The Holy War Lesson 13. 2 Goals To gain a greater understanding of the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. To gain a greater understanding of the.

The Holy WarThe Holy War

Lesson 13Lesson 13

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GoalsGoals• To gain a greater understanding of the To gain a greater understanding of the

spiritual warfarespiritual warfare in which we are engaged. in which we are engaged.

• To develop a greater awareness of the To develop a greater awareness of the methods employed by Satan.methods employed by Satan.

• To deepen our appreciation for the To deepen our appreciation for the grace of grace of GodGod in saving sinners. in saving sinners.

• To learn more about ourselves through To learn more about ourselves through empathizing with Mansoul empathizing with Mansoul (Mansoul = me)(Mansoul = me)

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Key QuestionsKey Questions

• What primary Bible passages What primary Bible passages come to your mind as you read come to your mind as you read this assignment?this assignment?

• To what degree does the story To what degree does the story accurately depict Bible teaching?accurately depict Bible teaching?

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Week 13Week 13

The remaining Diabolonians plot the ruin of The remaining Diabolonians plot the ruin of the townthe town

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The mixture of Diabolonians and The mixture of Diabolonians and MansouliansMansoulians

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SynopsisSynopsis

Because the townsmen did not Because the townsmen did not obey the command to seek out obey the command to seek out

and destroy all remaining and destroy all remaining Diabolonians, those still residing Diabolonians, those still residing

within the town communicate within the town communicate with Diabolus to plot the town’s with Diabolus to plot the town’s

overthrow.overthrow.

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Synopsis (continued)Synopsis (continued)• The remaining Diabolonians meet together to The remaining Diabolonians meet together to plot the town’s ruinplot the town’s ruin

• They send a letter to DiabolusThey send a letter to Diabolus• The denizens of hell consider the letter and send The denizens of hell consider the letter and send a replya reply

• 3 Diabolonians hire themselves out to leaders of 3 Diabolonians hire themselves out to leaders of the townthe town

• The Diabolonians send a second letter to The Diabolonians send a second letter to Diabolus with further plansDiabolus with further plans

• Diabolus approves their plans and sends back Diabolus approves their plans and sends back further instructionsfurther instructions

• The strength of the Diabolonians increases as the The strength of the Diabolonians increases as the strength of the Mansoulians decreases.strength of the Mansoulians decreases.

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DiscussionDiscussion

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The MeetingThe Meeting

• In the house of Mr. MischiefIn the house of Mr. Mischief

When the Diabolonians who were left in Mansoul When the Diabolonians who were left in Mansoul perceived how weak the town had become, they perceived how weak the town had become, they met together to plot the town’s ruin. Where did met together to plot the town’s ruin. Where did they meet?they meet?

How did this meeting go and what was decided?How did this meeting go and what was decided?• Lord Lasciviousness: Lord Lasciviousness: Let some of the Diabolonians offer Let some of the Diabolonians offer

themselves in service to some of the townsmen.themselves in service to some of the townsmen.• Lord Murder: Lord Murder: This cannot be done at this time for they are This cannot be done at this time for they are

still in a rage from the incident with Mr. Carnal Security.still in a rage from the incident with Mr. Carnal Security.• Consensus: Consensus: Let us send a letter to Diabolous to let him Let us send a letter to Diabolous to let him

know of our intentions and to ask his advice.know of our intentions and to ask his advice.

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Letter #1Letter #1

• We are hopeful that this town may become yours once We are hopeful that this town may become yours once againagain

• The town is in a ripe conditionThe town is in a ripe condition• It has declined from EmmanuelIt has declined from Emmanuel• He has departedHe has departed• They continually send to Him, but cannot prevail with HimThey continually send to Him, but cannot prevail with Him• The townsmen are sick and faintingThe townsmen are sick and fainting• Only we remain lively and strongOnly we remain lively and strong

• ““We judge they lie open to thy hand and power”We judge they lie open to thy hand and power”

What were the contents of this letter?What were the contents of this letter?

