Buying Eyesalve

Excerpt from Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith

The Eyesalve.--

On the eyesalve there is as little room for a diversity of opinion as upon the white raiment.

The anointing of the eyes is certainly not to be taken in a literal sense, for reference is being made to spiritual things. The eyesalve must denote that by which our spiritual discernment is quickened. There is but one agent revealed to us in the word of God by which this is accomplished, and that is the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 10: 38 we read that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost."

The same writer through whom came this Revelation from Jesus Christ which we are studying, wrote to the church in his first epistle, as follows: "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. . . . But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." 1 John 2: 20, 27.

By referring to his Gospel, it is found that the work which John here sets forth as accomplished by the anointing is exactly the same that he there attributes to the Holy Spirit.

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14: 26 (See also John 16: 13.)

Thus in a formal and solemn manner are we counseled by the faithful and true Witness, under the figures of gold, white raiment, and eyesalve, to seek from Him an increase of the heavenly graces of faith, hope, charity, that righteousness which He alone can furnish, and an unction from the Holy Spirit.

But how is it possible that a people lacking these things should think themselves rich and increased with goods?

A plausible inference may here be drawn, which is perhaps also a necessary one, as there is room for no other. It will be observed that no fault is found with the Laodiceans on account of the doctrines they hold. They are not accused of harboring a Jezebel in their midst, or countenancing the doctrines of Balaam, or the Nicolaitanes. So far as we can learn, their belief is correct, and their doctrine sound. The inference therefore is that having a correct doctrine, they are content.

They are satisfied with a correct form of religion without its power.

Having received light concerning the closing events of the gospel era, and having a correct theoretical knowledge of the truths that pertain to the last generation of men, they are inclined to rest in this to the neglect of spiritual power which changes the life and builds strong character.

 It is by their actions, doubtless, not by their words, that they say they are rich and increased with good.

Having so much light and so much truth, what can they want besides? If they defend the theory, and as far as their outward life is concerned, conform to the increasing light upon the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, is not their righteousness complete? Are they not rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing? Here is their FAILURE. Their whole being should cry out for the spirit, the zeal, the fervency, the life, the power of a living Christianity.

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More on this tomorrow, by the grace of God!

In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Buy of Christ- White Raiment

Buy of Christ-

WHITE RAIMENT

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Rev 3:18  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.

Yesterday we talked about the gold tried in fire, and truly we need from our Savior the very things that save us- FAITH and LOVE.  Our SAVIOR SAVES us, we do NOT save ourselves. We must BUY of CHRIST, He alone can give us what we need!

4. The White Raiment- 

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

OUR righteousnesses are FILTHY RAGS.

Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

Zec 3:4  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Zec 3:5  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

We are CLOTHED BY CHRIST!  Christ alone has the clothing we need! Christ alone can give us freely the white raiment.  We are clothed in filthy rags! We have NO righteousness of our own, NONE!  In the beginning our first parents were clothed in the light of God's righteousness. It was ONLY after they'd sin that they lost that clothing of God's light, God's righteousness and became naked. Only through buying of Christ the white raiment can we HOPE to be clothed once more in HIS righteousness, our filthy rags stripped from us and replaced by Christ!

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Please Father in heaven, please, we would be arrayed in the righteousness of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord! Please, we would buy of Him the white raiment!

Spiritual Gold

I keep saying we're going to study more in-depth, and I want to, but I don't want that meaning we are just rereading the same stuff over and over. I'm going to try, by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit, to pick out a few of the many things we need to comprehend more deeply and hopefully expound upon them. But first, the Bible verses we are studying more-

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Rev 3:18  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 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Points to ponder-

1. We can comprehend easily enough how one can believe they have riches, goods, and need nothing, when in truth they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Spiritual wealth is not something we measure as most measure their material wealth. We can think we are spiritually rich too, but in truth be spiritually destitute. This happens when we don't have a heart relationship with our God, with our Savior, but rather a relationship in name only.  When our relationship with God is in name only- we are NOT known by our Savior. We fall among the many who are false believers. Our Savior tells us emphatically that we will SAY we are rich and need nothing when we ARE REALLY wretched and in need of everything. We MUST examine our spirituality! Seriously! EXAMINE your spirituality! Are you in need? Have you bought of Christ all you need spiritually?

