have “partaken of the Divine nature” (II Pet. 1:4), and afford, therefore, a possible opportunity for Satan to thrust his fiery darts at the Divine Person.  Thus the believer becomes a medium of connection between the Divine Person and the Satanic Order; for God literally loves the unsaved through the believer (Rom. 5:5):  and on the other hand, the prince of the Satanic system, as well as many of his subjects, is seeking an opportunity for a thrust at the person of God.  Several important passages on the latter point may here be noted:  “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jno. 16:33).  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim. 3:12).  “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (I Jno. 3:13).  “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (I Pet. 5:7-9).  “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (literally, artifices) of the devil.  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but again the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:10-12 R.V.).

The teaching of these passages clearly indicates the Satanic enmity toward the believer, and the believer’s utter helplessness apart from the Divine sufficiency.  They also reveal a degree of enmity which would result in the believer’s life being crushed out, were it not for the evident answer to the prayer of Jesus:  “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one” (Jno. 17:15).  Certainly there is abundant reason for the believer to expect the fiercest opposition from the Satanic host in all his life and service; and faith alone insures his victory over the world.

The believer is also the object of the Satanic attack because of the great fact that unto him is committed the great ministry of reconciliation; that by his testimony both in life and word, and by his prayers, the facts of redemption may be given to the world; and if Satan can but cripple the believer’s service, he accomplishes much in resisting the present purpose of God.  No other explanation is adequate for the dark ages of Church history, the appalling failure of the Church in world-wide evangelism, or her present sectarian divisions and selfish indifference.