The Truth About Angels

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Joshua Leads Israel Into Canaan

The Israelites deeply mourned for [Moses] their departed leader, and thirty days were devoted to special services in honor of his memory.... Joshua was now the acknowledged leader of Israel.... TA 109.2

Orders were now issued to make ready for an advance.... Leaving their encampment ... the host descended to the border of the Jordan.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 481, 483. TA 109.3

Four heavenly angels always accompanied the ark of God in all its journeyings, to guard it from all danger, and to fulfill any mission required of them in connection with the ark. Jesus the Son of God, followed by heavenly angels, went before the ark as it came to Jordan; and the waters were cut off before His presence. Christ and angels stood by the ark and the priests in the bed of the river, until all Israel had passed over Jordan.—The Spirit of Prophecy 1:399. TA 109.4

If the eyes of Joshua had been opened ... and he could have endured the sight, he would have seen the angels of the Lord encamped about the children of Israel; for the trained army of heaven had come to fight for the people of God, and the Captain of the Lord's host was there to command.—The Review and Herald, July 19, 1892. TA 110.1

As Joshua withdrew from the armies of Israel, to meditate and pray for God's special presence to attend him, he saw a man of lofty stature, clad in warlike garments, with his sword in his hand.... This was no common angel. It was the Lord Jesus Christ, He who had conducted the Hebrews through the wilderness, enshrouded in the pillar of fire by night, and a pillar of cloud by day. The place was made sacred by His presence, therefore Joshua was commanded to put off his shoes.—Spiritual Gifts 4a:61. TA 110.2

Awe-stricken, Joshua fell upon his face and worshiped, and heard the assurance, “I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor,” and he received instruction for the capture of the city.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 488. TA 110.3

The Captain of the Lord's host did not reveal Himself to all the congregation. He communicated only with Joshua, who related the story of this interview to the Hebrews. It rested with them to believe or to doubt the words of Joshua, to follow the commands given by him in the name of the Captain of the Lord's host, or to rebel against his directions and deny his authority. They could not see the host of angels, marshaled by the Son of God.—Testimonies for the Church 4:162, 163. TA 110.4