2. We must BUY of CHRIST. And the first step to buying anything of Christ is ACKNOWLEDGING our NEED of what ONLY CHRIST can give us! Can you buy without a need? Sure. People buy stuff for perceived future needs. People buy stuff because they want, without needing. But if you NEED something, you know why you need that something. You will not you need anything, without knowing your need. Even if the need is as simple as satisfying a desire, a need to satisfy that desire. You know why you need. And to buy something from someone- you know why you need to do that, right? To buy of CHRIST we have to know what we need from Him, we have to know what He has to offer us,  what He and He alone CAN give to us that no other can give.

Christ alone can give us 'gold tried in the fire', 'eyesalve', 'white raiment'.  NO other can give us these things, no one!

When we acknowledge we have this need to buy from Christ, we must ASK Him for these things! We must ask Him.  Have you ever asked a person how much they wanted for something- fully expecting to have to pay for the thing you want only to be told to take it at no cost? The intent, the expectation was buying, it was having to pay for something. We are to buy from Christ with the same comprehension. We are in NEED of what He has to give to us, but we can't pay for it. When we ASK for what we need, He will give it to us freely, at no cost to us, He will absorb the cost Himself. He will gladly give us ALL we need comprehending we have nothing to pay with. We do not have anything of spiritual worth except what He can give to us. He does not NEED anything we have to offer Him in exchange for what we NEED of Him. We do NEED to buy it though with the comprehension we need these things so greatly it's as if we needed them desperately enough to pay for them. They are WORTH so much, these spiritual needs are to be prized greatly, they are to be comprehended as being the most costly things we possess!  Freely given to us but at a price we can scarcely comprehend. Our Savior PAID for all that He gives to us!

3. What are we to buy from Christ?  Gold tried in fire.

Jas 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Gold makes us rich and we are to be rich in FAITH.  This spiritual gift only our Savior can give us!

Mal 3:2  But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Mal 3:3  And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

A refiner's fire! Purged!

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

1Co 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Revealed by fire!

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ

Our faith MORE precious than gold that perishes, even though that gold is tried with fire. 

SPIRITUAL GOLD.  Spiritual gold tried with spiritual fire.

Faith.  Is there any spiritual gift more precious, more tried than faith?

Heb_11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Rom 4:13  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Promises though faith! There is a righteousness of faith that we are in desperate need of, and only our Savior can give us this righteousness of faith. Faith is tested and tried.

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel OFFERED unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was TRANSLATED that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, MOVED with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Heb 11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Heb 11:9  By faith he SOJOURNED in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Heb 11:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Heb 11:11  Through faith also Sara herself RECEIVED strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Heb 11:12  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was TRIED, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Heb 11:18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac BLESSED Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, BLESSED both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he died, MADE mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was HID three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, REFUSED to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Heb 11:27  By faith he FORSOOK Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Heb 11:28  Through faith he KEPT the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Heb 11:29  By faith they PASSED through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Heb 11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho FELL down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Heb 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab PERISHED NOT with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Heb 11:32  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

Heb 11:33  Who through faith SUBDUED KINGDOMS, WROUGHT RIGHTEOUSNESS, OBTAINED PROMISES, STOPPED THE MOUTHS OF LIONS,

Heb 11:34  QUENCHED THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE, ESCAPED THE EDGE OF THE SWORD, OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG, WAXED VALIENT IN FIGHT, TURNED TO FLIGHT THE ARMIES OF THE ALIENS.

Heb 11:35  Women RECEIVED THEIR DEAD RAISED TO LIFE AGAIN, OTHERS WERE TORTURED,  not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Heb 11:36  And others had TRIAL OF CRUEL MOCKINGS AND SCOURGINGS, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Heb 11:37  They were STONED, they were SAWN ASUNDER, were TEMPTED, were SLAIN with the sword: they WANDERED about in sheepskins and goatskins; being DESTITUTE, AFFLICTED, TORMENTED;

Heb 11:38  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Heb 11:39  And these all, having OBTAINED A GOOD REPORT THROUGH FAITH, received not the promise:

Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And through FAITH all other things are obtained!

1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1Jn_4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Heb_11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God is love, and we come to God through faith, and faith is -

Heb_11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

2Pe 1:1  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2Pe 1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

We must BUY of CHRIST GOLD TRIED IN FIRE!  We must BUY from CHRIST ALL that we need spiritually! We can obtain NO spiritual necessity without CHRIST giving it to us! We MUST RECOGNIZE our NEED!!!!!!!

BY HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY, HIS LOVE, HIS ALL IN ALL!

