There is no discharge in that war!

(George Mylne, "Lessons for the Christian's Daily Walk" 1859)

"No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; and no one has power in the day of death. There is no discharge in that war!" Ecclesiastes 8:8

Oh, what a war it is! Since Adam's day, the war is carried on. There is no respite granted, no peace, no armistice, and no exchange of prisoners. Each moment of the day, hundreds are slain! Each one is carried off in turn — but none ever come back again. "There is no discharge in that war!" Some have been prisoners for centuries, and tens of centuries, fast bound in chains of DEATH. As yet there is no discharge!

Parents have seen their children snatched away — and none have returned again! Wives have been torn from husbands, husbands from wives, and friends from friends. There is no exception, "no discharge."

Oh, DEATH, you are the conqueror now! Some fear you; others brave you; most forget you — but all alike fall under you! You take some when life is scarcely begun. Even for them, "there is no discharge!" Some are removed in bloom of youth — in beauty's prime — in the midst of usefulness. Death, are you not mistaken? Was not your stroke intended for another? Oh, give them back! Alas! "There is no discharge in that war!"

We have seen one while still young — and loved to think how long and useful he would live. We gave him many years and hopes. But no! He is taken away! "There is no discharge in that war!" What anguish in the thought, "He will never return!" Imagination can hardly take it in. Each meal you think you see his well-known face. Each opening door, seems opened for his form to enter! Alas! "there is no discharge!"

As YET there is none. But will there never be? "There is no discharge!" Death, do not say so! One day you will see it. As all have gone — all will return; as all have died — so all will live again. Oh, death, you are doomed! "The lake of fire" is reserved for you. (Rev. 20:14.) You will be totally conquered!

The wicked are even taken from your grasp. They will rise again — to misery, it is true; yet still they will live. Oh, death — they are not yours!

But, for those who have died in faith, it is not death — they sleep in Jesus. They wait the appointed time. Their "change" will come. Jesus will not forget them, nor leave them in the dust of death. (Job 14:14, 15.)

Where, then, is your sting, O Death? Where O Grave, where then, is your victory! O Death, your war is at an end; not now, but then. And then, O Death, there is no discharge for you!

"Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire!" Revelation 20:14