As the Prince of Darkness makes his move, he claims another piece, another fragment of the young man’s soul. Victory seems inevitable now, and he stares intently at his adversary, relishing each moment of the youth’s torment.
They’ve been playing this game for a lifetime: back and forth they contend, each striking at the other, but the stakes have never been higher. Here, in Satan’s domain, the game is played for the finest prize of all: the man’s immortal soul.
His throne is lined with the skulls of his victims—trophies for all to see. He’s set the board out on his adversary’s coffin. Each detail is significant; every element is meant to strain his opponent and force him to crumble under the pressure.
He’s fashioned the board in his own glory, the king in his own likeness, and all his soldiers are at the ready: indolence, anger, pride, falsehood, avarice, and unbelief. But the lad has also chosen his pieces wisely, and both Hope and Truth have yet to be defeated. His pawns are not throwaway creatures like those of the Fallen One, but models of those praying for his triumph and well-being.
The man knows he is in grave peril, and he hunches over his checkered-clad fate, surveying the battleground with intense concentration. All seems lost, yet he must push on, for surrender is not an option.
As the players battle, an unlikely onlooker holds vigil over the duel—a solemn angel, anxious yet trusting. He has seen this same encounter before: an infinitude of mortals have come to play their hand against the Evil One, and he knows that the odds are not in their favor.
He cannot intervene; such is the will of the Almighty—that men, despite their shortcomings, must have the freedom to suffer the consequences of their actions or reap the rewards of their virtues. He can only watch and pray. But he does notice an opportunity; on the far-left side of the board, there is a move, a singular chance, for this man to overcome his infernal torturer.
The heavens wait in suspense as Fate lingers. A lowly spider crawls out of the shadows, intent on supper—for one must win, and the other must lose. Such is the game we play.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8
For context on what inspired this post, you can refer to my essay:
