[Biblemat] A> The Accuser

[Steven C. Harper]

From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. 
Editor: Steven Harper 
April 29, 2007

The Accuser

 

     Last week, we closed out the article by mentioning the fact that the Greek word translated as accuser in the New Testament is one applied by the ancient rabbis to the devil himself (cf. Rev. 12:10). The term's application is certainly appropriate in light of how God also applies this name to the devil in the text above, for it is there we are told he acted as "the accuser of our brothers" and one "who accuses them day and night before our God." But this is not the only place in the Scriptures we see him busy at the work of accusing God's people.

     In the days of the prophets and during the return of the Israelites from captivity, Zechariah was shown a vision of "Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him" (Zech. 3:1). It is interesting to note the position of Satan in this vision: at the right hand of Joshua, the high priest. Normally, a man at one's right hand is a defender and closest ally [hence our saying about someone being one's "right-hand man"], but in his place now stands not a friend, but a bitter enemy. Joshua stood before God with no one to defend him, but with an enemy who would gladly testify against him. Satan would have loved to have "disqualified" Joshua to lead the work of rebuilding the temple and re-establishing the worship of the Lord, and he anxiously awaited his turn to speak before the Lord so he could tear Joshua's reputation to shreds and expose him for what he was: a failure!

     But the Lord would hear not even one word of Satan's accusation against Joshua, rebuking him instead (v. 2) and instead of allowing Joshua's failings to hinder him, the Lord replaced his filthy garments [representing his iniquities] with rich robes and a clean turban (vv. 3-5). The Lord Himself stood in defense of the one who would be accused and cut short the devil's work and left him with no opportunity to accuse one of God's own people. [There are some spiritual parallels we should not miss in this scene which are worthy of some serious consideration.]

     Probably the most familiar story of the devil's accusatory work is found in the story of Job. At the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Job as one who "would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, 'It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.' Thus Job did continually" (Job 1:5). Then, we are favored with God's own view of Job when, one day as the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also appears, God said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" (1:8). But Satan was not convinced, apparently. To Satan, Job was serving God only because God had blessed him materially to the point he was figuratively "hedged around" and protected from any harm (1:9, 10) and he challenged God's assessment of Job by finally stating, "But stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to your face" (1:11). Satan has accused Job of insincere service and superficial faith, and proposed that Job would deny God if all those things were taken away!

     Of course, we know that Satan's accusation was wrong [as it always is]. Though Job suffered some great personal losses, we find that Job responded by tearing his robe, shaving his head, and falling to the ground to worship (1:20). We also find "In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (1:22). Though charged with wrong thinking and of superficially serving God, Job proved himself by his reaction to the personal losses and drew closer to God instead of abandoning Him!

     And, of course, this did not satisfy Satan. If the first accusation was wrong, surely there must have been another, more sinister motive! [The old "throw everything up against the wall until something sticks" strategy.] So, Satan once again challenges God's assessment of Job and this time says Job will deny God and curse Him if his personal health was taken from him (2:4, 5). God permitted Satan to strike Job, but restrained him from taking his life. The challenge was on once again! Whose assessment of Job would be proven true? Would Job remain faithful?

     Before we get to the answer [which we probably already know], consider the fact that God does not lie (Titus 1:2) and you can know who will be proven right! But we know the story: Satan's accusations were proven wrong once again! Though even his own wife encouraged him to curse God and die (2:9), Job steadfastly refused and we once again read, "In all this Job did not sin with his lips" (2:10). He would later say to his "friends" who had come to comfort him, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (13:15). Friends and brethren, that is faith!

     Now, let us fast forward a few thousand years. The scene is now located at the throne of God for the final Judgment of man. Here is where "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Cor. 5:10) and it is known that we "all are naked and exposed" and none can hide from Him (Heb. 4:13). We also know that in this Judgment, "every secret thing, whether good or evil" will be brought out (Eccl. 12:14) and God "will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart" (1 Cor. 4:5). It will not be as some earthly courtrooms where evidence is suppressed and some facts will not be known to the Judge; nothing will be hidden - not even our thoughts and motives!

     With these facts known, our accuser is well-prepared for a conviction of guilt for every man because he also knows "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). He is counting on this being a "slam dunk" case where all he has to do is trot out the evidence and the facts and stand aside while all men are condemned to spend eternity in torment as punishment with him in the place God has prepared for him and his angels (Matt. 25:41). Fulfilling the title of accuser [again, the Greek word literally translated means one who stands against another in the assembly], he stands against every man, much to the surprise of many who fell for his deceptions on earth and believed he was their best friend. Now, he has exposed himself for who he really is: a traitor, liar, deceiver, and their final accuser. Many will hang their head in bitter disappointment because they thought they were going to get away with murder [for some, this was taken literally].

     But some there will quietly listen to the accusations of transgressing God's will - accusations which they know to be true - and they will not be disheartened at all. These are the ones who died in Christ. These individuals, though they had sinned, know that because of Christ's death and because they had obeyed the gospel, those sins were wiped away (Eph. 1:7) and God remembered them no more (Heb. 8:12). They died, knowing that they would one day stand before God in Judgment, but they also knew that if they had obeyed the gospel and if, after obeying the gospel, they repented of those sins, those sins would not be held against them anymore (1 John 1:9). They knew the price was paid for their sins in the death of Jesus on the cross (1 Cor. 15:3).

     Those who lived for Christ on earth knew that one day when they stood before Christ in Judgment, they would have an accuser who would be ready to eagerly and vehemently condemn them before Christ. But they also knew that they would also have an Advocate to speak for them (1 John 2:1). They knew that for every accusation made against His faithful followers, Christ would point back to His own sacrifice and say, "Case dismissed."

            In the final Judgment, will you have someone to stand for you, or will you stand alone (Matt. 10:32, 33)?          -- Steven Harper
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