Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary

SS25-Q4-L4 - The Conflict Behind All Conflicts—October 18–24

Saturday Afternoon
Key Scriptures for the Week: Josh. 5:13-15; Isa. 37:16; Rev. 12:7-9; Deut. 32:17; Exod. 14:13-14; Josh. 6:15-20

Thought for Meditation:
A battle is continually going on between the forces for good and the forces for evil, between the angels of God and the fallen angels. We are beset before and behind, on the right hand and on the left. The conflict that we are passing through is the last we shall have in this world. We are now in the midst of it. Two parties are striving for the supremacy. In this conflict we cannot be neutral. We must stand either on one side or on the other. If we take our position on the side of Christ, if we acknowledge Him before the world in word and work, we are bearing a living testimony as to whom we have chosen to serve and honor. In this important period of earth's history, we cannot afford to leave anyone in uncertainty as to whose side we are on. . . . {YRP 365.2}

Memory Text: And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. (Joshua 10:14)

The Purpose of This Week’s Lesson

The purpose of this week’s study is to uncover the great controversy behind every earthly conflict—a spiritual war between Christ and Satan, good and evil, light and darkness. This battle, which began in heaven (Revelation 12:7–9), is now reaching its final and most decisive stage on earth. Like Joshua and Israel before the walls of Jericho, God’s people today are called to stand on the Lord’s side (Joshua 5:13–15), trust in His leadership, and cooperate with the heavenly army that fights for them (Joshua 10:14).

The study aims to lead us to:

Recognize the unseen conflict behind the visible struggles of nations, churches, and individual lives.
Take a clear stand on Christ’s side, for neutrality is impossible in this final controversy.
Strengthen faith in God’s mighty power to fight for His people and give them victory.
Understand that obedience to divine instructions, as with the fall of Jericho’s walls, is the key to triumph.
Prepare God’s end-time army to cooperate with heavenly agencies in the finishing of the work and the establishment of His Kingdom.

✨ Spirit of Prophecy Insight:

“A battle is continually going on between the forces for good and the forces for evil, between the angels of God and the fallen angels. We are beset before and behind, on the right hand and on the left. The conflict that we are passing through is the last we shall have in this world. We are now in the midst of it. Two parties are striving for the supremacy. In this conflict we cannot be neutral.” — YRP 365.2

“Every day the conflict between Christ and Satan is renewed. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must stand in defense of the truth and righteousness.” — RH, May 3, 1887

📜 Prophetic Insight:

“The battle of Jericho is a type of the destruction of the antitypical Jericho—the world under Satan’s dominion. As ancient Israel marched under divine direction, so modern Israel must follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. The victory is not gained by human might but by divine power.” — SRod, Vol. 2, p. 45

“The great controversy between Christ and Satan is to close with the Lord Himself taking the battlefield. He will fight for His people as He did in the days of Joshua, and every opposing wall shall fall before Him.” — Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 37, p. 13

🪔 Summary:

This week’s lesson calls us to see beyond the surface of human conflicts and understand the cosmic war behind them. God is assembling His faithful army, not to fight with carnal weapons, but with faith, obedience, and the power of His Word. Victory is assured—not because of human strength, but because “the Lord fought for Israel” (Joshua 10:14), and He will fight for His people again in this final battle of earth’s history.

Outline of the Study

The Parties in Conflict

Sunday - October 19, 2025
The Prince of God's Army - Commander of the Army of the Lord
Joshua 5:13-15; Josh. 6:1; Joshua 5:14-15; 2 Kings 6:8-17, Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 37:16; Josh. 5:14, Gen. 17:3, 2 Sam. 9:6, 2 Chron. 20:18.

Monday - October 20, 2025
The Prince of the Army of Evil - War in Heaven
Rev. 12:7-9, Isa. 14:12-14, Ezek. 28:11-19; Dan. 10:12-14; Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28.

Tuesday - October 21, 2025
The Most Powerful Warrior -The Lord is a Warrior
Exodus 2:23-25; Exodus 12:12-13; Exodus 15:3-11; Exod. 32:1-4; Lev. 17:7, Deut. 32:17; Ps. 24:8; Rev. 19:11; Rev. 20:1-4, 14; Rom. 3:4, Rev. 15:3.

The Strategies of Conflict
Wednesday - October 22, 2025
God Fighting for Us - The Lord will Fight for You
Exodus 14:13-14, 25; 2 Kings 19, 2 Chronicles 32, Isaiah 37; Deut. 7:17-19.

Thursday - October 23, 2025
We Fighting for God - The Second-Best Option
Exodus 17:7-13; Joshua 6:15-20; Exod. 23:28, Exod. 33:2; Exod. 17:3; Deuteronomy 20; Josh. 24:11; Josh. 7:12-13; Josh. 10:8.

Friday - October 24, 2025
Further Prophetic Insights and Study

The Parties in Conflict

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:14)

The Divine Commander Revealed

At the borders of Canaan, on the eve of conquest, Joshua meets a mysterious Being with a drawn sword—the Captain of the Lord’s host, a title signifying Christ Himself, the Commander of heavenly armies (cf. Revelation 19:11–16).

The Being accepted Joshua’s worship (Josh. 5:14), proving He was not a created angel (since holy angels refuse worship—cf. Rev. 19:10). This encounter therefore reveals Christ, the pre-incarnate Son of God, who leads His people both in literal and spiritual battles.

