Sabbath evening after Michael spoke to the bride clearly about the reality of her marriage with God, He asked the open question, "Is there anyone here who objects to this marriage?" No human voice answered, but the powers of darkness that still have access to every soul here, save Michael, immediately arrayed themselves against Him to protest the marriage. Their grounds for objection are very legitimate.
In His post, "The Blood on the Door," Michael shared with us about the distinct weight that came upon Him that very night, and which is the burden of the present crisis in the land. He shared with the witnesses that that Sabbath night, "In the night dreams, a voice spoke to Me and told Me the coming of Messiah comes with agony of soul. A soul is on the stretch as one prepares for the wedding. Before the marriage to God at Sinai, Moses was on the mountain for 40 days. The Father is taking Me away for a little while. Real things are being completed in the land and it is very strongly that I feel it. I cannot tell you all of the details now, but I will in time. It is like the final war. Pray that the land will be freed of every dark spirit."
The two witnesses have seen and felt the intensity of the spiritual war that Michael is waging in behalf of the bride. The Father led us to the following prophetic vision that discloses the spiritual realities He sees taking place behind-the-scenes in this very crisis. May the anointing of the Father be upon every soul that desires the full revelation of the marriage, that the present significance and personal import of this vision may be seen and felt.
"Then the guiding angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Joshua's right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him." Zech. 3:1. Amplified.
Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experiences of God's people in the closing up of the great day of atonement. Joshua represents the people of God [the bride of the Son] standing in the presence of their Redeemer [Michael, her Husband]. Satan, with his masterly accusing power, is resisting the plan of Christ for the redemption of His people [His bride]. "Now Joshua [Michael's bride] was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." Satan was charging God's people with impurity. He was presenting every defect in their character. Through his deceiving power he had tempted them to sin [be separate and independent and unfaithful], and now he represents them as full of transgression and defilement. Joshua standing before the Angel of the Lord [Michael] with defiled garments, represents those whose religious life has been faulty who have been overcome by Satan's temptations, and are unworthy of God's favor. They have been deceived by Satan, and he asks permission to destroy them.
The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Satan declares that they have come under his control, that they are subjects of his pleasure and he claims the right to work his will upon them without interference from God in their behalf. [Satan declares that the bride has come under his control and is a subject of his pleasure, and he claims the right to work his will upon her without interference from Michael in her behalf.] Here the curtain that separates us from the unseen world is lifted, and we behold the conflict that is waged over every soul who believes in Christ.
Christ desires nothing so much as to redeem His heritage from the dominion of [adultery with] Satan. But before we are delivered from Satan's power without, we must be delivered from his power within [from our interest and investment in his ways of thinking and feeling]. The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character. He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ [the anointing] whom He has sent, in order that we may have deep heart longings to be cleansed from defilement, and may come forth from the trial purer, holier, happier. Often we enter the furnace of trial with our souls darkened with selfishness [filthy covering]; but if patient under the crucial test, we shall come forth reflecting the divine character. When His purpose in the affliction is accomplished, "He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Ps. 37:6. There is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer.
Christ [the anointing] loves His church [bride]. He will give all needed help to those who call upon Him for strength for the development of Christlike character. But His love is not weakness. He will not serve with their sins, nor give them prosperity while they continue to follow a wrong course of action. Only through faithful repentance will their sins be forgiven; for God will not cover evil [her unacceptable "Christian self"] with the robe of His righteousness. Let them in word and action show that they obey the laws which are obeyed in heaven [that Michael obeys — implicit and uninterrupted obedience to the Father, no matter what the personal cost]. Walk before Him [Michael] in true humility, following faithfully in His footsteps.
The anguish and humiliation of God's people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, and their eyes are fixed upon His perfect purity, that they so clearly discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Their contrition and self-abasement are infinitely more acceptable in the sight of God than is the self-sufficient, haughty spirit of those who see no cause to lament, who scorn [secretly see no attractiveness in] the humility of Christ [the emptiness of Michael]. Meekness and lowliness of heart are the conditions for strength and victory. The crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross. Blessed are these mourners; for they shall be comforted.
Nothing in this world is so dear to the heart of God as His church [the bride of His Son]. He does not leave His people to be overcome by Satan's temptations. He will chastise those who misrepresent Him. But He will be gracious to all who sincerely repent. They need to be revived and reformed, sanctified by the Holy Spirit; but God will rebuke Satan, refusing to hear his accusations against His church [the true bride of His Son], even tho she is far from what she should be.
Satan is determined that they shall not obey God. He delights in their unworthiness, and has devices prepared for every soul, that all may be ensnared and separated [divorced] from God. Every manifestation of God's power for His people arouses the enmity of Satan. Every time God works in their behalf, Satan with his angels works with renewed vigor to compass their ruin. He is jealous of all who make Christ their strength. His object is to instigate evil, and when he has succeeded, throw all the blame upon the tempted ones. He points to their filthy garments [religious "trying" self], their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which have dishonored their Redeemer [Husband]. All this he urges as an argument proving his right to work his will in their destruction. He endeavors to affright their souls with the thought that their case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement can never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield fully to his temptations, and turn from their allegiance to God.
