Know your Ally

At church this past Sabbath I had a very informative and thought provoking discussion with some fellow members. One of whom made the point that because in this life we are engaged in war – The Great Controversy – the strategy to utilize for victory is “to know your enemy”. I have been giving this tactic some thought for some time. I have been having this debate with other close associates, in this matter, for some time now. My theory is that the only way to truly know our enemy is to know who our Ally is (1 John 2:1).

Anyone who works with currency knows that the only way to be able to identify a counterfeit is to know every aspect of the real. Given the subtle, subversive nature of our adversary, this is the only true way to identify him. Matthew 24 describes such insidious deception that “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24) This should raise great concern in those choosing to follow Christ.

Isaiah 8: 20 states: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is not light in them.” Therefore, it stands to reason that being able to identify the ‘dark one’ we need to become deeply acquainted with “The Law” and “The Testimony” of Light. Now what are these things and where are they found? Simple answer: The Word of God in the Bible.

The extended answer: In a previous post I mentioned that 2 Peter 1:16-21 guides us to the evidence that the Bible can be trusted. Prophecy is given to boost our confidence in God’s promises. Prophecy is an anchor that any honest person – religious or non-religious – can hold onto and know that there must be truth in this Book. As evidenced with the wise men from the East. These were not devout men from the Israelite tradition, they were scientists in search of truth. They found the Hebrew scriptures that prophesied of a coming King, they saw the signs foretold and went in search of Him. Similarly, we can see events predicted for our times indicating the second coming of our King.

So now, because we have something solid to hang our belief on in the Bible, what does this book have to say about The Law and The Testimony. Scholars have identified hundreds of laws listed in the Bible, are they all The Law? Or is there a more comprehensive list. As it happens there is a more concise list in the form of the Ten Commandments. The Decalogue is listed and repeated throughout the length and breadth of the Bible. It existed from the Beginning was reiterated to the Israelites (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:1-21; 6:4-7), by Jesus throughout His ministry (Matthew 5:17-18; 19:16-22; 22: 37-40), by the Disciples after He left (Romans 3:31, 1 John 1:6) and by many others in between. This is the Law we must know and live.

Then what is The Testimony? Exodus 31:18 lets us know that God’s law is His testimony written with His own finger. John 5:39 states: “Search the scriptures; for in there ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Revelation 19:10 also says “… The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. The very provisions given for us to know that the Bible is truth also show us where untruth lies. It is for us to choose to be diligent students (2 Timothy 2:15) of God’s word in order to arm ourselves against the enemy (Ephesians 6:14-20).

The Bible, in which we can anchor our faith because it is truth, testify of God, of Salvation, of the hope we have for a better existence. Therefore, any individual, power or system that speaks against, acts contrary to, or opposes, in any way (small or great), this Word is your enemy (Matthew 5:19-22).

Faithfully,