SOP Insight:
“Christ was the commander of the Lord’s host that met Joshua. It was He who through divine power overthrew the walls of Jericho.”
— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 488

Here, Joshua represents the visible leadership of God’s people, while the Captain represents the invisible, divine leadership—Christ guiding His people in the conflict between truth and error. This divine-human cooperation typifies the church militant’s role under Christ’s command in the final battle for purification and conquest of the Kingdom.

The Spiritual Reality Behind the Conflict

When Joshua encountered the heavenly Commander, Israel was facing fortified Jericho. Yet the greater conflict was not between Israel and Canaan—it was between the forces of God and Satan for control over the promised inheritance.

Text Parallel:

2 Kings 6:17 – Elisha’s servant’s eyes were opened to see “the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire” around God’s prophet.
Nehemiah 9:6 and Isaiah 37:16 identify the same Lord as Creator and Sovereign over all hosts of heaven, the One who commands angels in the defense of His people.

These passages collectively show that the visible struggles of God’s people mirror the invisible warfare in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 6:12). The “army of the Lord” consists not only of human soldiers but also of heavenly hosts engaged in a coordinated plan to secure victory for truth and righteousness.

SOP Insight:
“Heavenly angels fight our battles for us, while we are to cooperate with them by faith and obedience.”
— Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 176

Thus, the battle at Jericho becomes a type of the final conflict for the purification of the church—when Christ, the unseen Commander, leads the faithful to victory through strict obedience and unity of action.

Prophetic Application – The Present Conflict and the End-Time Army

The Shepherd’s Rod message deepens this prophetic scene, showing that the same Captain of the Lord’s host will again lead His people in the final conflict within the church and against the forces of darkness in the world.

“The Lord Himself takes charge of the purification of His church (Mal. 3:1–3; Ezek. 9). The ‘man with the drawn sword’ (Joshua 5:13) typifies the Lord’s leadership in the judgment of the living, the warfare for the establishment of His kingdom.”
— Shepherd’s Rod, Vol. 2, p. 45

“The Captain of the Lord’s host stands ready to lead His army into the battle of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, when the church shall be cleansed and the kingdom established in righteousness.”
— 1TG 45:2

Just as Joshua had to remove his shoes upon holy ground (Josh. 5:15), so must God’s people today lay aside self, pride, and human wisdom, recognizing that the final victory belongs to the Lord. This act symbolizes reverence, humility, and full surrender to divine leadership.

The Two Parties in Conflict

This meeting between Joshua and the Prince of the Lord’s host sets forth the two great parties in the controversy:

The Army of the Lord – Composed of faithful men and holy angels under Christ’s command; their weapons are faith, obedience, and truth.
The Army of the Enemy – Led by Satan and his fallen angels, working through human agencies, spiritual Babylon, and disobedient members within the professed church.

“Two opposing forces are ever contending for the mastery in this world—the Prince of life and the prince of darkness.”
— Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 130

These parties are now facing their final confrontation in the great and dreadful day of the Lord, when the Captain of heaven will rise to deliver the faithful and purge out rebellion from among His people (Zeph. 3:12–13; Ezek. 9:4–6).

Theological and Prophetic Significance

The Commander of the Lord’s host represents Christ’s active leadership in the closing work of redemption. His drawn sword is symbolic of the judgment of God, His authority to execute justice and deliver His people.

“The sword of the Lord is truth revealed and executed… It separates the faithful from the unfaithful, the wheat from the tares.”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 46

As Jericho’s walls fell by the united shout of obedience, so in the end-time, all human systems opposing divine truth will collapse before the voice of the purified remnant. The victory belongs to those who, like Joshua, bow in reverence before the Captain and ask, “What saith my Lord unto His servant?”

Consider the Following

❖The Prince of God's army.

—As Joshua prayed near Jericho seeking divine direction to take the city, a warrior with his sword drawn stood before him (Josh. 5:13).

—When questioned by Joshua, this man denied his affiliation with any earthly army. He was the Commander of God's army (Josh. 5:14).

—By demanding worship, he showed that he was God himself, in the person of Jesus—known as Michael in the book of Daniel (Josh. 5:15; Dan. 12:1).

—The prayer had been answered. To Joshua's relief, God himself took command of the operation. As Israel's visible commander, Joshua was to follow only the orders of the true commander-in-chief: God.

Concluding Prophetic Reflection

The encounter at Jericho’s border teaches that Christ alone leads His people to victory, and that the present conflict—within and without the church—is under His direct command. Every servant of God must come to the point of Joshua’s surrender before he can lead others to conquest.

The question for our time is not “Whose side is God on?” but rather, “Are we on the Lord’s side?” (Exodus 32:26).
For only those who stand with the Captain of the Lord’s host—in obedience to the revealed Present Truth—will be part of the victorious army that enters the Promised Land, the soon-coming Kingdom of Peace.

Summary Thought

“The battle is the Lord’s.” (1 Samuel 17:47)
The Prince of God’s army—Christ Himself—commands the hosts of heaven and earth. His drawn sword signifies both mercy and judgment. He leads the faithful through purification to conquest, until every Jericho of unbelief falls and the glory of His Kingdom is revealed in His purified church.

