Now the Saviour's eye penetrates the future; He beholds the broader fields in which, after His death, the disciples are to be witnesses for Him. His prophetic glance takes in the experience of His servants through all the ages till He shall come the second time. He shows His followers the conflicts they must meet; He reveals the character and plan of the battle. He lays open before them the perils they must encounter, the self-denial that will be required. He desires them to count the cost, that they may not be taken unawares by the enemy. Their warfare is not to be waged against flesh and blood, but "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Eph. 6:12, R. V. They are to contend with supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences of heaven are in this army. And more than angels are in the ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the Lord's host, comes down to direct the battle. Our infirmities may be many, our sins and mistakes grievous; but the grace of God is for all who seek it with contrition. The power of Omnipotence is enlisted in behalf of those who trust in God.

Nu trænger Frelserens blik ind i fremtiden! Han ser de større arbejdsmarker, hvor disciplene efter hans død skal være hans vidner. Hans profetiske blik ser, hvor meget hans tjenere må gennemgå til alle tider, indtil han atter vender tilbage. Han viser sine disciple den strid, der venter dem, og han afslører kampens art og formål. Han lader dem klart se de farer, de vil komme ud for, og den selvfornægtelse, der vil kræves af dem. Han vil, at de skal beregne omkostningerne, så fjenden ikke skal overrumple dem. Deres kamp skal ikke føres mod kød og blod, men "mod magterne og myndighederne, mod verdensherskerne i dette mørke, mod ondskabens åndemagter i himmelrummet". Ef. 6,12. De skal stride mod overnaturlige kræfter, men de har vished for at få overnaturlig hjælp. Alle Himmelens fornuftvæsener er med i denne hær. Og der er flere end englene inden for dens rækker. Helligånden, som er stedfortræder for fyrsten over Herrens hær, kommer for at lede slaget. Vore skrøbeligheder kan være nok så mange, vore synder og fejl frygtelige, men Guds nåde gælder for alle, der søger den i sand anger. Almagtens kraft er sikret til hjælp for alle dem, der stoler på Gud.