Pawns in a Hellish Game

I learned how to play chess at an early age. The object of the game is to roadblock the other player using various pieces until the opponent can no longer make a move. As the number of the player's pieces gets fewer and fewer, the pressure builds. When that moment comes when all paths are blocked and the king is made vulnerable, the strongest player says "checkmate". The losing player studies the board and the realization comes that the game is over!

The "hellish game" that is being played right now is much the same. There are invisible forces who cheat in the game. The "game" is who gets your soul! God fights hard for you, but he allows Satan to attack. The "hellish game" is presented below:

Job 1:1 "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. ⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. ⁷ And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ⁸ And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? ⁹ Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?¹⁰ Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. ¹¹ But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. ¹² And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord."

Here are the rules of the "hellish game":

•  The "players" are Satan and God. They aren't there, but they each have a plan for winning.
• They call the moves, but representatives make the moves. Job represents God.
• God is the white "King". Satan is his adversary and is the pretender to the throne; the black king. Satan's pieces are all the others. They are at his disposal to be used, but they belong to God.
• The "sons of God" are angels who rebelled and joined Satan's team. They help Satan "cheat" and while he's off causing turmoil elsewhere, he transmits his moves and strategies to fallen angels. They are "principalities":

Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

So, therein lies the sides in this "hellish game"! Satan and his principalities and God! However, because Job was righteous, God allowed him to "play" without the angels actually making the moves. Job was God's representative. He made the "moves" which God "willed" in spite of the strategy of fallen angels. God made just one rule: "you can attack Job and his family, but you cannot kill him!" In order to police that, God put a spiritual "hedge" around Job. This was "protection" from the evil one. Satan can still attack anyone, but he can't kill us, if we have God's "hedge" around us! As Christians protection is available, but we must use it!

Ephesians 6:13 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

The "hedge" around Job was God's whole armor. Read Ephesans 6 to find out what Job wore as protection. In the "game" we have the same armor available as Job did! 

• "Checkmate" is when either Job withstands all that Satan has to offer and perseveres, or when Satan destroys Job. How can Job be "checkmated"? If Job can stand no more of the attacks and abandons God, he is in checkmate. Satan is "checkmated" when Job demonstrates steadfast faith!
• If Job is "checkmated" by Satan, God is undermined. When Satan is "checkmated" by Job on behalf of God, Satan is put in his place as a "wannabe" champion. Satan flees!

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

• Satan's team is allowed to cheat! Indeed, that is their secret weapon! They can lie, cheat, steal pieces, and even kill others. They can't, however, kill Job because he represents the white "King".
• Job on behalf of God cannot cheat. He plays with spirit and in truth. If he plays games under the table to win, then because he "cheats", his team changes. God will be in "check" if Job abandons him. However, God can never be checkmated! He makes the game at the end turn out in his favor!

The bishops on the side of darkness (black pieces) are false prophets. The white bishops are those who remind Job of what's right. Job had "friends" with whom he spoke that represents these pieces. Some were white bishops and others black.

• The "rooks" are the "castles". Black rooks are where the fallen angels reside. The white rooks are the "church". For Job it was he and his household. Note that some of his church was destroyed in the game
• The black "knights" are the fallen angels. The white "knights" are God's messengers. They can bring what God's will to Job, but he still must play the "game" himself!
• The "pawns" are family members, friends, co-workers, employees, other faithful people who's faith wavers, and many of those without discernment. Even some preachers are mere pawns and institutions are used to further the cause of black. On God's side of the board, pawns are never sacrificed! He would rather sacrifice himself than his "team". All his pieces are to stand firm and only those who submit to Satan's deception are lost. God's will is that none will be lost, but it's up to them.
• In this game when pieces are sacrificed they change sides. They aren't merely set off the board. They change masters. They can't be used by both sides because they can only serve one master.
• Pawns are different. They don't have to change sides, but can be used by the opponent, and even set off the board. They are those who have little discernment or are apathetic. Black pawns are non-Christians who serve Satan through deception. They can change sides if they read the rules closely enough. The rule book is scripture. However, if they remain on black's side of the board, they will soon be burnt up after Satan is checkmated. White pawns can remain on the board and be used by Satan unwittingly, they may be taken off the board or even turn "black"
• Which piece is Satan's? He's the black "king" piece, but his chief helper is the black "queen". She's represents evil strongholds. If Job captures that piece, it's impossible for Satan to win because his power is robbed! His stronghold is gone! Sure, he still has pieces he can move around and torment, but they, without the queen, will soon be lost! That "queen" can be anything which pleasures. It's those who seem to side with Job, but their advise is on the wrong side!

This game which I just described from the Book of Job is symbolic of the diabolical game which we play. Job represents "Christians". We are free to chose whose will we do. If we have faith to be steadfast for God, we may be attacked, but we can never be killed. God promised that and prevents Satan from harming us. If in the "game" we remain steadfast we shall live forever and Satan will be "checkmated" before his piece is scrapped into the fire!

Pawns are the roadblocks usually with people moving them around. As such Satan uses everybody, even Christians to win the game. No, the pawns don't knowingly change sides, but out of ignorance, lack of faith, lack of discernment and such, they may actually help the black side.

Modern churches are the black bishops who should be playing God's will, but Satan tricks them. White and black pawns may follow that bishop; some do it by choice and others are deceived!

Friends can be black pawns. Some of Job's friends were! Some who befriend a player may be a black pawn, now wearing white remnant. They may be followers of the false church (black bishops):

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Or these pawns may even belong to your church (white bishop):

Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." 

How white pawns become pawns is through selfishness and in protecting their "other god". Yes, some Christians attempt to serve two masters, even unwittingly, but they do! Because it's their "self" which they try to please, they don't see the dilemma! They either lack love for others or love themselves more! They may still love God, but don't show it by loving others. Those Christians who are unaware of "black" influences are "the elect" who are deceived!

Christians must wear the same armor as did Job because it's our hedge against destruction by Satan's forces. We are playing the same "hellish game played by Satan against Job. Job put Satan in "checkmate" because he did the will of God. Never ever let Satan trim your hedge and expose your weaknesses or you will be "checkmated" and as such expose yourself to join the used pieces in the fire! Grudges, anger, unfriendliness and lack of love and charity are the tactics which "check" even the elect!