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God's Redemptive Purpose in Spiritual Warfare

God's redemptive purpose in spiritual warfare is evident throughout Scripture, portraying God as a divine warrior who actively intervenes on behalf of his people to secure their salvation and bring about his ultimate plan [15, 16]. This warfare is not merely punitive but aims to bring about repentance and restoration [20].

The concept of redemption is central to understanding God's purpose. It signifies the "purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom" [1]. The Greek term apolytrosis, appearing nine times in Scripture, consistently carries this idea of a ransom or price paid, as seen in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 [1]. This redemption is attributed to God [3, 6] and is specifically accomplished through Christ and his blood [3]. Christ is identified as the author and captain of salvation [7].

God's role as a divine warrior is a recurring motif in both the Old and New Testaments [15]. He is depicted as initiating wars, carrying them out, and bringing them to a successful conclusion against his enemies [16]. For instance, Psalms 18:47 describes God as executing vengeance and subduing peoples [2]. As the Divine Warrior, God goes on the offensive for himself and his people, using imagery of a sword, bow, and flaming arrows [17]. This divine intervention is seen in events like Israel's exodus from Egypt and their conquest of the Promised Land [15]. The purpose of these God-initiated wars was to eradicate unrepentant enemies and prevent them from corrupting his people [16].

The ultimate goal of this redemptive warfare is the salvation of his people [7]. This salvation encompasses deliverance from various forms of bondage: the law's curse and power, the power of sin, the grave, all troubles, all iniquity, and the present evil world [3]. It also includes the redemption of the soul from death [4]. Luke 1:77 highlights the purpose of salvation as giving knowledge of salvation to his people through the remission of their sins [5].

The Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the War Scroll, also reflect a similar understanding of divine warfare. This text speaks of God lending might to light, annihilating "Sons of Darkness," and bringing joy to "Sons of Light" [11]. It describes God's "glorious purpose" and "wondrous mysteries" in raising up those for himself [12]. The text also mentions the blessings of war recited by leaders before battle and hymns of return after victory, emphasizing a divinely ordained conflict [11].

The redemption achieved through this spiritual warfare serves several purposes. One key purpose is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed [13]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Luke 1:74 explains that the purpose of all redemption is that people should serve God "in holiness and righteousness before Him," free from fear and delivered from their enemies [14]. This service is described as "the priesthood of the New Testament" [14]. The John Gill Commentary on Isaiah 1:27 notes that the blessing of redemption by Christ is the foundation for other blessings like justification, pardon, and conversion, emphasizing its spiritual nature as a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law [19]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Job 33:24 connects the concept of "redeem" and "ransom" to the price paid by Jesus Christ for "eternal redemption," specifically his blood and meritorious intercession [18].

God's long-suffering is also part of his redemptive purpose, as it aims for salvation and should lead to repentance [9]. This long-suffering is exhibited in forgiving sins and is exercised toward both his people and the wicked, though limits are set to it [9]. The new birth, essential for entering heaven, is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit through the word of God, the resurrection of Christ, and the gospel ministry [10]. This new birth is for the glory of God [10]. Jeremiah 51:11 speaks of God raising up the spirit of the King of the Medes with the purpose of destroying Babel, as it is "the vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple" [8].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  2. Psalms “even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me. -- Psalms 18:47”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
  4. Psalms “to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine. -- Psalms 33:19”
  5. Luke “Luke 1:77 (YLT) — To give knowledge of salvation to His people In remission of their sins,”
  6. Psalms “Psalms 111:9 (YLT) — Redemption He hath sent to His people, He hath appointed to the age His covenant, Holy and fearful <FI>is<Fi> His name.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
  8. Jeremiah “Jeremiah 51:11 (Geneva1599) — Make bright the arrowes: gather the shieldes: the Lord hath raised vp the spirit of the King of the Medes: for his purpose is against Babel to destroy it, because it is the vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple.”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
  11. Dead Sea Scrolls “War Scroll (Milhamah) (late 1st century BCE), section 17: low and to lend might to light, and to [...] (16) [...] for an eternal stand, and to annihilate all the Sons of Darkness and bring joy to all the Sons of Light [...] (17-20) [...] Col. 14 (1) like the fire of His fury against the idols of Egypt. The blessings of the war recited by all the leaders in the morning before the battle. (2) After they have withdrawn from the slain to enter the camp, all of them shall sing the hymn of return. In the morning they shall wash their clothes, cleanse themselves (3) of the blood of the sinful bodies,”
  12. Dead Sea Scrolls “War Scroll (Milhamah) (late 1st century BCE), section 18: no rescuer for all their mighty men, and no place of refuge for their swift ones. To their honored men (12) You will return shame, and all their vain existence shall be as nothing. But we, Your holy people, shall praise Your name for Your works of truth. (13) Because of Your mighty deeds we shall exalt Your splendor in epochs and appointed times of eternity, at the beginning of day, at night (14) and at dawn and dusk. For Your glorious purpose is great and Your wondrous mysteries are in Your high heavens, to raise up those for Yourself ”
  13. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21: 43:21 One purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (see 1 Pet 2:9).”
  14. Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 1:74: That he would grant us, &c.--How comprehensive is the view here given! (1) The purpose of all redemption--"that we should serve Him"--that is, "the Lord God of Israel" (Luk 1:68). The word signifies religious service distinctively--"the priesthood of the New Testament" [BENGEL]. (2) The nature of this service--"in holiness and righteousness before Him" (Luk 1:75) --or, as in His presence (compare Psa 56:13). (3) Its freedom--"being delivered out of the hand of our enemies." (4) Its fearlessness--"might serve Him without fear." (5) Its duration--"all the ”
  15. Habakkuk (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Habakkuk 3:8: 3:8-15 The Lord is a divine warrior for his people, moving in redemptive power on their behalf. The motif of God as divine warrior spans both Old Testament and New Testament: It is seen in Israel’s exodus from Egypt, their movement to Mount Sinai (Exod 15:1-18), their approach to the Promised Land from the south, and their triumphs in the early conquest period (e.g., Judg 5:4-5; Pss 18:8-16; 77:16-20; a key New Testament example is Rev 19:11-21). 3:8 struck the rivers . . . parted the sea: See Exod 7:19-20; 14:15-31. • chariots of salvation: An ironic echo of the”
  16. Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 20:4: 20:4 He will fight for you: This promise affirms that God initiates wars, carries them out, and brings them to successful conclusion against his enemies. The purpose of war initiated by God was to eradicate hopelessly unrepentant enemies and prevent them from contaminating his people (see 1:30).”
  17. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 7:12: 7:12-13 sword . . . bow . . . deadly weapons . . . flaming arrows: As the Divine Warrior, God goes on the offensive on behalf of himself and his people.”
  18. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 33:24: Apodosis to Job 33:23. he--God. Deliver--literally, "redeem"; in it and "ransom" there is reference to the consideration, on account of which God pardons and relieves the sufferers; here it is primarily the intercession of Elihu. But the language is too strong for its full meaning to be exhausted by this. The Holy Ghost has suggested language which receives its full realization only in the "eternal redemption found" by God in the price paid by Jesus Christ for it; that is, His blood and meritorious intercession (Heb 9:12). "Obtained," literally, "fou”
  19. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”
  20. Hosea (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hosea 5:15: 5:15 Hosea again reminded Israel that divine judgment was not merely punitive. God’s purpose was to convince Israel to admit their guilt and return to the Lord (see 2:2, 14).”
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