Everyone has a desire to win and to succeed. There is a parallel between Ancient Israel and God’s people today which we can learn from. Before the children of Israel could succeed and inherit the Promised Land, they first had to fight against all the evil nations that were living in the Canaan at that time. How many wicked nations did they have to defeat? The answer is seven
“When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them.” Deuteronomy 7:1–2
Israel’s history is a warning to us—“in these last days God’s people will be exposed to the very same dangers as were ancient Israel. Those who will not receive the warnings that God gives will fall into the same perils as did ancient Israel and come short of entering into rest through unbelief.” –Last Day Events, p. 60
Let us see a brief comparison:
| 1. Israel was called out of Egypt | 1. The Advent people were called out of spiritual Egypt (Revelation 1:8) or Babylon (Revelation 14:8) |
| 2. Mighty miracles were performed by God (plagues, Passover) during the deliverance of Israel as signs to His people | 2. Mighty signs in nature ushered in the prophetic time of the end: earth- quake of Lisbon (1755), sun and moon darkened (1780), falling of the stars (1833) |
| 3. Israel left Egypt | 3. Adventists left fallen churches in 1844 |
| 4. Marah: experience of bitter water tested the people | 4. Bitter disappointment in 1844 tested Advent
believers |
| 5. Moses was chosen as a prophet | 5. Ellen (Harmon) White was chosen as God’s messenger |
| 6. The Commandments were given at Sinai | 6. Adventists received light on the law of God in
1848 |
| 7. Jethro proposed organization | 7. Seventh-day Adventist
Church was organized in 1863 |
| 8. Health laws were given to Israel | 8. Health reform was introduced in 1864 |
| 9. Two faithful spies who believed God’s word that the Israelites could take the country were rejected by the people | 9. Elders Waggoner and Jones presented the message of Christ our Righteousness in 1888; it was not accepted |
| 10. Revolt of Korah, Dathan and Abiram caused anguish in the camp | 10. The Kellogg crisis of
1895–1905 caused great anguish |
| 11. Moses died before reaching the Promised Land | 11. Sister White was laid to rest in 1915 |
| 12. Book of Moses’ law remained valid for the people (Joshua 1:8) | 12. The Testimonies are still valid after the death of God’s messenger |
(Chart taken from Reformation Study Course, Lesson 2. International Missionary Society)
In The Great Controversy, we read of the fierce controversy between Christ and Satan. Although, we are the battle field, we also are involved in that battle. Therefore, as Ancient Israel had to physically fight seven mighty nations, stronger than they, we also have to fight courageously against an enemy greater than ourselves. Chapter 26 is entitled “A Work of Reform”. In this chapter we read that “The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the advent movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt” –The Great Controversy, p. 457
The Bible clearly states that these nations were “greater and mightier than thou.” These seven nations were greater and mightier than all of Israel, but yet the Lord instructed them that before they could inherit the Promised Land as their own heritage, they first had to fight against all seven of these wicked nations. They also were told that they could not show pity or mercy to any of the nations, neither to make any agreements with them. They were to smite them until they had been completely destroyed out of the land. What did God do? “And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, He divided their land to them by lot.” Acts 13:19
Let us think for a moment. How could they win the battle against seven nations that were stronger and mightier than they were? They were only one nation, few in number. Was it possible for the Israelites to feel afraid and doubt the Lord’s command to conquer these nations? The two adjectives “stronger” and “mightier” can easily create doubt in one’s mind. Were they expected to fight against all seven of them at the same time? Surely, no. They would have to trust that God would be with them and be courageous in their warfare. The Lord told them: “If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt. . . Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little.” See Deuteronomy 7:17–24
The seven mighty nations did not make them afraid or doubt their ability to conquer them because they knew that God was in their midst. He reminded them of their journey, from Egypt until then. He also promised them that He would help them to overcome and conquer each nation little by little until they would be completely consumed off the face of the earth.
A Lesson Today
Today we all agree that, “The work is great and large,” but “our God shall fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:19–20
“Success does not depend upon numbers. God can deliver by few as well as by many. He is honored not so much by the great numbers as by the character of those who serve Him.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 550
“It is a great mistake to trust in human wisdom or numbers in the work of God.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 370
“Trust in God and obedience to His will are . . . essential to the Christian in the spiritual warfare. . . ” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 554
“‘Our God shall fight for us;’ for God is in the work, and no man can prevent its ultimate success. . . . But, like Nehemiah, God’s people are neither to fear nor to despise their enemies. Putting their trust in God, they are to go steadily forward, doing His work with unselfishness, and committing to His providence the cause for which they stand.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 645
“In every age the true church of God has engaged in decided warfare against satanic agencies. Until the controversy is ended, the struggle will go on between wicked angels and wicked people on the one side, and holy angels and true believers on the other.” –Christ Triumphant, p. 28
“Now the church is militant. Now we are confronted with a world in midnight darkness, almost wholly given over to idolatry. But the day is coming in which the battle will have been fought, the victory won.” –Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 229. Our seven nations today.
