0367. RESCUED FROM THE FIRE.

RESCUED FROM THE FIRE.

"Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" (Zec_3:2).

Joshua here may represent a fallen and degraded priesthood. The vision is a transformation scene. The one who has taken his stand before the messenger of the Lord in his filthy garments is seen to be cleansed, pardoned, clothed, and crowned, and declared to be a "brand plucked out of the fire."

I. The Fire an Emblem of Sin.

1. Fire like sin, is very subtle. It is not easily dealt with. You cannot touch it without smarting for it. Who can weigh it or measure it?

2. Fire, like sin, is very destructive. Its tendency is to change and destroy all that abide within its influence. It may have fascinations, as the flame has for the moth, bat its end is death.

II. The Brand an Emblem of the Sinner.

1. A brand is quite fit for the fire. The nature of the one is exactly suited to the nature of the other. Sinners love sin, and roll it under the tongue as a sweet morsel. The brand and the fire never quarrel, but water is its sworn enemy, and so is blood.

2. A brand in the fire is in a perishing state. The process may be slow, but the end is certain destruction. To be living in sin is to be living in a perishing condition (Joh_3:18). The brand is utterly unable to help itself; it is entirely at the disposal of the consuming flame. "Not by works of righteousness which we have dons."

III. The Plucking Out Emblematic of Salvation.

"Is not this a brand plucked out?" There are two ways of saving a brand from the fire. By plucking it out or by quenching the fire. Christ our great Deliverer has done both; He has put away our sins, and plucked us out of the kingdom of Satan.

1. It was sudden. "Plucked." Snatched up out of the devouring element in a moment. One moment in the place of death, the next saved. The Son of Man saves suddenly. "This day is salvation come to this house" (Luk_19:9). There is life for a look.

2. It was complete. "Plucked out." It was not taken half out. Some seem satisfied with merely getting turned in the fire instead of getting turned out of it. If sin is not to have dominion over us we must get separated from it.

Autor: James Smith