The bravery of American soldiers was evidenced at the time of the sinking of a troop ship off the coast of Ireland some years ago. It is said that as the ship heeled over for the fatal plunge many of the soldiers on board lustily sang, "Where do we go from here?”
The bravery of these men cannot be questioned; and if death ended all, we might commend their attitude. But as death does not end all, and is but a change of condition—as the Scriptures declare, "After death the judgment"—we cannot laud their action.
The preacher, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 8, says: "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death, and there is no discharge in that war." When death, that dread enemy of man, lays siege to the citadel, no amount of "camouflage" will keep him at bay. Unconditional surrender is a foregone conclusion, for man has "no power in the day of his death." He must GO, for "there is no discharge in that war.”
The great question in that hour is—
"Where do we go from here?”
Skepticism is out of date wowed infidelity no longer wins the applause of any except the licentious and profane. Satan has other tactics today, and his emissaries are always busy to cover the real issue. Surely every demon rejoiced when, at the commencement of World War I, the word of deceit went forth from the father of lies: "Tell them that blessedness in the future life is secured BY DEATH IN BATTLE!”
In the town where I live, a preacher told his audience that "our brave soldier boys are going to their Gethsemane and Golgotha to suffer for humanity, even as the Savior." One word alone characterizes this soul-destroying statement: it is "BLASPHEMY.”
This is only an instance of the same Satanic narcotic daily administered elsewhere, to lull to sleep the consciences of men who must soon meet God. One blind guide has stated that "death in such a cause is but a reacting of the sacrifice of Christ Himself!”
From whence came this deceitful teaching? It is not a twentieth century invention, as one might suppose. An old heathen idea is thus resuscitated and daringly substituted for the Savior's atoning work. Mohammedan leaders tell their soldiers: "The gates of paradise are under the shades of swords; he who dies fighting for the faith will surely gain admission there.”
Men, you surely know that a deed of valor does not secure eternal bliss with God. As you value your immortal soul, let me beseech you to turn away from these false guides to the Holy Scriptures. God has clearly pointed out the way to the sure and certain hope of a glorious future. It rests upon the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, "finished" on Calvary. He alone is the Savior.