“We have before us warfare—a lifelong conflict with Satan and his seductive temptations. The enemy will use every argument, every deception, to entangle the soul; and in order to win the crown of life, we must put forth earnest, persevering effort. We must not lay off the armor or leave the battlefield until we have gained the victory, and can triumph in our Redeemer.” –My Life Today, p. 105
The history of Ancient Israel provides an inspiring lesson to us today. We also have a battle to win. Seven nations are before us in this year 2020. We read in Proverbs 6:16–19. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Seven sins are listed as hated by God and abominations
to Him. They can be considered as the seven mighty and great wicked nations that Ancient Israel had to battle against. It will be impossible for you to be able to inherit the Promised Land—the heavenly Canaan, and live on the New Earth, if you do not overcome, conquer, and consume each one of these seven sins from your daily life and character. God hates each one of these sins, and considers them to be an abomination, and nothing that is abominable will be allowed to enter heaven!
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7–8
Seven Solutions
As we compare our journey to the heavenly Canaan with the journey of Ancient Israel, just as there were seven mighty nations that had to be fully conquered before they could possess the Promised Land, so also there are seven wicked and abominable sins that we must fully conquer before we can enter the heavenly Canaan. Since this is true, how are to overcome these seven abominable sins?
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always sin remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” 2 Peter 1:5–12
Here the Apostle Peter is listing seven righteous characteristics which we must add to our faith. They are seven solutions to our seven problems. These characteristics have something to do with overcoming those abominable sins recorded in Proverbs 6. In order to gain the Promised Land, and be allowed entrance into the everlasting kingdom we must overcome the seven deadly sins.
Let us compare and contrast them:
If you became virtuous, then you would never lie. Thus you would have fully overcome a lying tongue—which was one of the seven abominable sins. If you became knowledgeable in the ways of God, then you would never bear false witness. Thus you would have fully overcome that abominable sin as well. If you became temperate in all things lawful, then you would never be sowing discord or strife among brethren. If you became patient, then you would never have feet that were swift in running to mischief. If you became godly, then you would never give a proud look to anyone. If you show brotherly kindness to others, then you would never have hands that can shed innocent blood. And finally, if you developed charity or divine love, agape love, then you would never allow your heart or mind to devise wicked imaginations towards, or against, others.
So you can clearly see that if you would only follow this guideline of adding to your faith the above virtues you will surely be an overcomer. God helps you to conquer little by little, little by little, until finally all of these abominable sins will be fully consumed out of you. And just like with the seven mighty nations, once these seemingly undefeatable obstacles have been conquered, then you will obtain the Promised Land! Remember: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Secret of victory—a determined effort
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:7–8
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 11:12; 5:48
“Those who would overcome must put to the tax every power of their being. They must agonize on their knees before God for divine power. Christ came to be our example, and to make known to us that we may be partakers of the Divine Nature. How?—By having escaped the corruptions that are in the world through lust. Satan did not gain the victory over Christ. He did not put his foot upon the soul of the Redeemer. He did not touch the head though he bruised the heel. Christ, by His own example, made it evident that man may stand in integrity. Men may have a power to resist evil—a power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master; a power that will place them where they may overcome as Christ overcame. Divinity and humanity may be combined in them.” –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 409
“Are you ready to make the surrender now? You are to put away your sin right now when you see it…. Do not make leeway [that] you are going to overcome by degrees; you are going to try little by little to give up sin. Now, while it is called today, heed the invitation and harden not your hearts.
“Oh, my soul, why not leave the cursed thing today? Sin crucified my Lord. Why not turn from it with loathing? Why not love the things that Christ loved, and hate the things that Christ hated? He has made provision ample enough for you that you can, through Him, be more, yea, more than overcomers.” –The Upward Look, p. 283
Victory is Personal
“But character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the Spirit for another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit’s working.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 412
“Character is personal. We each have a work to do for time and for eternity. God abhors indifference in regard to the formation of character.” –Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 429
“Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you cannot overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.” –Messages to Young People, p. 99
“We should learn wherein we fail, and then guard ourselves upon that point. We must have perfect control over our own spirit.’” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 307
“Christ has made it possible for every member of the human family to resist temptation. All who would live godly lives may overcome as Christ overcame, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” –Medical Ministry, p. 264
Our Promised Land Ahead Has Requirements
“A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions. And in heaven we are continually to improve.
“A good character is a capital of more value than gold or silver. It is unaffected by panics or failures, and in that day when earthly possessions shall be swept away, it will bring rich returns. Integrity, firmness, and perseverance are qualities that all should seek earnestly to cultivate; for they clothe the possessor with a power which is irresistible—a power which makes him strong to do good, strong to resist evil, strong to bear adversity.” –My Life Today, p. 267
“The precious hours of probation are granted that you may remove every defect from your character, and this you should seek to do, not only that you may obtain the future life, but that you may be useful in this life. A good character is a capital of more value than gold or silver.” –Messages to Young People, p. 415
Seven wonderful promises to seven victors:
- Revelation 2:7. To eat of the tree of life.
- Revelation 2:11. Shall not be hurt by the second death.
- Revelation 2:17. Shall be given to eat the hidden manna and be given a white stone and a new name written thereon.
- Revelation 2:26. Be given power over the nations.
- Revelation 3:5. Shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.
- Revelation 3:12. “I will make [him] a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out.”
- Revelation 3:21. I will grant him to sit with Me in My throne.
Victor Shumbusho, DR Congo