Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary - Tag-SS25-Q4-L13

Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary

SS25-Q4-L13 – Pumili sa Araw na Ito!

Disyembre 20–26, 2025

Sabado ng Hapon – Disyembre 20, 2025

Mga Pangunahing Talata para sa Linggo:
Josue 24; Genesis 12:7; Deuteronomio 17:19; Deuteronomio 5:6; 1 Hari 11:2, 4, 9; 2 Timoteo 4:7–8

Pagmumuni-muni para sa Linggo:

Ang Tagumpay ay Dumarating Kapag ang Kalooban ay Isinusuko sa Diyos.—Bawat taong may katuwiran ay may kapangyarihang pumili ng tama. Sa bawat karanasan ng buhay, ang salita ng Diyos sa atin ay, “Piliin ninyo sa araw na ito kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran.” (Josue 24:15). Maaaring ilagay ng bawat isa ang kanyang kalooban sa panig ng kalooban ng Diyos, pumili na sundin Siya, at sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnay sa mga banal na kapangyarihan, siya’y makatatayo sa kalagayang walang makapipilit sa kanya na gumawa ng masama. Sa bawat kabataan, sa bawat bata, ay may kapangyarihan—sa tulong ng Diyos—na bumuo ng isang matuwid na karakter at mamuhay ng isang buhay na kapaki-pakinabang. {CG 209.3}

Talatang Sauluhin:

“At kung sa tingin ninyo’y masama ang maglingkod sa Panginoon, piliin ninyo sa araw na ito kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran… Ngunit tungkol sa akin at sa aking sambahayan, kami ay maglilingkod sa Panginoon.” (Josue 24:15)

Nilalayon ng araling ito na akayin ang bayan ng Diyos sa isang tiyak at nakasentro sa tipang pasya sa nagtatapos na mga tagpo ng kasaysayan ng sanlibutan. Itinatala ng Josue 24 ang huling panawagan sa Israel na pumili sa pagitan ng katapatan sa tunay na Diyos at ng mga diyus-diyosan ng mga bansang nakapaligid sa kanila. Gayundin, ang nalabing bayan ngayon ay nakatayo sa isang makahulang sangandaan.

Ang mensahe ng Santuwaryo, ang Mensahe ng Tatlong Anghel, at ang gawain ng pagtatatak ay iisang panawagan sa bayan ng Diyos: Piliin kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran—nang ganap, may kamalayan, at pangmatagalan.

Binibigyang-diin ng aralin na ang tagumpay sa mga huling araw ay nakaugat sa pagsuko ng kalooban, sa pag-uugnay ng pagpiling pantao sa kapangyarihang banal. Pinatutunayan ng mga sulatin ni Ellen G. White na bawat tao ay may kaloob ng Diyos na kakayahang pumili ng katuwiran, ngunit sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagsuko ng kalooban kay Cristo maaaring mabago ang karakter (CG 209.3).

Dagdag pa rito, itinatampok ng mga aklat ng Shepherd’s Rod na sa panahon ng paglilinis (Ezekiel 9; Mateo 13:30), ang mga mananatiling nakatayo ay yaong mga gumawa ng ganap at walang pasubaling pasya para sa pagsunod, katotohanan, at banal na pamumuno.

Kaya’t ang mensahe ng linggong ito ay kapwa pastoral at makahula:
Isang huling panawagang mula sa langit upang piliin ang katapatan, talikuran ang idolatriya, at tumayong matatag kasama ng bayang nasa tipan ng Diyos habang tinatapos ang huling gawain.

Balangkas ng Pag-aaral

Linggo – Disyembre 21, 2025

Nandoon Ka! — Ang Kuwentong Isinulat ng Diyos (Josue 24:1–13)
Josue 24:1; Genesis 12:6–7; Josue 24:23; Genesis 35:2–4; Josue 24:2–13; Deuteronomio 5:3

Lunes – Disyembre 22, 2025

Sa Katapatan at Katotohanan — Ang Panawagan sa Integridad (Josue 24:14–15)
Levitico 19:14; Levitico 25:17; Deuteronomio 17:19; 2 Hari 17:34

Martes – Disyembre 23, 2025

Malayang Maglingkod — Ang Pagpili ng Bayan (Josue 24:16–21)
Deuteronomio 7:6–7; Deuteronomio 10:15; Deuteronomio 14:2; Josue 24:16–18; Josue 24:19–21; Exodo 19:8; Exodo 24:3; Deuteronomio 5:27; Exodo 20:1–2; Deuteronomio 5:6–7

