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Satan, the Accuser; Christ, the Defender
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Satan knows that those who ask for pardon will receive it, so he
presents their sins before them to discourage them. He tries to make
even their best service appear corrupt. In countless ways, subtle and
cruel, he works to gain their condemnation.
In our own strength, we cannot meet the charges of the enemy.
But Jesus our Advocate presents a decisive plea in behalf of all
who commit themselves to Him by repentance and faith. He wins
complete victory over their accuser by the mighty arguments of
Calvary. His perfect obedience to God’s law has given Him all
power in heaven and earth, and to the accuser of His people He
declares: “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! These are the purchase of
My blood, brands plucked from the burning.” See
Zechariah 3:2
.
And He assures those who rely on Him in faith, “I have removed
your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”
Verse
4
.
All who have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand
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faithful and true. The promise to Joshua is given to all: “If you will
... keep My command, ... I will give you places to walk among these
who stand here.”
Verse 7
. Angels 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 applies with special force to God’s people in
the closing scenes of the great day of atonement. The remnant will
then come into great distress. Those who keep the commandments
of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the anger of the dragon and
his armies. Here is a little company resisting his supremacy. If he
could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. In
the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy
the people of God.
Those who are true to God will be denounced and discriminated
against. They will be “betrayed even by parents and brothers, rela-
tives and friends,” even unto death.
Luke 21:16
. As Joshua pleaded
before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart
and unfaltering faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through
Jesus their Advocate. They are fully conscious of their sinfulness
and unworthiness, and they are ready to despair.