by A. W. Pink
Introduction
SATAN IS NOT AN INITIATOR but an imitator. God has an only
begotten Son - the Lord Jesus, and so has Satan - "the son of
Perdition" (2 Thess. 2:3). There is a Holy Trinity, and there is likewise
a Trinity of Evil (Rev. 20: 10). Do we read of the "children of God,"
so also we read of "the children of the wicked one" (Matt. 13:38).
Does God work in the former both to will and to do of His good pleasure, then
we are told that Satan is "the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience" (Eph. 2:2). Is there a "mystery of godliness" (1
Tim. 3:16), so also is there a "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thess. 2:7).
Are we told that God by His angels "seals" His servants in their
foreheads (Rev. 7:3), so also, we learn that Satan by his agents sets a mark in
the foreheads of his devotees (Rev. 13:16). Are we told that "the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor. 2:10), then
Satan also provides his "deep things." (See Greek of Rev. 2:24.) Did
Christ perform miracles, so also can Satan (2 Thess. 2:9). Is Christ seated
upon a throne, so is Satan (Rev. 2:13 - Gr.). Has Christ a Church, then Satan
has his "synagogue"(Rev. 2:9). Is Christ the Light of the world, then
so is Satan himself "transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor.
11:14). Did Christ appoint "apostles," then Satan has his apostles,
too (2 Cor. 11:13). And this leads us to consider "The Gospel of
Satan."
Satan is the arch-counterfeiter. The Devil is now busy at
work in the same field in which the Lord sowed the good seed. He is seeking to
prevent the growth of the wheat by another plant, the tares, which closely
resembles the wheat in appearance. In a word, by a process of imitation he is
aiming to neutralize the Work of Christ. Therefore, as Christ has a Gospel,
Satan has a gospel too; the latter being a clever counterfeit of the former. So
closely does the gospel of Satan resemble that which it parodies. multitudes of
the unsaved are deceived by it.
It is to this gospel of Satan the apostle refers when he
says to the Galatians, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another,
but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of
Christ:" (1:6, 7). This false gospel was being heralded even in the days
of the apostle, and a most awful curse was called down upon those who preached
it. The apostle continues, "But though we, or an angel from heaven preach
any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed."By the help of God we shall now endeavor to expound, or rather,
expose, this false gospel.
The "gospel" of Satan
The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary
principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war,
but aims at peace and unity. It seeks not to set the mother against her
daughter nor the father against his son, but fosters the fraternal spirit
whereby the human race is regarded as one great "brotherhood." It
does not seek to drag down the natural man, but to improve and uplift him. It
advocates education and cultivation and appeals to "the best that is
within us." It aims to make this world such a comfortable and congenial
habitat that Christ's absence from it will not be felt and God will not be
needed. It endeavors to occupy man so much with this world that he has no time
or inclination to think of the world to come. It propagates the principles of
self-sacrifice, charity and benevolence, and teaches us to live for the good of
others, and to be kind to all. It appeals strongly to the carnal mind and is
popular with the masses, because it ignores the solemn facts that by nature man
is a fallen creature, alienated from the life of God, and dead in trespasses
and sins, and that his only hope lies in being born again.
"Salvation" by Works
In contradistinction to the Gospel of Christ, the gospel of
Satan teaches salvation by works. It inculcates justification before God on the
ground of human merits. Its sacramental phrase is "Be good and do
good"; but it fails to recognize that in the flesh there dwelleth no good
thing. It announces salvation by character, which reverses the order of God's
Word - character by, as the fruit of, salvation. Its various ramifications and
organizations are manifold. Temperance, Reform Movements, "Christian
Socialist Leagues." Ethical Culture Societies, "Peace
Congresses" are all employed (perhaps unconsciously) in proclaiming this
gospel of Satan - salvation by works. The pledge-card is substituted for
Christ; social purity for individual regeneration, and politics and philosophy,
for doctrine and godliness. The cultivation of the old man is considered more
"practical" than the creation of a new man in Christ Jesus: whilst
universal peace is looked for apart from the interposition and return of the
Prince of Peace.
Deceitful Workers
The apostles of Satan are not saloon-keepers and white-slave
traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers. Thousands of those
who occupy our modern pulpits are no longer engaged in presenting the
fundamentals of the Christian Faith, but have turned aside from the Truth and
have given heed unto fables. Instead of magnifying the enormity of sin and
setting forth its eternal consequences, they minimize it by declaring that sin
is merely ignorance or the absence of good. Instead of warning their hearers to
"flee from the wrath to come" they make God a liar by declaring that
He is too loving and merciful to send any of His own creatures to eternal
torment. Instead of declaring that "without shedding of blood is no
remission," they merely hold up Christ as the great Exemplar and exhort
their hearers to "follow in His steps." Of them it must be said,
"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God" (Rom. 10.3). Their message may sound very plausible
and their aim appear very praiseworthy, yet we read of them--"for such are
false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves (imitating) into the
apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an
angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing (not to be wondered at) if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end
shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
A "Famine" of the Word of God
In addition to the fact that today hundreds of churches are
without a leader who faithfully declares the whole counsel of God and presents
His way of salvation, we also have to face the additional fact that the
majority of people in these churches are very unlikely to learn the Truth for
themselves. The family altar, where a portion of God's Word was wont to be read
daily is now, even in the homes of nominal Christians, largely a thing of the
past. The Bible is not expounded in the pulpit and it is not read in the pew.