By whose hand did they send this letter?By whose hand did they send this letter?• Mr. ProfaneMr. Profane

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Delivery of Letter #1Delivery of Letter #1

• CerberusCerberus• ““In Greek mythology, Cerberus was the hound of Hades, a monstrous In Greek mythology, Cerberus was the hound of Hades, a monstrous

three-headed dog with a snake for a tail and snakes down his back like three-headed dog with a snake for a tail and snakes down his back like a mane.”a mane.”

“Cerberus guarded the gate to Hades and ensured that spirits of the “Cerberus guarded the gate to Hades and ensured that spirits of the dead could enter, but none could exit (additionally, no living person dead could enter, but none could exit (additionally, no living person was to come into Hades).”was to come into Hades).”

(Wikipedia)(Wikipedia)

Mr. Profane delivers the letter to Hell-Gate Hill and Mr. Profane delivers the letter to Hell-Gate Hill and was opened to by the porter. What was the was opened to by the porter. What was the porter’s name?porter’s name?

Name some of the “rabblement” that came Name some of the “rabblement” that came together along with Diabolous to read the letter.together along with Diabolous to read the letter.• BeelzebubBeelzebub• LuciferLucifer• ApollyonApollyon

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Diabololical JoyDiabololical Joy

• They commanded that dead-man’s bell should be rungThey commanded that dead-man’s bell should be rung• The clapper of the bell cried: “The town of Mansoul is coming to The clapper of the bell cried: “The town of Mansoul is coming to

dwell with us: make room for the town of Mansoul.”dwell with us: make room for the town of Mansoul.”

In what way did the denizens of hell express their joy at In what way did the denizens of hell express their joy at the reading of the letter?the reading of the letter?

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Reply to Letter #1Reply to Letter #1The group leaves it to Diabolus to compose a letter in reply. The group leaves it to Diabolus to compose a letter in reply. What were the contents of this letter?What were the contents of this letter?• An expression of gladness to hear the “good news” of Mansoul’s An expression of gladness to hear the “good news” of Mansoul’s

weakened conditionweakened condition• The following promises:The following promises:

• To fully engage all hellish resources in concocting a planTo fully engage all hellish resources in concocting a plan• To come with far more strength this time so as not to be cast To come with far more strength this time so as not to be cast

out again. For “it is the law of that Prince . . . that if we get out again. For “it is the law of that Prince . . . that if we get them a second time, they shall be ours for ever.” (Mt 12:43-45, them a second time, they shall be ours for ever.” (Mt 12:43-45, Heb 6)Heb 6)

• A list of 3 proposed options for further weakening the townA list of 3 proposed options for further weakening the town• The following commands:The following commands:

• Continue to spy out the town’s weaknessesContinue to spy out the town’s weaknesses• Continue to weaken the town furtherContinue to weaken the town further• Be always ready to assault from within when we assault from Be always ready to assault from within when we assault from

withoutwithout

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The SignatureThe Signature

• ““Mansoul’s enemy, and him that trembles when Mansoul’s enemy, and him that trembles when he thinks of judgment to come”he thinks of judgment to come”

How did Diabolus sign this letter of reply?How did Diabolus sign this letter of reply?

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Evil OptionsEvil Options

• Make Mansoul loose and vainMake Mansoul loose and vain• Drive them to doubt and despairDrive them to doubt and despair• Blow them up by the “gunpowder” of pride and self-conceitBlow them up by the “gunpowder” of pride and self-conceit

What were the 3 options put forward for What were the 3 options put forward for weakening and thus retaking the town, and which weakening and thus retaking the town, and which was chosen?was chosen?

What was the reasoning behind choosing this What was the reasoning behind choosing this approach?approach?• It would make them question the Love of EmmanuelIt would make them question the Love of Emmanuel• And thus would make them stop sending their petitions And thus would make them stop sending their petitions

to Himto Him• For “as good do nothing, as do to no purpose.”For “as good do nothing, as do to no purpose.”