Monday - October 20, 2025
The Prince of the Army of Evil - War in Heaven
Rev. 12:7-9, Isa. 14:12-14, Ezek. 28:11-19; Dan. 10:12-14; Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28.

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!” (Isaiah 14:12)

The Origin of Evil and the First Conflict in the Universe

Before sin entered the world, a cosmic rebellion began in heaven. The once-perfect and highly exalted cherub, Lucifer, “the anointed cherub that covereth” (Ezek. 28:14), allowed pride, jealousy, and ambition to corrupt his pure heart. His beauty, wisdom, and influence led him to covet the position and authority of the Son of God.

“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” — Ezekiel 28:17

Lucifer’s rebellion was not a mere emotional outburst but a deliberate act of self-exaltation against divine order:

“I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.” — Isaiah 14:13–14

Thus began the war in heaven—a moral and spiritual conflict between the Prince of Light (Christ) and the Prince of Darkness (Lucifer), a battle not fought with carnal weapons but with the forces of truth and deception, loyalty and rebellion.

The Great Controversy: The Two Princes and Their Armies

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not.” — Revelation 12:7–8

Here the two great commanders are clearly identified:

Michael (Christ) — “Who is like God?” — the Commander of the Lord’s Host, the Defender of divine authority and righteousness.
The Dragon (Satan) — the fallen Lucifer, leading a host of rebellious angels who “kept not their first estate” (Jude 6).

The “war in heaven” was a conflict of principles—between self-exalting pride and self-denying love, between the law of selfish ambition and the law of self-sacrifice.
Satan’s rebellion aimed to overthrow God’s government by charging Him with injustice and claiming that His law was arbitrary.

SOP Insight:
“Lucifer was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ. Yet when all the angels bowed to Jesus to acknowledge His supremacy and high authority and rightful rule, he bowed with them; but his heart was filled with envy and hatred.”
— Early Writings, p. 145

“Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results.”
— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 42

Thus, this first celestial war became the foundation of the Great Controversy between good and evil that continues on earth today.

The Fall of Lucifer and His Earthly Dominion

When Lucifer and his angels were cast out, their sphere of influence shifted from heaven to earth (Rev. 12:9). He became the “prince of this world” (John 12:31), waging war against God’s image in humanity. His rebellion now seeks to corrupt the human heart—the new battlefield of the universe.

“He who was once the covering cherub now stands as the leader of rebellion, a deceiver of nations, and an accuser of the brethren.” — GC 502.2

Just as he deceived a third of the angels (Rev. 12:4), he now works through deception, false religion, and self-exaltation among men and within the visible church. His warfare is more subtle, clothed in light, appealing to human pride and intellect.
“The same prince who fought against Christ in heaven now fights against Him on earth through His church. His most deceptive work is not from without but from within.”
— SRod, Vol. 1, p. 151

“Lucifer’s rebellion in heaven was against the establishment of the divine order. Likewise today, the opposition to the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ on earth is the repetition of that same rebellion.”
— 1TG 12:6

This reveals the prophetic continuity between the celestial conflict and the earthly controversy—a war that began in heaven but finds its climax in the purification and triumph of the saints on earth.

The Spiritual and Prophetic Implications

Lucifer’s fall illustrates the principle that sin originates in self-exaltation and ends in degradation. His cry, “I will ascend”, contrasts sharply with Christ’s humility:

“He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:8)

Thus, the two princes symbolize two eternal principles:

Christ’s government of love, humility, and obedience.
Satan’s kingdom of pride, deception, and rebellion.

SOP Insight:
“The principles of God’s government—the law of love—were to be fully vindicated before the universe. Satan’s work of rebellion was to be unmasked.”
— DA 759
“The war in heaven has its counterpart on earth. As Satan was once cast out of heaven, so he will be cast out of the church when the Lord purifies His people.”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 185

The prophetic type shows that the cleansing of heaven (casting out of Satan) prefigures the cleansing of the church on earth (Ezekiel 9; Malachi 3:1–3), both under the direct command of the Prince of Heaven, Michael.

The Continuation of the War in Human History

In Daniel 10:12–14, Gabriel reveals that the heavenly conflict continues even among earthly kingdoms, where spiritual powers influence the course of nations. The “Prince of Persia” resisted divine plans—showing that behind every earthly conflict lies a spiritual battle.

This invisible war explains why truth meets resistance, why the gospel faces opposition, and why the church must overcome by faith, obedience, and prayer. God’s messengers are often hindered by unseen forces, but Michael stands to deliver His people in due time (Dan. 12:1).

The Final Conflict and Destiny of the Evil Prince

Satan’s fall will reach its ultimate end as foretold by the prophets:

“Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth… and never shalt thou be any more.” — Ezekiel 28:18–19

His end will be complete annihilation, a warning to all created beings of the eternal consequences of rebellion against God’s law.

SOP Insight:
“When the great controversy is ended, the originator of sin and all the wicked will be no more. The whole universe will have become one pulse of harmony and gladness.”
— GC 678
“The destruction of Satan and his followers will forever seal the victory of Christ’s kingdom. The lesson of rebellion will never again rise in the hearts of God’s subjects.”
— 1TG 46:2

Prophetic Summary and Reflection

The war that began in heaven is nearing its conclusion on earth. The two princes—Michael (Christ) and Lucifer (Satan)—are gathering their armies for the final encounter: the purification of the church and the battle of Armageddon. Every soul must now choose allegiance.

