Isaiah 28:6
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
God promises sound judgment to the one who must judge and strength to those who carry the fight against evil to the very gate. The battle is the struggle against evil and against opposition to His law, fought as the battles of the Lord. To turn it to the gate is to separate fully from the world and take the Lord's side, staying at the post without retreat and pressing forward with wholehearted, united, courageous labor for the salvation of others until victory is won. That strength comes by continual trust, earnest prayer, and faithful united work, while God Himself acts as a mighty Conqueror, with heaven holding back the wrath of Satan so His purpose is not thwarted. Those who press the conflict on to victory gain heaven itself, known by name by the Saviour as heirs of God to the immortal inheritance.
Promise of Strength
The verse promises a spirit of judgment to the one who sits in judgment, and strength to those who press the battle to the gate. That strength is given to those who turn the battle to the gate, sustaining continued labor despite a difficult task with confidence that victory lies ahead in preparing the world for Christ's second advent. It sustains missionary workers to persevere without faltering, to labor for the salvation of others, and to serve God while they have strength. Pressing the battle to the gates means separating from the world and taking the Lord's side wholeheartedly, and those who do so will win glorious victories.
When the judgments of the Lord are in the land, pressing the battle to the gates is done by working with whole-hearted fidelity and putting the whole being into helping others move forward and upward, by being ever ready to speak words of encouragement to the halting and the weary, by walking with Christ as the only safe walk, by letting nothing dampen courage, and by helping everyone met to work with fidelity. The same resolute action in conflict applies to advancing the sanitarium project in faith by making every possible preparation, keeping moving without discouragement, and trusting in God for strength and success. God's servants are to move forward together in the work of salvation, pressing the battle forward and trusting God to work for them as a mighty conqueror.
The battle is the struggle against evil and opposition to God's law, described as fighting the battles of the Lord. God's people witness for Him by continuing that work without retreat, relying on God's power and guidance and holding fast through difficulty as they uphold His law. In this conflict Christ as the Captain of salvation orders the battle and sends support to His soldiers, His displayed power encourages them to advance, and He teaches them righteousness as they conquer step by step.
This strength is received through continual trust in God while still pressing the battle forward and doing one's part without taking glory for oneself. It comes through faithful workers keeping striving without discouragement, praying and trusting God and working together, so their labor brings souls to salvation. It is found by pressing on without failing or becoming discouraged in advancing the truth when progress seems hindered on every hand, carrying a heavy load and continuing in prayer with strong crying and tears until the power of God, His peace, and light in the Lord are realized. After prayer God gives strength and peace, with resolve not to fail but to keep pressing on in advancing the truth despite obstacles.
God Himself works for His people as a mighty Conqueror, living and reigning and conducting the affairs of the universe. God and Christ and the heavenly angels hold back Satan's wrath so that His plans are not thwarted while His soldiers move forward to victory in perfect unity in giving the last message of mercy to the world. Pressing the conflict forward to victory leads to gaining heaven and the immortal inheritance as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King. Those who press on to victory are known by name by the Saviour of the universe as heirs of God to the immortal inheritance, the eternal substance.
Pressing the Battle Forward
The call is to keep laboring even when the task is difficult, confident that victory lies ahead in preparing the world for Christ's second advent. Missionary workers are to persevere without faltering, laboring for the salvation of others and serving God while they have strength. To press the battle to the gates is to separate from the world and take the Lord's side wholeheartedly, and those who do so will win glorious victories. Where interest in the truth is awakened and much is at stake, every believer must be deeply in earnest, making decided efforts to give the message, heeding none of the many discouraging features the enemy brings forward, but pressing the battle to the gates and beyond with determination to succeed.
The same determined pressing was what was needed to establish the work in Washington, without which it would not have been accomplished. When the judgments of the Lord are in the land, pressing the battle to the gates means working with whole-hearted fidelity and putting the whole being into helping others move forward and upward, being ever ready to speak words of encouragement to the halting and weary, walking with Christ as the only safe walk, letting nothing dampen courage, and helping everyone met to work with fidelity. It applies to advancing the sanitarium project in faith by making every possible preparation, keeping moving without discouragement, and trusting in God for strength and success. Pressing the battle means God's servants moving forward together in the work of salvation and advancing boldly and firmly so that the truth may triumph, rather than acting timidly or expecting little result, trusting God to work for them as a mighty Conqueror.
Necessary work is to be carried forward without always waiting until the means are already in hand. To turn the battle to the gate is to stay on the field and not leave it, to stand at the post as faithful sentinels and give the enemy no quarter, to expose error in its deceptive and fatal character and to hold up truth as firm as the eternal hills even when preaching truth brings increased bitterness and opposition, with those who make God their trust strengthened and blessed to keep pressing forward because the God of Israel is on the side of truth and righteousness. The battle is the struggle against evil and opposition to God's law, and God's people are to witness for Him by continuing that work without retreat, relying on God's power and guidance and holding fast through difficulty as they uphold His law. Those engaged in the struggle are to act with courage by laboring in harmony for Loma Linda despite doubts and opposition.
The same strength is for watching and praying, including guiding children with patience and helping them form clean characters. Faithful workers are to keep striving without discouragement, to pray and trust God and work together, helping tempted people resist Satan, with their labor bringing souls to salvation and winning others to Christ. God's soldiers are to move forward to victory in perfect unity in giving the last message of mercy to the world. Standing firm in God's strength means persevering in the work despite obstacles and opposition. It means persevering in advancing the truth despite obstacles, with resolve after prayer not to fail but to keep pressing on, God giving strength and peace after prayer.