Revelation 3:18 - Have You Picked Up You Gold, White Raiment And Eyesalve From Jesus?
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and
that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes
with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:18 (KJV)
Refers to three items in which Laodicea took great pride:
financial wealth, an extensive textile industry and a famous eye salve.
[NIV SB]
The gold tried in the fire is faith that works by love. Only
this can bring us into harmony with God. COL158
True grace, which is of inestimable value, and which will endure
the test of trial and adversity, is only obtained through faith and
humble, prayerful obedience. Graces that endure the proofs of affliction
and persecution, and evidence their soundness and sincerity, are the
gold which is tried in the fire and found genuine. 4T88,9
When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His
heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His
mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His
life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His
righteousness. COL310-12
The True Witness counsels us to buy of Him gold tried in the
fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as having
been tried in the fire is faith and love. It makes the heart rich;
for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it is tested
the more brilliant is its luster. The white raiment is purity of
character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is
indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ
for a life of willing obedience. The eyesalve is that wisdom and
grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and
to detect sin under any guise. 4T88,9
Laodicea was known for its great wealth--but Christ told the
Laodiceans to buy their gold from him (real spiritual treasures). The city
was proud of its cloth and dyeing industries--but Christ told them
to purchase white clothes from him (his righteousness). Laodicea
prided itself on its precious eye salve that healed many eye
problems--but Christ told them to get medicine from him to heal their eyes so
they could see the truth (John 9:39). Christ was showing the
Laodiceans that true value was not in material possessions, but in a right
relationship with God. Their possessions and achievements were valueless
compared with the everlasting future of Christ's kingdom. [Life
Application SB]
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