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The Truth About Angels
The Visions of Zechariah
“I lifted up mine eyes again,” says Zechariah, “and looked, and
behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither
goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what
is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. And, behold, the
angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to
meet him, and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying,
Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude
of men and cattle therein: for I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall
of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.”—
The
Review and Herald, December 26, 1907
.
The Vision of Joshua and the Angel
The scene of Satan’s accusation was presented before the prophet.
[147]
He says, “He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the
angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.”—
The Review and Herald, August 22, 1893
.
A most forcible and impressive illustration of the work of Satan
and the work of Christ, and the power of our Mediator to vanquish
the accuser of His people, is given in the prophecy of Zechariah. In
holy vision the prophet beholds Joshua the high priest, “clothed with
filthy garments,” standing before the Angel of the Lord, entreating the
mercy of God in behalf of His people who are in deep affliction. Satan
stands at his right hand to resist him.
Because Israel had been chosen to preserve the knowledge of God
in the earth, they had been, from their first existence as a nation, the
special objects of Satan’s enmity, and he had determined to cause their
destruction. He could do them no harm while they were obedient to
God; therefore he had bent all his power and cunning to entice them
into sin. Ensnared by his temptations they had transgressed the law of
God and thus separated from the Source of their strength, and had been
left to become the prey of their heathen enemies. They were carried
into captivity to Babylon, and there remained for many years.
Yet they were not forsaken of the Lord. His prophets were sent
to them with reproofs and warnings. The people were awakened to
see their guilt, they humbled themselves before God, and returned