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Six thousand years of battle
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” (the apostle Paul).
If we look at the history of mankind in light of the Bible, from their earliest ages to this day, we notice that their spiritual lives have always been accompanied by an unceasing battle which the apostle Paul describes in this way:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:12.
It is important though to know who has caused this struggle and where it had its beginning.
Where did the battle begin?
The Holy Word gives the following description: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15.
We learn that the beginning of this battle was in heaven and that it is not a battle with arms that we are acquainted with, but a major rebellion on the part of Satan. And from then on, this enraged enemy of God who was defeated in heaven has begun his “social activity” against the children of light.
Adam, now a feeble man who had fallen in the dust through sin and was surrounded by darkness, was doomed to bondage and destruction. So was also his posterity. In the very first pages of the Bible, we read about this hopeless struggle in which the first inhabitants of the earth were involved.
The first people fought the struggle
We see Adam and Eve in an indescribable sorrow, leaving the sweet peace of Eden, to endure and fight different troubles and hardships. Later their griefs were expressed in heartrending cries and groans of anguish. They had to experience terrible hours – their first son became a murderer and their second son – a victim of his. But through the symbol of the sacrificial offerings, hope was kindled in their hearts, when they looked forward to the coming Messiah.
Jacob’s struggle
Thus mankind has been fighting with desperate efforts against all sorrows with ages and millenia. So was it with Jacob. He committed a grave sin. By deceit, he took his brother’s birthright. Not long after that, he was obliged to leave and he became a fugitive. Terror seized him at the thought that he was to go back to Esau whose hatred had not disappeared with the passing of the years.
The situation of Jacob was desperate. What was he to do? We see him alone in the darkness of night at the Jabbok River, leaning with his face to the ground. Fear, weakness, and worry can be read in his countenance.
In the quiet of the night, his muffled cry and his heartrending groans, so sad and painful – these groanings sound as if expressing the whole anguish of the world. These cries and groans become more and more terrible and desperate, and they are turned into an earnest struggle, in his desire to receive forgiveness.
To the angel who fought with him that night, Jacob answered: “And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Gen. 32:26. In the effort to keep hold of the angel, though he was in severe pain, Jacob concentrated the whole trust of his life, as he begged the heavenly messenger to give him the assurance that his sin had been forgiven.
As a forefather of the faithful, Jacob wrestled and prevailed. His deliverance was later presented on a much larger scale in his posterity when the Israelites cried to the Lord in their affliction and bondage to Egypt, and God saw their cries and saved them.
The battle continued in the New Testament
What about the New Testament? Among the early Christian believers, one name that stands out is the name of the apostle Paul. In his epistle to the Romans, he described his terrible inner struggle and the victory he was enabled to gain through Christ: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37. “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39.
Since the time of the early believers, the followers of Christ have had to fight in this struggle. Many millions of them sacrificed their lives to be faithful to God and His Word. Because “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
In the last book of the Bible, the Revelation, the need for victory has been presented most vividly by John. To him, in a vision was presented the Father who sits on a high and exalted throne. In his hand, he holds a book which is sealed. The prophet knew that this book has something to do with the salvation of men.
In his vision, John sees a mighty angel who cries with a strong voice, saying: “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” Rev. 5:2. In other words, who is able to win and save the wretched humanity from perdition?
The angels about him hear this invitation. But there comes no answer from anywhere. No commander of angels, no seraph, no cherub is able to open the book. It seems that men will forever be lost. Suddenly a strange voice breaks the awful silence.
But it is not an answer to the angel’s plea – it is a heartrending cry. John says that he wept much when he saw that among all the heavenly intelligences no one could come to the help of them that are lost. Rev. 5:4. Here the prophet cried not for himself alone but also for the whole world.
In this cry can be seen the sorrow, the pain, and the anguish of all mankind. All the angels saw the need for salvation but the danger was too great and the chasm was too deep. In this time of fear and hopelessness, the comforting and hopeful words came to the ears of the prophet: “Weep not!”
There was found one worthy to win. “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Rev. 5:5. And he came: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:6-8.
Calvary! Deep darkness covers the place of execution. We see a cross where our guiltless Savior hangs. The Prince of life is dying, crucified on a tree.
Many of those who were there at Calvary were mocking him, spitting and cursing. Yet some pitied him and were sorrowful because they saw in him a personal Savior from sin. Christ bore all the anguish for our redemption of eternal death. Can you, dear reader, be indifferent at this great sacrifice, when the whole heaven was crying and nature itself trembled?
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.
The Son of God gained the victory
Because the Son of God went to such an immense depth, as no one else, and he endured and won the victory, providing a chance for you and me, he is now exalted in heaven as no one else could be. He is a Victor. He won the victory for humanity and for this reason, he encouraged his disciples, before leaving them, to continue this fight saying: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:18.
We are to overcome in Christ’s strength
And the apostle Paul says: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21.
Today is the time when we must heed and accept the invitation of the Savior for victory in this long struggle: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.
If we take our stand under his banner, we will finish the battle successfully, and say, looking back, together with Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” 2 Tim. 4:7.