prophets and kings-第92节
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eward those who have been guilty of the same sins？ Thou canst not do this； O Lord； in justice。 Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against them。〃
But while the followers of Christ have sinned； they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies。 They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition； and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf。 He who has been most abused by their ingratitude； who knows their sin and also their penitence； declares： 〃The Lord rebuke thee； O Satan。 I gave My life for these souls。 They are graven upon the palms of My hands。 They may have imperfections of character； they may have failed in their endeavors； but they have repented； and I have forgiven and accepted them。〃
The assaults of Satan are strong； his delusions are subtle； 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 will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire。 Their earthliness will be removed； that through them the image of Christ may be perfectly revealed。
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At times the Lord may seem to have forgotten the perils of His church and the injury done her by her enemies。 But God has not forgotten。 Nothing in this world is so dear to the heart of God as His church。 It is not His will that worldly policy shall corrupt her record。 He does not leave His people to be overcome by Satan's temptations。 He will punish those who misrepresent Him； but He will be gracious to all who sincerely repent。 To those who call upon Him for strength for the development of Christian character； He will give all needed help。
In the time of the end the people of God will sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land。 With tears they will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law； and with unutterable sorrow they will humble themselves before the Lord in penitence。 The wicked will mock their sorrow and ridicule their solemn appeals。 But 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； because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity； that they discern so clearly the exceeding sinfulness of sin。 Meekness and lowliness are the conditions of success and victory。 A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross。
God's faithful； praying ones are； as it were； shut in with Him。 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 the eyes of God's children be opened as were the eyes of Elisha's servant at
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Dothan； they would see angels of God encamped about them； holding in check the hosts of darkness。
As the people of God afflict their souls before Him； pleading for purity of heart； the command is given； 〃Take away the filthy garments；〃 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。〃 Zechariah 3：4。 The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried； tempted； 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。 A 〃fair miter〃 is set upon their heads。
While Satan has been urging his accusations； holy angels； unseen； have been passing to and fro； placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God。 These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb； having the Father's name written in their foreheads。 They sing the new song before the throne； that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth。 〃These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth。 These were redeemed from among men； being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb。 And in their mouth was found no guile： for they are without fault before the throne of God。〃 Revelation 14：4； 5。
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Now is reached the complete fulfillment of the 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。〃 Zechariah 3：8。 Christ 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 everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem。〃 Isaiah 4：2； 3。
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Chapter 48
〃Not by Might； nor by Power〃
Immediately after Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel； the prophet received a message regarding the work of Zerubbabel。 〃The Angel that talked with me；〃 Zechariah declares； 〃came again； and waked me； as a man that is wakened out of his sleep； and said unto me； What seest thou？ And I said； I have looked； and behold a candlestick all of gold； with a bowl upon the top of it； and his seven lamps thereon； and seven pipes to the seven lamps； which are upon the top thereof： and two olive trees by it； one upon the right side of the bowl； and the other upon the left side thereof。
〃So I answered and spake to the Angel that talked with me； saying； What are these； my Lord？ 。 。 。 Then He answered and spake unto me； saying； This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel； saying； Not by might； nor by power； but by My Spirit； saith the Lord of hosts。〃
〃Then answered I； and said unto Him； What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and
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upon the left side thereof？ And I answered again； and said unto Him； What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves？ 。 。 。 Then said He； These are the two anointed ones； that stand by the Lord of the whole earth。〃 Zechariah 4：1…6； 11…14。
In this vision the two olive trees which stand before God are represented as emptying the golden oil out of themselves through golden tubes into the bowl of the candlestick。 From this the lamps of the sanctuary are fed； that they may give a bright； continuous light。 So from the anointed ones that stand in God's presence the fullness of divine light and love and power is imparted to His people； that they may impart to others light and joy and refreshing。 Those who are thus enriched are to enrich others with the treasure of God's love。
In rebuilding the house of the Lord； Zerubbabel had labored in the face of manifold difficulties。 From the beginning； adversaries had 〃weakened the hands of the people of Judah； and troubled them in building；〃 〃and made them to cease by force and power。〃 Ezra 4：4； 23。 But the Lord had interposed in behalf of the builders； and now He spoke through His prophet to Zerubbabel； saying； 〃Who art thou； O great mountain？ before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain： and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings； crying； Grace； grace unto it。〃 Zechariah 4：7。
Throughout the history of God's people great mountains of difficulty； apparently insurmountable； have loomed up before those who were trying to carry out the purposes of
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Heaven。 Such obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith。 When we are hedged about on every side； this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Spirit。 The exercise of a living faith means an increase of spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust。 It is thus that the soul becomes a conquering power。 Before the demand of faith； the obstacles placed by Satan across the pathway of the Christian will disappear； for the powers of heaven will come to his aid。 〃Nothing shall be impossible unto you。〃 Matthew 17：20。
The way of the world is to begin with pomp and boasting。 God's way is to make the day of small things the beginning of the glorious triumph of truth and righteousness。 Sometimes He trains His workers by bringing to them disappointment and apparent failure。 It is His purpose that they shall learn to master difficulties。
Often men are tempted to falter before the perplexities and obstacles that confront them。 But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end； God will make the way clear。 Success will come to them as they stru