Miyerkules – Disyembre 24, 2025

Ang mga Panganib ng Idolatriya — Ang Pagpapanibago ng Tipan (Josue 24:22–28)
Deuteronomio 30:19–20; 2 Hari 19:16; Awit 31:2–3; Daniel 9:18; Isaias 55:3; Jeremias 7:24; 1 Hari 11:2, 4, 9

Huwebes – Disyembre 25, 2025

Pagtatapos nang Mabuti — Ang Pagpapatuloy ng Kuwento (Josue 24:29–33)
Genesis 23:13, 19; Genesis 25:9–10; Genesis 33:19

Biyernes – Disyembre 26, 2025

Karagdagang Makahulang mga Pananaw at Pag-aaral

Sunday - December 21, 2025
You Were There! - The Story that God Wrote (Joshua 24:1-13)
Josh. 24:1; Gen. 12:6-7; Josh. 24:23; Gen. 35:2-4; Joshua 24:2-13; Deuteronomy 5:3.
“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.” (Joshua 24:13)

Joshua 24:1–13 is not merely a historical review—it is a divine declaration that God’s dealings with ancient Israel are the same covenant pattern He is using with His people today, especially as He prepares a purified and victorious people in the last days.

Just as God reminded Israel, “You were there”—so the story of redemption is written with us in mind.
The covenant history is prophetic history (1 Cor. 10:11).

THE GATHERING AT SHECHEM—A TYPE OF THE FINAL GATHERING
Biblical Foundation
Joshua gathers “all Israel” at Shechem (Josh. 24:1). Shechem is not accidental:
It is where Abraham first received the promise of the land (Gen. 12:6–7).
It is where Jacob buried the strange gods under the oak (Gen. 35:2–4).
Now it becomes the place of covenant review and purification.
Prophetic Meaning
SOP says the final work includes a gathering and separation just before sealing:
“The Lord will have a pure, holy people… A separating process will take place.” (RH, June 8, 1886)
Inspiration identifies this gathering as a pre-Advent purification inside the church, parallel to Ezekiel 9 and Malachi 3.
“The purification of the church… is the antitypical gathering of Israel.” (SRod, Vol. 1, p. 222)
Thus Shechem prefigures the final gathering of the Advent people to renew covenant, remove strange gods, and prepare for the kingdom.

THE STORY GOD WROTE—HISTORY AS PROPHECY
Joshua 24:2–13 recounts God’s saving acts—from Abraham to Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Canaan’s conquest.
Notice the repeated phrase: “I… I… I…”
“I took your father Abraham”
“I gave him Isaac”
“I sent Moses and Aaron”
“I brought you out”
“I delivered you”
“I gave you a land…”
Prophetic Principle
God writes salvation history—not man. The same applies to the church in the last days.
SOP declares:
“We have nothing to fear for the future unless we forget how God has led us.” (LS 196)
But the Rod adds the forward-looking meaning:
“Past experiences of Israel are written… to show the church her danger and her deliverance in the closing work.” (Tract 9, p. 43)
Thus, Joshua 24:1–13 becomes a prophetic mirror:
The redemption from Egypt = deliverance from modern spiritual captivity.
Crossing the Red Sea = separation from the world.
Conquest of Canaan = final purification and establishment of the kingdom.

YOU WERE THERE — THE COVENANT APPLIES PERSONALLY TODAY
Deuteronomy 5:3 emphasizes: “The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive today.”
The covenant transcends time. Joshua’s review is God saying: “This story—My story—includes YOU.”
SOP Confirmation - “Every promise in the Bible is for us today… If you choose the Lord, He will accomplish His will in you.” (COL 321)
Insight - “The covenant is renewed with the remnant who are to herald the Loud Cry.” (Answerer, Q. 54)
God is bringing His people to the same decision-point as Israel:
Will you serve the Lord exclusively, or mix devotion with strange gods?

THE LAND YOU DID NOT WORK FOR—THE KINGDOM YOU DID NOT BUILD
Joshua 24:13 says: “I have given you a land for which ye did not labour…”
This is a prophetic symbol of the coming Kingdom of God on earth (Isa. 2:1–4; Mic. 4:1–2), which the Rod identifies as the purified church (144,000) restored to divine favor before the second coming.
“The kingdom is to be set up before the close of probation… God Himself prepares it, not man.” (Tract 9, p. 72)
Just as the ancient land of Canaan was inherited by grace—not human achievement—the future kingdom is a gift of God, not the result of human organization. The land they did not labor for = the kingdom we cannot build for ourselves.