The demands of this rushing age are so numerous, that the multitudes have
little time and still less inclination to make preparation for the meeting with
God. Hence the majority who are too indolent to search for themselves, are left
at the mercy of those whom they pay to search for them; many of whom betray
their trust by studying and expounding economic and social problems rather than
the Oracles of God.
The Ways of Death
In Prov. 14:12 we read. "There is a way which seemeth
right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." This
"way" which ends in "death" is the Devil's Delusion - the
gospel of Satan - a way of salvation by human attainment. It is a way which
"seemeth right," that is to say, it is presented in such plausible
language that it appeals to the natural man: it is set forth in such a subtile
and attractive manner, that it commends itself to the intelligence of its
hearers. By virtue of the fact that it appropriates to itself religious
terminology, sometimes appeals to the Bible for its support (whenever this
suits its purpose), holds up before men lofty ideals, and is proclaimed by those
who have graduated from our theological institutions, countless multitudes are
decoyed and deceived by it.
Counterfeit Christianity
The success of an illegitimate coiner depends largely upon
how closely the counterfeit resembles the genuine article. Heresy is not so
much the total denial of the truth as a perversion of it. That is why half a
lie is always more dangerous than a complete repudiation. Hence, when the
Father of Lies enters the pulpit it is not his custom to flatly deny the
fundamental truths of Christianity, rather does he tacitly acknowledge them,
and then proceed to give an erroneous interpretation and a false application.
For example: he would not be so foolish as to boldly announce his disbelief in
a personal God; he takes His existence for granted and then gives a false
description of His character. He announces that God is the spiritual Father of
all men, when the Scriptures plainly tell us that we are "the children of
God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26), and that "as many as received
Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12).
Further, he declares that God is far too merciful to ever send any member of
the human race to Hell, when God Himself has said, "Whosoever was not
found written in the book of life was cast into the Lake of Fire'' (Rev.
20:15). Again; Satan would not be so foolish as to ignore the central figure of
human history - the Lord Jesus Christ; on the contrary, his gospel acknowledges
Him to be the best man that ever lived. Attention is drawn to His deeds of
compassion and works of mercy, the beauty of His character and the sublimity of
His teaching. His life is eulogized, but His vicarious Death is ignored; the
all-important atoning work of the cross is never mentioned, whilst His
triumphant and bodily resurrection from the grave is regarded as one of the
credulities of a superstitious age. It is a bloodless gospel, and presents a
crossless Christ. who is received not as God manifest in the flesh, but merely
as the Ideal Man.
The Spiritually Blind
In 2 Cor. 4:3,4 we have a scripture which sheds much light
upon our present theme. There we are told, "if our Gospel be hid, it is
hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them." He blinds the
minds of unbelievers through hiding the light of the Gospel of Christ, and he
does this by substituting his own gospel. Appropriately is he designated "The
Devil and Satan which deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 12:9). In merely
appealing to "the best that is within man," and in simply exhorting
him to "lead a nobler life" there is afforded a general platform upon
which those of every shade of opinion can unite and proclaim this common
message.
The Devil's Delusion
Again we quote Prov. 14: 12 - "There is a way which
seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." It
has been said with considerable truth that the way to Hell is paved with good
intentions. There will be many in the Lake of Fire who commenced life with good
intentions, honest resolutions and exalted ideals - those who were just in
their dealings, fair in their transactions and charitable in all their ways;
men who prided themselves in their integrity, but who sought to justify
themselves before God by their own righteousness; men who were moral, merciful
and magnanimous, but who never saw themselves as guilty, lost, hell-deserving
sinners needing a Saviour. Such is the way which "seemeth right."
Such is the way that commends itself to the carnal mind and recommends itself
to multitudes of deluded ones today. The Devil's Delusion is that we can be
saved by our own works, and justified before God by our own deeds; whereas, God
tells us in His Word - "By grace are ye saved through faith . . . , not of
works lest any man should boast." And again. "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us."
Intellectual Assent - or - Saving Faith?
A few years ago the writer became acquainted with one who
was a lay preacher and an enthusiastic "Christian worker." For over
seven years this friend had been engaged in public preaching and religious
activities, but from certain expressions and phrases he used, the writer
doubted whether his friend was a "born again" man. When we began to
question him, it was found that he was very imperfectly acquainted with the
Scriptures and had only the vaguest conception of Christ's Work for sinners.
