues;

“2. My breastplate is made of iron. I had it forged in my own country, and all my soldiers are armed with it. (Revelation 9:9) In plain language, it is a hardened heart, a heart as hard as iron and as much past feeling as a stone. Once you wear it, neither mercy will win you over, nor judgement frighten you. This, therefore, is an essential piece of armour for all who hate Shaddai and fight against him under my banner.”

It’s a most pitiable state for a man or woman to be in to have a heart of iron and that the devils lies have so deceived them that neither mercy will win them over, nor judgment frighten them.

Like I said in last message, choose this day who you’re going to serve. Choose this day what you’re going to call good...and what you’re going to all evil.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 23:29 the following; “Is not My word like a fire? Says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” We pray that as you read this message that the Lord would break the rock, the hard heart, that hinders His will, plans and purposes for your life. We ask that the Holy Spirit would bring spiritual clarity to you.

Today we will be reading from The Holy War, starting where we left off on Message 7, Chapter 2 paragraph 23 (on the top of page 12), and end at the bottom of page 13. We’ll study excerpts from this reading today.  If you don’t have your PDF copy of the book you can download it here or on top of this website page.

The Holy War, Bunyan says;

“Now, when this matter — I mean the plan of the King and his Son — was first aired at court, how the high lords, chief captains, and noble princes, who were there, were taken up by the business! First, they whispered about it to one another, and after that the news began to ring out through the King’s palace, everyone marvelling at the master plan drawn up between the King and his Son and set in motion for the miserable city of Man soul. Yes; the courtiers could hardly do anything either for the King or kingdom without declaring the love of the King and his Son for the city of Mansoul.”

The love of the King and His Son for the city of Mansoul that the high lords, chief captains and noble princes spoke of, is beyond any love that any human being could demonstrate to anyone. This love is a type and shadow of God’s love for the souls of all mankind, which He Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, gave up His majesty and splendour in heaven to become a man and die for the sins of all mankind. His Son’s death, offered not temporary atonement for sin found in the required animal sacrifices under the Levitical Laws of the Old Testament, but rather a complete removal of sin.  

1 John 4:9-10 Amplified Bible; “9 By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath].”

Ephesians 2:4-5 Amplified Bible; “4 But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment).”

Romans 5:6-9 Amplified Bible; “6 While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. 7 Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. 8 But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the [a]wrath of God through Him.”

Have you noticed how many times the word ‘judgment’ or ‘wrath’ are mentioned? God delivered us from this. It’s good to meditate on God’s love for us, and His sacrificial demonstration of it found in the death of His Son, because that was His plan from the beginning of the fall of Adam and Eve, to give mankind an opportunity to receive His pre-planned offer of Salvation that is found only in His Son, Jesus. Remember though, it’s only an offer, it requires your freewill to believe it and receive by faith.

It’s interesting to see that no matter how far the city of Mansoul strayed from the Laws of King Shaddai, it never altered the Kings Salvation plan that was already set in place, and proclaimed by these lords, high captains, and princes, who could not contain themselves to spread this news of love to the city of Mansoul. God’s relentless love for those who are in covenant with death and who are in agreement with hell and have made lies their refugeand under falsehood have hid themselves.

The Holy War, Bunyan says;

“Nor were these lords, high captains, and princes content to keep this news inside the court. Indeed, before the records were complete, they themselves came down and spread the news in Universe. At last it came to the ears, as I said, of Diabolus, which discomforted him; for you are right to think it would upset him when he heard of such a plan against him. Well, after thinking about it, he decided on thesefour things:

First, that this news should, if possible, be kept from the ears of the city of Mansoul; ‘for’,said he, ‘if they heard that Shaddai, their former King, and Emmanuel his Son, are bent on delivering the city of Mansoul, what can I expect but that Mansoul will revolt under my hand and government, and return again to him?”

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 Amplified Bible says; “3 But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; 4 among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

The Holy War, Bunyan continues;

“To do this, he flattered Lord Willbewill even more, and gave him strict control and command over all the gates of the city, especially Ear-gate and Eye-gate, that he should keep watch day and by night, ‘for I hear of a plan’, said he, ‘a plan to make us all traitors, and bring Mansoul back under her first bondage again.”

Even up to this very day, the devil, (Diabolus), has been desperately trying to keep the Gospel message of Salvation from those who are under his domain by guarding what they see and hear. Just start sharing the Gospel message in secular settings such as work, sports, school, etc., and see how far you get without someone trying to shut you down and discrediting God’s Salvation plan. Persecution is inevitable for Christians, and it’s just the devils way of keeping the Gospel message of Salvation from entering the ear-gates and eye-gates of those who are serving him in the kingdom of darkness.

The Holy War, Bunyan continues;

“This, therefore, was done. Lord Willbewill listened to his Lord and master, and willingly obeyed his orders with all the diligence he could muster, preventing anyone who had gone out from bringing any news back to Mansoul on his return to the city.

Second, this being done, next, Diabolus, in order to make Mansoul as secure as he could, framed and imposed a new oath and horrible covenant on the citizens — that is, that they would never desert him nor his government, nor betray him, nor seek to alter his laws; but that they should own, confess, stand by, and acknowledge him as their rightful king, in defiance of whatever anyone else might say or do under any pretence, law, or title whatever, to lay claim to the city of Mansoul. Diabolus thought that Shaddai did not have the power to absolve them from this covenant of death, and agreement with hell. (Isaiah 28:15)”

Isaiah 28:15 King James Version says; “15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:”

That is quite the statement isn’t it, ‘making lies our refuge’. Have you ever wondered why it is after years and years of living the life of a Christian, and sharing the Gospel message, that many family members, friends, co-workers, etc., still have not believed and become Christian? There are only two spiritual fathers that a person can have one of; one is Jesus, the other is satan, and regardless of whether a person believes this or not, their allegiance is to one or the other.  So by rejecting Jesus, they are reinstating their allegiance to the devil, (even though they may not verbally be stating it, but by their denial of Jesus they are reinstating their allegiance to the devil), and this is why it seems to get easier and easier to reject Jesus, and the more the devil can get them to reject Jesus, the more allegiance he gains from them, regardless of whether they believe in satan or not, their actions will determine who their lord is of their lives.

