earlier still if all the testimony of the Scriptures are believed) there has

been a state of war.  Mankind has never known what true peace is, and will

never know until this great war reaches its climax, and at long last all

enemies are subdued.

'For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet' (1

Cor. 15:25),

and with this in view, after He had offered one Sacrifice for sins for ever,

sat down at the right hand of God,

'From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool'

(Heb. 10:13).

When, at length, He comes the second time, armies follow Him, and out of His

mouth goes a 'sharp sword' for 'in righteousness He doth judge and make war'

(Rev. 19:11 -16).

The conflict of the ages nears its conclusion when there will be 'war

in heaven' (Rev. 12:7) followed as a consequence by Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).

A final desperate but abortive attempt follows the release of Satan 'for a

little season' (Rev. 20:7 -9).  With these key passages in mind, the

prevalence of war throughout the history of man takes on a different

complexion.  The massacre of the innocents (Matt. 2), the attempt on the life

of the Lord on the lake (Matt. 8:23 -27), the agony in the Garden (Matt. 26),

the crucifixion and burial, are all part of the Devil's campaign.  We

therefore ask the reader to consider some passages of the Scriptures that

throw light upon the warfare that must accompany the proclamation of saving

grace, and some of the teaching relative to armour and conduct that will

enable us to 'stand in the evil day'.

We first of all direct the reader's attention to the closing portions

of the epistle to the Ephesians, introduced by the word 'Finally' (Eph.

6:10).  At length this wondrous epistle nears its close.  In height, depth,

length and breadth it stands without a peer in the whole range of inspired

Scripture.  Readers of An Alphabetical Analysis, must have sensed that our

conception of truth makes this epistle to us something akin to what the

epistle to the Galatians was to Luther.  It has given us a liberty beyond the

dreams of man.  It reveals a Christ raised far above all, Who fills all in

all, Who ascended and descended that He might fill all things, Whose love

surpasses knowledge, Whose riches are unsearchable.  It has given us a sacred

trust, a 'good deposit' to guard, a unity to keep.  It has brought its

blessedness into every department of life.  It takes us back before the

overthrow of the world, and on to the ages yet to come.  Its grace abounds.

What then shall constitute the 'Finally' of the apostle Paul?

He reminds us that we are not actually seated in the heavenlies, but

beset by foes who at present are still at large.  Though fellowcitizens of

the holiest of all, we are yet walking in the wilderness.  Though sealed unto

the day of redemption, we have to remember that we actually live in an evil

day.  Hence the apostle concluded his letter with an exhortation to be

strong, to put on the armour of God, to stand, to watch and to pray.  The

language of faith says, as we look at our inheritance in the heavenlies, 'Let

us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome

it' (Num. 13:30).  Caleb, who said these words, tasted something of the

strength that Paul refers to here, and knew something of the need for the

armour and the sword: