GOD'S PROMISE OF CLEANSING & RESTORATION

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=887801" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=95 BGCOLOR="#330066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="048005f0dkblkv.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preach The Word</b></FONT><B>     </b><B>|    </b><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preach The Word"><U><B>home</b></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Timothy"><U><B>2 Timothy</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B>Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MARK"><U><B>Mark</b></U></A><B>    I    </b><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOPICAL STUDIES"><U><B>Topical Studies</b></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>GOD'S PROMISE OF CLEANSING & RESTORATION</b></div> <div> Zechariah 3:1-10</div> <bR> <div> So in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Chapters 1 & 2</FONT> we've already seen Zechariah's first visions : <B>(1)</b> The Man Among The Myrtle Trees, <B>(2)</b> The 4 Horns & Craftmen, and <B>(3)</b> The Man With a Measuring Line.  These three visions pertain to God's Plan concerning Israel's material and physical need.   He promise to deal once and for all with her enemies and restore their homes and city, Jerusalem.</div> <bR> <div> But an underlying theme that is continuously repeated through out the Bible is the fact that in order for us to receive God's material and physical blessings we must first obtain His Spiritual blessings.  </div> <bR> <div> And our carnal mind has much difficulty with this.  Why? Because human nature is bent on the me, myself and I agenda and so we like to bargain with God.   <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >« Lord, if you give me what I want, if only this once you answer my prayer, then I promise to obey and do whatever you want me to. »</FONT>  But what we don't realize is that what this really is is nothing less than saying, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >« Listen, God. I'm willing to work with you here but let it be clear from the start that my only reason for walking with you is for what I can get out of it.  So, if there's nothing in it for me, I'm not interested. » </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Good ole honest Peter said it straight to Jesus face one day : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« We have left everthing to follow you! What then will there be for us? » Matthew 19 :27</FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Bible says that's what motivates false prophets.  The only reason they're in the ministry is for the money, fame and sex they can get out of it.  </div> <bR> <div> That's how man sees the Christian life : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >« I'm a Christian because God will bless me with a nice car, a new house, good health and a long life of nothing but fun and happiness. »</FONT>  But it's a great big lie.  </div> <bR> <div> If and when God does bless you materially and physically has nothing to do with how great you are but pure Grace.  We will always owe Him far and above we'll ever be able to give Him.  We already have more of His blessings than what we truly deserve.  You see, we don't have a relationship with the Creator and Master of the Universe on our terms but on His terms :  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« Seek </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >first</FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >(God's) Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. » Matt. 6 :33</FONT></div> <bR> <div> This is why Jesus told a religious Jewish leader, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again… Flesh gives birth  to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit… I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? » John 3 : 3, 6, 12</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Pharisees thought they had God's blessing and were sure to go to heaven because they were wealthy, powerful and knew the OT Scriptures.  But Jesus condemned them to Hell.  Why? Because their whole life and heart were focused on the material and physical, but spiritually they didn't know the true and living God. </div> <bR> <div> So it is for all people including the nation Israel.  The only Jews who will participate in the material and physical health and wealth of the Messiah's Kingdom will be those who have been forgiven and cleansed of their sins  through Jesus Christ.  And this is the awesome topic of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Zechariah 3</FONT>.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. GOD'S SERVANT ACCUSED AND GUILTY. (1-3)</b></div> <bR> <div> Here God gives his prophet Zechariah a fourth vision in which the main character is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« Joshua the high priest. »</FONT> And what's very important to note here is how God percieved the high priest of Israel.  Once every year Israel had a high and holy day called <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« The Day of Atonement. »</FONT>  On this most important day, the anointed high priest entered the Holy of holies to offer sacrificial blood for the entire nation.  As he entered he wore on his chest what was called <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« The Breastplate of Judgment. »</FONT> And on this breastplate were 12 precious stones.  One for each tribe of Israel.  Before God the high priest was the designated representative of the nation of Israel. </div> <bR> <div> So in this vision remember this because what happens to Joshua the high priest is a preview of what's going to happen to Israel as a nation. </div> <bR> <div> In <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Zechariah 3 :1-7</FONT> we have a court scene.  The events occur in God's court.  God the Father is sitting in as Judge.  Satan is there as the Accuser.  Joshua is the one being accused.  