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Counsels for the Church
claims of His Father mercy and reconciliation for guilty man. To the
accuser of His people He declares: “‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.’
These are the purchase of My blood, brands plucked from the burning.”
Those who rely upon Him in faith receive the comforting assurance:
“Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will
clothe thee with change of raiment.”
All that have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand
before Him as chosen and faithful and true. Satan has no power to
pluck them out of the hand of Christ. Not one soul that in penitence
and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under
the enemy’s power. His word is pledged: “Let him take hold of My
strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace
with Me.”
Isaiah 27:5
. The promise given to Joshua is made to all: “If
thou wilt keep My charge, ... I will give thee places to walk among
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these that stand by.”
Zechariah 3:7
. Angels of God will walk on either
side of them, even in this world, and they will stand at last among the
angels that surround the throne of God.
The fact that the acknowledged people of God are represented as
standing before the Lord in filthy garments should lead to humility and
deep searching of heart on the part of all who profess His name. Those
who are indeed purifying their souls by obeying the truth will have
a most humble opinion of themselves. The more closely they view
the spotless character of Christ, the stronger will be their desire to be
conformed to His image, and the less will they see of purity or holiness
in themselves. But while we should realize our sinful condition, we
are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our
redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ
alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence
the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His
own.
The Remnant Church
Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar
force to the experience of God’s people in the closing up of the great
day of atonement. The remnant church will be brought into great trial
and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith
of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the