• Drive them to doubt and despairDrive them to doubt and despair

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For HireFor Hire

• Have 3 Diabolonians disguise themselves, change their Have 3 Diabolonians disguise themselves, change their names, and sell themselves as servants to the townsmennames, and sell themselves as servants to the townsmen

What did they further propose to do to carry out this plan?What did they further propose to do to carry out this plan?

These 3 Diabolonians were chosen. Name their These 3 Diabolonians were chosen. Name their pseudonyms, who hired them, and the end result.pseudonyms, who hired them, and the end result.

DiabolonianDiabolonian PseudonymPseudonym MasterMaster ResultResult

Lord CovetousLord Covetous Prudent-Prudent-ThriftyThrifty Mr. MindMr. Mind Became almost as bad as Became almost as bad as

Lord CovetousLord Covetous

Lord Lord LasciviousnessLasciviousness

Harmless-Harmless-MirthMirth

Lord Lord WillbewillWillbewill Became very wantonBecame very wanton

Lord AngerLord Anger Good-ZealGood-Zeal Mr. Godly-Mr. Godly-FearFear

Discovered Good-Zeal was Discovered Good-Zeal was a counterfeit and would a counterfeit and would have hung him had he not have hung him had he not escapedescaped

• They wore sheep’s russet which was “now in a manner” They wore sheep’s russet which was “now in a manner” as white as the robes of Mansoul.as white as the robes of Mansoul.

How did they disguise themselves?How did they disguise themselves?

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Letter #2Letter #2

Market day because . . .Market day because . . .• The people will be the most busy and the least likely to fear a surprise.The people will be the most busy and the least likely to fear a surprise.• The Diabolonians will be able to gather without arousing suspicion.The Diabolonians will be able to gather without arousing suspicion.• If their attempt fails, they will be able to hide themselves in the crowd If their attempt fails, they will be able to hide themselves in the crowd

and escape.and escape.

What day did they agree would be best to try to seize What day did they agree would be best to try to seize Mansoul and why?Mansoul and why?

They send a second letter to Diabolous to inform him of They send a second letter to Diabolous to inform him of their plans and success in weakening the town. their plans and success in weakening the town. In this letter they also suggest that Diabolous bring what In this letter they also suggest that Diabolous bring what kind of army when he returns?kind of army when he returns?

• An army of doubtersAn army of doubters

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DespairDespair

• They had grievously offended Shaddai and EmmanuelThey had grievously offended Shaddai and Emmanuel• Their enemies had fresh strengthTheir enemies had fresh strength• They were obtaining no response from their petitioningThey were obtaining no response from their petitioning• The sickness greatly raged in the townThe sickness greatly raged in the town

The town was in a sad state:The town was in a sad state:

““Their cloud was made to grow blacker and Their cloud was made to grow blacker and blacker, and their Emmanuel to stand at further blacker, and their Emmanuel to stand at further distance.”distance.”

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Delivery of Letter #2Delivery of Letter #2

Mr. Profane delivers the second letter to Hell-Gate Mr. Profane delivers the second letter to Hell-Gate Hill. How did the “rabblement” discuss this second Hill. How did the “rabblement” discuss this second letter?letter?• They consider the approach put forth by the Diabolonians They consider the approach put forth by the Diabolonians

within the town.within the town.• Some suggest that they wait a bit longer to draw the town Some suggest that they wait a bit longer to draw the town

into yet more sin.into yet more sin.• But Diabolus does not want to wait: “My furious gorge, and But Diabolus does not want to wait: “My furious gorge, and

empty paunch, so lusteth after a repossession of my famous empty paunch, so lusteth after a repossession of my famous town of Mansoul, that whatever comes out, I can wait no town of Mansoul, that whatever comes out, I can wait no longer to see the events of lingering projects.” (I Peter 5:8)longer to see the events of lingering projects.” (I Peter 5:8)

• Thus they approved the plan.Thus they approved the plan.

