In the Bible, the concept of armies is often used figuratively to convey spiritual truths, divine power, and the cosmic struggle between good and evil. This figurative use of armies serves to illustrate the might and sovereignty of God, the spiritual battles faced by believers, and the ultimate victory of God's kingdom.

1. Heavenly Hosts: The term "armies" is frequently used to describe the celestial beings that serve God. In 1 Kings 22:19, the prophet Micaiah describes a vision of the Lord sitting on His throne, with "all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left." This imagery portrays the heavenly armies as a symbol of God's supreme authority and the readiness of His servants to execute His will.

2. Spiritual Warfare: The New Testament often uses military imagery to describe the spiritual battles faced by Christians. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Here, the concept of armies is used to emphasize the organized and formidable nature of spiritual opposition, urging believers to put on the "full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand firm.

3. God as a Warrior: The Lord is depicted as a divine warrior leading His people to victory. In Exodus 15:3, following the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, Moses and the Israelites sing, "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name." This portrayal of God as a commander of heavenly armies underscores His power to save and protect His people.

4. The Church as an Army: The collective body of believers is sometimes likened to an army, called to advance God's kingdom on earth. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul exhorts Timothy to "endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus," highlighting the disciplined and committed nature required of Christians in their spiritual journey.

5. The Final Battle: The Book of Revelation uses vivid imagery of armies to depict the ultimate confrontation between good and evil. Revelation 19:14 describes the armies of heaven following Christ, "riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." This scene symbolizes the purity and righteousness of those who align with Christ, as well as the certainty of His triumph over evil.

6. Symbol of Judgment: Armies are also used as a metaphor for divine judgment. In Joel 2:11, the prophet describes the day of the Lord as a time when "the LORD thunders at the head of His army; His forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey His command." This imagery serves as a warning of the impending judgment and the unstoppable nature of God's decrees.

In these figurative uses, the concept of armies in the Bible serves to communicate the themes of divine power, spiritual conflict, and the ultimate victory of God's purposes. Through these images, believers are reminded of the spiritual realities that underlie their faith and the assurance of God's sovereign rule.Deuteronomy 33:2
And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir to them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
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2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
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Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear him, and delivers them.
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Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
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Revelation 9:16
And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
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4264. machaneh -- an encampment, camp
... from chanah Definition an encampment, camp NASB Word Usage armies (6), army ... or troops);
hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers ...
/hebrew/4264.htm - 6k

The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Coming of Christ. Ch. 21:5-38
... is difficult to interpret; first of all, because it is phrased in figurative terms,
the ... prophesying the literal overthrow of the holy city by the armies of Rome ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/i the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Interpretation of this Fact.
... treated them as though their language must be regarded as figurative and symbolical ...
of commentators regard the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in AD ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/2 the interpretation of this.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed ...
group in which the message sent was an invitation, not figurative but literal ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

Prophecy.
... Here is no double sense; no figurative language but what is sufficiently intelligible ...
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i prophecy.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... Note the forcible pronouns, 'His armies,' and 'their city.' The terrible ... and terrible]
weeping and gnashing of teeth"awful though figurative expressions for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The Bohemian Confessions after the Reformation. AD 1535 and 1575.
... Luther was at first displeased with their figurative theory of the Lord's Supper,
their views ... of Europe, and were not wanting in any of the armies that fought ...
/.../ 73 the bohemian confessions.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... monarch's progress through the land of Judea, ending with a figurative account of
his ... or the coming desolation of Jerusalem by the Chaldean armies; he connects ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
... the said language is more perfectly suited.4. When parabolic or figurative language
may ... his land was threatened with an invasion by the united armies of Syria ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ix annunciation to joseph of.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... an effect of divine anger."[Pg 308]On the other hand, figurative representations
of ... The comparison of hostile armies with locusts is very common, not only on ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... Only God and not the relative strength or preparedness of the contending armies
can forecast the final ... (16) The element that is figurative or illustrative of ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

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Armies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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