A good example of this can be found in John 8:31-47, where Jesus is talking to religious Jews who believed in Him, but rejected Him as Messiah.  

Some good questions to ask yourself are: have I made lies my refuge and hidden myself under falsehood; have I made a covenant with death and am in agreement with hell; who do I swear allegiance to, Jesus or Satan? If it’s not Jesus, then you’re in a covenant with death and are in agreement with hell and have made lies your refuge and are hiding under falsehood.

The Holy War, Bunyan says;

“Third, jealousy, which never thinks itself strong enough, inspired him in his next exploit, which had this aim, to further corrupt this city of Mansoul. So he had drawn up in writing by the hand of Mr. Filth who was an odious, nasty piece of work, a notice to be set up on the castle gates in which he granted and gave licence to all his true and trusted sons in Mansoul to do whatever their lustful appetites prompted them to do; and no one was to hinder or deter them on pain of incurring the displeasure of their prince. Now, he did this for two reasons:

1. That the city of Mansoul might be further weakened, and so be unable, should news come that their redemption was near, to believe, hope, or consent to this truth; for reason says, ‘The bigger the sinner, the less grounds there are for hope of mercy’,”

Romans 1:21-32Amplified Bible says; “21 For even though [a]they knew God [as the Creator], they did not [b]honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for [c]an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], 25 because [by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading and vile passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural [a function contrary to nature], 27 and in the same way also the men turned away from the natural function of the woman and were consumed with their desire toward one another, men with men committing shameful acts and in return receiving in their own bodies the inevitable and appropriate penalty for their wrongdoing.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, 29 until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness. They are gossips [spreading rumors], 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity]. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them.”

The Holy War, Bunyan says;

“2. The second reason was that perhaps Emmanuel, the Son of Shaddai their King, when he saw the horrible and profane antics of the city of Mansoul, might repent of entering into a covenant of redemption, and of pursuing that covenant for their redemption; for Diabolus knew that Shaddai was holy, and that his Son Emmanuel was holy as well.

Indeed, he knew it through painful experience. Because of his iniquity and sin, Diabolus was cast out of from the highest sphere. Therefore, what more logical than for him to think that it might turn out the same for Mansoul? But fearing at the same time that this knot would break, he thought of something else.”

2 Peter 3:9 Amplified Bible says; “9 The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

1 John 1:9 Amplified Bible; “9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].”

James 5:19-20 Amplified Bible says; “19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and falls into error and [another] one turns him back [to God], 20 let the [latter] one know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save that one’s soul from death and cover a multitude of sins [that is, obtain the pardon of the many sins committed by the one who has been restored].

The Holy War, Bunyan says;

“Fourth. To attempt to possess all hearts in the city of Mansoul, Diabolus noised it abroad that Shaddai was raising an army to overthrow and utterly destroy the city of Mansoul. He tried to forestall any news that might come to their ears about their deliverance; ‘for’, thought he, ‘if I publish this news first, whatever else comes after will all be swallowed up; for what else will Mansoul think, when they hear that they are about to be delivered, but this — ‘Shaddai intends to destroy us?”

The devil in his desperation is lying about God’s mercy for the backslider, and it’s important to keep in perspective that although a person on their own freewill can backslide away from God and end up in hell for eternity, it is never God’s will for that to happen. He gave mankind a freewill to choose as they will, to reject or accept His plan of salvation, and He will not violate mans free will.  

2 Peter 3:9 Amplified Bible says; “9 The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

The following is a scripture reading from the parable of the prodigal son, that best depicts God as a father and his response to his repentant son.

Luke 15:17-24 Amplified Bible says; “17 But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a [a]ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Prophecy by tongues and interpretation by Pastor Richard – August 17th, 2025

Who are you in covenant with today, says the Lord? Are you in a covenant with life that can only be found in Me or are in a covenant with death? Are you in agreement with heaven that can only be attained through Me, says the Lord, or are you in agreement with hell? Examine your life today, says the Lord. Your actions will determine your lordship, My Lordship in your life. Do your actions determine My Lordship? Am I Lord of your life and of your lives? Are you in covenant with Me in deed as well as with your words? Do your actions determine My Lordship? Do they reveal who I am, when people see you do they see Me, Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the faith you proclaim?  

So when people see you, do they know that you’ve been with Me? When they hear you speak, are they hearing from Me? Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, what’s coming out of the mouth determines what’s in your heart. Give Me your heart today, says the Lord. I’ll speak through you, they’ll see Me in you.  You’re My vessels, I’ve chosen you to represent Me on earth. When people see you they should see Me. If they don’t see Me, it’s time for you to get out of the way. My word says that unless you become as a child you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s My will for you to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, it's My plan, it’s My purpose. It’s not My will that anyone perish but that all come to repentance. It’s never been My will, but I don’t interrupt your will, I don’t force your will, I don’t violate it, I give you free will today. Free will to make a covenant with life, free will to come into agreement with heaven, My plans, My purposes with you, eternal life in heaven in a place that I’ve gone to prepare for you. Don’t circumvent that work that I’ve begun in you but complete it, let My Holy Spirit complete the work in you to the end. Finish strong says the Lord, run the race, finish strong.  

