Angels From the Captivity to John the Baptist
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to Him with true repentance. Then the Lord sent them messages
of encouragement, declaring that He would deliver them from their
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captivity and restore them to His favor. It was this that Satan was
determined to prevent. A remnant of Israel had already returned to
their own land, and Satan was seeking to move upon the heathen
nations, who were his agents, to utterly destroy them....
The high priest [Joshua] cannot defend himself or his people from
Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel are free from fault.
In his filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he
bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing
their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, relying
upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer and in faith claiming the
promises of God.
Then the Angel, who is Christ Himself, the Saviour of sinners,
puts to silence the accuser of His people, declaring: “The Lord rebuke
thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee:
is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Israel had long remained
in the furnace of affliction. Because of their sins they had been well-
nigh consumed in the flame kindled by Satan and his agents for their
destruction, but God had now set His hand to bring them forth. In their
penitence and humiliation the compassionate Saviour will not leave
His people to the cruel power of the heathen....
As the intercession of Joshua is accepted, the command is given,
“Take away the filthy garments from him,” and to Joshua the Angel
declares, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee,
and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” “So they set a fair
miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments.” His own sins
and those of his people were pardoned. Israel were clothed with
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“change of raiment”—the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.
The miter placed upon Joshua’s head was such as was worn by the
priests and bore the inscription, “Holiness to the Lord,” signifying that,
notwithstanding his former transgressions, he was now qualified to
minister before God in His sanctuary.
After thus solemnly investing him with the dignity of the priesthood
the Angel declared: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk
in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also
judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee
places to walk among these that stand by.” He would be honored