Evening, May 29, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Cursed before the Lord is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho.” — Joshua 6:26

Since men would be cursed who rebuilt Jericho, how much more the men who labor to restore a religion lacking the Gospel message among us. In our fathers’ days the gigantic walls of institutional religion fell by the power of the reformer’s faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets; and now there are some who would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundation. O Lord, be pleased to thwart their unrighteous endeavors, and pull down every stone which they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of empty religion, and when we have made a clean sweep at home we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread abroad in the church and in the world. This last can be done in secret by fervent prayer, and in public by unfaltering testimony. We must warn with judicious boldness those who are inclined towards the errors of churches that ignore Scripture; we must instruct the young in gospel truth and tell them of the black doings of religion without Christ in ancient times. We must aid in spreading the light more thoroughly through the land, for godless leaders, like owls, hate daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of the false teacher. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the bane and poison of Antichrist? Are we casting abroad good, sound gospel writings? Luther once said, “The devil hates goose quills” and, doubtless, he has good reason, for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit’s blessing, have done his kingdom much damage. If the thousands who will read this short word this night will do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of this accursed Jericho, the Lord’s glory shall speed among the sons of men. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?

Editors note: Who is the Antichrist? What is the spirit of Antichrist? In Spurgeon’s day it was recognized as the Catholic Church, and his commentary here was focused on it. In our day? Islam is the chief opponent of the Gospel message around the world…