Today we’ll be reading from The Holy War, chapter 2, starting at the bottom of page 9 where we left off on Message 5, reading paragraphs 8-13. If you don’t have your PDF copy of the book you can download it here or on top of this website page.

The Holy War:

“Besides these, Diabolus put several burgesses and aldermen in Mansoul on a list, from which the citizens could elect officers, governors, and magistrates, when needed. Here are the names of the main ones: Mr. Incredulity, Mr. Haughty, Mr. Swearing, Mr. Whoring, Mr. Hard-Heart, Mr. Pitiless, Mr. Fury, Mr. No-Truth, Mr. Stand-In-Lies, Mr. False-Peace, Mr. Drunkenness, Mr. Cheating, and Mr. Atheism; thirteen in all. Mr. Incredulity was the oldest of the company, and Mr. Atheism the youngest.”

The names of these men can pretty much sum up the times we are living in, and many who are in positions of secular and Christian authority today wear these names like a garment, with no conviction or regret at all, and this can be simply summed up in saying that they are behaving like their father the devil. In the Holy War, Diabolus surrounds himself with those who are are willing to behave just like him, and it’s all about gaining total possession of the city of Mansoul, which is a type and shadow of the soul of a man or woman, being possessed by the devil.

Jesus addressed the Jewish religious leaders of His day in John 8:44 and said the following:

John 8:44 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.”

When the non-Christian, unbeliever, behaves like the names listed above, everything is just normal because they are simply behaving like their daddy, and regardless of how many rules or protocols are implemented in secular settings to curb these behaviours, it seems like it’s always in the heart of man, no matter the amount of disciplines imposed, to maintain a good image. So the company, school, business that implements protocol, what is in the heart of man will still manifest.

Jesus again spoke the following verse to religious Jews who were the righteous standard of the day;

Matthew 12:34 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “34 You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the [a]superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.”

It would be good to read the full chapters of Matthew 12 and John 8 to get full understanding of the context in which Jesus is speaking, but we can derive without doing so, that whatever is in the heart of man will eventually make its way out thru their mouths, and will reveal who their father is, regardless of how religious they claim to be.

1 John 3:8-9 Amplified Bible says; “8 The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because [a]God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him.”

A spirit of discernment is needed to see this in those who say they are Christian but are not, but are merely religious.  

Mr. Incredulity, Mr. Haughty, Mr. Swearing, Mr. Whoring, Mr. Hard-Heart, Mr. Pitiless, Mr. Fury, Mr. No-Truth, Mr. Stand-In-Lies, Mr. False-Peace, Mr. Drunkenness, Mr. Cheating.  

These are similar manifestations of the flesh which the Apostle Paul outlines in Galatians 5. A person can be born again and act like these men mentioned here, but you are not to continue in it.

If Christians are habitually practicing any of the attributes of the names mentioned above, they are not behaving like their father Jesus, but like their father the devil who has gained possession of their soul somewhere through an open door, in some way, shape or form, and the little bit of unrepented sin (leaven), eventually takes possession (leavens) of the whole soul of a man. A good example of this can be found in the following verses:

Acts 5:3-4 Amplified Bible says; “3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and [secretly] keep back for yourself some of the proceeds [from the sale] of the land? 4 As long as it remained [unsold], did it not remain your own [to do with as you pleased]? And after it was sold, was the money not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this act [of hypocrisy and deceit] in your heart? You have not [simply] lied to people, but to God.”

When you read the whole account of the fate of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5:1-11, it’s pretty evident, that they were devout Christians who allowed Satan access to their soul that eventually cost them not only their lives but their salvation. You say that sounds pretty harsh of God to take away their salvation after taking their lives, but what does it say about the liars fate in the following scripture:  

Revelation 21:8; New King James Version;“8 But the cowardly, [a]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

You may ask, does that include the ‘innocent’ white lies? Well, isn’t a lie a lie? So a good question to ask yourselves today Christians is; Who am I habitually behaving like, Jesus or the devil? It’s a very valid question that if the answer requires repentance, it would be good to repent while you’re alive because after death there is no time to repent and you don’t want to end up separated from God for eternity in the lake fire for unrepented, habitual sins.

The Holy War:

“When the giant had gone so far in his work, he decided to build some strongholds in the city, three that had the appearance of being totally resistant. The first he called the Stronghold of Defiance because it had command over the whole city, and was designed to keep her from the knowledge of her ancient King. The second he called Midnight Stronghold because it was built to keep Mansoul from the true knowledge of herself. The third was called Sweet-Sin Stronghold because by it he fortified Mansoul against all desires for good.

The first of these strongholds stood near the Eye-gate, that, as far as possible, it might prevent light from shining in there. The second was built near the old castle that it might become blinder, if possible. The third stood in the market place.”

Interesting to see that the Midnight Stronghold was meant to blind and block out the view of heaven, the heavenly castle.  

Let’s look at the Stronghold of Defiance that had command over the whole city of Mansoul with the design to keep her from the knowledge of her ancient King.

The Holy War;

“The first of these strongholds stood near the Eye-gate, that, as far as possible, it might prevent light from shining in there. The person Diabolus appointed as governor over the first of these was called Spite-God, a most blasphemous wretch. He was a member of the unholy crew who came against Mansoul at first.”

The Eye-gate of Mansoul seems to be what the devil attacks by darkening all memory of God’s infinite existence, and replaces it with the temporary worship of the creation instead of the creator. The devil will go out of his way to cause Christians to worship the creation instead of the creator and end up spitefully defying God’s existence in their lives in exchange for worldly pleasures.  

