In John Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian life, The Holy War, the enemy Diabolus finally quells the riot that broke out in the city of Seeing the town still resistant to them, Shaddai’s captains return to camp to hold a council of war. Some wanted to attack again, but the majority thought it best to give Mansoul another summons to yield to King Shaddai. The town seemed to have softened a little, so they determine to treat them more gently, hoping not to drive them further away from their King. In their patience and gentle persistence they are exemplifying the Lord Jesus Christ, who would not “break the bruised reed” or “quench the smoking flax” (Matthew 12:20).
The army’s trumpeter returns to Ear-gate and delivers his impassioned plea for Mansoul to submit to their rightful King, Shaddai. When the town hesitates, not knowing how to answer, Diabolus addresses the townspeople and convinces them that Shaddai will overpower them and enslave them just like all His people are (supposedly) enslaved. His unsubstantiated claim is that “no people in Universe are as unhappy or trampled upon as they” (Whitaker edition, p. 83). Upon hearing this, the people hardened their hearts and refused further appeals from Shaddai’s servants. “And now things seemed to be gone quite back, and Mansoul to be out of reach or call; yet the captains, who knew what their Lord could do, would not yet be beat out of heart.”
While the army continues its bombardment to hinder the town’s rebellious spirit, the captains send a petition to King Shaddai requesting reinforcements and a commander that the town can both love and fear. This commander is none other than Emmanuel Himself. Though it may seem ironic, these two responses to God are not mutually exclusive. He is to be loved and feared. Having a scripturally rounded view of God will deliver us from fallible human conclusions that are nothing short of idolatry—creating a god in our own image. Such a god will not save us from the wrath to come.
The letter first reached the King’s Son, who carried it to His Father after adding petitions of His own to it. Both are pleased with these petitions and with the fact that Shaddai’s servants had been so faithful in their work and had made some progress. We may feel discouraged sometimes because of the apparent lack of response from people we are trying to win, but what God values is faithfulness. He will give the increase in His own time; we are to stay at the work the Lord has given us, knowing what He is able to do in spite of appearances.
Shaddai commissions His Son Emmanuel to take an army and deliver Mansoul from Diabolus’ tyranny. Emmanuel replies, “Thy law is within my heart: I delight to do Thy will” (Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 10:7). The news of Emmanuel’s mission energized everyone in the King’s court, and His servants were jumping at the chance to go with Emmanuel to this great work. So Emmanuel leads an army of 50,000 under five valiant captains to the town of
Emmanuel sets His army in array: they surround the town, build mounds on which to place their weapons, and then offer the town the chance to submit. The leaders of the town give Emmanuel’s message to Diabolus, who reluctantly goes to the wall to face his arch enemy. Diabolus speaks to Emmanuel in a language that the people did not understand to keep them from detecting how fearful this usurper is. In his speech he lays claim to Mansoul on the basis that he had won the town fair and square and that they had forsaken Shaddai.
Emmanuel responds directly to Diabolus—the only one in the army to do so—and charges him with lying and deception. He lays His own rightful claim to the town and then addresses the people. When Emmanuel speaks to the people, they fortify Ear-gate so His words could not be heard. Diabolus enchanted the townspeople to do these things and to shut out the words of Life. But Emmanuel isn’t through yet.
In this section of The Holy War John Bunyan is emphasizing the motivation for staying in a difficult ministry—the work is so great, the cause is so right, and the Lord is so powerful to accomplish what He has promised. Do we look at our Lord and His work this way? Opposition and lack of results can be disheartening. But do we realize what Jesus can do? Do we remember His great joy in coming to this Earth to do His Father’s will? Do we realize that our Savior has a people in the world that need to hear the Gospel? Just as Shaddai gave the town of
The petition of Emmanuel to His Father represents Christ’s ongoing intercessory ministry for His people. And He doesn’t pray only for those who already believe; He also prays for those who will believe (John 17:20). So, how will they believe unless they hear, and how will they hear without a preacher? When we faithfully join our Sovereign Redeemer in the work His Father called Him to do, we are on the winning side despite appearances, and our faithfulness pleases God. So stay with the stuff and leave the results to God. Even Christ Himself faced rejection during His earthly ministry, but He explains even that in John chapter six. Gain encouragement from that Scripture; then go out and preach the Gospel with patience, with persistence, and with confidence that “all that the Father has given Him will come to Him.”
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