PURIFICATION BEFORE POSSESSION
Before Israel could possess the land:
Abraham had to leave idolatry.
Jacob had to bury strange gods.
The wilderness generation had to die.
Joshua had to lead a new purified people.
This is the same divine order today:
SOP - “Only those who are cleansed from sin by the purifying power of the truth will stand.” (5T 214)
“Purification precedes possession… Ezekiel 9 becomes a living reality before the kingdom is established.” (1SR 125)
No impure church enters the promised kingdom.

Consider the Following
The story that God wrote (Joshua 24:1-13)
❖ The place chosen by Joshua for his final speech was a historical place: Shechem (Josh. 24:1).
— It was the first place in Canaan where Abraham camped (Gen. 12:6)
— It was the first place in Canaan where Jacob camped (Gen. 33:18)
— It was the only possession acquired by Jacob (Gen. 33:19)
— There Jacob buried the foreign gods that his family still possessed (Gen. 35:4)
❖ Joshua began by telling them about the “strange gods” that Terah, their ancestor, worshipped (Josh. 24:2). From there, he reminded them in the first person of everything God had done: I took; I brought; I increased; I sent; I struck; I brought out; I brought you in; I delivered them; I destroyed them; I did not listen to Balaam; I delivered you; I gave them up; I sent flies; I gave you the land
(Josh. 24:3-13).
❖ In this account, generations pass one after another without distinction. All are included. Those who listened to Joshua came “from beyond the river”; they went down to Egypt; they left with great power; they crossed the sea; they took Transjordan; they possessed Canaan. What God did with their ancestors, He is doing with them, and He will do with us today.

SUMMARY OF PROPHETIC INSIGHT
Joshua 24:1–13 is not ancient history—it is a prophecy in type of the last covenant appeal to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
1. Shechem = the final gathering of God’s church for purification.
2. The covenant review = the investigation and decision before sealing.
3. The land they did not labor for = the soon-coming premillennial kingdom.
4. The command to put away strange gods = the purification of the church (Ezek. 9).
5. “You were there” = the story of ancient Israel is the story of the remnant today.
God is writing the closing chapter—and He calls His people to stand on His side in the covenant.

Monday - December 22, 2025
In Sincerity and Truth - The Call to Integrity (Joshua 24:14-15)
Lev. 19:14, Lev. 25:17, Deut. 17:19, 2 Kings 17:34.

“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.” (Joshua 24:13)

A DECISIVE MOMENT IN COVENANT HISTORY

Joshua 24:14–15 marks one of the most solemn and prophetic appeals in all of Scripture. Having rehearsed God’s mighty acts of deliverance and providence (Josh. 24:1–13), Joshua now brings Israel to a point of decision. Divine grace demands a human response—not mere profession, but sincere, truthful obedience.

This appeal is not only historical; it is prophetic, reaching forward to the final call of God to His remnant people just before the close of probation.

“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth…” (Josh. 24:14)

“NOW THEREFORE” — GRACE DEMANDS A RESPONSE
The phrase “now therefore” signals a transition:
From what God has done
To what God requires
Joshua reminds Israel that they dwell in cities they did not build and eat from vineyards they did not plant (Josh. 24:13). This echoes salvation by grace alone (Eph. 2:8–9). Yet grace never excuses compromise.

Biblical Principle
Grace establishes obligation. “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” (Rom. 6:1–2)

SOP Insight “Every act of obedience is a response to God’s love revealed in redemption.” (Steps to Christ, p. 60)
The inspiration emphasizes that those who receive kingdom blessings must reflect kingdom character:
“The kingdom cannot be inherited by those who profess truth but live contrary to it.” (Tract 9, p. 78)
Thus, Joshua’s appeal is a test of integrity, not information.

“SERVE HIM IN SINCERITY AND IN TRUTH” — THE STANDARD OF GOD
Sincerity (Heart Loyalty)
Sincerity speaks of undivided affection, a heart fully yielded to God (Deut. 6:5).
Lev. 19:14; 25:17 — God condemns hidden injustice and hypocrisy.
Integrity is measured not only by actions, but by motives.