James 4:1-4 Amplified Bible says; “4 What leads to [the unending] [a]quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your [hedonistic] desires that wage war in your [bodily] members [fighting for control over you]? 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and [b]your lust goes unfulfilled; so you [c]murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God]. 3 You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask [d]with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. 4 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

We must remember that James is talking to Christians here, not the unsaved! There is a big difference between being friendly with world and being friends, one is exemplifying the love of Christ to them by preaching the gospel and living by example, the other compromises their walk with Christ by becoming worldly to be a friend of the world. This goes on all the time in what is called, friendship evangelism, which is none other than a method of evangelism that allows Christians to live worldly lives and not be persecuted or hated by the world. If you’re looking for affirmation from the world you’re essentially looking for affirmation from the devil.

1 John 2:15-17 Amplified Bible says; “15 Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.”

John 15:19 Amplified Bible; “19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you.”

Again, should you be surprised that the world hates you if you’re a Christian? It all comes down to what fellowship does light have with darkness, what fellowship does a Christian whose father is God, have with an unbeliever whose father is the devil, how deep of a friendship can they have without compromising? It’s just a matter of time, and the devil’s goal is to remove all of God’s light from a Christian’s life, get them to spitefully defy God’s existence and worship the creation instead of the creator.   

Here are some bullet points from The Holy War about the Midnight Stronghold;

1. The second he called Midnight Stronghold because it was built to keep Mansoul from the true knowledge of herself.

2. It was built near the old castle that it might become blinder, if possible.

3. The one who was made governor of Midnight Stronghold was called Love-No-Light.

4. Here is a description of the Castle that is blinded by Midnight Stronghold. It was actually built to remove its image and positioned in such a way that you couldn’t see the castle anymore.

“At the centre of this city, there reared up a most famous and stately palace. For strength, it might be called a castle; for pleasantness, a paradise; for largeness, a place so great that it could take in the whole world. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) This place, King Shaddai  intended for his own use and for no other; partly for his own delight, and partly because he would have no strangers coming in to terrorize the city.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11 Amplified Bible; “11 He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.”

As Christians, we have to continually meditate in the Bible scriptures about who we are in Christ, who is our true identity, because the devil is all about blinding and keeping you in the dark from being able to see any and all of your Christian identity and heritage found in Christ and His promise of eternal life in heaven.

These scriptures tell us who we are in Christ;

Ephesians 1:18 Amplified Bible; “18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very centre and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]saints (God’s people),”

1 Peter 2:9 Amplified Bible; “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

1 Peter 1:3-5 Amplified Bible; “3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.”

Romans 8:17 Amplified Bible; “17 And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.”

Hebrews 9:15 Amplified Bible; “15 For this reason He is the Mediator and Negotiator of a new covenant [that is, an entirely new agreement uniting God and man], so that those who have been called [by God] may receive [the fulfillment of] the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has taken place [as the payment] which redeems them from the sins committed under the obsolete first covenant.”

Ephesians 1:18 Amplified Bible; “18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very centre and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]saints (God’s people),”

Christian, don’t forfeit your inheritance for this world, it’s not worth it in the light of eternity!

Here are some bullet points from The Holy War about the Sweet-Sin Stronghold;

• The third stronghold was called Sweet-Sin Stronghold because by it he fortified Mansoul against all desires for good.
• The third stood in the market place.
• The one who was made governor of the Sweet-Sin Stronghold was called Love-Flesh. He was a very lustful fellow, but did not come from the same country as the others. This fellow could find more sweetness when he stood sucking at a lust than in all the paradise of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 Amplified Bible says; “19 Now the practices of the [a]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 [b]idolatry, [c]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behaviour, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Amplified Bible; “9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; [a]neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [by perversion], nor [b]those who participate in homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander], nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.”  

Sweet-Sin Stronghold was located in the marketplace, where Mansoul could be tempted with every lust under the sun, and it is the same thing today, nothing has changed except the media platforms that amplify the sins of the flesh more so. It’s all designed to tempt Man’s soul to not choose good, but rather what is evil, and this is all the more reason that Christians are to know what God’s word has to say about submitting unto God and resisting temptations.  

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Amplified Bible; “12 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. 13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].”

As Christians, we are without excuse to sin, simply because God always provides a way of escape, so it is all about good and bad decision making, and no one is to blame except ourselves. There’s no devil to blame, it’s all about submitting unto God and resisting the temptation, and taking the way of escape that God provides, which is always found in His word, the Holy Bible. This is all the more reason to meditate day and night in what’s written in the Bible, and specifically in areas that you know you are subject to be tempted by the devil with.

James 4:7 Amplified Bible; “7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.”

Jesus is our best example on resisting temptation in Luke 4:1-13,for He always quotes the Bible at the devil that's tempting him;

“...4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’, 

8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,“‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

James 1:12-15 Amplified Bible; “12 Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). 15 Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.”

So Christians, what strongholds have you allowed the devil to build in your lives? The Stronghold of Defiance (Spiteful towards God), that's keeping you from the knowledge of God, the Midnight Stronghold (Loving No Light of God), that's keeping you from the knowledge of who you are in Christ, or the Sweet-Sin Stronghold (Loving the Flesh more than God), that's fortifying you from all desires to do good?

We begin today by reading from the 5th paragraph of page 9 (chapter 1) and will finish at the end of page 10 (chapter 1 conclusion). Click on this link to open and download a copy of The Holy War.

Holy War: “But leaving Mr. Recorder, we now come to Lord Willbewill, another of the nobility of the famous city of Mansoul. This Willbewill was as high-born as any man in Mansoul, and was better than any of them, for he was a freeholder. Besides, if I remember my tale correctly, he had some privileges unique to himself in the famous city of Mansoul. Now, altogether, he was a man of great strength, resolution, and courage. No one, on any occasion, could turn him away. But I say this: whether he was proud of his estate, privileges, strength, or not (but you can be sure it was a manly pride), he scorned still to be a slave in Mansoul.”