The sinner [bride] cannot contradict or answer the charge of Satan against him; the Lord's people cannot of themselves answer the charges of Satan. As they look to themselves they are ready to despair. But they appeal to the divine Advocate. They plead the merits of [her Husband] the Redeemer. God [The Father] can be "just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus [the anointing]." Rom. 3:26. With confidence the Lord's children cry unto Him to silence the accusations of Satan, and bring to naught his devices. Jesus [Michael, the Archangel, the Angelic Prince Who stands for His people during this time] stands to plead His own blood [His own consummated anointing and translation death] in behalf of the sinner [His bride]. He presents His wounded hands [His own wounded power — His complete dependence, emptiness and inability to do anything without the Father - the evidence of His consummation with the Father], and makes an effectual plea in behalf of the repenting one who has placed his case in the hands of Jesus [Michael]. With the mighty, unanswerable argument of the cross [His own consummation with the Father], our Saviour [Husband] silences this bold accuser.
The Lord [of the whole earth] rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that hath chosen [New] Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" When Satan [rightfully] seeks to cover the people [bride] of God with blackness, and ruin them, Christ interposes. Although they have sinned, Christ has taken the guilt of their sins upon His own soul. He has snatched the race [bride] as a brand from the fire. Help is brought within the reach of perishing souls. The adversary is rebuked. Notwithstanding the defects of the people of God [His bride], He [>Michael] does not turn away from the objects of His care. He has the power to change their raiment. Satan hates those who have taken hold of the strength of Christ, but those who have made a full surrender are reconciled to God, and He will be their defense.
As the people of God afflict their souls before him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, "Take away the filthy garments" from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." The spotless robe of Christ's [the anointing's] righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. A "fair miter" is set upon their heads.
God's way is to make the day of small things the beginning of the glorious triumph of truth and righteousness. Through the revival of God's appointed agencies, [the bride will] return to whole-hearted obedience, depending on the merits of a crucified Saviour, and trusting in His atonement [consummation] for salvation. The righteous will continually follow righteousness, because Christ [the anointing], Who is formed within, is righteousness and truth. They [Michael's bride] will be imbued with a pure, fervent love, a love begotten by the love of God. Their transgressions will be forgiven, and their sins pardoned. And God [the Father] will look upon them with pleasure. Bear in mind that human power and human inventions did not establish the church, and neither will they destroy her. The Holy Spirit [the anointing of the Father] will keep every one who in faith and trust is committed to His charge. It makes them more than conquerors, victorious over all opposition.
The faithful, praying ones are, as it were, shut in with God. They themselves know not how securely they are shielded. Urged on by Satan, the rulers of this world are seeking to destroy them; but could their eyes be opened, as were the eyes of Elisha's servant at Dothan, they would see the angels of God [clouds] encamped about them, by their brightness and glory holding in check the hosts of darkness.
The Lord does not withdraw Himself from His people [the bride of His Son]. He bears with them still, not because of any goodness found in them , but that His name may not be dishonored before the enemies of truth and righteousness, that the Satanic agencies may not triumph in the destruction of God's people. He has borne long with their waywardness, unbelief, and folly. With wonderful forbearance and compassion He has disciplined them. If they will heed His instruction, He will cleanse away their perverse tendencies, saving them with an everlasting salvation, and making them eternal monuments of the power of His grace. Under His superintending care, they will carry forward His work without misrepresenting Him in any line. His glorious work, founded on eternal principles, will never decay. It will shine with the light of the Sun of Righteousness, and there will be shoutings of Grace, grace unto it." Zech. 4:7.
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 of the apostate churches. But here is a little company that 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 in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people [bride] of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be menaced, denounced, and proscribed. They will be betrayed "both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends." The assaults of Satan are strong, his delusions are terrible; but the Lord's eye is upon His people. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them ; but Jesus [the anointing] will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Their earthliness must be removed that the image of Christ [the anointing] may be perfectly reflected; unbelief must be overcome; [humility] faith, hope, and patience are to be developed.
The world's [Husband] Redeemer has bound earth to heaven by ties of intelligence, for the redeemed of the Lord are here [His bride is here]. Heavenly beings still visit the earth as in the days when they walked and talked with Abraham and with Moses. Invisible armies of light and power [the clouds of heaven that came with the anointing of Michael] attend the meek and lowly ones who believe and claim the promises of God. Cherubim and seraphim and angels that excel in strength-- ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands--stand at His right hand, "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." Heb. 1:14.
Now is reached the complete fulfillment of those words of the Angel:"Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch." Christ [Michael] is revealed as the Redeemer and Deliverer of His people. Now indeed are the remnant "men wondered at," as the tears and humiliation of their pilgrimage give place to joy and honor in the presence of God and the Lamb. "In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem."
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Heb. 10:35-37. "Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts." James 5:7, 8. Compiled and condensed from COL 167-180; ST 11-13-01; RH 6-20-93;1-09-08;9-22-26.