Comment By Torchlight

The Supreme Conflict

Our valued contributor Dr. J. D. Terrell, in his article, "The Cosmic Conflict", which appears in our present issue, directs attention to the fearful struggle between God and the powers of darkness which has raged with increasing intensity ever since sin entered the universe. We know that man was not the first sinner. Mysterious references to pre-Adamic events occur in several passages of Scripture, and these indicate that rebellion against the Most High had already taken place among principalities and powers in high places. The leader of that rebellion is named, and his objectives emerge clearly in the early history of mankind. The first pair of the human family became involved in Satan's designs and ambitions. In Eden, the Serpent, with diabolical skill, encompassed the ruin of the human family with his victory over Adam. No doubt, intoxicated with the mad folly which pride inflicts on those it possesses, Satan considered he had scored a major victory in his campaign against the Most High.

It was, however, in Eden that the doom of the Serpent was announced. The first prophecy of Scripture clearly foretold that the issue would finally be resolved between two great personal protagonists. This is clearly implied in the judgement pronounced on the Serpent in Eden:

"Because thou hast done this ...I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Genesis 3.14,15).

The LORD God took up the challenge and this earth became the theatre of the great struggle between God and His great adversary, the devil. The first man had failed utterly, but another man would come- "the second Man", the LORD from heaven (1 Corinthians 15.47). He would engage and defeat Satan, and in the great confrontation at Golgotha would place His heel on the Serpent's head.

Our contributor suggests that, as the time of his final banishment draws near (Revelation 20.10), the Old Serpent, still intoxicated with pride in spite of his defeat at Golgotha, is intensifying his activity in human affairs. An ominous sign of his activity is the methods which are being used to probe and manipulate the human mind by the use of psychiatric and psychological techniques. A disturbing account of recent developments in this field is given in Vance Packard's The Hidden Persuaders. This "depth approach" in influencing behaviour is being developed over a wide field of human activity and the danger of its use in enslaving the human mind is obvious. One of the foremost persuaders has stated, "The stuff with which we work is the fabric of men's minds."

In such a climate as this our safety lies in having our minds fortified by the pure word of God. Nothing else will protect the citadel of the mind against the assaults of the devil.

Gambling Craze

According to statistics published in the Press, for every person in Britain, �18 a year is spent on gambling. This compares with �5 for France and �2 lOs for the United States. Gambling is fast becoming Britain's biggest industry, and, according to the statistics quoted above, has a turnover equivalent to one quarter of the Government's budgetary expenditure! And the gambling industry employs a labour force of one million. These amazing figures expose the extent of this great evil. The social consequences are fearful to contemplate. In recent years, large numbers of women have been bitten by the gambling mania. Night by night they throng the Bingo halls and increasingly support the betting-shops which have sprung up all over the country. Much sorrow, suffering and crime follow in the wake of this grave social evil.

We referred to this question here some months ago and return to it to emphasize the need for Christians to set an example in the matter. Young disciples especially need to be on their guard lest they be tempted to join in petty gambling projects at their places of employment. The thing may appear harmless when done in moderation, but the figures and c6nsequences quoted above should be sufficient to cause the loyal disciple to eschew it completely. Do not soil your testimony by taking the least part in this nefarious business.

The Perfection of Scripture

"There is this great difference between the works of men and the works of God, that the same minute and searching investigation, which displays the defects and imperfections of the one, brings out also the beauties of the other. If the most finely polished needle on which the art of man has been expended be subjected to a microscope, many inequalities, much roughness and clumsiness will be seen. But if the microscope be brought to bear on the flowers of the field, no such result appears. Instead of their beauty diminishing, new beauties and still more delicate, that have escaped the naked eye, are forthwith discovered.... The same law appears also in comparing the Word of God and the most finished productions of men. There are spots and blemishes in the most admired productions of human genius. But the more the Scriptures are searched, the more minutely they are studied, the more their perfection appears; new beauties are brought to light; and the discoveries of science, the researches of the learned, and the labour of infidels, all alike conspire to illustrate the wonderful harmony of all the parts, and the divine beauty which clothes the whole" (Alexander Hislop).

Father of mercies, in Thy word

What endless glory shines!

For ever be Thy name adored

For these celestial lines.

unknown | Mar 1967
Comment By Torchlight