Being a ‘freeholder’, Lord Willbewill was a property owner and could do with it whatever he wanted without anyone’s permission. Lord Willbewill reminds me of so many people today that have allowed the free will which they possess to interfere with God’s will for their lives, and as a result, they end up conforming themselves to the image of the world, the flesh and the devil (Diabolus), instead of the image of God that can only found in the person of Jesus Christ. There are Christians today that have scorned at being a bondservant of Christ, never mind a bondslave, and have allowed their free will to lead them slowly away from serving the Lord Jesus to serve the world, the flesh and the devil, and it all just started with a little bit of leaven (sin), that eventually leavened their whole life, and what was once a prayer of, ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done’, has become my will be done.

Lord Willbewill was not about serving the people of Mansoul, but rather about serving himself; it’s called selfish ambition, which is rooted in the pride that caused Lucifer to fall hard from Heaven.

Philippians 2:3 Amplified Bible says; “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.”

Proverbs 16:18 Amplified Bible says; “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”

The devil is always looking for someone to duplicate himself thru on earth, Christian or not, someone who is willing to reject God’s will for their lives in exchange for his will, and allow selfish ambition to take over their lives and become a lover of self. Lord Willbewill is a great example of someone who will step on anyone to get to the top, without a care of who’s life is destroyed to get there. When we look back on our personal lives, we can all remember someone from our job, sports, school education that stepped on us to get to the top, or stepped on someone else to get to the top.

James 3:13-17 Amplified Bible says; “13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and [as a result] be in defiance of the truth. 15 This [superficial] wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].”

Holy War: “He therefore resolved to bear office under Diabolus that he might (such a clever one he was) be a petty ruler and governor in Mansoul. Such a headstrong man! Yet that is how he was; for this man, when Diabolus first made his speech at Ear-gate, was one of the first to listen to his words and accept his counsel. He agreed to the opening of the gates, and letting him into the city. So Diabolus looked on him kindly, and found a special place for him. And noting his valour and stubbornness, he longed to have him as one of his great ones, to act and do in matters of the highest estate.”

Being strong-willed and stubborn against God’s will, is rooted in rebellion which is the sin of divination, (fortune telling), and disobedience is as (serious as) false religion and idolatry. So when Christians are operating in stubbornness, rebellion and disobedience to God’s will for their lives, divination, false religion and idolatry are prevalent and what was once the clear voice of God is replaced with a familiar demonic spirit.

A good example of that is King Saul and is found in 1 Samuel 15:23 Amplified Bible; “23  “For rebellion is as [serious as] the sin of divination (fortune-telling), And disobedience is as [serious as] false religion and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected [a]you as king.”

There are ministers of the Gospel that God has rejected today simply because of having disobeyed God’s will for their lives, and it would be good for Christians to examine their own lives and honestly allow the Holy Spirit to show them where they have disobeyed God’s will and have opened the door for familiar spirits to speak into their lives as the voice of God.

The following scriptures are a good check list for Christians to read and see if any of these are operating in their lives that need to be repented of.

Galatians 5:19-21 Amplified Bible; “19 Now the practices of the [a]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 [b]idolatry, [c]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

When Christians obey God’s word, they are guaranteed to be persecuted and discriminated against in secular settings, simply because they are not willing to allow the devil to duplicate himself thru them, and promote the ungodly image being exalted, in their workplace, sports and recreation, educational arenas, etc. If they did it to Christians in Roman arenas, they’ll do it today, only today it appears a little bit more civilized, but is the same antichrist spirit in operation.

Holy War: “When the tyrant, therefore, saw the willingness of Lord Willbewill to serve him, and that his mind leaned that way, he straightway made him the captain of the castle, governor of the wall, and keeper of the gates of Mansoul. Indeed, there was a clause in his commission that nothing should be done in all the city of Mansoul without his consent. So that now, next to Diabolus himself, no one else but Lord Willbewill was foremost in all the city of Mansoul. Nor could anything be done in the city of Mansoul except by his will and pleasure.”

Lord Willbewill was a duplicate of his master Diabolus, and as a result he was promoted to the top of the city of Mansoul, and this can be seen in not only secular settings but also church settings that have allowed the church government to be ran like secular organizations with all the latest and greatest marketing schemes for mega-church development. The world has crept into the church.  

Lord Willbewill was just behaving like his father the devil (Diabolus), and it was all about having total control of the town of Mansoul, and the devil is still in the business gaining possession of a persons soul, be it an unbeliever or a Christian, it’s the same process that starts at the ear-gate, that enters in by the free will, and opens up the eye-gate, which in return corrupts the mind, to then duplicates whatever demon came into their soul.

I like how Jesus in the following scripture exposes the religious leaders who were behaving like their father the devil.  

John 8:43-44 Amplified Bible; “43 Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths.”

Holy War: “He took Mr. Mind as his clerk, a man who spoke exactly like his master; for he and his Lord were of one mind, and in practice not far apart. (Romans 8:7) So now, Mansoul had one purpose — to fulfil the lusts of the flesh and of the mind. (Ephesians 2:2-4).”  

Romans 8:5-7 Amplified Bible says; “5 For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; 7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot,”

The following scriptures teach Christians how to not allow their minds to duplicate what the devil wants their will to do.  

Romans 12:1-2 Amplified Bible; “12 [a]Therefore I urge you, [b]brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Amplified Bible; “4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,”

Philippians 4:8 Amplified Bible; “8 Finally, [a]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”

You can sure see how important is was for Lord Willbewill to have Mr. Mind on board behaving just like him, it made it so much easier to take possession of the town of Mansoul and give himself totally over to the will of Diabolus.

