The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 485

evinced in the heavenly courts when the names entered in the book of
life come up in review before the Judge of all the earth. The divine
Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith
in His blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to
their E den home, and crowned as joint heirs with Himself to “the first
dominion.” Micah 4:8. Satan in his efforts to deceive and tempt our race
had thought to frustrate the divine plan in man’s creation; but Christ now
asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He
asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete,
but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne.
While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses
them before God as transgressors. The great deceiver has sought to
lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to
separate themselves from His love, and to break His law. Now he points
to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to
Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has
tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his
subjects.
Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and
faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands
before the Father and the holy angels, saying: I know them by name.
I have graven them on the palms of My hands. “The sacrifices of
God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou
wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17. And to the accuser of His people He
declares: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath
chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the
fire?” Zechariah 3:2. Christ will clothe His faithful ones with His
own righteousness, that He may present them to His Father “a glorious
church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Ephesians 5:27.
Their names stand enrolled in the book of life, and concerning them it
is written: “They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.”
Revelation 3:4.

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