August 17,2021
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! . . . Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” Zechariah 3:1-4
There are many terrible, and yet truthful, accusations that our enemy desires to hurl at me before the throne of God. But all praises to our merciful God! He would much rather remove the filth of my iniquity and clothe me with rich robes than listen to the accusations against me! He has tenderly laid bare His heart of love for each of us—that we should be drawn towards Him and away from the life of sin. The truly repentant can take heart and solid counsel in these continuing words in the scene above:
Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here.’” Zechariah 3:6-7
Beloved, are you a brand plucked from the fire?Upon opening your eyes each day, give thanks to our merciful God for His admonishments and counsel. And walk therein! He is always ready to aid you in every step. The apostle Paul, following a lengthy and descriptive list of unrighteous ones who will not inherit the kingdom of God, says:
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11
The Bible repeatedly teaches of God’s plan to eradicate Satan, sin, and unrepentant sinners. All of the unrepentant, including Satan himself, will be brought to a point of non-existence (see Isaiah 41:11-12; Ezekiel 26:21; 28:18-19; Joel 3:17; Obadiah 16; Malachi 4:1,3; Revelation 20:6,14). The first article of furniture in the sanctuary is the brazen altar of sacrifice which points to the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!(John 1:29). The lesson here is that Jesus paid the penalty of sin in full. This secures the gift of eternal life and is freely given to all who will accept it. But Satan’s attack against the established teaching at the brazen altar of sacrifice includes such teachings as: one must pay money and do penance to obtain forgiveness; everyone lives eternally either in heaven or a never-ending chamber of fire; one is not allowed to know whether or not he has eternal life. . . These and other false teachings are meant to misrepresent God’s character and cause people to reject Him. Our loving heavenly Father, the only Source of life, has done everything possible to preserve us alive (see Deuteronomy 6:24, Ezekiel 18:27). Will you clasp His nail-scarred hand and walk with Him?
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13