In HIS NAME ALWAYS!

IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD NOW AND FOREVER!

AMEN!

'Is the door of your heart held fast by heaps of this world's rubbish, which you are unwilling to remove?'

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The following excerpt is from Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith-

The Token of Love.--

As strange as it may seem, the token of love is chastisement. "As many as I love, I rebuke, and chas-

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ten." If we are without chastisement, we are not sons. (Hebrews 12: 8.)

"A general law of His gracious economy," says Augustus C. Thompson, "is here set forth. . . . As all need chastisement in some measure, they in some measure receive it, and thus have proof of the Saviour's attachment. This is a hard lesson to learn, and believers are dull scholars; yet here and throughout God's word and providence it stands, that trials are His benedictions, and that no child escapes the rod. The incorrigibly misshapen and coarse-grained blocks are rejected, whilst those chosen for the glorious structure are subjected to the chisel and the hammer. There is no cluster on the true vine but must pass through the winepress. 'For myself,' said an old divine under affliction-- 'for myself, I bless God I have observed and felt so much mercy in this angry dispensation of God that I am almost transported. I am sure highly pleased with thinking how infinitely sweet His mercies are, when His judgments are so gracious.' In view, then, of the origin and design of the chastisements you receive. 'Be zealous and repent.' Lose no time; lose not a blow of the rod, but repent at once. Be fervent in spirit. Such is the first appliance of encouragement."

Be Zealous and Repent.--

Although, as we have seen, the condition represented by coldness is preferable to one of lukewarmness, yet that is not a state in which our Lord ever desires to find us.

We are never exhorted to seek that state. There is a far better one which we are counseled to attain; and that is to be zealous, to be fervent, and to have our hearts all aglow in the service of our Master.

Christ Knocking at the Door.--

"Here is the heart of hearts," says Augustus C. Thompson. "Notwithstanding their offensive attitude, their unlovely character, such is His love to their souls that He humbles Himself to solicit the privilege of making them blessed. 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.' Why does He? Not because He is without home elsewhere.

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. . . Among the mansions in His Father's house there is not one entrance closed to Him. He is the life of every heart, the light in every eye, the song on every tongue, in glory. But He goes round from door to door in Laodicea. He stands at each, and knocks, because He came to seek and to save that which is lost, because He cannot give up the purpose of communicating eternal life to as many as the Father hath given Him, and because He cannot become known to the inmate unless the door be opened and a welcome given Him. Have you bought a piece of ground, have you bought five yoke of oxen, is your hat in your hand, and do you pray do be excused? He knocks and knocks. But you cannot receive company at present; you are worn out with labor; you have wheeled round the sofa; you are making yourself comfortable, and you send word you are engaged. He knocks and knocks. . . . It is the hour for church prayer meeting or for monthly concert; there is opportunity to pay a Christian visit to an individual or a family; but you move not. . . . Oh, nauseous lukewarmness! Oh, fatal worldliness! The Lord of glory comes all the way from His celestial palace--comes in poverty, in sweat, in blood--comes to the door of a professed friend, who owes all to Him, and cannot get in!--comes to rescue a man whose house is on fire, and he will not admit Him! Oh, the height, the depth, or Jesus Christ's forbearance! Even the heathen Publius received Paul and lodged him three days courteously. Shall nominal Christians tell the Lord of apostles they have no room for Him?"

"If Any Man Hear My Voice."--

The Lord entreats, then, as well as knocks. The word "if" implies that some will not hear. Though He stands and knocks, yet some will close their ears to His tender entreaties. But it is not enough simply to hear. We must open the door. Many who at first hear the voice, and for a time feel inclined to heed, will, alas! fail in the end to do that which is necessary to secure to themselves the communion of the heavenly Guest.

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Reader, are your ears open to the entreaties which the Saviour directs to you? Is His voice a welcome sound to you? Will you heed it? Will you open the door and let Him in? Or is the door of your heart held fast by heaps of this world's rubbish, which you are unwilling to remove?

Remember that the Lord of life never forces an entrance. He condescends to come and knock, and seek admittance; but He takes up His abode in those hearts only where He is then a welcome and invited guest. Heavenly Guest.