Truth (Faithfulness to God’s Word)
Truth is alignment with God’s revealed will:
Deut. 17:19 — The king was to read the law daily.
2 Kings 17:34 — Israel failed because they feared the Lord and served other gods.
SOP Warning
“The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.” (DA 309)

“The final test will not be intellectual belief, but obedience flowing from truth received in the heart.” (1SR, p. 163)

Sincerity without truth leads to fanaticism.
Truth without sincerity leads to formalism.
God requires both.

“PUT AWAY THE GODS” — THE CALL TO SEPARATION

Joshua’s command implies that idolatry still existed among Israel, even after conquest. This parallels the condition of the church today.
Modern Idolatry
Self-exaltation
Worldly alliances
Fear of man
Institutional security over divine leadership
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve…” (Josh. 24:15)

SOP Insight - “Whatever divides the affections from God is an idol.” (Great Controversy, p. 583)

Prophetic Warning “The sin of ancient Israel will be repeated… idolatry will exist within the church before the sealing.” (1SR, p. 216)

This makes Joshua’s call a present-truth message for the remnant, especially in the time of judgment beginning at the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17).

CHOICE AND CHARACTER IN THE FINAL CRISIS
Joshua does not coerce Israel. He presents a choice—free, conscious, irreversible.
This aligns with:
The Three Angels’ Messages (Rev. 14:6–12)
The sealing test
The final separation between wheat and tares (Matt. 13:30)
SOP Declaration
“The will is the governing power in the nature of man… Everything depends on the right action of the will.” (SC 47)

“Only those who choose God fully will stand when the shaking removes the insincere.” (2SR, p. 184) Integrity becomes the dividing line between those who remain and those who fall.

Consider the Following

The call to integrity (Joshua 24:14-15)

❖ Just as Jacob invited his family to bury their gods before renewing their covenant with God at Bethel, Joshua invites the people to abandon their gods before renewing their covenant with God (Josh. 24:14b).

❖ They were to fear God and serve him “in sincerity and in truth” (Josh. 24:14a). What does this imply?

— To fear God: To show profound respect for the One who is infinitely greater than I am, and to accept Him as my King and Lord.

— Serving God in sincerity: A service without defects (this is how the animal was defined that was only suitable for sacrifice if it was “without defect” [whole])

— To serve God in truth: To be faithful, trustworthy, loyal, undivided, and consistent. To reflect through my life my gratitude to God for what He has done in me.

PROPHETIC SUMMARY
Joshua 24:14–15 is a last-day mirror:
God’s past mercies → call for present faithfulness
Grace received → integrity required
Truth known → obedience tested
Choice offered → destiny determined
As ancient Israel stood at Shechem, so modern Israel stands at the threshold of eternity.
The final victory will belong to those who serve God in sincerity and in truth.

Tuesday - December 23, 2025
Free to Serve - The Election of the People (Joshua 24:16-21)
Deut. 7:6-7; Deut. 10:15; Deut. 14:2; Josh. 24:16-18; Josh. 24:19-21; Exod. 19:8, Exod. 24:3, Deut. 5:27; Exod. 20:1-2; Deut. 5:6-7.
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

THE FINAL APPEAL OF A PROPHET-LEADER

Joshua 24 records the closing testimony of Joshua, delivered at Shechem—the place where God first promised the land to Abraham (Gen. 12:6–7). Standing between fulfilled promise and future responsibility, Joshua calls Israel to a decisive covenant choice. This scene is not merely historical; it is prophetic, pointing forward to the final appeal made to God’s remnant at the end of time.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15)

This call defines the last generation, for probation closes not by ignorance, but by a settled choice of allegiance.

ELECTION: A PRIVILEGE OF GRACE, NOT A LICENSE TO SIN
Israel’s election was rooted in God’s sovereign love:
Deut. 7:6–7 — Chosen not for greatness, but because God loved them.
Deut. 10:15; 14:2 — God “set His affection” upon them.
Exod. 20:1–2; Deut. 5:6–7 — Redemption precedes obedience.
Biblical election is purpose-driven:
Chosen to reveal God’s character
Chosen to obey His covenant
Chosen to bless others
Spirit of Prophecy
“The election of Israel was for service, not for self-exaltation.” (PK 18)

“Election without obedience is self-deception; divine choice always demands human faithfulness.” (2SR, p. 281)

Thus, election is conditional upon continued loyalty, not upon ancestry or profession.