Holy War: “But it is not far from my thoughts what a desperate man this Willbewill was when power was put into his hand! He flatly denied that he owed anything to his former Prince and sovereign Lord. This done, next, he took an oath, and swore loyalty to his great master Diabolus. Then, being installed in his station, offices, advancement, and preferment, oh! you cannot imagine, unless you saw it with your own eyes, the strange work this man did in the city of Mansoul.”

Christians that think that they could never give their minds totally over to the temptation of their will to backslide and renounce their Christian faith, are living in a delusional unreal world. 

Hebrews 6:4-6 Amplified Bible;“4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have [a]tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, 6 [b]and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace.”  

This clearly explains why there are so many backslidden Christians today; they’ve done exactly what this scripture says. It also should not surprise anyone when a Christian backslides to this point and doesn’t return.

Hebrews 10:26-31 Amplified Bible; “26 For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate], 27 but a kind of awful and terrifying expectation of [divine] judgment and the fury of a fire and burning wrath which will consume the adversaries [those who put themselves in opposition to God]. 28 Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much greater punishment do you think he will deserve who has rejected and trampled under foot the Son of God, and has considered unclean and common the blood of the covenant that [a]sanctified him, and has insulted the Spirit of grace [who imparts the unmerited favor and blessing of God]? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the deliverance of justice rest with Me], I will repay [the wrongdoer].” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God [incurring His judgment and wrath].”

Holy War : “Of first importance, he slandered Mr. Recorder to death. He could neither endure to see him, nor listen to his words. He would shut his eyes whenever he saw him, and close his

ears when he heard him speak. Also, he could not bear so much as a fragment of the law

of Shaddai to be seen anywhere in the city. For example, his clerk, Mr. Mind, had some

old, worn copies of the law of Shaddai in his house; but when Willbewill saw them, he cast

them behind his back.”

Mr. Recorder was also known as Mr. Conscience, and it’s understandable that he was slandered to death by Lord Willbewill, because so long as there’s a conscience, it affects the mind, the freewill and  total possession of Mansoul. Mr. Conscience has to be silenced, seared and put to death in the mind and will of Mansoul. It all comes down to whatever is going to hinder the town of Mansoul from total possession of Diabolus has to be put to death in one way or another.  

It’s important to meditate in God’s word day and night to maintain a good conscience and record of it in your mind so that you’re ready for any temptation that comes your way, and the word of God is your only offensive weapon listed in Ephesians 6, it’s your sword that you fight the devil with when tempted to not do God’s will.  

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Amplified Bible; “16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Hebrews 4:12 Amplified Bible says; “12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Holy War: “Lord Willbewill had a deputy under him whose name was Mr. Affection, one who was greatly corrupted in his principles, and worse in his life. (Romans 1:25) He was wholly

given over to the sins of the flesh, and so they nicknamed him ‘Vile-Affection’. Now, he

and the woman Carnal-Lust, daughter of Mr. Mind (a case of like attracting like), fell in

love, made a match of it, and married. And, as I understand it, they had several children.

The boys were called Impudent, Blackmouth, and Hate-Reproof. Their three daughters

were called Scorn-Truth, Slight-God, and the youngest Revenge. These all married

citizens in Mansoul, and produced many evil brats, too many to be mentioned here. But

we continue with the story.”

Romans 8:5-8 Amplified Bible; “5 For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; 7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.”

1 John 2:4-6 Amplified Bible; “4 Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. 5 But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: 6 whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.”

There was an ongoing duplication of evil in Mansoul, it started with the will and continued to the mind. It’s amazing to see how much your mind is tied into your will when you’re tempted. It’s all about the duplication of the devil in the life of someone. He attacks your will, gets you to duplicate him through the sins of the flesh and to behave like him. All of the children mentioned here have characteristics of the devil himself. So Christian, who are you duplicating today? Jesus Christ or satan? Do you have the attributes of King Shaddai, Jesus Christ, or does your life reflect the attributes of Diabolus? Is your life full of pride and stubbornness or are you humble and teachable? Who is your will submitted to today, is it to Jesus or the devil? Are you about serving others or only yourself which is selfish ambition, rooted in pride or looking out for the interests of others? Hard questions ... but they need to be asked.

Before getting into today’s message, we suggest you read pages 4-7 of Chapter One to be able to understand the full context of the message. You can download the PDF file of The Holy War which is available on our website or go to Preachers’ Help. We did a corporate reading in church of these pages at the beginning of the message.

‘Did God really say?’ is the question that satan presented to Eve in Eden. Man’s soul, in the Garden of Eden was perfect, Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, and they walked in unity with each other and God, absolute perfect harmony without a care in the world, until they were tempted to disobey God’s command by Satan, the fallen angel Lucifer.

Genesis 3:1-7 Amplified Bible (The Fall of Man); “3 Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And [a]the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from [b]any tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘You shall not eat from it nor touch it, otherwise you will die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! 5 For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil.” 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband [c]with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”

Last week we left off reading Holy War at the end of page 3, where Diablous (Satan), and His host of fallen angels, called a council of war to consider the best way to win over for themselves this famous city of Mansoul, and the following four questions were put forth. For the sake of time I’ll be reading sections of the Holy War and Bible Scriptures that could pertain to its content.

The Holy War:    

First. Should they reveal themselves and their plot to take the city of Mansoul?  

1. It was agreed that the answer to the first was ‘No’. It would not be in their best interests to show themselves to the city because the appearance of so many of them would alarm and frighten the citizens; whereas a few or just one of them was not likely to do so. And to strengthen this advice, it was added further that if Mansoul took alarm, ‘It is impossible,’ said Diabolus (for he was speaking now), ‘to take the city; for no one can enter the city without her consent. Therefore, let only a few, or just one, assault Mansoul; and in my opinion,’ added Diabolus, ‘let it be me.’ To this they were all in agreement.  