And Jesus (<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Angel of the Lord</FONT>) is the Advocate defending Joshua against Satan's accusations. </div> <bR> <div> « The accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night. » Revelation 12 :10</div> <bR> <div> His goal is to accuse <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« Joshua the hight priest »</FONT> of not being worthy or qualified for the ministry of high priest.  Satan knows what God requires for the high priest in the law.  The high priest has to be holy and undefiled.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« The highpriest… must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother… because he has been dedicated by the anointing oil of God.  I am the Lord. » Lev. 21 :10-12</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But here Joshua is clearly guilty.  Look at <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >v.3</FONT>.  The hebrew word translated <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« filthy »</FONT> here is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >« human excrement. »</FONT>  In other words, Joshua not only looks bad, he stinks before God.  This is how God sees everybody's sins.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. » Isaiah 64 :6</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So, guess what.. When Satan accuses me and you before God, he's telling the truth.  It's true!  We are dirty and we do stink before a holy God.  And Satan does this so God will curse us to hell.  But here's where Christ pleads our case.</div> <bR> <div> Look at <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 2</FONT>.  This is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« the angel of the Lord »</FONT> pleading Joshua and Israel's case here before God the Father, the Judge.  And look carefully here.  On what basis does Christ defend Joshua's case?  Does he plead God to acquit Joshua on the basis of his innocence? No.  That Satan is lying? No. That Joshua was temporarily insane? No.  That Joshua has been good or faithful? No.  Look at the end of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 2</FONT> again :  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« The Lord, who has </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >chosen</FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" > Jerusalem, rebuke you! »</FONT></div> <bR> <div> What's this? This is Christ defending Israel on the basis of, not what she has done, but what God has done! And what did God do? He <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« has chosen Jerusalem. » </FONT>This is what theologians call <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >« Sovereign and Gracious Choice » </FONT>or <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >« Election ».</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Turn to : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Romans 9 :16-25</FONT></div> <bR> <div> It's the same scenario with you an I today. The only reason God does not curse us and send us to an eternal Hell is because He has chosen us in Christ.  And now when Satan accuses us before God, Christ comes forth and simply says, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >« Your honor, this man/woman is with Me and therefore cannot ever be condemned again because I gave myself and was condemned for him/her. »</FONT> Is this wonderful, or what?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. GOD'S SERVANT CLEANSED AND ACQUITTED. (4-5)</b></div> <bR> <div> So Joshua the high priest, representing God's chosen people Israel, stands before a Holy God as dirty and guilty as can be.  At his right side stands the Master accuser himself, Satan, accusing him with hope that God will be just and condemn him and the whole nation.  But now again comes the Angel of the Lord, Jesus Christ, as Israel's advocate. </div> <bR> <div> And what does Jesus  command concerning the guilty sinner?<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >  « Take off his filthy clothes. »</FONT> which clearly represent Joshua's sin because then he turns to Joshua and says, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« See, I have taken away your sin. »</FONT> And He not only has his sin taken away.  Look at what He says right after : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« And I will put rich garments on you. »</FONT></div> <bR> <div> In other words, taking away the sin is not enough to cleanse him. Sin has to be taken away but righteousness needs to be imputed.  And that's what the <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« rich garments »</FONT> represent.</div> <bR> <div> What's going on here? Salvation! Redemption! Miraculous grace! Israel, represented by her high priest, is acquitted, forgiven, justified, sanctified and accepted by the same Holy God that could have condemned her but didn't.  See the beautiful picture of a God of mercy, love and grace who pardons the guilty, takes away her sin and declares her to be righteous, sinless and beloved.  What a beautiful picture of divine salvation and cleansing. </div> <bR> <div> And today all true Christians have been there where Israel will be when Christ returns. </div> <bR> <div> Remember what God did after Adam and Eve had sinned and for the first time realized they were naked? <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« The Lord God made garments of skin for</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Adam and his wife and clothed them. » Gen. 3 :21</FONT>  They tried to cover themselves with fig leaves but figs can't do much to atone for sin, right? So God sacrificed an innocent animal and <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« made garments of skin »</FONT> for them. </div> <bR> <div> That's why Jesus is called <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« the lamb of God »</FONT>.  Whoever comes to take refuge in Him receives cleansing through His innocent blood and righteousness through His broken body.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« God made (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousnesss of God. » 2 Cor. 5 :21</FONT></div> <bR> <div> « You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. » Galatians 3 :26-27</div> <bR> <div> Turn to : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Isaiah 61 :10</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So then Satan is indeed <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« rebuked »</FONT> by God's great salvation because now Israel is restored to her priestly ministry.