gold

Question & Answer – How does fine Gold Become Dim?

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“How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed” (Lamentations 4:1)!

“Bathsheba observed the customary days of mourning for her husband; and at their close ‘David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife’ (2 Samuel 11:27). He whose tender conscience and high sense of honor would not permit him, even when in peril of his life, to put forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, had so fallen that he could wrong and murder one of his most faithful and most valiant soldiers, and hope to enjoy undisturbed the reward of his sin. Alas! how had the fine gold become dim! how had the most fine gold changed!” Patriarchs and Prophets, 720.

“The standard of holiness is the same today as in the days of the apostles. Neither the promises nor the requirements of God have lost aught of their force. But what is the state of the Lord’s professed people as compared with the early church? Where is the Spirit and power of God which then attended the preaching of the gospel? Alas, ‘how is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed!’ ” Testimonies, vol. 5, 240.

“Human beings have degenerated. One after another they fall under the curse, because sin has entered the world, and death by sin. The truth is not made precious by practise [sic]. It does not sanctify the soul. It fades from the mind because the heart does not appreciate its value. In consequence, the mind becomes more and more darkened by the atmosphere, which is malarious because of the perpetuating of Adam’s sin. The conscience has lost its sensitiveness. Through a repetition of sin, the impression made on the conscience by sin has no longer force enough to arrest the transgressor, diseased, depraved, and dying. The voice no longer echoes the voice of God, or gives expression to the music of a soul sanctified through the truth. The heart, in which God should be enthroned, is a place from which come forth all kinds of abominations. How has the fine gold become dim! Man has lost the reflection of God’s character.” The Signs of the Times, June 27, 1900.

“The church is not now the separate and peculiar people she was when the fires of persecution were kindled against her. How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! I saw that if the church had always retained her peculiar, holy character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty and a terror to her enemies.” Early Writings, 227.

Questions & Answers – Wearing of Jewelry

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Question:

It appears when reading the Bible that in ancient times the wearing of jewelry was approved. The children of Israel had many jewels and wore earrings. Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, brought gifts of jewelry to Rebekah and her family when choosing her as a wife for Isaac. Why then is it objectionable for a Christian to wear jewelry?

Answer:

Ezekiel 28 describes Satan in heaven before his fall. He was decked in jewels. In fact, it says that every precious stone was his covering: diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, just to name a few.

In Revelation, chapter 21, is a description of the Holy City. It is called a city of gold; the walls are jasper with all manner of precious stones, and the gates are made of pearl. God, who is a God of beauty, loves beautiful stones and jewelry. This little quotation might put jewelry in its right perspective:

“God would have his children appreciate his works, and delight in the simple, quiet beauty with which he has adorned our earthly home. He is a lover of the beautiful, and above all that is outwardly attractive he loves beauty of character; he would have us cultivate purity and simplicity, the quiet graces of the flowers.” Christian Education, 54.

This world has been inundated with sin, and one of the chief sins is pride, which was the original sin that caused Satan to fall. God hates pride, for He says, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1.

All the proud are going to be done away with, root and branch. Since jewelry has a tendency to draw people’s attention, it also causes one to be proud. Pride has to be overcome and a character of humility developed—one that thinks of others before themselves, one that would attract people to Jesus and not to their own person decked in jewelry.

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, and being clothed with humility, possessing that love that is pure, peaceable, and easy to be entreated, full of gentleness and good fruits, is not an easy attainment.” Gospel Workers, 376.

This is a battle that each one of us must fight, and if we are going to be ready for heaven we must not only fight, but we must win. Therefore, we need to follow the instructions that the apostle Paul gave us in Hebrews, which says, “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, 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.” Hebrews 12:1, 2.

We have this admonition, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” I Timothy 2:9.

Heaven is worth everything; if we lose it, we lose all, and if we gain it, we will gain all. Is it not worth striving for? It will take all to gain a character that will fit in there, but it will be more than worth it.

Consider what Jesus gave up for us. Those who are saved will be walking on streets of gold.

If you have a Bible question you wish to have answered, please e-mail it to: ruthgrosboll@stepstolife.org.

The Patience of Christ

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There are various reasons given for the apparent delay of the second return of Jesus.

