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A Change of Raiment, April 12
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath
covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh
himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her
jewels.
Isaiah 61:10
.
“And he shewed me Joshua the high priest”—a representative of the
people who keep the commandments of God—“standing before the angel of
the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him” (
Zechariah 3:1
).
Christ is our High Priest. Satan stands before Him night and day as
an accuser of the brethren. With his masterly power he presents every
objectionable feature of character as sufficient reason for the withdrawal of
Christ’s protecting power, thus allowing Satan to discourage and destroy
those whom he has caused to sin. But Christ has made atonement for every
sinner. Can we by faith hear our Advocate saying, “The Lord rebuke thee,
O Satan; ... is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (
verse 2
).
“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments” (
verse 3
). Thus sinners
appear before the enemy who by his masterly, deceptive power has led
them away from allegiance to God. With garments of sin and shame the
enemy clothes those who have been overpowered by his temptations, and
then he declares that it is unfair for Christ to be their Light, their Defender....
Hear the words of Jesus: ... I will blot out his transgressions. I will cover
his sins....
The filthy garments are removed; for Christ says, “I have caused thine
iniquity to pass from thee” (
verse 4
). The iniquity is transferred to the
innocent, the pure, the holy Son of God; and man, all undeserving, stands
before the Lord cleansed from all unrighteousness, and clothed with the
imputed righteousness of Christ. Oh, what a change of raiment is this
He takes every sin away, and puts on us His robe of righteousness
woven in the loom of heaven.... We are adopted into the heavenly family,
and we shall inherit the mansions prepared for those who are obedient
[109]
17
S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1178
.
18
Manuscript 17, 1893
.
109