The Prince of Heaven leads by truth, humility, and love.
The Prince of Evil rules by pride, deception, and force.

The casting out of Lucifer reminds all that divine justice is sure, and rebellion cannot stand forever. Those who cling to self-exaltation will fall as he fell. But those who stand under the banner of the Lamb will triumph with Michael when “the accuser of our brethren is cast down” (Rev. 12:10).

Consider the Following
❖The prince of the army of evil.

—We can say that he invented war. He was born a prince; a cherub of the highest rank; at the very side of God; walking on burning coals; precious; perfect… (Ezek. 28:12-15).

—Endowed with free will – like all intelligent beings created by God – Lucifer decided to rebel and usurp God's throne (Is. 14:12-14).

—Although his rebellion failed, the universe has been engulfed in war ever since. Having taken over the Earth, Satan and his angels have a single purpose: to thwart God's plans to save the human race.

—The conquest of Canaan was an important battle in this war.

Concluding Thought

“The same controversy that began in heaven is to be finished upon the earth. The victory that cast Satan from heaven will cast him from the church.”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 187

The fall of Lucifer is not only history—it is prophecy fulfilled in pattern and soon to be fulfilled in reality. The end-time purification of God’s church mirrors the first cleansing of heaven. Thus, the Prince of the Army of Evil, though mighty in deception, will finally bow before the Prince of Peace, whose kingdom shall never end.

Tuesday - October 21, 2025
The Most Powerful Warrior -The Lord is a Warrior
Exodus 2:23-25; Exodus 12:12-13; Exodus 15:3-11; Exod. 32:1-4; Lev. 17:7, Deut. 32:17; Ps. 24:8; Rev. 19:11; Rev. 20:1-4, 14; Rom. 3:4, Rev. 15:3.

The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name” (Exodus 15:3)

The Divine Warrior in the Great Controversy

When Israel stood helpless before the Red Sea, surrounded by Pharaoh’s chariots and an angry army, God manifested Himself as “a man of war”—a Divine Warrior fighting for His covenant people. The song of Moses (Exodus 15:1–11) celebrates not merely a national victory but a revelation of God’s character in warfare: a God who fights to deliver, purify, and vindicate His people in righteousness.

“The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name.” — Exodus 15:3.

This title portrays Jehovah not as a destroyer by nature, but as the Defender of truth, justice, and holiness against the rebellion of sin. Every act of divine judgment is an expression of love, aimed at ending oppression and restoring harmony to His creation.

SOP Insight:
“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, yet He will not at all acquit the wicked. Through His judgments He seeks to awaken men to a realization of their danger.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 276

Thus, God’s warfare is not arbitrary vengeance but redemptive justice, operating within the moral law of the universe.

God’s Warfare in the Exodus: A Type of Final Deliverance

The Exodus narrative is the first great revelation of God as the Divine Warrior who fights for the oppressed.

Exodus 2:23–25 shows God hearing the groaning of His people and remembering His covenant.
Exodus 12:12–13 demonstrates His power to execute judgment “against all the gods of Egypt.”
Exodus 15:3–11 records the victory song after the Red Sea deliverance.

In each event, God wages war not only against Pharaoh but against the spiritual forces behind Egypt’s idolatry (cf. Deut. 32:17). The battle is theological and moral—the true God versus false worship.

“For all the gods of the nations are devils.” — Deuteronomy 32:17

SOP Insight:
“In freeing Israel from bondage, God sought to reveal to the world His power to break the bands of sin. The plagues upon Egypt were directed against the gods they worshiped.”
— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 333

Therefore, every act of divine warfare points forward to the final conflict between truth and error, when God will again rise to deliver His covenant people and overthrow the spiritual Babylon of the last days (Revelation 18–19).

The Lord of Hosts and the Armies of Heaven

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” — Psalm 24:8

Throughout Scripture, God is called Jehovah Sabaoth—the Lord of Hosts, Commander of the heavenly armies (1 Samuel 17:45; Joshua 5:14). He commands legions of angels who execute His will in both mercy and judgment. When He arises to defend His people, no earthly or demonic power can stand before Him.

SOP Insight:
“Heavenly intelligences, the armies of the Lord, are enlisted to fight the battles of those who are true and faithful.”
— Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 176

This title reaches its prophetic climax in Revelation 19:11–16, where Christ appears on a white horse, leading the armies of heaven, His robe dipped in blood, bearing the name “King of kings and Lord of lords.” This is not the beginning of war, but its conclusion—the final overthrow of evil, when the long controversy is ended by divine intervention.

Prophetic Parallel: The Warrior of Exodus and the Warrior of Revelation

The Divine Warrior of Exodus who overthrew Egypt is the same Christ who leads the armies of heaven in Revelation. The song of Moses (Exod. 15:3) and the song of the Lamb (Rev. 15:3) are twin themes of one great deliverance—from Egypt literal to Babylon spiritual.

“Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” — Revelation 15:3

SOP Insight:
“The song of Moses and the Lamb will be sung when the Lord has delivered His people from the final bondage of sin and Satan.”
— PP 289; GC 648

In both cases, the same mighty Deliverer fights for His people—not through human might, but through the power of His word, His angels, and His Spirit. The end-time “Red Sea” will again part when the Lord reveals Himself as a Warrior for Zion.

