In his classic allegory The Holy War John Bunyan illustrates the Scriptural process by which God brings a lost soul from the darkness and damnation of sin to the light and life of redemption. This concept is reflected in the full title of Bunyan’s book: The Holy War, Made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; or, the Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Shaddai’s four captains, Boanerges, Conviction, Judgment, and Execution, prepare for their attack on the city to try to gain entrance through Ear-gate. That gate is the key to entering Mansoul. When their men are in place, they give out the battle cry: “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!” This shows that there can never be peace with God until the sinner experiences an inner change, which the Bible calls regeneration. Mere outward conformity will not be sufficient; a new birth that comes through hearing and believing the Word of God is necessary. This must be stressed in evangelism.
The townspeople answer with two large guns on the wall, named Highmind and Heady. Being watchful and vigilant, the captains avoid harm from these usually trusty guns. Mansoul continues resisting with smaller guns while Shaddai’s army attacks with catapults and battering rams. The captains succeed in dismantling the two large guns, and they did serious damage to Mayor Unbelief’s house. In fact, they almost killed Lord Willbewill, but he recovered. Several of the town’s most corrupt rebels were put out of action; however, Mansoul was determined to resist, urged on by the rage of Diabolus.
Bunyan is drawing from his experience as a soldier in combat to illustrate the thrusts of the Gospel and the counterattacks of the unbelieving world. Pride and vanity are useful weapons the world employs against the Gospel, but they will not prevail against God’s servants who are watchful and humble. Opposition from the devil and from people’s own inbred lusts can be discouraging to Christians giving out the Gospel. May we remember that our Lord Jesus said, “I am with you always,” and, “All that the Father giveth me SHALL come to me” (Matthew 28:20 & John 6:37). God will use faithful preaching of the Gospel to begin to break the stranglehold of unbelief and self-will.
Seeing the town’s continued resistance, the captains retreat to their winter camp, where they continue to frequently assault the town. Mansoul was in sad shape. They could not enjoy their sins with the same gusto as in times past. They were even running short on food since no one could go in and out of the town because of the siege. They were continually distressed, and they longed for peace of mind. Some of the citizens wanted to return to Shaddai and hope for mercy. At this time Mr. Conscience, who used to be the town’s recorder until Diabolus came, began thundering out against the town and terrifying them from the inside while the army did so from the outside.
Even in the dead of winter the captains sent many summons to Mansoul to surrender. The town, distressed and wearied from the assaults, called the captains for a meeting where Lord Willbewill presented Diabolus’ terms for the town’s surrender. These terms were compromises that would make Shaddai king in name only while Diabolus remained in control. This being unacceptable, Captain Boanerges thundered his rejection of the terms and once again appealed to the town to submit to Shaddai. Then the mayor, Lord Unbelief, rose up and convinced Mansoul to continue the resistance. So…no peace. The captains return to their camp, and Unbelief returns to Diabolus, who commends him for resisting. However, there is much bickering and violence in the town because of the damage that old Unbelief is doing to the people. The town’s former mayor, Lord Understanding, along with Mr. Conscience, attempts to overthrow Unbelief until Diabolus has the two men thrown into prison. He would have executed them, but Shaddai’s captains attack again.
This imagery represents the different levels of intensity of Gospel preaching. By Gospel preaching, I don’t mean just by ordained preachers in the pulpit, but by ALL of God’s blood-bought people everywhere. Sometimes we have more opportunities for giving the Gospel than at other times. We may have to strike camp for the winter, but that doesn’t mean we’ve given up. It means we’re staying where the Lord has put us. We’ll continue to preach the pure Gospel and reject any terms that will compromise the message. It’s that important. God demands the unconditional surrender of those in rebellion to Him. We should accept no less.
Outward appearances suggest that we have much against us in this Gospel fight. But things aren’t always as they seem. While Shaddai’s army attacked outside the walls, the city was fighting among themselves within. Christian soldier, keep up the siege; keep giving out the Gospel. You never know what might be going on in the heart of a person who is presently resisting your message. He might be beginning to break.
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