In chapter 3 of the book bearing his name, the prophet Zechariah describes an amazing vision in which he was shown “Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?’ Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ And to him he said, ‘Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel.’ And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments; and the angel of the Lord was standing by” (3:1–5, RSV).

Here we find a scene of judgment.

Joshua was the high priest of Israel after their return from the Babylonian captivity. In the vision presented to the prophet Zechariah, Joshua, representing God’s people, was clothed with filthy rags, a symbol of sin of the people and of his own sins. The Angel of the Lord is Christ Himself. Satan was doing what is his best: accusing Joshua and God’s people. Joshua couldn’t deny Satan’s accusation, but he presented the faith and repentance of Israel, trusting in the mercy and grace of Christ.

The Angel of the Lord, Christ, rebuked Satan and gave orders that the filthy garments of Joshua should be removed, and that he should be clothed with glorious apparel. In other words, Joshua and Israel were justified. Their sins were forgiven. Being justified before the Lord, Joshua received the following instruction:

“ ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here’ ” (verse 7, RSV).

“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’ (verse 4). The spotless robe of Christ’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. They are to be as kings and priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them 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 firstfruits 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).”1

Being sealed is equivalent to being covered by the righteousness of Christ forever, and to possess the same righteousness in the practical life.

The vision of Zechariah 3 has an application to God’s people in these last days. The sealing work is directly connected with the work presented to Zechariah.

Joshua with filthy rags represents the condition of God’s people as they face the judgment. As Joshua humbles himself before God, confessing his sins and the sins of the people whom he represents as high priest, the order is given: “Take away the filthy garments from him.” What is the meaning of this order? “I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of garment” (Zechariah 3:4).

What happens when Satan is accusing those who are connected with Christ by living faith? “While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God.”

“The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character.”2

When we are justified by faith, “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,” the Holy Spirit starts the work of sanctification, and we are transformed to the likeness of Jesus.

“We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

As we keep looking unto Jesus, the Spirit of God works in us to print in our character the righteousness of Christ.

“The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus. He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto him. If the eye is kept fixed on Christ, the work of the Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image. The pure element of love will expand the soul, giving it a capacity for higher attainments, for increased knowledge of heavenly things, so that it will not rest short of the fullness. ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled’ (Matthew 5:6).”3