FREE TO CHOOSE—BUT NOT FREE FROM HOLY ACCOUNTABILITY

When the people respond enthusiastically— “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD” (Josh. 24:16)

Joshua responds with a startling warning:
“Ye cannot serve the LORD: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God” (Josh. 24:19)
Joshua is not denying free will; he is exposing the seriousness of covenant vows. God’s holiness cannot coexist with divided allegiance.

Biblical Principle
God does not accept partial obedience.
Covenant requires total surrender.
Spirit of Prophecy
“Many who profess to serve God are not wholehearted… He will accept nothing less than entire devotion.” (PK 50)

“The greatest danger in the church is not open rebellion but a false profession of loyalty.” (1SR, p. 99)

This warning speaks prophetically to Laodicea, confident in profession yet lacking full surrender.

COVENANT CONFIRMATION: WITNESSES AGAINST THEMSELVES

Joshua presses the people to acknowledge the binding nature of their decision:
Exod. 19:8; 24:3 — “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do.”
Deut. 5:27 — Willingness to hear and obey God’s voice.
“Ye are witnesses against yourselves” (Josh. 24:22)

This covenant is self-ratifying; the people’s own words become their testimony in judgment.

Spirit of Prophecy
“God never forces the will. Man must decide for himself.” (SC 43)
“In the sealing time, men will stand by their own choice—sealed for life or left to reap the result of rebellion.” (2SR, p. 161)

TRUE FREEDOM DEFINED BY REDEMPTION
The foundation of Israel’s obligation lies in redemption:
“I brought you out of the land of Egypt” (Exod. 20:2)

Freedom from Egypt was not freedom to self-rule, but freedom to serve God.

New Testament Parallel
“Ye are bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20)

Spirit of Prophecy
“Service to God is perfect freedom.” (MB 34)
“Only those who gladly submit to God’s government will inherit the kingdom.” (Tract 8, p. 42)

Thus, true liberty is deliverance from sin’s bondage through joyful obedience.

PROPHETIC APPLICATION: THE FINAL CHOICE OF THE REMNANT
Joshua’s call foreshadows the Three Angels’ Messages:
Worship the Creator or worship the beast (Rev. 14:6–12)
Covenant loyalty versus idolatrous compromise
Sealing versus separation
As ancient Israel stood at the border of rest, spiritual Israel stands at the threshold of the kingdom. Only those who have chosen God fully—without reservation—will stand.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24:15)

Consider the Following

The election of the people (Joshua 24:16-21)

❖ What was the response to Joshua's call (Josh. 24:16)? The entire people said no to their gods, and accepted that they only had one God: “our God,” the same one who had guided them—both their ancestors and themselves— up to that moment (Josh. 24:17-18).

❖ Instead of congratulating the people on their decision, Joshua gave an unexpected response: “You are unfit to serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:19). What a disappointment!

❖ Joshua had heard his parents make the same promise (Ex. 19:8), and had seen how they had repeatedly broken it for 40 years.

❖ This harsh response achieved its purpose. The new generation was determined not to repeat the same mistakes (Josh. 24:21).

PROPHETIC SUMMARY
Election is an act of divine love.
Freedom demands faithful obedience.
Covenant vows are binding and irreversible.
The last generation must choose whom to serve—before probation closes.
Joshua’s appeal is heaven’s final invitation to a divided world.

Wednesday - December 24, 2025
The Dangers of Idolatry - The Renewal of the Covenant (Joshua 24:22-28)
Deut. 30:19-20; 2 Kings 19:16; Ps. 31:2-3; Dan. 9:18; Isa. 55:3, Jer. 7:24; 1 Kings 11:2, 4, 9.

“And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods!’” (Joshua 24:16)

A SOLEMN MOMENT OF COVENANT RENEWAL
Joshua 24:22–28 records one of the most solemn covenant renewals in Scripture. The people publicly declare their allegiance to the LORD, and Joshua seals the covenant with statutes, ordinances, and a witness stone. This is not a casual profession of faith—it is a binding moral contract between God and His people.

“Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD” (Josh. 24:27)

Prophetically, this moment prefigures the final sealing work, when God’s people will be permanently settled into truth—both intellectually and spiritually.