Then the promise! "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." How forcible and touching is the figure! Friend with friend, partaking of the cheerful and social meal! Mind with mind, holding free and intimate converse! What a festal scene must that be where the King of glory is a guest! No common degree of union, no ordinary blessing, no usual privilege, is denoted by this language. Who can remain indifferent under such tender entreaty and so gracious a promise? Nor are we required to furnish the table for this exalted Guest. This He does Himself, not with the gross nutriment of earth, but with viands from His own heavenly storehouse. Here He sets before us foretastes of the glory soon to be revealed. Here He gives us an earnest of our future inheritance, which is "incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." Verily, when we comply with the conditions and receive this promise, we shall experience the rising of the daystar in our hearts, and behold the dawn of a glorious morning for the church of God.

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All by the grace of God we will study this in more depth tomorrow along with the previous days study! Please God, let the upcoming Sabbath be filled with worship and communing with You through Your word, studying to show ourselves approved, so that we may not be ashamed.  All by You, all through the Holy Spirit now and forever!

Amen.

Buying from Jesus Christ our Savior

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Rev 3:18  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.

Daniel and Revelation - by Uriah Smith

The Admonition.--

"Buy of Me," says the true Witness, "gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothes; . . . and anoint thine

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eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."

This shows at once to the deceived Laodiceans the things they LACK, and the extent of their destitution.

It shows, too, where they can obtain those things in which they are so fearfully poor, and brings before them the necessity of speedily obtaining them. The case is so urgent that our great Advocate in the court above sends us special counsel on this point. The fact that He who has condescended to point out our lack and counsel us to buy, is the one who has these things to bestow and invites us to come to Him for them, is the best possible guarantee that our application will be respected and our requests granted.

But by what means can we buy these things?--

Just as we buy all other gospel graces. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55: 1.

We thus buy by the ASKING, buy by throwing away the worthless baubles of earth and receiving priceless treasures in their stead, buy by SIMPLY COMING AND RECEIVING, buy, giving nothing in return.

What do we buy on these gracious terms?--

Bread that perishes not, spotless raiment that soils not, riches that corrupt not, and an inheritance that fades not away. Strange transaction, this! Yet the Lord condescends to deal thus with His people. He might compel us to come in the manner and with the mien of beggars, but instead of this He gives us the treasures of His grace, and in return receives our worthlessness, that we may take the blessings He has to bestow, not as pittances dealt out to mendicants, but as the legitimate possessions of honorable purchase. The things to be obtained demand special notice.

"Gold Tried in the Fire."--

Gold literally considered is the comprehensive name for all worldly wealth and riches. Figuratively, it must denote that which constitutes spiritual riches. What grace, then, is represented by the gold, or rather, what graces? Doubtless no one single grace can be said to answer to the full import of that term. The Lord said to the church of Smyrna that He knew their poverty, but they were rich. That

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testimony shows that their riches consisted of that which was finally to put them in possession of a crown of life. Says James, "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" James 2: 5. "Faith," says Paul, "is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11: 1. To be "rich toward God," rich in the spiritual sense, is to have a clear title to the promises, to be heir of that "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1: 4. "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3: 29. How do we obtain this heirship?--In the same way that Abraham obtained the promise, that is, through FAITH. (Romans 4: 13, 14.)

No wonder, then, that the entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews should be devoted to this important subject, setting forth the mighty achievements that have been accomplished, and the precious promises that have been obtained, through faith. In Hebrews 12: 1, the grand conclusion of the argument is given when Christians are exhorted to lay aside every weight, and the sin (of unbelief) that so easily besets them.

Nothing will sooner dry up the springs of spirituality, and sink us into utter poverty in reference to the things of the kingdom of God, than to let faith go out and unbelief come in. Faith must enter into every action that is pleasing in His sight. In coming to Him, the first thing is to believe that He is. It is through faith as the chief agent under the grace which is the gift of God, that we are to be saved. (Hebrews 11: 6; Ephesians 2: 8.)

From this it would seem that faith is a principal element of spiritual wealth. But if, as already remarked, no one grace can answer to the full import of the term "gold," so doubtless other things are included with faith. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for." Hence hope is an inseparable accompaniment of faith. (Hebrews 11: 1; Romans 8: 24, 25.) Again

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Paul tells us that faith works by love, and speaks in another place of being "rich in good works." (Galatians 5: 6; 1 Timothy 6: 18.) Hence LOVE CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM FAITH. We then have before us the three things associated together by Paul 1 Corinthians 13--faith, hope, and charity, or love; and the greatest of these is charity, which is "rich in good works." Such is the gold tried by fire which we are counseled to buy.