The Warrior in the Purification and Kingdom Establishment

The inspiration magnifies this truth in a prophetic setting. It identifies the Lord as a Warrior who rises to cleanse His church and establish His kingdom of peace.

“The Lord is to rise as in the days of Egypt (Micah 7:15). His strange act of purification (Isa. 28:21) will reveal Him as the mighty warrior who defends His people and destroys the sinners in Zion.”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 252

“The Lord’s strange act is not strange because of cruelty, but because of mercy mingled with justice; it is the warfare of love against sin.”
— 1TG 52:6

“The same Lord who smote the firstborn in Egypt and delivered Israel will soon smite the unfaithful in His church and lead the purified to the Promised Land—the Kingdom.”
— SRod, Vol. 1, p. 109

Thus, the Lord’s warfare is not only against external enemies but also against sin within His people. His drawn sword at Jericho (Joshua 5:13–15) prefigures His action in purifying the camp before leading it to conquest.

The Moral Nature of Divine Warfare

Unlike human wars driven by ambition or revenge, God’s wars are holy and just. Each divine conflict reveals the principle that truth must conquer error and righteousness must triumph over sin.

SOP Insight:
“The Lord is a man of war, yet He delights in mercy; justice and mercy are the foundation of His throne.”
— PK 536

“When the Lord fights, He fights not as men fight, but through judgments, through truth, through the revelation of His power and righteousness.”
— 1TG 41:4

The Divine Warrior’s power is moral and spiritual—He conquers by truth, by love, and by holiness that destroys sin while saving the sinner who repents.

The Final Triumph of the Warrior-Lord

Revelation 19 and 20 present the ultimate expression of God as a Warrior-King:

Revelation 19:11–21: Christ defeats the beast, the false prophet, and their armies.
Revelation 20:1–4, 14: Satan is bound, judgment is executed, and death and hell are destroyed.

“Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” — 1 Corinthians 15:54

The warfare ends not in destruction alone, but in restoration. The Divine Warrior conquers sin so that peace may reign eternally.

SOP Insight:
“The warfare of truth against error will be carried forward until the victory is complete and the Prince of Peace shall reign.”
— GC 672
“The Lord’s final battle is not against flesh and blood but against every system that opposes His rule. When His warfare is finished, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.”
— 2TG 42:6

Consider the Following

❖The most powerful warrior.

—God himself is presented as a “man of war,” the most powerful warrior in battle (Ex. 15:3; Ps. 24:8).

—But God is not at war with human beings, but with the spiritual powers to which they cling. Therefore, the plagues are presented as a war against the gods of Egypt, that is, the demons (Ex. 12:12; Deut. 32:17).

—God desires to eradicate evil from the Earth. Therefore, He expelled from Canaan those who had chosen to side with Satan, and granted the land to the people who had sided with Him.

—Today the war continues, but not over territory. The fight is for each family, for each individual. There is no neutral ground. We are either with God or with the enemy.

Concluding Prophetic Reflection

The LORD as a Warrior is the same Christ who redeems, purifies, and reigns. He fights not to destroy but to save through justice, to vindicate truth, and to defend His covenant people. From the plagues of Egypt to the plagues of Revelation, His warfare follows the same purpose—to end rebellion and restore eternal peace.

“The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies.” — Isaiah 42:13

When the song of Moses and the Lamb is sung (Rev. 15:3), it will mark the end of all warfare—the final victory of love over sin. The Lord, the Mighty Warrior, will have conquered not by the sword of man, but by the Word of His mouth and the fire of His holiness.

Summary Thought

The Lord’s warfare is not carnal but spiritual, not for conquest but for cleansing. The same Warrior who triumphed at the Red Sea will soon rise to purify His church, overthrow the powers of evil, and reign as King of kings. The end-time army that follows Him in white (Rev. 19:14) will sing again, “The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name.”

The Strategies of Conflict
Wednesday - October 22, 2025
God Fighting for Us - The Lord will Fight for You
Exodus 14:13-14, 25; 2 Kings 19, 2 Chronicles 32, Isaiah 37; Deut. 7:17-19.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14)

The Divine Strategy of Victory: Standing Still Before the Lord

At the Red Sea, Israel faced what appeared to be certain destruction—Egypt’s army behind them, the sea before them, and mountains on either side. Yet God commanded, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” (Exod. 14:13).
This command is the central strategy of all divine warfare: human stillness combined with divine intervention. Israel’s role was obedience, faith, and trust; God’s role was power, deliverance, and victory.

Moses’ calm assurance reveals the secret of triumph in every age—God’s people conquer not through human might, but through divine leadership. When man ceases to strive in self-dependence and yields to the Captain of the Lord’s Host, the Lord Himself fights the battle and secures victory for His people (Joshua 5:14–15).

Prophetic Insight from the Bible: God’s Pattern of Intervention

At the Red Sea: The Lord overthrew Pharaoh’s chariots, showing His supremacy over earthly powers (Exod. 14:25–27).
In Hezekiah’s Day: One angel slew 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35; Isa. 37:36), proving that the battle is not man’s but the Lord’s.
In Judah’s Revival: Jehoshaphat was told, “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:15). The army of Judah triumphed through praise, not by sword.
At the End of Time: Christ rides forth on a white horse (Rev. 19:11–16), symbolizing His final conquest over sin, Babylon, and all satanic opposition.

