One of the visions of Zechariah, a prophet and priest at the time when the Temple was being rebuilt, caught my attention. Zechariah 3 records this vision, which is just one of many that point us to Christ. In it is Joshua, the High Priest, standing before the angel of the Lord. I am more inclined to believe that this is an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ. Fully aware of the unworthiness of Joshua, who is clothed with filthy garments, Satan is standing at Joshua's right hand to accuse him. But the Lord has the final say, "The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire" (vs 2). Joshua, who is performing his priestly duties, was a brand plucked from the fire. Joshua was as deserving of the fires of hell as anyone else, but God plucked him out. God graciously snatched him from the eternal flames, and clothed him with the righteousness of Christ, our Savior. He is the one who can say, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments" (vs 4).
Satan can accuse all he wants, but God has given His people the victory in Christ, our Righteousness. Jesus is the one who removed the iniquity of the land in a single day, on the cross at Calvary (vs 9). He is the one who died for the nation, and also gathered into one all the children of God scattered abroad (Jn 10:50-52). He died for Jews and Gentiles alike, putting away their sins forever, making reconciliation with God possible. So, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ" (Rom 8:33-35). Nothing at all can separate us from the love of Christ, for nothing is powerful enough to pluck us from the Father's hand. Christ will lose none of those that the Father has given Him (Jn 6:39). Be encouraged dear believers in Christ, He has atoned for your sins on the cross and rose victorious on the third day. You are clothed with His perfect righteousness, so "serve the LORD with gladness" (Ps 100:2). He is our faithful Advocate who is interceding for us! Serve Him with thanksgiving, as people who were plucked out of the fire.
Satan can accuse all he wants, but God has given His people the victory in Christ, our Righteousness. Jesus is the one who removed the iniquity of the land in a single day, on the cross at Calvary (vs 9). He is the one who died for the nation, and also gathered into one all the children of God scattered abroad (Jn 10:50-52). He died for Jews and Gentiles alike, putting away their sins forever, making reconciliation with God possible. So, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ" (Rom 8:33-35). Nothing at all can separate us from the love of Christ, for nothing is powerful enough to pluck us from the Father's hand. Christ will lose none of those that the Father has given Him (Jn 6:39). Be encouraged dear believers in Christ, He has atoned for your sins on the cross and rose victorious on the third day. You are clothed with His perfect righteousness, so "serve the LORD with gladness" (Ps 100:2). He is our faithful Advocate who is interceding for us! Serve Him with thanksgiving, as people who were plucked out of the fire.
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