Worthy Purchase

In Revelation 3:18 Christ in His glory advises us to buy of Him. Gold refined by fire, so that we may become rich, and white garments that we may clothe ourselves and cover the shame of our nakedness-that it not be revealed; and eye salve to annoint our eyes, that we may see.


Refined gold refined by fire.
White garments and eye salve.


God has described His word as being refined 7 times. 7 is the biblical number of completion; a completed process where nothing can be added or taken away. How do we purchase gold from Christ? The old saying that time is money, applies here. It will cost us time to make this purchase. It will cost us the way it cost the man in a parable Jesus gave while He was walking on the earth; a pearl of great price was found and the finder went and sold all that he had to make the purchase. A heavy price in human terms.



Isaiah55:1,2 admonishes that everyone who thirsts, come to the water; And you who have money come, buy, and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do we spend money for what is not bread, and our wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to God, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.


What is the cost? Everything! To expensive?



In the wilderness experience when His children were ready to die of thirst, He split the rocks and gave them abundant drink like the ocean depths. He brought them streams from the rock and caused water to run down like rivers (Psalm 78). Yet, in spite of this they still sinned and did not believe His wonderful works.



Deciding not to buy gold refined in the fire, garments to cover our nakedness and shame, and eye salve has a heavy price. Some decisions have eternal, irreversable consequences. This is one of those decisions each of us have to make. After the miracles of the wilderness; streams flowing in the desert, food falling from heaven, and the presence of God in their midst; rebellion and not following the desires of God brought them into days that ended in futility and their years ended in sudden terror. When God killed them, then they sought Him. A heavy price and lesson that could have been avoided if they had decided to make the purchase He desired.



Isaiah, Ezekiel, Moses, Daniel and the other men of old made the purchase. They purchased the truth and did not sell it-they followed the admonition of Proverbs 23:23 to buy truth and get wisdom, instruction and understanding. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.



The result of the purchase? We can chose to live and end our days as did Daniel. He also lived in a foreign land, as do we. He was a stranger and Pilgrim. Still, he touched God and his prayers were answered. He had insight like no other. In what is called Daniel's prayer, he says-



"Let the Name of God be blessed forever and ever for wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and the epochs (seasons). He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:20-23)



Daniel was one of the men to whom God gave special favor, insight and vision. Why? Because he had made the purchase. His time was God's time. He went about his daily business as is necessary, but God was first and foremost in his life. He was willing to be feed to the lions to maintain his relationship with God. This is a purchase!



He could confidently proclaim "to Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise for Thou hast given me wisdom and power. Even now Thou hast made known to me what was requested of You."



The wares of the earthly wise men, conjurers, magicians and diviners are not able to give this wisdom and power. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He inhabits the dark places and all is light before His eyes. We need not fear the things coming upon the earth. He instructs us to lift up our head's. He has told us to fear not, for He is with us. Be not dismayed, for He is our God. He will strengthen us, He will guide us with His mighty right hand.



The cost of the purchase is our time, prayer and being with Him in all things.



He who has promised is faithful and true.