Justifiably, most if not all reasons given may very well be correct. However, I would like to highlight one most important reason that could very well be the reason of all reasons why Jesus has not returned. So just to make us think a little I would ask, What is Jesus waiting for to return to this earth? Will He wait forever? Some Christians constantly say they need time to change or to give up sin. How does this attitude influence the return of Jesus or the individual’s salvation? This waiting attitude of Christ as a question forms the substance of this message!

In reference to Christianity in general and more specifically as a religion, Jesus Christ the founder has been looking for a revelation, a demonstration of something from its inception, and might I say for well over two thousand years. He has been waiting, expecting, anxiously looking for, but He has been grossly disappointed. What is He waiting and looking for with great longing?

The Nature of the Problem and the Problem

Jesus identifies the problem and spells out its nature in His address to the end time church—Laodicea. We read of this in the last book of the Holy Scriptures. “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; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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.” Revelation 3:14–17.

He provides the solution as recorded: “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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. 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.” Revelation 3:18–21.

The Laodicean message is for Seventh day Adventists—God’s servant in Manuscript 33, 1894, puts it this way, “The message to the Laodicean church is highly applicable to us as a people. It has been placed before us for a long time, but has not been heeded as it should have been. When the work of repentance is earnest and deep, the individual members of the church will buy the rich goods of heaven. Oh, how many behold things in a perverted light, in the light in which Satan would have them see.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 961.

“The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to our condition. How plainly is pictured the position of those who think they have all the truth, who take pride in their knowledge of the Word of God, while its sanctifying power has not been felt in their lives. The fervor of the love of God is wanting in their hearts, but it is this very fervor of love that makes God’s people the light of the world.” Faith and Works, 82, 83.

The Problem

God’s end time church is seriously affected by self-deception and being self-conceited. We do not understand ourselves. The faithful and true witness states, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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.” Revelation 3:15–17.

Like the Ephesian Christians, the Laodiceans have experienced a great loss tantamount to spiritual death. They lost their first love—the love of Jesus. Her problem is that she is devoid of the character of Jesus which can easily be identified when an individual possesses faith and love, the righteousness of Christ and the spirit to discern between right and wrong, good and evil.

Often times Christians are caught up with the externals, which often reflect significantly that they are destitute inwardly. We may note this important quotation, “You may manifest great zeal in missionary effort, and yet because it is corrupted with selfishness, and tastes strongly of self, it is nought in the sight of God; for it is a tainted, corrupted offering. Unless the door of the heart is open to Jesus, unless He occupies the soul temple, unless the heart is imbued with His divine attributes, human actions when weighed in the heavenly balances, will be pronounced ‘Wanting [Daniel 5.27].’ The love of Christ would make you rich; but many do not realize the value of His love. Many do not realize that the spirit which they cherish is destitute of the meekness and lowliness of Christ, destitute of the love that would constitute them channels of light.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 961.

The Solution

We read the priceless advice given to the Laodiceans, “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.” Revelation 3:18.

Who is the faithful and true witness?

He is the vendor of priceless treasures. This thought is brought out clearly in the following statement: “The great Vendor of spiritual riches is inviting your recognition. The Saviour comes with jewels of truth of the richest value in distinction from all counterfeits, all that is spurious. He comes to every house, to every door; He is knocking, presenting His priceless treasure, urging, ‘Buy of me.’ ” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 964.

Jesus says, “Buy of me”—“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.

“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” Isaiah 55:1, 2.

What are the goods being sold?

Gold tried in the fire

White raiment

Eyesalve

What do these represent?

“Gold tried in the fire” represents love or faith that works by love which ultimately purifies the soul. This is the primary merchandise being offered to professing Christians!

“The gold tried in the fire is faith that works by love. Only this can bring us into harmony with God. We may be active, we may do much work; but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 158.

Spelled out even clearer, “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.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 88.

Once again God’s messenger explains that this “gold tried in the fire,” is indeed the love of Jesus. The following is recorded, “The Lord knocks at the door of your heart, desiring to enter, that he may impart spiritual riches to your soul. He would anoint the blind eyes, that they may discover the holy character of God in his law, and understand the love of Christ, which is indeed gold tried in the fire.” The Review and Herald, February 25, 1890.