IDOLATRY: THE GREAT THREAT TO COVENANT FAITHFULNESS
Joshua’s warning reveals the greatest danger to Israel was not open rebellion, but hidden idols:
“Put away the strange gods which are among you” (Josh. 24:23)
Idolatry in Scripture is not limited to images; it includes divided affection, misplaced trust, and alliances that draw the heart away from God.

Biblical Witness
Deut. 30:19–20 — Life and death hinge on love and obedience.
Jer. 7:24 — Idolatry begins with refusal to listen.
1 Kings 11:2, 4, 9 — Even Solomon fell through tolerated compromise.
Spirit of Prophecy
“Whatever withdraws the affections from God, whatever divides the heart, is an idol.” (SC 44)
“Idolatry today is not golden calves, but confidence in self, institutions, and leaders rather than in God.” (1SR, p. 126)
Thus, idolatry is a heart condition, often hidden beneath religious form.

GOD’S COVENANT: MERCY APPEALS BEFORE JUDGMENT FALLS
Joshua’s appeal echoes the prophets’ pleas:
Isa. 55:3 — “Incline your ear… and your soul shall live.”
Ps. 31:2–3; Dan. 9:18 — Salvation rests on God’s mercy, not human merit.
2 Kings 19:16 — God alone hears and delivers.
Before judgment, God always extends mercy and opportunity for repentance. Covenant renewal is heaven’s last call before consequences follow rejection.

Spirit of Prophecy
“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.” (GC 464)
“The purification of the church begins with a call to renounce modern idolatry.” (2SR, p. 164)
This renewal is preparatory to purification.

THE PEOPLE’S CONFESSION—AND HEAVEN’S RECORD
The people respond confidently:
“God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods!” (Josh. 24:16)
Joshua accepts their confession but reminds them that their own words testify against them. Heaven records not only professions, but choices. “Ye are witnesses against yourselves” (Josh. 24:22)

Spirit of Prophecy
“Every act of obedience, every act of neglect, is registered in the books of heaven.” (COL 294)
“In the judgment, many will be condemned by their own words of profession.” (1SR, p. 83)
This reality makes covenant renewal a fearful and glorious moment.

THE STONE WITNESS: A SYMBOL OF LAST-DAY TESTIMONY

The stone set up by Joshua represents permanence, remembrance, and testimony. In prophetic parallel, God’s law, His truth, and His messages stand as witnesses in the last days.
Rev. 14:12 — “Here are they that keep the commandments of God.”
Ezek. 9 — Judgment begins among those who know the truth.
Spirit of Prophecy
“The law of God is the standard by which characters will be tested.” (GC 482)
“Truth rejected becomes a witness against the rejecter.” (Tract 3, p. 65)

LAST-DAY APPLICATION: A PEOPLE SEALED BY DECISION
Joshua’s covenant renewal typifies the final work of separation between:
Loyalty and compromise
Worship of God and subtle idolatry
Obedience from the heart versus outward profession
Only those who put away idols completely will stand in the final crisis.
“Choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deut. 30:19)

Consider the Following
The renewal of the covenant (Joshua 24:22-28)

❖ To conclude his speech, Joshua asked them to remove the gods that are “among you,” and to turn their hearts back to God (Josh. 24:23).

❖ For the third time, the people pledged to serve God (Josh. 24:24). The covenant was ratified, and, like Moses, Joshua “gave them statutes and laws” (Josh. 24:25).

❖ Although the covenant with God is based on a living relationship with Him and cannot be fully expressed through mere regulations, Joshua understood that it was necessary to leave clear reminders that would help them stay in the covenant.

❖ He put the covenant in writing, and erected a memorial monument: a stone to serve as a witness to the

commitment they had made (Josh. 24:26-27)

PROPHETIC SUMMARY
Idolatry is the hidden enemy of covenant faith.
Covenant renewal precedes purification.
God’s mercy calls before judgment falls.
Words of profession become witnesses in judgment.
The remnant must choose God without reserve.
Joshua’s message remains heaven’s appeal today.

Thursday - December 25, 2025
Finishing Well - The Continuation of the Story Joshua 24:29-33
Gen. 23:13, 19; Gen. 25:9-10; Gen. 33:19.

“And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel” (Joshua 24:31)

THE END OF A LIFE—THE SEAL OF A TESTIMONY

Joshua 24:29–33 records the closing scene of Joshua’s life and leadership. His death does not signal an end to God’s work, but rather the confirmation of a faithful testimony. Scripture carefully notes the burial of Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar, linking three generations of covenant faithfulness into one prophetic testimony.

