We read from the Defense Technical Information Center:
Effectively naming operations is a powerful means of winning the war of images, a war which is just as critical as the war on the battlefield. In the image war, the operation name is the first bullet fired, and quite possibly the most critical. If artfully molded and aimed, it can be a key ingredient for victory. ” Defense Technical Information Cente
This training center goes by Operation Joshua. Josua is selected because E.G. White describes him as a wise general who relied on God for wisdom.
“If men will walk in the path that God has marked out for them, they will have a counselor whose wisdom is far above any human wisdom. Joshua was a wise general because God was his guide. The first sword that Joshua used was the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Will the men who are handling large responsibilities read the first chapter of Joshua?”
EGW SDA Bible Commentary (2BC 993.3)
We can learn from Joshua’s success who, despite victory, was afraid to trust on his own impulses or wisdom.
“Joshua was afraid to trust his own impulses or his own wisdom. He regarded everything that came from Christ, who was enshrouded by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, as of sufficient importance to be sacredly cherished. He meditated day and night upon the words which had been spoken to Moses, the servant of God. Joshua desired to know and to do God’s will, and he was commanded by God to study and meditate upon all the directions which had been given”
EGW SDA Bible Commentary (2BC 993.5)
We cannot trust ourselves or other men as our guide, instead we should meditate upon the Word of God.
“The Lord has a great work to be done in our world. To every man He has given His work for man to do. But man is not to make man his guide, lest he be led astray; this is always unsafe. While Bible religion embodies the principles of activity in service, at the same time there is the necessity of asking for wisdom daily from the Source of all wisdom. What was Joshua's victory? Thou shalt meditate upon the Word of God day and night. The word of the Lord came to Joshua just before he passed over Jordan...”
EGW SDA Bible Commentary (2BC 993.5)
Joshua understood this need for constant meditation on God’s word.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:8-9
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:7
The second reason for selecting Joshua is found in the story in Numbers 13:1-21 where God instructed Moses to send out 12 spies to survey the promised land.
We remember the recount how Josua and Caleb were the only two who had enough faith that God would lead them into the promised land. The rest were too intimidated by the size and strength of the opposition.
Even after going into Canaan, it was Joshua who asked the procrastinating tribes how long they would wait before finishing the work!
There is also a similarity between Joshua and Caleb and Jones and Waggoner.
The message they were given, of Righteousness by Faith, was that we could, by claiming the same faith that Jesus had, put on robes of righteousness, demonstrate the Character of Christ and finish the appointed work of the 3rd Angels message...
But similar to the 10 doubting scouts who rejected going into Canaan, we saw how the General Conference rejected the message in 1888 which has us wandering in the wilderness 130 years later.
The message of given by Jones and Waggoner, which invited the people to receive the Righteousness of Christ must be a pillar of the message in the training center.
It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice:
“The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God... This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.”
Testimonies to Ministers (TM 91.2)