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Counsels for the Church
those who have been guilty of the same sins? Thou canst not do
this, O Lord, in justice. Thy throne will not stand in righteousness
and judgment. Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against
them.”
But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given
themselves to the control of evil. They have put away their sins,
and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine
Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their
ingratitude, who knows their sin, and also their repentance, declares:
“‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.’ I gave My life for these souls. They
are graven upon the palms of My hands.”
Covered With the Robe of Christ’s Righteousness
As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for
purity of heart, the command is given, “Take away the filthy garments”
from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, “Behold, I have
caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with
change of raiment.” The spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness is
placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The
despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be
defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in
the Lamb’s book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They
have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from
their loyalty by the dragon’s roar. Now they are eternally secure from
the tempter’s devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of
sin.
And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored.
“A fair miter” is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and
priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking
to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro,
placing upon them the seal of the living God. These are they that stand
upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father’s name written in
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their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song
which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand,
which were redeemed from the earth. “These are they which follow
the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among
men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their