“And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old” (Josh. 24:29)

The title “servant of the LORD,” first applied to Moses and now to Joshua, marks a life finished in obedience, not merely begun in promise.

BURIED PROMISES—POSSESSED BY FAITH
The burial locations recorded in Joshua 24 are not incidental:
Joshua is buried in the land of his inheritance.
Joseph’s bones are buried in Shechem (Gen. 50:25; Josh. 24:32).
Eleazar the priest is buried in Ephraim.
These acts declare that faith looks beyond death to fulfillment.
Biblical Foundations
Gen. 23:13, 19 — Abraham purchased a burial place as a testimony of faith.
Gen. 25:9–10 — Isaac buried with covenant assurance.
Gen. 33:19 — Jacob purchased land at Shechem, anticipating Israel’s future.
Spirit of Prophecy
“The burial of Joseph’s bones was a pledge that Israel would one day possess Canaan.” (PP 240)
“The faithful do not merely live for the present; they die in hope of the kingdom.” (2SR, p. 218)

Thus, burial becomes a prophetic act, testifying that God’s promises outlive human lifespans.

COVENANT CONTINUITY—THE STORY GOES ON
Joshua made a covenant, but the people must live it:
“So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day” (Josh. 24:25)
Joshua’s death shifts responsibility from a leader to the people. God’s work never depends on one man—it continues through faithful generations.
“Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua” (Josh. 24:31)
Spirit of Prophecy
“The cause of God is not dependent upon one man. Others will be raised up to carry it forward.” (GW 383)
“When the faithful fall asleep, the test passes to the living.” (1SR, p. 147)

This passage speaks directly to the last generation, who must carry the work forward when pioneers rest.

FINISHING WELL—A LAST-DAY STANDARD
Joshua’s life answers a crucial prophetic question: Is it possible to remain faithful to the end?
The answer is yes—but only through:
Covenant loyalty
Continual obedience
Complete dependence on God
New Testament Parallel - “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course” (2 Tim. 4:7)
Spirit of Prophecy
“It is not the beginning, but the end of the Christian life that crowns it with success.” (ML 336)
“Only those who endure faithfully to the close will receive the kingdom.” (Tract 8, p. 53)
The final generation must not only start well—but finish well.

PROPHETIC APPLICATION: THE REMNANT’S RESPONSIBILITY
Joshua’s burial marks a transition from conquest to preservation—from external victory to internal faithfulness. The remnant today faces the same test:
Will truth be preserved after pioneers pass?
Will covenant loyalty continue without visible leadership?
Will faith endure through the final crisis?
The answer lies in personal commitment to God’s covenant, not reliance on personalities.

Consider the Following
The continuation of the story (Joshua 24:29-33)

❖ The book of Joshua ends with three burials. One of them, prophesied hundreds of years earlier, was the burial of Joseph in Jacob's inheritance ( Gen. 50:24-26; Josh. 24:32).

❖ The rebellious generation that had come out of Egypt was buried in the desert. But the new generation was to be buried “in their inheritance,” along with those who had remained faithful in an unfaithful generation: Joshua and Eleazar (Josh. 24:29-30, 33).

❖ This new generation remained faithful (Josh. 24:31). But what about the next generation (Judg. 2:10-11)?

❖ Each generation must make its own covenant with God. The faith of their parents can help them make the right decision. But the decision is theirs. Let us make our decision today: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

PROPHETIC SUMMARY
A faithful life ends in peace and testimony.
God’s promises extend beyond death.
Covenant responsibility passes to the living.
Finishing well is the final test of faith.
The remnant must carry the story forward.
Joshua’s life assures us that God finishes what He begins—through faithful servants.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2025

Further Prophetic Insights and Study

(Joshua 24 — The Final Appeal of Covenant Choice)

JOSHUA 24 AS A PROPHETIC MODEL FOR THE LAST GENERATION

Joshua 24 stands as one of Scripture’s clearest end-of-probation patterns. It gathers God’s people, rehearses redemptive history, confronts hidden idolatry, demands a conscious choice, renews the covenant, and then closes with the death of the leader. This sequence is not accidental—it is prophetic.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15)

This mirrors the last gospel call of Revelation 14 and 18, where humanity is brought to a final decision between loyalty to God and allegiance to false systems of worship.