We are not living in the Garden of Eden, in a perfect world, but never the less, schemes and tactics to take over the soul of man are similar in deception, and all it takes is Satan to get your consent to enter your life with a little leaven (sin), that eventually, if not repented of leavens the whole lump (your whole life).

Galatians 5:7-9 Amplified Bible; “7 You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth? 8 This [deceptive] persuasion is not from Him who called you [to freedom in Christ]. 9 A little [a]leaven [a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers] leavens the whole batch [it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church].”

The Holy War;

Second. Should they go and sit down near Mansoul in their rags and beggarly disguise?  

Remember, these are fallen angels, they don’t have the glory that they had in heaven before they were cast out. They’re now in a fallen state, they used to be the glory of heaven and Lucifer was the highest arc angel in heaven. Lucifer rebelled because he wanted to be like God and when he was thrown out together with one-third of the angels who rebelled with him. Keep in perspective that as in the Garden of Eden, the condition of the Town of Mansoul is perfect and anything outside of that is foreign to them, and would raise suspicion and caution them to not receive them or what they have to say, so any appearance to man’s soul needs to be in the form of a creature that they are familiar with in the Town of Mansoul.

The Holy War:  

At last, Lucifer answered that, in his opinion, it was best that his lordship assume the body of one of those creatures over which the city had dominion. ‘For,’ said he, ‘these are not only familiar to them, but, being over them, they would never imagine that an attempt is being made on the city. To blind them all, let him assume the body of one of those creatures that Mansoul considers to be wiser than the rest.’ (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 20:1-2)  

This advice was applauded by all. So it was decided that the giant Diabolus should take the shape of a dragon which was, in those days, as familiar to the city of Mansoul as a bird to a boy today; for nothing that was in its primitive state was at all amazing to them.

As Christians, our souls have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus and no matter how separated we live unto God by living sanctified lives, we are still living in a fallen world where Satan and his host of fallen angels are still in the business of showing up in stealth, disguises and try to discredit what’s written in the Bible by saying, ‘Did God really say?’

The Holy War:

Third. Should they reveal to Mansoul their intentions, and assault the city with deceitful words?  

Whether it was best to reveal their intentions, or their purpose, in coming to Mansoul. This too was answered in the negative because of the weight of the former argument; that is, that the inhabitants of Mansoul were a strong people — a strong people in a strong city — whose walls and gates were resistant (to say nothing of their castle), nor could they be won over except by their own consent.

God will not violate your free will Christian, and it’s only by your consent to listen and obey what Satan has to say, that gives him access to your soul, and often more than anything it begins thru what you hear. This is all the more reason to meditate in God’s word found in the Holy Bible day and night, so that when Satan, who is the father of lies, tries to twist what God says in His Bible with that age old question, ‘Did God really say?’, you will be able to say, it is written, and quote the scripture that reveals the truth from the lies.

A good example of this can be found in Matthew 4:1-10, and how Jesus responds to the Satan's temptations. Matthew 4:1-10 New King James Version; “4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not [a]tempt the Lord your God.’ ”8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, [b]“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

What Jesus did and said is what we need to do and say when satan tempts us today. Quote the Bible, scripture and verse and declare out loud, ‘it is written’!

The Holy War:  

Therefore, let us attack under the guise of justice, covering our intentions with all manner of lies, flatteries, and deceiving words; promising things that can never be, things that will never happen. This is the way to win Mansoul and make them, of their own freewill, open their gates to us. Indeed, they will beg us to come in to them. And the reason why I think that this project will suit us is because all the people of Mansoul are still simple and innocent, all honest and true. Nor do they yet know what it is to be assaulted with fraud, guile, and hypocrisy. They are strangers to lying and deceitful lips; so if we go in disguise, they will not find us out. Our lies will pass for truth, and our deceiving words for upright dealing. Whatever we promise them they will believe, especially if, in all our lies and false words, we pretend great love for them, and that our intention is only for their benefit and honour.’  

The Holy War:  

Fourth. Should they set aside certain of their companions to shoot some of the principal citizens if they came into sight, all the better to promote their cause?  

Whether it was best to order some of their company to shoot one or more of the principal citizens if they judged that this would advance their cause. This was carried in the affirmative, and the first casualty of this strategy was Mr. Resistance, otherwise called Captain Resistance. He was a great man in Mansoul, this Captain Resistance, and a man whom the giant Diabolus and his company feared more than the whole city of Mansoul. Now, who should be the executioner? That was the next question, and they appointed Tisiphone, a fury from the lake of fire, to do it.  

When a Christian submits to the authority of God’s word and resists Satan's temptations, the devil has to flee. We see the power of resistance in the following verses.

James 4:7 Amplified Bible;“7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV; “8 Be [a]sober, be [b]vigilant; [c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV; “13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [a]bear it.”

Once satan has attacked and defeated a persons ability to resist, he has easy access to their life. Resisting the devil’s temptations with God’s word stops the devil dead in his tracks, leaving him with only one option and that is to flee. This is why Captain Resistance was so feared the most by Diabolus, and became the number 1 target to kill in order for access to be granted into the Town of Mansoul through the Ear-gate.

The Holy War:

Having ended their council of war, they rose up and tried to do what they had decided. They marched towards Mansoul, but under a cloak of invisibility, except one. He did not come to the city in his own likeness, but under the disguise, and in the body, of a dragon.  

So they drew up and sat down before Ear-gate, which was the place of hearing, to detect all who were outside the city, for the Eye-gate was the place of inspection. So, as I said, he came up with his company to the gate, and put into place his ambush for Captain Resistance within bow-shot of the city. This done, the giant came up close to the gate and called to the city of Mansoul for an audience. Nor did he take anyone with him except Ill-Pause, who was his orator in all difficult matters.  