Thus, throughout sacred history, God’s strategy remains the same—He permits His people to face impossible odds that faith may be perfected, dependence deepened, and His glory magnified.

The Spirit of Prophecy Insight

“When they had done all that they could do, then the Lord manifested His power, and gave them the victory.”
— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 290

“The Captain of the Lord’s host encamps round about all them that fear Him, and delivereth them. He will fight for His obedient people.”
— Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 288

“God in His providence brought the Hebrews into the mountain fastness before the sea, that He might manifest His power in their deliverance and signally humble the pride of their oppressors.”
— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 283

SOP Commentary:
The Lord allows His people to be placed in positions where human strength and wisdom fail, so that divine power may be clearly seen. The words “be still” do not mean inactivity, but faithful submission to divine direction—an attitude of trust that opens the way for heaven’s intervention.

In every crisis of the church, the divine strategy is to let the enemy’s confidence in self reach its climax before God displays His might. Thus, the final conflict—like the Red Sea—will end not by human reform, but by divine purification and deliverance.

“The Lord’s strategy has always been to place His people in positions where faith alone can give them the victory, that none may glory save in the Lord.”
— SRod, Vol. 1, p. 225

“As in Moses’ time, so now, God’s people stand before a Red Sea of perplexities. But the same God that opened the waters for ancient Israel will open the way for the purified church.”
— 1TG 36:9

“When the Lord fights for His people, He uses methods not understood by men. The battle of deliverance in the type at the Red Sea is to be repeated in the antitype when the angels of destruction execute judgment in the church (Ezek. 9).”
— 2TG 19:3

The inspiration emphasizes that the Red Sea deliverance is a prophetic type of the coming purification and deliverance of the church. God’s strategy today is not political, institutional, or organizational—it is spiritual and purgative. The “standing still” of Exodus 14 prefigures the moment when God’s faithful remnant will rest in faith during the shaking, while divine power cleanses the church from hypocrisy and unbelief.

In the antitypical sense, the Lord will again fight for His people—destroying spiritual Egypt and Babylon, delivering His saints, and establishing His purified kingdom on earth before the second coming (Isa. 66:15–20; Micah 4:1–7).

Consider the Following

❖God fighting for us.

—God's original plan was to conquer Canaan by supernatural means, without Israel having to fight (Exod. 23:28). If it hadn't been for the people's unbelief, this would have happened.

—The Bible records some examples of what God can do to deliver His people without them having to take up any weapons against their enemies: He sank the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. (Exod.14:24-28); He used hail against the Canaanites (Josh. 10:11); He destroyed those who despised Elijah (2 Kings 1:9-10); He sent bears against those who mocked Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-24); He obtained peace by blinding the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:14-23); He made the Ammonites and Moabites fight each other (2 Chronicles 20:15-17, 22-24); He killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night (2 Kings 19:35); He sent a deadly disease on Herod (Acts 12:21-23).

Prophetic Summary and Application

Conflict belongs to God – The true battle is spiritual; it is fought by divine agencies against satanic hosts (Eph. 6:12).
Victory comes through obedience – Israel was to move forward only at God’s word. So today, victory belongs to those who follow the advancing light of present truth.
Faith, not fear, brings deliverance – “Be still” means surrendering anxiety, self-reliance, and human reasoning, resting instead in divine promises.
The final victory is certain – As the Lord fought for Israel, He will fight for His purified church in the closing conflict, giving her triumph over sin and Babylon’s power.

Final Thought

The Lord’s strategy in every age reveals the same divine principle: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6).
When human wisdom fails, and when faith alone stands, the Lord’s arm is revealed.
The faithful remnant, standing still before God, will soon behold the waters part once more—the deliverance of the 144,000 and the manifestation of the kingdom that shall never be moved.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14

Thursday - October 23, 2025
We Fighting for God - The Second-Best Option
Exodus 17:7-13; Joshua 6:15-20; Exod. 23:28, Exod. 33:2; Exod. 17:3; Deuteronomy 20; Josh. 24:11; Josh. 7:12-13; Josh. 10:8.

“They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys”
(Joshua 6:21)

The Two Strategies—God Fighting for Us vs. Us Fighting for God

Throughout Israel’s journey, two divine strategies appear:

God fighting for His people (Exod. 14:14; 2 Chron. 20:15) — the perfect strategy of faith and divine intervention.
God permitting His people to fight for Him (Exod. 17:8–13; Josh. 6:21) — the second-best strategy when faith weakens and human cooperation becomes necessary to carry out divine justice.

In essence, when Israel’s faith was too weak to stand still and let God act alone, He still worked through them—empowering human hands to accomplish His purpose of judgment, cleansing, and conquest. Thus, “fighting for God” represents the cooperative phase of divine warfare: when heaven and earth unite to carry out righteousness and remove evil.

Biblical Prophetic Insight: Divine Justice Through Human Agency

1. Moses’ Uplifted Hands — Exodus 17:8–13

When Amalek attacked, Israel prevailed only while Moses’ hands were raised—a type of intercessory warfare showing that victory depended not on the sword but on the continual connection between heaven and earth.

