The term "church militant" describes the current state of God's people on earth, emphasizing that they are in the midst of an active conflict rather than a state of final victory. It is a common mistake to confuse this phase with the "church triumphant," which represents the future state of the redeemed (1SAT 340.2). While the church is destined for great triumphs, it must first endure fierce struggles with evil to ensure it is firmly established on the foundation of eternal truth (1SAT 340.2). This militant status exists because the Christian life is characterized by constant warfare against both visible and invisible forces. Believers do not merely struggle against human opposition but must contend with principalities, powers, and the spiritual rulers of darkness (2SAT 193.3).
Because the church is currently in this state of battle, it is compared to an army where every member is a soldier facing toil, hardship, and danger from a vigilant adversary who never sleeps (5T 394.1). The church is also considered militant because it is composed of imperfect individuals who are still being refined. Within the church and its institutions, such as schools, there are often disorderly elements and those who have not been properly disciplined, requiring strenuous effort and patience to save them (CT 153.1). Furthermore, the church's strength is often tested by internal weaknesses, such as criticism, jealousy, and indifference, which can turn souls away from the path of life and serve the purposes of the adversary (COL 340.3).
Despite these intense conflicts and the efforts of Satan to defile and destroy God's people, the church militant remains the object of God's special love and care. He actively opposes and resists the enemy on behalf of His followers, providing angelic protection against the assaults of the prince of darkness (TM 21.2). The militant phase is a necessary period of testing and trial that brings the experience needed for the final victory (CT 153.1).
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“of eternal truth. Those who think that the church militant is the church triumphant make a great mistake. The church militant will gain great triumphs, but it will also have fierce conflicts with evil, that it may be firmly established upon the platform of eternal truth. And every one of us should be determined to stand with the church upon this platform. 1SAT 340.2”
“The Christian life is a constant warfare. The church militant is not the church triumphant. Paul says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” ( Ephesians 6:12 ). We must meet human beings of power and influence who are on Satan's side of the controversy; and we must also meet unseen agencies of evil. Let us be found in the right position. 2SAT 193.3”
“The church of Christ may be fitly compared to an army. The life of every soldier is one of toil, hardship, and danger. On every hand are vigilant foes, led on by the prince of the powers of darkness, who never slumbers and never deserts his post. Whenever a Christian is off his guard, this powerful adversary makes a sudden and violent attack. Unless the members of the church are active and vigilant, they will be overcome by his devices. 5T 394.1”
“Sometimes there is in the school a disorderly element that makes the work very hard. Children who have not received a right education make much trouble, and by their perversity make the heart of the teacher sad. But let him not become discouraged. Test and trial bring experience. If the children are disobedient and unruly, there is all the more need of strenuous effort. The fact that there are children with such characters is one of the reasons why church schools should be established. The children whom parents have neglected to educate and discipline must be saved if possible. CT 153.1”
“But never should it be forgotten that influence is no less a power for evil. To lose one's own soul is a terrible thing; but to cause the loss of other souls is still more terrible. That our influence should be a savor of death unto death is a fearful thought; yet this is possible. Many who profess to gather with Christ are scattering from Him. This is why the church is so weak. Many indulge freely in criticism and accusing. By giving expression to suspicion, jealousy, and discontent, they yield themselves as instruments to Satan. Before they realize what they are doing, the adversary has through them accomplished his purpose. The impression of evil has been made, the shadow has been cast, the arrows of Satan have found their mark. Distrust, unbelief, and downright infidelity have fastened upon those who otherwise might have accepted Christ. Meanwhile the workers for Satan look complacently upon those whom they have driven to skepticism, and who are now hardened against reproof and entreaty. They flatter themselves that in comparison with these souls they are virtuous and righteous. They do not realize that these sad wrecks of character are the work of their own unbridled tongues and rebellious hearts. It is through their influence that these tempted ones have fallen. COL 340.3”
“The church militant is not now the church triumphant; but God loves His church and describes through the prophet how He opposes and resists Satan, who is clothing the children of God in the blackest and most defiled garments, and pleading for the privilege of destroying them. The angels of God were protecting them from the assaults of the enemy. The prophet says: TM 21.2”
What practical counsel did she give regarding how church members can avoid being instruments of Satan?