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3. GOD'S SERVANT RESTORED FOR SERVICE. (6-7)</b></div> <bR> <div> Here we have Joshua's symbolic recommissioning to ministry.</div> <div> Christ has graciously cleansed and acquitted him to the position of favor with Jehovah.  But now comes his personal commitment and responsibilities.</div> <bR> <div> So in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 7</FONT> Christ gives him 2 conditions that, if he is faithful in them, will bring him 3 results.  The 2 conditions have to do with (1) Personal Attitude and (2) Personal Obedience.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7014000000000.gif" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Attitude</U></b></FONT> : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« If you will walk in my ways. »</FONT> His willful and loving submission to God and God's will.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7014000000000.gif" HEIGHT="21" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Obedience</U></b></FONT> : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« And keep my requirements. »</FONT> His daily commitment to obey God's word.</div> <bR> <div> Christ told Christians the same thing <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >: « If you love me, you will obey what I command. » John 14 :15</FONT></div> <bR> <div> « If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. » 15 :7</div> <bR> <div> In other words, most of God's blessings stored up for you will only be given to you when you obey His word. Here's a good question : How many of God's good blessings am I forfeitging by my refusal to obey what he clearly wants me to do?</div> <bR> <div> Concerning Joshua, Christ said when he fulfills these 2 conditions 3 great blessings will unfold for him : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >(1)</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« Then you will govern my house. »</FONT> God will grant him the unique privilege of exercising authority over the Temple of God. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >(2)</FONT> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« You will… have charge of my courts »</FONT> He'll be the designated official for overseeing the temple courts according to the law of Moses <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >(3)</FONT>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« I will give you a place among these standing here. »</FONT>  Those who stand in God's presence are His angels.  Joshua will have the unique privilege of access into the very presence of the Master Creator of the Universe where angels dwell.</div> <bR> <div> Lesson :  Obedience is required if God is to bless us abundantly.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4. A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME. (8-10)</b></div> <bR> <div> What we've just witnessed is really a preview of what is still to come for the nation of Israel. Read<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" > verse 8.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Here in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verses 8-9</FONT> we have a prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.  Christ is given 3 titles here that refer to 3 great aspects of His personality and Work.  His 3 titles are : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >(1)</FONT>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« THE SERVANT »</FONT>,  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >(2)</FONT>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« THE BRANCH »</FONT> and <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" >(3)</FONT>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« THE STONE »</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« I am going to bring my servant »(8)</FONT>.  The prophet Isaiah is reknown for calling Christ God's servant.  This title of Christ refers to His total submission to God the Father.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. » Mark 10 :45.  (Isaiah 42 :1; 50 :10; Phil. 2 :6-8)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« I am going to bring my servant, the Branch (8).</FONT>  This title refers to his genealogical tree.  He is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« the branch »</FONT> in the geanoligical tree of king David.  He is « THE » Branch, « THE » King, who will sit forever on David's throne as stipulated in the Davidic Covenant. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >(Isaiah 4 :2;11 :1; Jer. 25 :5)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Read : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 9</FONT>.  Christ is often refered to as <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« the stone »</FONT> when refering to His Coming to Judge all unbelievers and setting up God's kingdom on the Earth. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >(Ps. 118 :12; Isa.28 :16; 1 Cor.3 :11; 1 Peter 5 :7; Dan. 2 :34-35)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> What's going to happen when this <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« SERVANT »</FONT>, this <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« BRANCH »</FONT>, this <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« STONE »</FONT> of God finally returns to this dark and sin infested world? Look at the end of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 9</FONT> : <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >« I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. »</FONT> He's going to do with Israel what He just did with Joshua : Take her sin away and clothe her in His righteousness.  Result? <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Verse 10</FONT> : Peace and Prosperity for Israel. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14</div> <bR> <div> Amen and God Bless You All. </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>