Scarborough Castle

Scarborough Castle I have visited several times, which is good news for the ringing tills of English Heritage, which manages the site. From its high, headland location, one is given fine views of the town of Scarborough as well as the moody and evocative North Sea. Here, folk from the Bronze Age built themselves a defensible settlement. The Romans constructed a large signal tower, keeping an eye on Germanic, sea-borne invaders. The medieval fortress, parts of which still survive, represent the site's heyday, but the seventeenth-century civil wars also left their mark, including the large gap in the keep’s wall and roof.

Curiously, Scarborough Castle was also attacked in the First World War by the Imperial German Navy, suffering a bombardment along with the town, resulting in dozens of deaths and injured. It would seem that conflict and aggression have characterised this place for three thousand years. Whether current animosity between Europe and Russia will lead to armed conflict (which I pray will not happen), I shall be interested to learn if battered Scarbrough Castle will continue to play its part.

An ancient war has been waging now for at least six thousand years, between good and evil. Satan and his cronies rebelled against the Triune God and the faithful angelic host. What skirmishes and battles they fight are beyond our knowledge and comprehension, though scripture is not silent on the matter. Yet even in our everyday lives, spiritual warfare is fought, and we are not just caught up in it, for we are on the battleground. One day, however, the victorious King will return, concluding the rebellion and punishing the rebels. Until then, we press on, fight on, and keep on.