To avoid becoming instruments of the enemy, church members must engage in rigorous self-examination and personal application of spiritual counsel. It is a common danger for individuals to overlook their own faults when hearing or reading reproofs intended for others. Instead, every believer should closely search their own heart and life to see if the warnings given to others apply to their own case, treating such counsel as if it were addressed specifically to them (2T 687.3). This process of self-denial is essential because the natural heart often strives for mastery against the grace of God, and failing to bring the will into subjection to Christ allows the enemy to gain a foothold (2TT 275.3). A significant safeguard against Satan's influence is the rejection of self-exaltation and the cultivation of humility. Those who lift themselves up or seek personal recognition place themselves directly in the power of the adversary and become susceptible to his deceptions (2TT 547).
This is particularly dangerous for those in leading positions, whose deportment can either gather with Christ or scatter from Him (12MR 283.3). To counter this, members are encouraged to work in humility under the control of the Holy Spirit, focusing on helping one another and pressing together in unity (2TT 547). Practical vigilance is also required in the management of church affairs and personal interests. Leaving church matters in an unsettled or "loose" condition provides the enemy with an advantage to control affairs as he pleases (T06 4.1).
Furthermore, believers must guard against the spirit of commercialism and worldly money-making schemes, which are devices used to deceive even the elect (SpTB17a 33.3). By consecrating their talents and means to God's established instrumentalities rather than letting them be diverted into other channels, members prevent themselves from playing into the hands of the great deceiver (T33 5.2). Finally, avoiding the enemy's snares requires constant watchfulness and the exercise of self-restraint. Satan often works through agencies and individuals that are not suspected, waiting for moments when believers feel secure to launch an attack (21MR 334.3).
Members must be willing to forgo their own preferences for the good of the whole body to keep the "rank and file" of God's army unbroken (21MR 334.3). Those who continue in selfishness or worldliness risk being passed by as God chooses humble individuals who seek His glory rather than their own advancement (5T 461.1).
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“speaking and in writing, and at the same time specify the dangers, errors, and sins of some individuals, that all might be warned, reproved, and counseled. I saw that all should search their own hearts and lives closely to see if they had not made the same mistakes for which others were corrected and if the warnings given for others did not apply to their own cases. If so, they should feel that the counsel and reproofs were given especially for them and should make as practical an application of them as though they were especially addressed to themselves. 2T 687.2 Those who have a natural love for the world and have been remiss in their duty can see their own faults specified in the cases of others who have been reproved. God designs to test the faith of all who claim to be followers of Christ. He will test the sincerity of the prayers of all those who claim to earnestly desire to know their duty. He will make duty plain. He will give all an ample opportunity to develop what is in their hearts. The conflict will be close between self and the grace of God. Self will strive for the mastery and will be opposed to the work of bringing the life and thoughts, the will and affections, into subjection to the will of Christ. Self- denial and the cross stand all along in the pathway to eternal life, and, because of this, “few there be that find it.” 2T 687.3”
“In a view given me about twenty years ago [1871], “I was then directed to bring out general principles, in speaking and in writing, and at the same time specify the dangers, errors, and sins of some individuals, that all might be warned, reproved, and counseled. I saw that all should search their own hearts and lives closely to see if they had not made the same mistakes for which others were corrected and if the warnings given for others did not apply to their own cases. If so, they should feel that the counsel and reproofs were given especially for them and should make as practical an application of them as though they were especially addressed to themselves. God designs to test the faith of all who claim to be followers of Christ. He will test the sincerity of the prayers of all those who claim to earnestly desire to know their duty. He will make duty plain. He will give all an ample opportunity to develop what is in their hearts.” 2TT 275.3”
“Let young and old consecrate themselves to God, take up the work, and go forward, laboring in humility under the control of the Holy Spirit. Let those who have been in school go out into the field and put to a practical use the knowledge they have gained. If canvassers will do this, using the ability which God has given them, seeking counsel from Him, and combining the work of selling books with personal labor for the people, their talents will increase by exercise, and they will learn many practical lessons which they could not possibly learn in school. The education obtained in this practical way may properly be termed higher education. 2TT 547.1 N o Higher Work There is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing, for it involves the performance of the highest moral duties. Those who engage in this work need always to be under the control of the Spirit of God. There must be no exalting of self. What have any of us that we did not receive from Christ? We must love as brethren, revealing our love by helping one another. We must be pitiful and courteous. We must press together, drawing in even cords. Only those who live the prayer of Christ, working it out in practical life, will stand the test that is to come upon all the world. Those who exalt self place themselves in Satan's power, preparing to receive his deceptions. The word of the Lord to His people is that we lift the standard higher and still higher. If we obey His voice, He will work with us, and our efforts will be crowned with success. In our work we shall receive rich blessings from on high and shall lay up treasure beside the throne of God. 2TT 547”