REMEMBRANCE BEFORE DECISION: GOD’S DEALINGS REVIEWED
Joshua begins by recounting God’s acts from Abraham to Canaan (Josh. 24:2–13). In the same way, the final generation is called to review:
The Sanctuary message
The Three Angels’ Messages
God’s leading in Advent history
Spirit of Prophecy
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us.” (LS196)
“A people who forget God’s past leadings will reject present truth.” (1SR, p. 145)
Truth remembered becomes the basis for truth obeyed.

THE ISSUE OF IDOLATRY IN THE LAST DAYS
Joshua’s insistence on putting away strange gods reveals the core issue of the covenant crisis: divided allegiance.
“Put away the strange gods which are among you” (Josh. 24:23)
Idolatry today is subtle:
Trust in human leadership
Dependence on institutions
Love of comfort, reputation, or security
Fear of man rather than fear of God
Spirit of Prophecy - “Whatever tends to draw the heart away from God is an idol.” (SC 44)
“The final separation will be caused by what men cling to rather than by what they profess.” (2SR, p. 162)
The sealing work distinguishes not by words, but by heart loyalty.

COVENANT WORDS AS WITNESSES IN JUDGMENT
Joshua declares: “Ye are witnesses against yourselves” (Josh. 24:22)
In prophetic perspective, this points to the investigative judgment, where:
Light received becomes responsibility
Truth professed becomes a standard
Choices made become permanent
Spirit of Prophecy
“Every case is decided either for life or death.” (GC 490)
“The judgment begins with those who know the truth.” (Tract 1, p. 9)
The remnant will be judged by the light they possess, not by ignorance.

FINISHING WELL: FAITH THAT ENDURES TO THE END
The deaths and burials recorded at the close of Joshua 24 testify that faithfulness is measured at the end. Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar all finish in hope, leaving behind a testimony of perseverance.
Spirit of Prophecy
“It is the end of the Christian life that reveals whether the character has been transformed.” (COL 69)
“Those who endure to the close will inherit the kingdom.” (Tract 8, p. 53)
This is especially vital for the last generation, who must stand through the time of trouble without a mediator.

THE FINAL APPEAL TO SPIRITUAL ISRAEL
Joshua’s appeal is heaven’s voice to today’s church:
Not merely to believe
Not merely to belong
But to choose, fully and finally
“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15)
This choice determines:
Sealing or separation
Purification or removal
Kingdom inheritance or loss
Spirit of Prophecy
“Soon—none know how soon—it will pass to the cases of the living.” (GC 490)
“The living must choose before probation closes.” (2SR, p. 167)

PROPHETIC SUMMARY
Joshua 24 outlines the final gospel appeal.
God reviews His dealings before demanding decision.
Idolatry is the hidden test of loyalty.
Covenant words testify in judgment.
Only those who finish well will inherit the land.
The remnant must choose God—without reservation.

This is not merely Israel’s history—it is our present reality.

From the Pen of Inspiration
“Our General, who has never lost a battle, expects willing, faithful service from everyone who has enlisted under His banner. In the closing controversy now waging between the forces for good and the hosts of evil He expects all, laymen as well as ministers, to take part. All who have enlisted as His soldiers are to render faithful service as minutemen, with a keen sense of the responsibility resting upon them individually.” EGW (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 116

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A DECISIVE MOMENT IN COVENANT HISTORY

Biblical PrincipleGrace establishes obligation. “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” (Rom. 6:1–2)

SOP Insight - “Whatever divides the affections from God is an idol.” (Great Controversy, p. 583)

Prophetic Warning “The sin of ancient Israel will be repeated… idolatry will exist within the church before the sealing.” (1SR, p. 216)

THE FINAL APPEAL OF A PROPHET-LEADER

New Testament Parallel “Ye are bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20)

Spirit of Prophecy“Service to God is perfect freedom.” (MB 34)“Only those who gladly submit to God’s government will inherit the kingdom.” (Tract 8, p. 42)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2025

Further Prophetic Insights and Study

JOSHUA 24 AS A PROPHETIC MODEL FOR THE LAST GENERATION

Biblical Principle
Grace establishes obligation. “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” (Rom. 6:1–2)

New Testament Parallel
“Ye are bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20)

Spirit of Prophecy
“Service to God is perfect freedom.” (MB 34)
“Only those who gladly submit to God’s government will inherit the kingdom.” (Tract 8, p. 42)