2. The Conquest of Jericho — Joshua 6:15–21

Jericho’s fall illustrates both divine power and human participation. The people marched, shouted, and obeyed; God caused the walls to fall. The total destruction of Jericho symbolized the judgment upon sin and idolatry, not cruelty, but a prophetic cleansing act prefiguring the final removal of all wickedness (Deut. 20:16–18).

3. The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon — Judges 7:20

This divine-human partnership shows that when man fights under divine command, he becomes an instrument of God’s justice. The battle is still the Lord’s, but man becomes His agent.

4. The Lesson of Ai — Joshua 7:12–13

Failure in battle occurred when sin existed in the camp. God will not cooperate with human strength until His people are purified. Thus, fighting for God is never carnal—it is always conditioned on spiritual purity and obedience.

The Spirit of Prophecy Insight (Ellen G. White)

“When God commands His people to execute His judgments upon the wicked, it is that those who love purity and truth may be shielded from the corrupting influence of sin.”
— Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 491

“God works by means. He could reach His ends in many ways, but He chooses to make man a co-worker with Himself.”
— Education, p. 13

“When men do battle for the Lord, their success depends not upon numbers or skill, but upon their faithfulness in following God’s directions.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 176

SOP Commentary:
Ellen White emphasizes that when God uses His people as warriors, it is not to promote human violence but to demonstrate divine justice and protect the sanctity of truth. When Israel fought, their role was to cleanse the land of corruption so that God’s holy presence might dwell among them. This represents the work of purification God will again perform among His spiritual Israel in the last days (Ezek. 9; Mal. 3:1–3).

“When the Lord could no longer fight for His people because of their unbelief, He fought through them; but when faith returns, He again takes the battle into His own hands.”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 152

“The destruction of Jericho typifies the destruction of sin and sinners in the church, for Jericho stood as a barrier to Israel’s inheritance.”
— 1TG 21:3

“The taking of Jericho is a type of the purification of the church. God’s servants today are to go forward in obedience to the message of present truth, that the walls of hypocrisy and self-security may fall.”
— 1TG 31:5

The inspiration unfolds Jericho as a prophetic type of the purification of God’s church—the fall of the walls symbolizes the collapse of spiritual pride and institutional defenses that hinder truth. The slaughter of the inhabitants typifies the destruction of sinners in the church (Ezek. 9), while Rahab’s deliverance prefigures the salvation of those who accept the present truth.

The concept of “fighting for God” thus symbolizes the reformative and judgmental phase of the work—when the servants of God, under divine commission, blow the trumpets of truth, expose sin, and cooperate in the final cleansing process that prepares the church for the kingdom.

Prophetic Parallel: The Final Warfare

Then: Israel fought for God to claim the Promised Land.
Now: Spiritual Israel fights for God through proclamation of truth and spiritual warfare (2 Cor. 10:4–5).
Soon: The Lord will again fight for His purified remnant when judgment begins at His house (1 Pet. 4:17; Ezek. 9).

Our warfare today is not with literal swords but with the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17)—the message of reform that tears down walls of deception and sin. Yet, as in ancient times, only a purified people can be trusted with the weapons of divine truth.

Consider the Following

❖We fighting for God.

—As with the antediluvians, or with Sodom and Gomorrah, the Canaanites had overstepped the bounds of grace, and had enlisted themselves with Satan (Gen. 6:5; 18:20-21; 15:16).

—They were all destined for the second death, eternal death. Prolonging their lives here would not change their final destiny. And God allowed Israel, on this occasion (the capture of Canaan), to take an active part in the slaughter.

—Why not do it Himself, as He had planned? Because of their unbelief. Israel’s first taste of war was after declaring, “Is the LORD among us, or not?” (Exod. 17:7-9).

—By taking an active part in the battle (physical for them, spiritual for us), we develop an unconditional trust in God's help.

Prophetic Summary and Application

When God fights for us – It is the highest level of faith: resting entirely on His power.
When we fight for God – It is a conditional cooperation: God’s will accomplished through human obedience.
Failure comes when sin exists in the camp – As with Achan, self and greed hinder divine power.
Victory is certain when we follow divine command – As Jericho fell, so will all strongholds of sin fall before truth and purity.
In the final conflict, the purified church will again march around spiritual Jericho—the world and the unfaithful church—until all deception collapses and the kingdom of truth stands revealed.

Concluding Prophetic Thought

The story of Jericho and the battles of ancient Israel are more than military accounts; they are prophetic blueprints of the closing work of redemption. When God fights for His church, deliverance is miraculous; when His church fights for Him, purification is inevitable.

“When the warfare of the saints is accomplished, when the church is purified and perfected, then shall come the triumph of truth and righteousness. For the Lord will again fight for Zion.”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 230

Let every believer, then, take up the spiritual weapons of obedience, truth, and holiness—for the walls of modern Jericho are about to fall.

Friday – October 24, 2025

Further Prophetic Insights and Study

Theme: The Final Victory—The Lord Fights for His Purified People
Key Text:
“And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.”
— Joshua 10:14

Related Readings:
Joshua 5–6; Exodus 14:13–14; Revelation 12:7–9; Revelation 19:11–16; Isaiah 37:16; Deuteronomy 7:17–19; Malachi 3:1–3; Ezekiel 9

Overview: The Hidden Conflict Behind All Conflicts

As the week’s study draws to a close, the curtain lifts on the grand controversy between Christ and Satan—a war that began in heaven (Rev. 12:7–9), continued through the ages, and now approaches its climactic conclusion in our time.