“God has precious souls in these churches who would become ministers if they grow in the knowledge of the truth, and teach others the way of salvation, and lead them to righteousness. Satan will use every device in leading young men to form marriage connections which will defeat the purpose of God. He will seek to lower the standard of spirituality and holiness, so that the church will not be a living, working church, and its members be fitting themselves to work in the cause of God. Oh! how careful should be those who take the leading position in the church that their lives and deportment shall not scatter from Christ instead of gathering with Him. 12MR 283.3”
“I was shown that the enemy would come in every way possible to dishearten the people of God, and perplex and trouble them, and that they should move understandingly and prepare themselves for the attacks of Satan. The matters of the church should not be left in an unsettled condition. Steps should be taken to secure church property for the cause of God, that the work may not be retarded in its progress, and that the means which persons wish to dedicate to God's cause, may not slip into the enemy's ranks. I saw that God's people should act wisely, and leave nothing undone on their part to place matters of the church in a secure state. Then after all is done that they can do, they should trust the Lord to overrule these things for them, that Satan take no advantage of God's remnant people. It is Satan's time to work, and a stormy future is before us; and the church should be awake to make an advance move that they may stand securely against Satan's plans. It is time that something was done. God is not pleased to have his people leave the matters of the church at loose ends, and suffer the enemy to have the whole advantage and control affairs as best pleases him. T06 4.1”
“The health institute, the College, the ministry, and the missionary societies, are all instrumentalities which God employs for the accomplishment of his work. If Satan can in any way invent something which will divert talent and means from these instrumentalities into another channel, he will do it. There are some who are deceived in themselves. While flattering themselves that they are doing God's work, they are playing into the hands of the great deceiver, and rendering him effectual service. Beware of these deceptions. Ever remember what is due to our Christian profession as God's peculiar people; and beware lest, in the exercise of personal independence, your influence may work against the purposes of God, and you, through Satan's devices, become a stumbling block, directly in the way of those who are weak and halting. There is danger of giving our enemies occasion to blaspheme God, and heap scorn upon believers in the truth. T33 5.2”
“God requires concerted action of His soldiers, and in order to have this in the church self-restraint is essential; self-restraint must be exercised. But some in Healdsburg, as well as in other churches, will have to learn this lesson; they will have to learn to forgo their own wishes and preferences for the good of others. We have determined adversaries; we know not their number or their position. Satan works through agencies which we do not always see—through some whom we do not suspect. When we think Satan is routed, he is only preparing to make an attack to discomfit and repulse. When we fancy ourselves secure, we are in the very greatest danger. Watchfulness and prayer, combined with persevering effort to keep the rank and file unbroken, is more necessary than ever before. 21MR 334.3”
“What can I say to arouse our churches? What can I say to those who have acted a prominent part in the proclamation of the last message? “The Lord is coming,” should be the testimony borne, not only by the lips, but by the life and character; but many to whom God has given light and knowledge, talents of influence and means, are men who do not love the truth and do not practice it. They have drunk so deeply from the intoxicating cup of selfishness and worldliness that they have become drunken with the cares of this life. Brethren, if you continue to be as idle, as worldly, as selfish as you have been, God will surely pass you by, and take those who are less self-caring, less ambitious for worldly honor, and who will not hesitate to go, as did their Master, without the camp, bearing the reproach. The work will be given to those who will take it, those who prize it, who weave its principles into their everyday experience. God will choose humble men who are seeking to glorify His name and advance His cause rather than to honor and advance themselves. He will raise up men who have not so much worldly wisdom, but who are connected with Him, and who will seek strength and counsel from above. 5T 461.1”
The church is considered militant because it is currently engaged in an active, ongoing conflict that requires its members to function as a disciplined army. This state is defined by constant toil, hardship, and the presence of danger, as believers are not yet in the state of final victory known as the church triumphant (5T 394.1). Because the church is in a period of trial, its members are called to be champions of God's truth, advocating for temperance and obedience to both physical and moral laws while they wait for the final fulfillment of their faith (2SM 226.3). A primary factor that makes the church militant is the nature of its opposition. The warfare is not merely against human foes but against a highly organized and vigilant supernatural enemy led by the prince of darkness (9T 219).
