nnumerable cases he has seen the Saints strengthened by his
antagonism; he has seen the weak becoming strong through the right use
of the opportunities his temptations afford them; he has stood at the
Judgment of souls as their accuser, and been covered with confusion as
he saw his accusations rejected, and crowns given them, all the more
glorious because of the occasion for battle and victory his hate had
afforded them. All this he has seen, and yet its real significance has
never dawned upon him.[5]

More astonishing still, in spite of his experience, he has never been
able to see that when he joins the struggle with us he is only seeking
to renew the old warfare which was brought to a final issue on Calvary
to his eternal discomfiture; that it is not the weak human soul he is
fighting, {20} but the omnipotent God Who in human flesh, and by the
exercise of human powers and faculties, bruised him under His feet,
invaded his infernal kingdom, broke the gates of brass, and smote the
bars of iron in sunder.[6]

Are we wiser than Satan? Have we caught the true significance of the
battle, the vision of its final issue? Do we realize, when the
conflict comes, that our heart is but the arena of a struggle between
the omnipotence of God and the weakness of Satan, and that we are
called to fight along with Him "Who is the Author of unconquerable
might, the King of the Empire that cannot be overthrown?" If so, then
there can be no fear or repining because of the battle, but with the
glad war-cry, "Emmanuel,--God with us!" can we plunge into the glorious
strife, knowing that with His own right hand and with His holy arm will
He get Himself the victory.[7]

II. _The Hopelessness of his Warfare_

The hopelessness of Satan's warfare is shown in its final issue. Sin
entered into the world through Satan, and by sin came death.[8] Death
seems, when we first consider it, Satan's triumph; but in reality it is
his destruction. He pursues a {21} soul through life, but the hour of
death marks the absolute cessation of his power and influence. The
faithful departed in the Church Expectant are in the hand of God, and
nevermore can the torment of temptation touch them. The very act of
wreaking the utmost of his power is the act which places them forever
beyond even the possibility of communication with him. So both prophet
and apostle cry out in an ecstasy of triumph, as the Holy Spirit leads
them to this conclusion,--"O death