This reminds me of what’s written about false Bible teachers in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 Amplified Bible; “13 For such men are counterfeit apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great surprise if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, but their end will correspond with their deeds.”  

The Holy War:  

Now, as I said, coming up to the gate (as was the custom in those times), he sounded his trumpet for a hearing; at which the chief officers of the city of Mansoul, such as Lord Innocent, Lord Willbewill, the Lord Mayor, Mr. Recorder, and Captain Resistance, came down to the wall to see who was there, and what was the matter. And Lord Willbewill, when he looked over and saw who stood at the gate, demanded to know who he was, where he had come from, and why he had roused the city of Mansoul with such a great noise.  

Today, there seems to be a lot of noise being made by anything and everything in the media which goes into the ear-gates of Christians, to get their attention, to open up their ears to listen to lies and deception that will cause them to backslide, and instead of declaring Jesus to be the only Way, Truth and Life, they end up believing that Jesus is just one of many ways to heaven. If you listen to the lies in the media long enough, who knows to what depths a Christian could fall. The following scripture shows this explicitly.

2 Peter 2:20-22 Amplified Bible; “20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world by [personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them. 22 The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.”

The Holy War:  

Diabolus, then, as if he were a lamb, began his speech, and said: ‘Gentlemen of the famous city of Mansoul, I am, as you see, not a far dweller from you, but from nearby, and one who is bound by the King to offer you my homage and what little service I can. So then, that I may be faithful to myself and to you, I have something of concern to impart to you. Grant me an audience, and listen to me patiently. First, I assure you, it is not for my benefit, but yours, that I seek to open my mind to you. For, gentlemen, to tell you the truth, I have come to show you how to obtain a great deliverance from a bondage that, unknown to you, has taken you captive and enslaved you.’  

It’s important to keep in perspective that when Satan deceived Adam and Eve, he undermined God, and then proceeded to get them to question what God had forbidden them to do, and it’s the same thing today, how after undermining God, he then twists His word to give your itching ears what they want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 Amplified Bible; “3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, 4 and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].”

This shows how important it is to guard your ear-gate, Christian!

The Holy War:  

At this the city of Mansoul began to prick up her ears and ask, ‘What is it? Please what is it?’ And he replied, ‘I have something to say to you concerning your King, concerning his law, and  

also something about yourselves. Concerning your King, I know he is great and powerful; yet all that he has said to you is neither true nor to your advantage.  

‘1. It is not true, for although he has awed you, nothing will happen to you, even if you do the thing he has forbidden. So if there is no danger, what a slavery it is to live always in fear of great punishment for doing so small and trivial a thing as eating a little fruit!  

Let’s read Genesis 3:1-5 Amplified Bible again; “3 Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And [a]the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from [b]any tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘You shall not eat from it nor touch it, otherwise you will die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! 5 For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil.” 

The Holy War:  

2. Concerning his law, I say this: they are both unreasonable, complicated, and intolerable. They are unreasonable, as I suggested to you before; for the punishment is not equal to the offence. There is a great difference between life and an apple; yet the one must go before the other according to the law of your Shaddai. But it is also complicated, in that he said at first that you may eat of all the fruit; and then he forbade you to eat one of them.  And then, finally, it is intolerable, in that the one fruit which you are forbidden to eat (if indeed you are forbidden) is alone able to bring you a blessing as yet unknown to you. This is seen in the very name of the tree - ‘the tree of knowledge of good and evil’. Do you have that knowledge yet? No, indeed not; nor do you have any idea how good, how pleasant, and how much it is to be desired to make you wise, so long as you stand by your King’s commandment.

You’ll notice not far into this section of lies and deception, that Captain Resistance is shot dead, and then Mr. Ill-pause takes the stage to speak as orator for Diabolus, it’s like resistance to believe the lies is removed, and now the Town of Mansoul believes the lies, and so to say, takes the bait.

Genesis3:6-7; “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband [c]with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”

The Holy War:  

Now when the citizens saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eye, and a tree to be desired to make one wise (Genesis 3:6), they followed old Ill-Pause’s advice, and took and ate the fruit. Now I should have told you before this, that even when Ill-Pause was making his speech to the citizens, Lord Innocence (whether by a shot from the giant’s camp, or from some fainting weakness that suddenly took hold of him, or whether by the stinking breath of that treacherous old villain Ill-Pause, which I think most likely), fell down where he stood, nor could be brought back to life again. Thus these two brave men died; brave men, I call them, for they were the beauty and glory of Mansoul as long as they lived there. Nor was there left a noble spirit in Mansoul; so they all bowed down and yielded obedience to Diabolus, and became his slaves and bondsmen, as you will hear.  

The ability to resist temptation was removed, as well as their innocence, all of which is too familiar today with the backsliding and great falling away of Christian believers, who once proclaimed Jesus Christ to be the only Way to heaven, but are now teaching that ‘all faiths’ lead to heaven, and what was once a nation founded on Christianity, is now an all inclusive faith-based nation. They’re ‘saying it’ without ‘saying it’. They have faith-based charities and also Christian-based charities...to be inclusive, this way they can ‘swing both ways’. What’s being said in a not so blatant way, is that our nation is a ‘faith-based’ nation and is no longer a ‘Christian’ nation.

I know that this section of the script parallels with the fall of man found in Genesis 3:1-7, but the tactics of Satan and his host of angels has not changed much to this day. They know that Jesus defeated them on the Cross and that they only have a short period of time to rob, kill and destroy any and all Christians before the same Jesus that cast them out of heaven, returns and casts them into the lake of fire for eternity.

This is all the more reason to meditate in Ephesians 6:10-18 and to put God’s armor on daily; “10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having [a]tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having [b]strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] [c]shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [d]God’s people.”

Amen.

To read the prophecies from the church service, click here.