"White Raiment."--

On this point there would not seem to be much room for controversy. A few texts will furnish a key to the understanding of this expression. Says the prophet, "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Isaiah 64: 6. We are counseled to buy the opposite of filthy rags, which would be complete and spotless raiment. The same figure is used in Zechariah 3: 3, 4. John, in Revelation 19: 8, says plainly that "the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

The Eyesalve.--

On the eyesalve there is as little room for a diversity of opinion as upon the white raiment. The anointing of the eyes is certainly not to be taken in a literal sense, for reference is being made to spiritual things. The eyesalve must denote that by which our spiritual discernment is quickened. There is but one agent revealed to us in the word of God by which this is accomplished, and that is the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10: 38 we read that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost." The same writer through whom came this Revelation from Jesus Christ which we are studying, wrote to the church in his first epistle, as follows: "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. . . . But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." 1 John 2: 20, 27. By referring to his Gospel, it is found that the work which John here sets forth as accomplished by the anointing is exactly the same that he there attributes to the Holy Spirit. "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom

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the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14: 26 (See also John 16: 13.)

Thus in a formal and solemn manner are we counseled by the faithful and true Witness, under the figures of gold, white raiment, and eyesalve, to seek from Him an increase of the heavenly graces of faith, hope, charity, that righteousness which He alone can furnish, and an unction from the Holy Spirit.

But how is it possible that a people lacking these things should think themselves rich and increased with goods?

A plausible inference may here be drawn, which is perhaps also a necessary one, as there is room for no other. It will be observed that no fault is found with the Laodiceans on account of the doctrines they hold. They are not accused of harboring a Jezebel in their midst, or countenancing the doctrines of Balaam, or the Nicolaitanes. So far as we can learn, their belief is correct, and their doctrine sound.

The inference therefore is that having a correct doctrine, they are content.

They are satisfied with a correct form of religion without its power.

Having received light concerning the closing events of the gospel era, and having a correct theoretical knowledge of the truths that pertain to the last generation of men, they are inclined to rest in this to the neglect of spiritual power which changes the life and builds strong character.

It is by their actions, doubtless, not by their words, that they say they are rich and increased with good. Having so much light and so much truth, what can they want besides? If they defend the theory, and as far as their outward life is concerned, conform to the increasing light upon the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, is not their righteousness complete? Are they not rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing? Here is their FAILURE. Their whole being should cry out for the spirit, the zeal, the fervency, the life, the power of a living Christianity.

*******

Truth.

We need the SPIRITUAL truth! We need to LIVE spiritual truth. 

We will study this more indepth tomorrow by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

Please, Father, save us!

Spued

I wanted to take a closer look at the 'three conditions' mentioned yesterday. Let's review it quickly.

Excerpt taken from Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith-

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

"I Would Thou Wert Cold or Hot."--

Three spiritual conditions are brought to view in this message--

the cold, the lukewarm, and the hot.

It is important to determine what condition they each denote, in order to guard against wrong conclusions.

Three spiritual conditions which pertain to the church, not to the world, are to be considered.

What the term "hot" means it is not difficult to conceive. The mind at once calls up a state of intense zeal, when all the affections, raised to the highest pitch, are drawn out for God and His cause, and manifest themselves in corresponding works.

To be lukewarm is to lack this zeal, to be in a state in which heart and earnestness are wanting, in which there is no self-denial that costs anything, no cross-bearing that is felt, no determined witnessing for Christ, and no valiant aggression that keeps the armor bright.

But to be cold--what is that? Does it denote a state of corruption, wickedness, and sin, such as characterizes the world of unbelievers? We cannot so regard it, for several reasons:

It would seem harsh and repulsive to represent Christ as wishing under any circumstances that persons should be in such a condition, but He says, "I would thou wert cold or hot."

No state can be more offensive to Christ than that of the sinner in open rebellion, with a heart filled with every evil. It would therefore be incorrect to represent Christ as preferring that state to any position which His people can occupy while they are still retained as His.

The threat of rejection in verse 16 is because they are neither cold nor hot, they would NOT be rejected. But if by cold is meant a state of open worldly wickedness, they would be rejected very speedily. Hence such cannot be its meaning.

We are brought to the conclusion that by this language our Lord has no reference whatever to those outside of His church, but that He refers to three degrees of spiritual affections, two of which are more acceptable to Him than the third.  Heat

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and cold are preferable to lukewarmness. But what kind of spiritual state is denoted by the term "cold"?

