PRÉCIS ON THE GRACE OF GOD TO PREPARE RANK SINNERS TO NOBLE SERVICE

SCRIPTURE. “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy (nauseatingly vile) garments and was standing before the Angel [of the Lord]. He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ And He said to Joshua, ‘See, I have caused your wickedness to be taken away from you, and I will clothe and beautify you with rich robes [of forgiveness].’

And I (Zechariah) said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with [rich] garments. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.” – ZECHARIAH 3:3-5, AMP

KEY TERM: “RICH ROBES.” ‘Machalatsah’ [מַחֲלָצֽוֹת׃]: “This term designates an outer garment of special quality—an over-robe or change of clothes reserved for formal occasions. While Hebrew possesses several words for clothing, מַחֲלָצָה is distinct in pointing to attire that is both valuable and symbolically charged, marking status, joy, or cleansing.”

QUOTATION. “The Cross is laid on every Christian. The fFrst Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the ‘Call to Abandon’ the attachments of this world. It is that Dying of the Old Man which is the result of his Encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship, we Surrender ourselves to Christ in union with His Death—we give over our lives to death. Thus, it begins; the Cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our Communion with Christ. ‘When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.’” ― DIETRICH BONHOEFFER, The Cost of Discipleship, 1937; edited

COMMENTARY. The Angel [of the Lord, the Pre-Incarnate Christ] showed Joshua, the high priest, to Zechariah, in a Vision. Guilt and Corruption are great discouragements when we stand before God. By the guilt of the sins committed by us, we are liable to the Justice of God; by the power of sin that dwells in us, we are hateful to the Holiness of God. Even God’s Israel are in danger on these accounts; but they have relief from Jesus Christ, Who is made of God to us both Righteousness and Sanctification.

‘Joshua, the High Priest, is accused as a criminal, but is justified.’ When we stand before God, to minister to him, or stand up for God, we must expect to meet all the resistance Satan’s subtlety and malice can give. Satan is checked by One that has conquered him, and many times silenced him. Those who belong to Christ, will find Him ready to appear for them, when Satan appears most strongly against them …

‘Christ loathed the filthiness of Joshua’s garments yet did not put him away.’ Thus, God by His Grace does with those whom He chooses to be priests to Himself. The guilt of sin is taken away by pardoning mercy, and the power of it is broken by renewing grace. Thus Christ washes those from their sins in His own Blood, whom he makes kings and priests to our God.

‘Those whom Christ makes Spiritual Priests, are clothed with the spotless Robe of His Righteousness, and appear before God in that.’ And with the Graces of His Spirit, which are ornaments to them. The righteousness of saints, both imputed and implanted, is the fine linen, clean and white, with which the bride, the Lamb’s wife, is arrayed, Revelation 19:8. Joshua is restored to former honours and trusts. The crown of the priesthood is put on him. When the Lord designs to restore and revive Religion, he stirs up Prophets and people to pray for it.” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

DK’S TAKE. While the American Church has taught us a form of the Prosperity Gospel for generations, offering Divine Promises for endless spiritual security, material success and gain, and a life nearly like Heaven on the Earth, the ‘True Call of a True Disciple’ is very different indeed.

Consider this as FOLLOWUP to the Commentary preceding it titled, “Special Précis on God’s Formation of His Last Days Army” (Wed. Oct. 8, 2025). It is adapted from an essay by “AUDREY” for Holy Sojourners, title: “1 John: The Marks of a True Christian” (Sep. 29, 2019; edited).

MARK #1: DEITY OF CHRIST. “‘Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God’ (1 John 4:15). Christology is what sets Christianity apart from other world religions. Some religions and cults claim Jesus was only a teacher or a prophet; Mormons do not believe He is one being with the Father, and Jehovah’s Witnesses believe He is an Archangel. And even people who profess to be Christians do not all believe in the Jesus of the Scriptures. Some believe He was only a man, one of many ways to go to Heaven, a manifestation of God, etc. But a True Christian believes Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1 states, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.” It’s more than merely reciting the Sinner’s Prayer or having intellectual knowledge. It’s truly believing in your heart what God says about Jesus (1 John 5:11) and having faith in Him (1 John 5:12).”

MARK #2: OBEDIENCE TO COMMANDMENTS. “‘Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God and God in him’ (1 John 3:24a). A Child of God Obeys the Father’s Commandments. However, we do not get saved because we keep God’s commandments. Instead, we Obey God’s Commandments because we are saved, and we love He who saved us. 1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.’ Anyone who disregards God’s Commandment cannot have been born of Him, because God’s children love the Father and earnestly desire to please Him. 1 John 2:3-4 says, “By this, we know that we have come to know him if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, “I know Him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” DK: As most of you know, in rebuttal to the OSAS Heresy, I also teach that those so-called “Christians” who will not obey God’s Law are no longer believers, having “fallen away from the faith” (cf. Matt. 24:10-12; . 6:4-6; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Thess. 2:1-3 etc.).

MARK #3: REJECTION OF THE WORLD. “‘Do not love the world or the things of the world; if anyone loves the world; the love of the Father is not in him’ (1 John 2:15). A True Christian does not love the World nor the things of the World (1 John 2:16). Instead, he seeks to do God’s Will and have Eternal Life (1 John 2:17). The World and God are so antagonistic that if you are friends with the World, you are an Enemy of God (James 4:4). Likewise, if you are a Child of God, the World hates you (1 John 3:13). You can either be Godly or Worldly, but you cannot be both.”

MARK #4: REPENTANCE FROM SIN. “‘No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God’ (1 John 3:9). God is holy and calls His children to be holy like Him. Anyone who makes a habit of sinning doesn’t know God, nor abide in Him (1 John 3:6). It doesn’t mean Christians will never sin; it means they cannot willingly continue in sin without repenting from it. We can’t keep on sinning because Christ came to take away sins (1 John 3:5), and protects us from it (1 John 5:18). Furthermore, a child of God practices righteousness because God is righteous. 1 John 2:29 says, ‘If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. Whoever does not practice righteousness and keep on sinning is not a child of God, but a child of the devil’ (1 John 3:10).”

MARK #5: LOVE FOR OTHERS. “‘Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love’ (1 John 4:7-8). God’s Nature is Love, and anyone born of Him must also love. 1 John 4:12 says, ‘No one has ever seen God, if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.’ Itis possible for Non-Christians to love others, but only a true Christian can love others as God loves. And this is how God loves us: selflessly. He sent His only Son into the world to be the Propitiation of our sins (1 John 4:9-10). As Christ laid down His life for us, so should we for our [true] brothers [as over against those who are false brethren that proliferate in the Last Days] (cf. Matt. 24:10-12; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 3:16). ‘Anyone who hates his [true] brother does not have eternal life in them’ (1 John 3:15).”

AUDREY’S CLOSE. “Friend, it is the LAST HOUR, and Jesus is Coming soon. Prayerfully examine yourself and make sure you are a True Christian while you still can. Don’t let His Return take you unaware, but Prepare yourself so that you may receive the Lord with confidence (1 John 2:28).”

Regardless of your current condition, all He asks is for your heart’s willingness to DO whatever He says. Give Him that fully and make ready for the most extraordinary life imaginable.

Become a Soldier in His courageous Last Days Army in this Hour of the Beast, beloved. Even now, though the hour is late. Jesus has said it: “So the last will be first, and the first last. Formany are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16, NKJV).

There is still a little time.