November 13, 2002 (53)
THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD. In a day when counseling has become a part of the ministry, with some congregations having highly trained and effective professional counselors on staff, it is well to remember the counsel that is found in the WORD of the LORD. The counsel of the Lord is threefold and has not changed from that day to this. Rev. 3:18
BUY TESTED, PURE GOLD. An excellent investment, yielding positive and eternal returns, when it is purchased from the Lord. Peter likened it to the <trial of your faith >, which is of far greater value than the purest of gold. The reward of faith is found in praise, honor and glory, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus. 1 Pet. 1:7 The mercy seat of the tabernacle and temple was of pure. The place of ultimate atonement and worship. That most exclusive and awesome place of the shining glory of the Lord. Ex. 25:17 The Word of the Lord, and obedience to it is to be accounted as that of highest value. Its worth is greater than the best and purest of gold. Ps. 119:127 Natural gold will one day be absolutely worthless. The gold of the Lord assures one of riches that never fade, fail or lose its value.
WHITE RAIMENT. A casual stroll through the book of Revelation will quickly evaluate one as to the worth and great necessity of being clothed in the white, glistening garments of the redeemed. It is the heavenly robe that is worn by the righteous saints of the Lord. Garments so beautiful that we will never think of changing them, nor will they ever become < common or boring >. Rev. 19:8 It is also a sign of acceptance and worthiness. Robes that belong to those who have walked with Him. They are triumphant Christians who will be acknowledged by the Lord. Rev. 3:4-5 It is clothing that will assure them of acceptance when Jesus comes as a thief. Rev. 16:15 It is the apparel that will be worn by those who died as martyrs for their faith in the Lord Jesus, during the great tribulation. They rejected the mark of the antichrist, choosing death instead. Rev. 7:13-14.
ANOINT YOUR EYES. Thus, being granted the ability to see and understand. Rev. 3:18 The eyes, the gate of wisdom and knowledge. The door of the soul and spirit of man. Anointed sight creates vision and comprehension enabling the individual who is anointed to comprehend the Word of the Lord. All may possess the ability to read the Word but it is the anointed eye that discerns that which is revealed in the Word. A book written by the anointing of the Spirit may only be understood when the reader is anointed by the same spirit. While men were the scribes, they were unctionized by the Spirit of the Lord. They wrote by inspiration. 2 Pet. 1:21 Unfortunately there are those who are like the religionist of old, seeing but do not see. Likewise, who have ears to hear whereby they hear but do not hear, with an understanding. Mt. 13:13 The things that are easily seen and the things that are temporal, earthly and will pass away. The things not seen by the unaccounted eye are those things of the Spirit and are eternal, everlasting in the heavens. Our vision must be focused on that which is Spiritual and eternal, for it is everlasting and will never cease. 2 Cor. 4:16