We may remark first that it is a state of feeling.

In this respect it is superior to lukewarmness, which is a state of comparative insensibility, indifference, and supreme self-satisfaction.

To be hot is also to be in a state of feeling. As "hot" denotes joyous fervor, and a lively exercise of all the affections, with a heart buoyant with the sensible presence and love of God, so "cold" would seem to denote a spiritual condition characterized by a destitution of these traits, yet one in which the individual feels such destitution.

This state is well expressed by the language of Job, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!" Job 23: 3.

In this state there is not indifference, nor is there content; but there is a sense of coldness, unfitness, and discomfort, and a groping and seeking after something better. There is hope for a person in this condition. What a man feels that he lacks and wants, he will earnestly strive to obtain.

The most discouraging feature of the lukewarm is that they are conscious of no lack, and feel that they have need of nothing.

Hence it is easy to see why our Lord should prefer to behold His church in a state of comfortless coldness rather than in a state of comfortable, easy, indifferent lukewarmness. A person will not long remain cold. His efforts will soon lead him to the fervid state. But if lukewarm, there is danger of his remaining till the faithful and true Witness is obliged to reject him as a nauseous and loathsome thing.

"I Will Spue Thee Out of My Mouth."--

Here the figure is still further carried out, and the rejection of the lukewarm expressed by the nauseating effects of tepid water. This denotes a final rejection, an utter separation from His church.

"Rich and Increased With Good."--

Such the Laodiceans think is their condition. They are not hypocrites, because they know not that they are poor, miserable, blind, and naked.

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

*******

Truly the three conditions-

Hot

Cold

Lukewarm

-are defined exceptionally well in the above excerpt.

Our Savior would rather see us HOT or COLD - two conditions that have potential for a closeness with Christ.  The LUKEWARM condition is the worst of them all because it is the MOST deceptive.

When you need to be active and NOT complacent, you cannot be lukewarm.  Everyone knows the half-hearted attempt is despised. When zeal is missing a vital aspect is gone. To accept the half-hearted attitude is a very deceptive trap Satan has laid for the Christ followers of the last years and days before Christ's return.  How many people are SATISFIED with their relationship with Christ?  How many people are pleased with their believing without having any real zeal?  Way too many people are caught up in being Christ followers in name only, and they've convinced themselves that it is enough, their walk with Christ is enough and nothing more is needed. They are settled into a bath of lukewarm water and they do NOT want to leave that bath for anything.

Such a dangerous condition and it is this condition that will have Christ saying to many-  'I never knew you.'

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

He will NOT know them and why not if they are doing all these great things? They BELIEVE they are Christ's! They are doing things, many seemingly wonderful Christian things, and yet Christ will NOT know them, why?

They are LUKEWARM in their endeavors!  They are DECEIVED in their works. The fire, the zeal, the heat that they have is all FALSE!  What they think is fire is in fact lukewarm. 

Have you EVER in your life said something was hot only to be told by another that is wasn't hot to them, just warm?

People can deceive themselves, we do it all the time! Those who are LUKEWARM are deceived. They don't know they have a need of anything at all… they do not know they are SPIRITUALLY POOR, SPIRITUALLY BLIND, and SPIRITUALLY NAKED!

They WILL be SPUED out of Christ's mouth as something vile and loathsome. We've all spued something out of our mouths before, something that tasted so vile we couldn't, just couldn't keep it inside our mouths a second longer!  Our Savior will spue all who are lukewarm Christ followers out of His mouth. Our Savior will tell A LOT of people who believe they are His that He never knew them! We CANNOT ignore all this! We CANNOT pretend everything is fine and dandy! We NEED to spiritually search ourselves, we need look at our spiritual walk with  Christ and we need to comprehend where we are! Are we Cold or Hot, or are we LUKEWARM?!

God forbid we are lukewarm! God forbid we get spued out of His mouth! God forbid we believe we know our Savior when we don't know the first thing about Him and He does NOT know us!

By the grace and mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR, Jesus Christ, may we be SAVED! May we be HOT! May we KNOW and be KNOWN by our SAVIOR!

PLEASE! All through the HOLY SPIRIT!

All through Christ Jesus our LORD!

Amen.

Lukewarm Christians

Excerpt from -  Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith

Revelation Chapter  3  Verse 14-22

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 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.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

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The Church of Laodicea.--"Laodicea" signifies "the judging of the people," or, according to Cruden, "a just people"

The message to this church brings to view the closing scenes of probation. It reveals a period of judgment.