Every battle in the Bible—whether at Jericho, Ai, or the Red Sea—foreshadows this final conflict between the forces of good and evil. What we see in Israel’s victories is more than national conquest; it is a prophetic pattern of spiritual purification and divine vindication.

This final lesson reveals that the Lord’s ultimate strategy is not human warfare but divine purification, the separation of truth from error, faith from unbelief, and light from darkness.

Theological and Prophetic Synthesis: God’s Progressive Strategy

God Fights for Us (Exodus 14:14):
— The first strategy of divine grace: complete dependence on God’s power.
— God alone acts to deliver His people when faith rests entirely in Him.
We Fight for God (Exodus 17:8–13; Joshua 6:21):
— The second-best strategy: divine-human cooperation when faith must act.
— God’s people become agents of judgment and reform to purify His cause.
God Fights Through Us (Revelation 19:11–16):
— The final strategy: God’s Spirit-empowered people become the sword of His mouth, proclaiming truth that smites deception and destroys spiritual Babylon.

These three phases represent the full cycle of redemptive warfare, culminating in the triumph of the Lamb and His army of the faithful (Rev. 17:14).

The Spirit of Prophecy Insight

“In every age, God’s chosen messengers have been opposed by Satan and his agencies; but the Lord’s servants are not to fear, for He who has called them to His work will guard and sustain them.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 176

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness.”
— Steps to Christ, p. 43

“The Captain of the Lord’s host is by the side of all who are faithful. His angels that excel in strength fight in behalf of those who are striving to overcome.”
— Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 179

SOP Commentary:
The Spirit of Prophecy portrays the final battle as spiritual, moral, and purifying. The Lord is not calling His end-time people to carnal warfare, but to the greatest battle ever fought—the battle for self-conquest and for the preservation of truth within His church.

The same Christ who appeared to Joshua as the “Captain of the Lord’s host” now leads His people in this closing conflict. His sword is not of steel, but of truth and justice, and His army is not clothed in armor of iron, but in righteousness and faith (Eph. 6:11–17).

“In the days of Joshua the Lord fought for His people against their enemies, but today He is fighting for His church against the enemies within her borders.”
— 1TG 45:3

“The battle of purification in the church is the last conflict before the kingdom. The Lord Himself will fight this battle, and victory will belong to those who sigh and cry for all the abominations done in her midst.”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 165

“The coming of the Lord to His temple (Mal. 3:1–3) and the slaying in His house (Ezek. 9) are the same event—the Lord’s strange act of purification by which He secures a pure and victorious church.”
— 2TG 41:3

The inspiration identifies the final battle of the Lord as a spiritual purification within the church. The warfare of Jericho is the prophetic type of this event: the fall of the walls represents the collapse of false confidence, and the destruction within symbolizes the removal of sinners from among God’s people (Ezek. 9:6).

Once this internal cleansing occurs, the Lord will have a purified army—the 144,000—through whom He will finish the gospel work and lead the nations to witness His victory (Isa. 66:15–20; Micah 4:1–7).

Prophetic Lessons and Applications

The Greatest Victory Is Inner Purification
— The church’s enemies today are not armies of flesh but spirits of pride, self-deception, and unbelief. God’s final warfare is to purify hearts, homes, and congregations.
The Lord’s Army Must Be Holy
— The Lord cannot fight for an unholy church. Like Achan’s sin prevented victory, so compromise and indifference delay divine intervention.
God’s Timing Is Perfect
— Just as the walls of Jericho fell on the seventh day after faithful obedience, so the end-time purification will occur only when the full cycle of truth and mercy is complete.
The Purified Remnant Will March to Victory
— After judgment begins at the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17), the purified remnant will carry the banner of the gospel to every nation, ushering in the kingdom of peace (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 11:9–10).

Final Prophetic Summary

The week’s study reveals that:

Every battle in Israel’s history typifies the spiritual conflict of God’s last-day people.
The Lord Himself is the true warrior, and the outcome depends not on human strength but on divine holiness.
The final warfare is purification within the church, followed by victory in the world.
When faith is perfected and obedience complete, the Captain of the Lord’s Host will once again fight for His people, and no enemy shall stand before them (Joshua 10:8).

Closing Thought

The conflict between Christ and Satan is nearing its close. The Lord is now preparing His army—not with carnal weapons but with truth, purity, and love. Soon the Captain of the Lord’s Host will rise up to fight the last battle for His people and to establish His kingdom of peace and righteousness.

“The Lord will soon do His strange act, and after the purification, His church will go forth ‘fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.’”
— SRod, Vol. 2, p. 230; Song of Solomon 6:10

From the Pen of Inspiration

Battles are to be fought every day. A great warfare is going on over every soul, between the prince of darkness and the Prince of life.... As God’s agents you are to yield yourselves to Him, that He may plan and direct and fight the battle for you, with your cooperation. The Prince of life is at the head of His work. He is to be with you in your daily battle with self, that you may be true to principle; that passion, when warring for the mastery, may be subdued by the grace of Christ; that you come off more than conqueror through Him that hath loved us.” EGW (Conflict and Courage, April 21)

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