Promise Land Ministry

JOSHUA the High Priest

    The children of Israel had been called out of Babylon, but  "only a remnant had chosen to return from Babylon"(P&P p. 568) to help restore and build Jerusalem.

    The king decreed, "The Elohim that hath caused His name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of Elohim which is at Jerusalem, I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed." Ezra 6:12.  Thus YAHUWAH prepared the way for the completion of the temple. 

    "For months before this decree was made, the Israelites had kept on working by faith, the prophets of (Elohim) still helping them by means of timely messages, through which the divine purposes for Israel was kept before the workers.  Two months after Haggai's last recorded message was delivered, Zechariah had a series of visions regarding the work of (Elohim) in the earth.  These messages, given in the form of parables and symbols, came at a time of great uncertainty and anxiety, and were of peculiar significance to the men who were advancing in the name of the (Elohim) of Israel." Patriarchs & Prophets p. 579-580

    "Now all these things happened unto them for types: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." I Corinthians 10:11 margin

    So we must ask ourselves, Who are the ones advancing in the name of the Elohim of Israel in our time?  They are repairers of the breach, restorer of paths to dwell in (Isaiah 58:12).  They have advanced from Jehovah, to Yahweh, and then advanced to Yahuah and on to Yahuwah as light continued to shine.

    "The steady advancement made by the builders of the temple greatly discomfited and alarmed the hosts of evil.  Satan determined to put forth still further efforts to weaken and discourage (Elohim's) people by holding before them their imperfections of character. If those who had long suffered because of transgression could again be induced to disregard (Elohim's) commandments, they would be brought once more under the bondage of sin.

    "Because Israel had been chosen to preserve the knowledge of (Elohim) in the earth, they had ever been the special objects of Satan's enmity; he was determined to cause their destruction.  While they were obedient, he could do them no harm; therefore he had bent all his power and cunning to entice them into sin.  Ensnared by his temptations, they had transgressed the law of (Elohim) and been left to become the prey of their enemies.

    "Yet though they were carried away as captives to Babylon, (Elohim) did not forsake them.  He sent His prophets to them with reproofs and warnings, and aroused them to see their guilt." P&P p. 582.  Now that they had humbled themselves before Elohim with true repentance, the work of restoration had begun.

    In vision Zechariah beholds  "Joshua the high priest", "clothed with filthy garments" (Zechariah 3:1, 3) and standing before the angel of YAHUWAH and Satan boldly standing at his right hand to be his adversary, while Joshua pleads for the favor of YAHUWAH.

    "The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan's accusations.  He does not claim that Israel is free from fault.  In filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, and relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer.  In faith he claims the promises of (Elohim).

    "Then the Angel, who is (Messiah) Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to silence the accuser of His people, declaring  "(YAHUWAH) rebuke thee, O Satan; even YAHUWAH that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" Verse 2.

    "As the intercession of Joshua is accepted, the command is given, 'Take away the filthy garments from him;' and to Joshua the Angel says, 'Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment'.  'So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments' Verse 4, 5." Patriarchs & Prophets p. 584, 585

    The miter placed upon Joshua's head was such as was worn by the priests, and bore the inscription "Holiness to YAHUWAH" (Exodus 28:36).

    Joshua the high priest was a type of YAHUSHUA the real High Priest  in the heavenly sanctuary, who represented Israel before the Father.  Joshua is called Jesus in Acts 7:45 & Hebrews 4:8 (See Exodus 17:9 margin KJV), and in Numbers 13:16 Joshua is called Jehoshua, where we can see the concept of the Fathers name being involved, which most know as  "Jehovah", but originally it was YAHUWAH as verified from comparing Scriptural themes such as the  "Elijah" story whose name in Hebrew is Eliyahu, not Elijeho! See I Kings 17:1 margin

    "'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.' Verse 8.  In the Branch, the Deliverer to come, lay the hope of Israel. 

 It was by faith in the coming Saviour that Joshua and his people had received pardon.  Through faith in (Messiah) they had been restored to (Elohim's) favor.  By virtue of His merits, if they walked in His ways, and kept His statutes, they would be  'men wondered at', honored as the chosen of Heaven among the nations of the earth." P&P p. 585

    "The promise given to Joshua is given to all: 'If thou wilt keep My charge, . . . I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.' Zechariah 3:7

    "Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of (Elohim's) people in the closing scenes of the great day of atonement

 The remnant church will then be brought into great trial and distress.  Those who keep the commandments of (Elohim) and the faith of (YAHUSHUA) will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts.  Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has gained control  even of many professing (Messiahans).  But here is a little company who 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 of (Elohim).  Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law." P&P p. 588, 589