This adversary never slumbers and is always ready to launch violent attacks whenever a Christian is found off guard (ChS 82.2). Consequently, the church must remain in a state of constant readiness, utilizing the spiritual armor provided by God—including the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit—to withstand these invisible principalities and powers (1NL 107.4). The militant nature of the church also involves an aggressive mission to rescue others from the power of the enemy. This is not a passive existence; rather, it is a "good fight of faith" where eternal interests are at stake (5T 395.1).
To succeed in this warfare, members must practice daily self-crucifixion and maintain the principles of God's law at any cost (20MR 30.3). By resisting the devil and conducting this aggressive spiritual warfare, the church works in harmony with God and holy angels to make conquests for Christ (T32 151.1).
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Verified Source Texts
“The church of Christ may be fitly compared to an army. The life of every soldier is one of toil, hardship, and danger. On every hand are vigilant foes, led on by the prince of the powers of darkness, who never slumbers and never deserts his post. Whenever a Christian is off his guard, this powerful adversary makes a sudden and violent attack. Unless the members of the church are active and vigilant, they will be overcome by his devices. 5T 394.1”
“The church militant is not the church triumphant. The Lord desires His tried servants, as long as they live, to advocate temperance reform. Unfurl the temperance banner. Teach the people to practice strict temperance in all things, and to be champions in favor of obedience to physical laws. Stand firmly for God's truth. Exalt before the people the banner bearing the inscription, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” ( Revelation 14:12 ).... 2SM 226.3”
“The Warfare Before Us God's servants are to put on every piece of the Christian armor. We are not wrestling simply with human foes. God calls upon every Christian to enter the warfare and fight under His leadership, depending for success on the grace and help of Heaven. 9T 219”
“The church of Christ may be fitly compared to an army. The life of every soldier is one of toil, hardship, and danger. On every hand are vigilant foes, led on by the prince of the powers of darkness, who never slumbers and never deserts his post. Whenever a Christian is off his guard, this powerful adversary makes a sudden and violent attack. Unless the members of the church are active and vigilant, they will be overcome by his devices. ChS 82.2”
“I heard the voice of a mighty general crying in trumpet tones, “Prepare to meet thy God. Prepare for the great conflict before you. Quit yourselves as brave soldiers of the Lord's army. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” 1NL 107.4”
“There is earnest work to be done by us individually if we would fight the good fight of faith. Eternal interests are at stake. We must put on the whole armor of righteousness, we must resist the devil, and we have the sure promise that he will be put to flight. The church is to conduct an aggressive warfare, to make conquests for Christ, to rescue souls from the power of the enemy. God and holy angels are engaged in this warfare. Let us please Him who has called us to be soldiers. 5T 395.1”
“We are placed on vantage ground because Christ has overcome in our behalf. He has made every provision for us to overcome. Divine power stands behind every will resolutely set to do the right. God has provided the armor and the weapons with which each one is to fight. Let the soldiers of Christ put on the whole armor of God and flinch not at Satan's attacks. Let them bear in mind that they will not be crowned unless they strive lawfully. The principles contained in the law of God are to be maintained at any cost. Success in the Christian warfare means watchfulness and a daily crucifixion of self. 20MR 30.3”
“There is earnest work to be done by us individually if we would fight the good fight of faith. Eternal interests are at stake. We must put on the whole armor of righteousness, we must resist the devil, and we have the sure promise that he will be put to flight. The church is to conduct an aggressive warfare, to make conquests for Christ, to rescue souls from the power of the enemy. God and holy angels are engaged in this warfare. Let us please Him who has called us to be soldiers. T32 151.1”
Ellen Chat