The Holy War—Emmanuel Exposes Diabolus’ Deceit

Satan desires to have what belongs to God alone—supremacy and worship. Though he knows he is defeated and doomed he exercises all the power and employs all the tricks he can in order to ruin God’s greatest creation, mankind. He would rather see humanity destroyed than see it happily in submission to its Creator and Redeemer. In this section of John Bunyan’s The Holy War Satan, represented by Diabolus, is exposed for the fraud he is. As Emmanuel draws near to battle with His ancient enemy, the contrast becomes ever clearer between the character of Emmanuel (Jesus Christ) and the character of Diabolus.

Under the enchantment of Diabolus the people of Mansoul barricaded Ear-gate so they couldn’t hear the words of mercy Emmanuel spoke to them. So the Prince prepares for war. Having His machinery in place, Emmanuel sends a messenger with an offer of peace one last time before combat. Diabolus and the people respond with a messenger of their own, Mr. Loathe-to-Stoop, who presents the enemy’s terms for surrender. These terms being unacceptable, Emmanuel gives the order to attack. After more unacceptable proposals of peace from Diabolus, Ear-gate is finally breached, and Diabolus flees to his stronghold in the castle as Emmanuel’s troops pour into the city.

The contrast between the respective characters of Emmanuel and Diabolus becomes sharp during the times of negotiation. Emmanuel is open and honest about His intentions and His love for Mansoul. Diabolus, however, is deceitful and conniving, seeking only to stay in power no matter what it takes. When he realizes his reign is at an end, he determines to do as much harm as he can to the people rather than see them become a habitation for Emmanuel. And Emmanuel determines to save His people from their enemy…and from their sins.

The terms for surrender proposed by Mr. Loathe-to-Stoop are nothing more than compromises designed to leave Diabolus some kind of foothold in the city. One by one Emmanuel rejects these compromises… Diabolus will turn over half of the city with each one ruling his half. Diabolus turns over more than half the city and rules a smaller portion. Emmanuel can rule the entire city while Diabolus retains only a small part for personal use, and so forth. All these proposals are unacceptable because Emmanuel is Lord of ALL the city. His enemy has no place in Mansoul.

The compromises suggested are frequently used by people under conviction of sin so they can have Christ as Savior and still hold on to the world. John Bunyan writes from his own experience in this part of the story. He tried this dodge before realizing that Christ is Lord of all and demands absolute surrender. We simply cannot serve two opposing masters. The one trying to hold on to his sins is choosing allegiance to Satan rather than trusting Christ for salvation. Leaving the devil a foothold in the heart will ruin the sinner. Christ will have no part with Satan.

Bunyan also writes from experience when he portrays Diabolus offering to reform Mansoul for Emmanuel and be his deputy. Diabolus claims that the town will more easily accept a life of holiness if they know the reforms come from him. He will even hold weekly lectures in the town for Emmanuel! The Prince rejects these offers as well and exposes Diabolus for the liar he is. If holiness is so important to Diabolus now, why was wickedness his method of operation before? When Bunyan was under conviction of sin, he finally decided to give up his wicked ways and start living a life of holiness. But that is impossible for sinners, and Christ didn’t come to put people under the Law.

“In this excellent answer of Immanuel we learn, that no self-righteous attempts to justify the soul by its reformation only, will be accepted. To persuade convinced sinners to rest in this, to the neglect of Christ and His righteousness, is a dangerous artifice of the devil, who thus ‘transforms himself into an angel of light,’ (2 Cor. 11:14). The sinner, having once broken the law, and thereby incurred ‘the curse of the law’ (Gal. 3:10), can derive no help from the law; but must look to Christ the law fulfiller, for righteousness and reconciliation with God. A man may talk much of reforming his life, and say a great deal about good works, yet remain a subject of Satan’s kingdom. We are not Christians till we are in Christ, by believing in Him for salvation; and when we are so, we become new creatures: our state is new, being justified by grace; and our disposition is new also, being born again of the Spirit” (The Holy War, Illustrated with notes by George Burder, Swengel, PA: Reiner Publications, 1976, pp. 165-66).

In this part of the story we see the unmixed hatred that Satan feels for Christ and His people. He is frustrated and will do whatever he can to avoid being thrown out of the stronghold of human hearts. When a soul turns to the Lord Jesus, Satan must leave. But he tries to do what harm he can rather than see that person joyful and Christ glorified.

But we also see Christ’s purity, His uprightness, His love for His people, and His power to save them. We have nothing to fear from the enemy if we trust in Jesus for salvation from sin. Christ is Victor! He breaches Ear-gate regardless of the fortifications. He opens the deaf ear to hear the Words of Life. If He has done so with you, it is a great mercy. If you are under conviction of sin, seek the Lord while He may be found. You will find Him gracious and ready to forgive.

As soldiers in Christ’s army we need to make sure people understand that the Lord will brook no compromise. He is merciful, but He will not share His glory with another. He refuses to take residence in a heart that hangs onto the old sins and the old master. He also rejects mere reformation of life. He will save and He will sanctify.

Though the world under Satan rages against the Lord, don’t fear to trust Him and preach Him as He is. We don't need to change or water down Christ's message to get a hearing from the world. The Lord needs no help from the devil to gain His own inheritance. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”

(From “How Firm a Foundation”)

The Holy War—Emmanuel Exposes Diabolus’ Deceit