Joshua and the Angel
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In his own strength, man cannot meet the charges of the enemy. In
sin-stained garments, confessing his guilt, he stands before God. But
Jesus, our Advocate, presents an effectual plea in behalf of all who
by repentance and faith have committed the keeping of their souls to
Him. He pleads their cause, and by the mighty arguments of Calvary,
vanquishes their accuser. His perfect obedience to God’s law has
given Him all power in heaven and in earth, and He claims from His
Father mercy and reconciliation for guilty man. To the accuser of His
people He declares: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. These are
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the purchase of My blood, brands plucked from the burning.” And to
those who rely on Him in faith, He gives the assurance, “Behold, I
have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee
with change of raiment.”
Zechariah 3:4
.
All who 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 the Saviour. Not one soul who 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
given to all: “If thou wilt keep My charge, ... I will give thee places to
walk among 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.
Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar
force to the experience of God’s people in the closing scenes of the
great day of atonement. The remnant church will then 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 world as his subjects; he has gained control even of many
professing Christians. But here is a little company who are resisting
his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would
be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so
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in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy
the people of God. Men will be required to render obedience to human
edicts in violation of the divine law.
Those who are true to God will be menaced, denounced, pro-
scribed. They will be “betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and