It is the last stage of the church. Consequently it applies to believers under the third angel's message, the last message of mercy before the coming of Christ. (Revelation 14: 9-14.) While the work of the great Day of Atonement is in progress, and the investigative judgment is going forward upon the house of God, there is a period during which the just and holy law of God is taken by the waiting church as their rule of life.

"These Things Saith the Amen."--

This is, then, the final message to the churches before the close of probation.

The description given of the indifferent Laodiceans is fearful and startling. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied, for the Witness is "faithful and true." Moreover, He is "the beginning of the creation of God." Some attempt by this language to uphold the error that Christ is a created being, dating His existence anterior to that of any other created being or thing, next to the self-existent and eternal God. But the language does not imply that He was created; for the words, "the beginning of the creation," may simply signify that the work of creation, strictly speaking, was begun by Him. "Without Him was not anything made." Others, however, and more properly we think, take the word, arche, to mean the "agent" or "efficient cause," which is one of the definitions of the word, understanding that Christ is the agent through whom God has created all things.

The Cause of Complaint.--

The charge He brings against the Laodiceans is that they are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. They lack that religious fervor and devotion which is demanded by their position in the world's closing history with the light of prophecy beaming upon their pathway. This lukewarmness is shown by a lack of good works, for it is from a knowledge of their works that the faithful and true Witness brings this fearful charge against them.

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"I Would Thou Wert Cold or Hot."--

Three spiritual conditions are brought to view in this message--the cold, the lukewarm, and the hot. It is important to determine what condition they each denote, in order to guard against wrong conclusions. Three spiritual conditions which pertain to the church, not to the world, are to be considered.

What the term "hot" means it is not difficult to conceive. The mind at once calls up a state of intense zeal, when all the affections, raised to the highest pitch, are drawn out for God and His cause, and manifest themselves in corresponding works. To be lukewarm is to lack this zeal, to be in a state in which heart and earnestness are wanting, in which there is no self-denial that costs anything, no cross-bearing that is felt, no determined witnessing for Christ, and no valiant aggression that keeps the armor bright. But to be cold--what is that? Does it denote a state of corruption, wickedness, and sin, such as characterizes the world of unbelievers? We cannot so regard it, for several reasons:

It would seem harsh and repulsive to represent Christ as wishing under any circumstances that persons should be in such a condition, but He says, "I would thou wert cold or hot."

No state can be more offensive to Christ than that of the sinner in open rebellion, with a heart filled with every evil. It would therefore be incorrect to represent Christ as preferring that state to any position which His people can occupy while they are still retained as His.

The threat of rejection in verse 16 is because they are neither cold nor hot, they would not be rejected. But if by cold is meant a state of open worldly wickedness, they would be rejected very speedily. Hence such cannot be its meaning.

We are brought to the conclusion that by this language our Lord has no reference whatever to those outside of His church, but that He refers to three degrees of spiritual affections, two of which are more acceptable to Him than the third. Heat

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and cold are preferable to lukewarmness. But what kind of spiritual state is denoted by the term "cold"? We may remark first that it is a state of feeling. In this respect it is superior to lukewarmness, which is a state of comparative insensibility, indifference, and supreme self-satisfaction. To be hot is also to be in a state of feeling. As "hot" denotes joyous fervor, and a lively exercise of all the affections, with a heart buoyant with the sensible presence and love of God, so "cold" would seem to denote a spiritual condition characterized by a destitution of these traits, yet one in which the individual feels such destitution. This state is well expressed by the language of Job, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!" Job 23: 3.

In this state there is not indifference, nor is there content; but there is a sense of coldness, unfitness, and discomfort, and a groping and seeking after something better. There is hope for a person in this condition. What a man feels that he lacks and wants, he will earnestly strive to obtain.

The most discouraging feature of the lukewarm is that they are conscious of no lack, and feel that they have need of nothing.

Hence it is easy to see why our Lord should prefer to behold His church in a state of comfortless coldness rather than in a state of comfortable, easy, indifferent lukewarmness. A person will not long remain cold. His efforts will soon lead him to the fervid state. But if lukewarm, there is danger of his remaining till the faithful and true Witness is obliged to reject him as a nauseous and loathsome thing.

*******

God FORBID we are among those who are rejected!

More on this tomorrow by the GRACE of our LORD.