The Spartan Army

Do you know how it used to be in the ancient times in the Spartan army?  Here is a man who has fought well, and has been a splendid soldier.  He is covered with wounds on his chest.  The next time that there is a war, they say, “Poor fellow, we will reward him!  He shall lead the way in the first battle.  He fought so well before, when he fought one hundred with a little troop behind him; now he shall engage ten thousand with a larger troop.”  “Oh!” you say, “that is giving him more work; he should be honored with rest.”  But that is God’s way in the development of His sons in His Kingdom.  That shall be our heaven — not a mansion over the hilltop or a cabin in the corner of glory land — but to be always in the battle, forever working and increasing and winning in the everlasting and unbounded Kingdom of our God!  I have fought the devil in my own life, I have fought the devil in my home, I have fought the devil in the church, I have fought the devil in the world, and God has given wonderful victories.  I shall continue the warfare against sin, sickness, sorrow, fear, torment, limitation and death in all the hells of this world, in that hell in the underworld, and in all the worlds and all the hells in all the realms of God’s vast creation until there is no sin nor death nor devil anywhere and God is all in all.  That is my hope, that is my vision, that is my call and my destiny.  And that is the hope, vision, call and destiny of all the sons of God.