For a time we sought to present the way of salvation in a simple and impersonal
manner and to encourage our friend to study the Word for himself, in the hope
that if he were still unsaved God would be pleased to reveal the Saviour he
needed. One night to our joy, the one who had been preaching the Gospel(?) for
seven years, confessed that he had found Christ only the previous night. He
acknowledged (to use his own words) that he had been presenting "the
Christ ideal" but not the Christ of the Cross. The writer believes there
are thousands like this preacher who, perhaps, have been brought up in Sunday
School, taught about the birth, life, and teachings of Jesus Christ, who
believe in the historicity of His person, who spasmodically endeavor to
practice His precepts, and who think that that is all that is necessary for
their salvation. Frequently, this class when they reach manhood go out into the
world. encounter the attacks of atheists and infidels and are told that such a
person as Jesus of Nazareth never lived. But the impressions of early days
cannot be easily erased, and they remain steadfast in their declaration that
they "believe in Jesus Christ." Yet, when their faith is examined,
only too often it is found that though they believe many things about Jesus Christ
they do not really believe in Him. They believe with the head that such a
person lived (and, because they believe this imagine that therefore they are
saved), but they have never thrown down the weapons of their warfare against
Him, yielded themselves to Him, nor truly believed with their heart in Him. The
bare acceptance of an orthodox doctrine about the person of Christ without the
heart being won by Him and the life devoted to Him, is another phase of that
way "which seemeth right unto a man" but the end thereof are
"the ways of death." A mere intellectual assent to the reality of
Christ's person, and which goes no further, is another phase of the way which
"seemeth right unto a man" but of which the end thereof "are the
ways of death," or, in other words, is another aspect of the gospel of
Satan.
The Broad Road - or - The Narrow Way?
And now, where do you stand? Are you in the way which
"seemeth right," but which ends in death; or, are you in the Narrow
Way which leadeth unto life? Have you truly forsaken the Broad Road which
leadeth to death? Has the love of Christ created in your heart a hatred and
horror of all that is displeasing to Him? Are you desirous that He "reign
over" you? (Luke 19:14). Are you relying wholly on Hisrighteousness and
blood for your acceptance with God?
"Religion" - or - Faith?
Those who are trusting to an outward form of godliness, such
as baptism or "confirmation"; those who are religious because it is
considered a mark of respectability; those who attend some Church or Chapel
because it is the fashion to do so; and, those who unite with some Denomination
because they suppose that such a step will enable them to become Christians,
are in the way which "ends in death" - death spiritual and eternal.
However pure our motives, however noble our intentions, however well-meaning
our purposes, however sincere our endeavours, God will not accept us as His
sons, until we accept His Son.
"Easy Believism" - or - Repentant Faith?
A yet more specious form of Satan's gospel is to move
preachers to present the atoning sacrifice of Christ and then tell their
hearers that all God requires from them is to "believe" in His Son.
Thereby thousands of impenitent souls are deluded into thinking they have been
saved. But Christ said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish" (Luke 13:3). To "repent" is to hate sin, to sorrow over,
to turn from it. It is the result of the Spirit's making the heart contrite
before God. None except a brokenheart can savingly believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Again; thousands are deceived into supposing that they have
"accepted Christ" as their "personal Saviour," who have not
first received Him as their LORD. The Son of God did not come here to save His
people in their sin, but "from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). To be saved
from sins, is to be saved from ignoring and despising the authority of God, it
is to abandon the course of self-will and self-pleasing, it is to "forsake
our way" (Isa. 55:7). It is to surrender to God's authority, to yield to
His dominion, to give ourselves over to be ruled by Him. The one who has never
taken Christ's "yoke" upon him, who is not truly and diligently
seeking to please Him in all the details of his life, and yet supposes that he
is "resting on the Finished Work of Christ' is deluded by the Devil.
Conclusion
In the seventh chapter of Matthew there are two scriptures
which give us approximate results of Christ's Gospel and Satan's counterfeit.
First. in verses 13 and 14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is
the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Second; in verses 22
and 23, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied (preached) in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out demons, and in
thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." Yes, my reader, it is
possible to work in the name of Christ, and even to preach in His name, and
though the world knows us, and the Church knows us, yet to be unknown to the
Lord! How necessary it is then to find out where we really are; to examine
ourselves and see whether we be in the faith; to measure ourselves by the Word
of God and see if we are being deceived by our subtle Enemy; to find out
whether we are building our house upon the sand, or whether it is erected on
the Rock which is Christ Jesus. May the Holy Spirit search our hearts, break our
wills, slay our enmity against God; work in us a deep and true repentance, and
direct our gaze to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.
Taken from: NOTES AND COMMENTS published by Bible Truth
Depot, Vol. 1, No. 3, July 1943
