We Are on a Quest!

Alexander the Great led his men on a famous military campaign, yet he was forced to turn back. What can we learn from Alexander’s quest, and how will our quest end?

There have been few figures in history who have achieved the legendary status of Alexander the Great. His accomplishments are numerous and include the conquest of the Persian Empire, conquering nearly all the known world and spreading Greek culture almost everywhere he went.

The mighty king might have been able to accomplish more, but there was one thing that got in his way—his own soldiers. At the Hyphasis River in India, the men under his command mutinied and ended the most successful military campaign in history. Alexander was forced to turn around and end his pursuit of conquest.

What can we learn from the quest of Alexander the Great?

A quest!

We are also on a quest. In Hebrews 11:13-16 we are called “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Unlike Alexander, we are not on a quest for our own glory or for rulership of the known world. Instead, we are on a quest for a reward that is greater than Alexander’s quest to conquer the world. We are on a quest for the Kingdom of God!

The Kingdom is not something that we can merely sit and wait for. Jesus Christ tells us that it is something we must actively pursue: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). When we truly seek something, it is not an idle curiosity or passing interest. Christ even said we must “take it [the Kingdom] by force” (Matthew 11:12).

By force

Alexander’s quest was based almost entirely on military conquest. Our quest is also based on military conquest, but with a different kind of warfare. We are on a spiritual journey that requires spiritual battles and weapons (Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6). We don’t fight other people, instead we fight Satan and our own human nature and impulses.

We can’t fight this war alone. We need God’s help. Only God can give us the victory over Satan (James 4:7) and our human nature (Mark 14:38; Romans 7:15-25). Thankfully, God promises us that He will always be with us, if we are always with Him (Hebrews 13:5).

Danger ahead

As with any quest, we do face dangers. The Bible tells us openly that our quest for the Kingdom will not be easy. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake,” (Matthew 5:11). Christ didn’t say if they persecute you, but when they persecute you.

There are some dangers ahead that are not so obvious though. It wasn’t defeat in battle that stopped Alexander the Great. Ultimately, Alexander was halted by weariness. Alexander’s men decided they wanted to return to their ordinary lives and end the campaign to conquer India. Because of their weariness, Alexander had to turn back and give up on his attempt to add this nation to his list of those conquered.  

Weariness can be a danger for us as well!

Paul knew this source of defeat all too well. A comrade of his, Demas, had forsaken him for the pleasures of the world (2 Timothy 4:10). After joining Paul’s campaign to take the good news of the Kingdom of God to the world, he wanted to return to his own home. He grew tired of the fighting and the traveling. Paul frequently warned the Church not to grow weary (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 12:3). If we’re not careful, we can become weary just like Alexander’s soldiers and Demas.

In the end

When we study what the Bible teaches about the coming Kingdom of God, we come to realize that it will be a world beyond our current comprehension. The happiest moments that we experience in this life will not compare to the eternity awaiting us in the Kingdom. We are destined to be kings and rule a world far greater than the land conquered by Alexander (Revelation 5:10).

We are on a quest! Will you finish?

To learn more about our quest for the Kingdom, read “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God.”

Joshua Travers is a member of the Athens, Ohio, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.