Sometimes I forget I am involved in a galactic battle or a battle for the universe; a battle between good and evil, God and Satan. One way Satan battles God is in accusing God's followers of being too sinful to be saved.
"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him."
But The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
Then God took Joshua's dirty clothes off (which represents our sin) and put new, clean clothes on him (representing Jesus' sinless life). Zechariah 3:1.2
"For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment..." Isaiah 64:6
After Moses died, Satan appeared at the grave and argued with the archangel Michael (whom most commentators say is Christ). Satan probably argued Moses had sinned before he died and therefore should not go to heaven.
"But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 1:9
...for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10
Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31,32
It seems Satan had demanded God give Simon Peter to him. Peter made many mistakes; he relied on his own ideas and thought he was right. But Jesus knew Peter could learn and change and refused to hand him over to Satan. Jesus does this for all of us. He himself actually prays to the Father for us to have faith and not give up in our struggles.
I'll write more on this subject in the next blog.
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