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Hint of FearHint of Fear

What does Lucifer say is the only thing that can cause What does Lucifer say is the only thing that can cause their plan to fail at this point?their plan to fail at this point?• ““Nothing can make this to fail but Nothing can make this to fail but gracegrace, in which I would hope , in which I would hope

that this town has no share.”that this town has no share.”

How do they plan to keep the town from grace?How do they plan to keep the town from grace?• Drive them into sin.Drive them into sin.• For “two or three Diabolonians, if entertained and countenanced For “two or three Diabolonians, if entertained and countenanced

by the town of Mansoul, will do more to the keeping of Emmanuel by the town of Mansoul, will do more to the keeping of Emmanuel from them, and towards making the town of Mansoul your own from them, and towards making the town of Mansoul your own than can an army of a legion that should be sent out from us to than can an army of a legion that should be sent out from us to withstand him.”withstand him.”

• ““Yea, why may he not, by their lapse into that sin again, be Yea, why may he not, by their lapse into that sin again, be driven from them for ever?”driven from them for ever?”

Although Diabolus feared the potential power of the Although Diabolus feared the potential power of the people’s petitioning of Emmanuel, why was he not greatly people’s petitioning of Emmanuel, why was he not greatly concerned?concerned?• They “regarded iniquity in their heart” (Psalm 66:18)They “regarded iniquity in their heart” (Psalm 66:18)• They “cried to their King for help, and laid Diabolonians in their bosoms.”They “cried to their King for help, and laid Diabolonians in their bosoms.”

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Reply to Letter #2Reply to Letter #2

What were the contents of Diabolus’ reply to the 2What were the contents of Diabolus’ reply to the 2ndnd letter? letter?

• We highly approve and cannot think of a better plan.We highly approve and cannot think of a better plan.• We are sending an army of 20,000+ doubters.We are sending an army of 20,000+ doubters.• You will be Lords of Mansoul.You will be Lords of Mansoul.• Continue to draw the town into sin “that sin may be Continue to draw the town into sin “that sin may be

finished and bring forth death.” (James 1:15)finished and bring forth death.” (James 1:15)• We may come at any time so be ready.We may come at any time so be ready.

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Bad MixBad Mix

Bunyan notes that there was now a “mixture in Mansoul.” Bunyan notes that there was now a “mixture in Mansoul.” To what does he refer?To what does he refer?

• The townsmen and Diabolonians walked the streets together.The townsmen and Diabolonians walked the streets together.• The townsmen “began to seek their peace” as they thought it The townsmen “began to seek their peace” as they thought it

“was in vain to go to handygripes [close combat] with them.”“was in vain to go to handygripes [close combat] with them.”• The Diabolonians were promising the town to themselves.The Diabolonians were promising the town to themselves.• Both seemed to be masters of Mansoul.Both seemed to be masters of Mansoul.• The Diabolonians “increased and grew” while Mansoul The Diabolonians “increased and grew” while Mansoul

“diminished greatly.”“diminished greatly.”• There were “more than eleven thousand men, women, and There were “more than eleven thousand men, women, and

children that died by the sickness in Mansoul.”children that died by the sickness in Mansoul.”

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WarningsWarnings

Romans 16:17-19 (NASB)Romans 16:17-19 (NASB)

17 17 Now I urge you, brethren, Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrancesdissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.learned, and turn away from them.

18 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

19 19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good be wise in what is good and innocent in what is eviland innocent in what is evil..

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NASB)2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NASB)

10 10 But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also . . .But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also . . .

11 11 in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we we are not ignorant of his schemesare not ignorant of his schemes..

Matthew 10:16 (NASB)Matthew 10:16 (NASB)

““. . . be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.”. . . be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.”

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Sin often Sin often Takes us further than we want to go,Takes us further than we want to go,

Leaves us longer than we want to stay, Leaves us longer than we want to stay, and and

Costs us more than we want to pay.Costs us more than we want to pay.

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Next WeekNext Week

Mr. Prywell to the rescueMr. Prywell to the rescue

The Holy WarThe Holy War