Satan is always the enemy of the work of God in this world; he is especially opposed to anything that honors and glorifies Christ. When the gospel was introduced into Europe (Acts 16) he tried to connect himself with the work so that he might spoil it; he used a poor duped woman to follow the servants of Christ and speak about them. When this attempt at patronage was frustrated by Paul's freeing the woman from the power of the demon, Satan changed his tactics and had the messengers of the gospel beaten and imprisoned. He changes quickly from the "roaring lion" character to the guise of the "angel of light"—whichever he thinks will suit his purpose best.
This dual opposition has been witnessed many times in the world's history, but at no time more clearly than in Japan of recent years. At the turn of the century considerable work was done in promulgating the gospel in that benighted land, but the enemy was active and before the last great war he raged against Christ and all who were loyal to Him. He pressed Shinto worship until it became very difficult for Japanese Christians to stand out against a false god which was combined with national pride and loyalty.
Mere professors found it easy to render homage to the shrine and yet retain a semblance of Christian profession. Some real Christians were betrayed by subtle reasoning to comply with the idolatrous custom, excusing it on the ground that it was a national custom and not a religion. But some remained faithful and were severely persecuted. One sister in Christ, who held an important position in a large factory, was discharged because of her refusal to bow before a false god; but God used her faithfulness to encourage many others to take the same stand even at the cost of employment and other persecutions. When the" city of Ogaki was bombed her home was miraculously preserved and became a haven for others.
One faithful servant of Christ was imprisoned, and for the testimony of Christ "was nigh unto death"; in fact he went into a coma from starvation, and was assumed dead and sent home in a coffin. He was later revived and was used for much blessing in a sanitarium where he convalesced. He is now faithfully preaching the Word. Doubtless there were many others who refused to compromise the truth, as there were seven thousand in the days of Elijah who, though unknown to him, did not bow down to Baal.
The "roaring lion" thought to close Japan to the gospel but, as another has said, he always outwits himself. The very ones that he had persecuted were often the means of bringing the gospel to others, as Paul and Silas were to the Philippian jailer. Doubtless the very spirit of national Shintoism helped to lead Japan in the direction of war.
Now Japan stands with the door more widely opened to the gospel than ever before. The brother who was jailed for faithfulness writes that everywhere he finds ready listeners to the gospel who often come to hear until after midnight. In one city, where he had been knocked down and his Bible torn fifteen years ago, he found the door wide open now. May God sustain all who faithfully seek to tell of the love of God and the work of the Lord Jesus.
Other evidence of the work of God is that some Christians who excused the shrine worship under pressure have been faithfully judging themselves before God for their sin and unfaithfulness. Surely we can praise God who has wrought such deep exercises in their hearts.
But Satan—true to form—is not content now with Japan opened to the gospel and Christians judging themselves for their past unfaithfulness; he is now flooding the country with modernism which undermines the very basic elements of Christianity, and with false doctrines of the wicked cults that he has helped to parade under the banner of Christianity. The enemy as of old is now the "angel of light," seeking to spoil the work he could not stop.
Fellow-Christian, let us bear up before God for His help and encouragement those that seek to be faithful to Him in that country emerging from the desolation of war.