This gold tried in the fire has almost disappeared from the church of God. You see, this love is not superficial, spasmodic, earthly, or governed by circumstances. It is free from everything that savors of being human. It is pure and holy. It is of heavenly origin. It has diminished from the church because it cannot prosper where self reigns.

“Love of self excludes the love of Christ. Those who live for self are ranged under the head of the Laodicean church who are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. The ardor of the first love has lapsed into a selfish egotism. The love of Christ in the heart is expressed in the actions. If love for Christ is dull, the love for those for whom Christ has died will degenerate. There may be a wonderful appearance for zeal and ceremonies, but this is the substance of their self-inflated religion. Christ represents them as nauseating to His taste.” Our High Calling, 348.

Consequently, because self is so prominent in the church today, when trials come, which, in the providence of God, will come, many are affected and end up defecting.

Ellen White makes this very clear. She tells us, “I was pointed to the providence of God among His people and was shown that every trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. As a class, their spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us; for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, many are offended.

“Let these look back a few months to the time when they were sitting on the cases of others who were in a condition similar to that which they now occupy. Let them carefully call to mind the exercise of their minds in regard to those tempted ones. Had anyone told them then that notwithstanding their zeal and labor to set others right, they would at length be found in a similar position of darkness, they would have said, as did Hazael to the prophet: ‘Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?’ II Kings 8:13.

“Self-deception is upon them. During the calm, what firmness they manifest! what courageous sailors they make! But when the furious tempests of trial and temptation come, lo! their souls are shipwrecked. Men may have excellent gifts, good ability, splendid qualifications; but one defect, one secret sin indulged, will prove to the character what the worm-eaten plank does to the ship—utter disaster and ruin!” Testimonies, vol. 4, 89, 90.

This “gold tried in the fire” is what plants a person in Christ. As the apostle Paul puts it, “rooted and grounded in Him.” Ephesians 3:17. This love is the stabilizing element that keeps the Christian permanently connected to Jesus.

A question that really requires our prayerful attention is, “Why is it that many who profess to have faith in Christ have no strength to stand against the temptations of the enemy?—It is because they are not strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. The apostle prays ‘that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.’ Ephesians 3:17–19. If we had this experience, we should know something of the cross of Calvary. We would know what it means to be partakers with Christ in His sufferings. The love of Christ would constrain us, and though we would not be able to explain how the love of Christ warmed our hearts, we would manifest His love in fervent devotion to His cause.” Our High Calling, 365.

Faith and love enables us to do something very important. What is it?

“Buy faith and love, the precious, beautiful attributes of our Redeemer, which will enable us to find our way into the hearts of those who do not know Him, who are cold and alienated from Him through unbelief and sin.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 964. [Emphasis supplied.]

The power of Christ’s love is revealed: “The love that was in the heart of Christ is to be in our hearts, that we may reveal it to those around us. We need to be daily strengthened by the deep love of God, and to let this love shine forth to those around us.” The Upward Look, 159.

Therefore, when Laodicea’s condition is critically analyzed, the verdict is that the church is devoid of the love of God, thus the heavenly merchant man who has been waiting and longing has declared, “You are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and if you do not ‘buy of Me gold,’ I will spew you out of my mouth or I will reject you!” Revelation 3:15, 16.

The white raiment represents the righteousness of Jesus Christ. “Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God’s presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. ‘I counsel thee,’ He says, ‘to buy of Me … white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.’ Revelation 3:18.

“This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. ‘All our righteousness are as filthy rags.’ Isaiah 64:6.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311.

What does it mean to be clothed with Christ’s robe of righteousness?

“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. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Ibid., 312.

How do we receive Christ’s righteousness?

“By receiving His imputed righteousness, through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, we become like Him. The image of Christ is cherished, and it captivates the whole being.” God’s Amazing Grace, 96.

It is evident that self must be surrendered to Christ, and the Holy Spirit be allowed to do the work of cleansing so that which is the soul’s need may be met.

What does the righteousness of Christ consist of?

“Righteousness of Christ imputed to men means holiness, uprightness, purity. Unless Christ’s righteousness was imputed to us we could not have acceptable repentance. The righteousness dwelling in us by faith consists of love, forbearance, meekness, and all the Christian virtues. Here the righteousness of Christ is laid hold of and becomes a part of our being. All who have this righteousness will work the works of God.” Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 134.

“The righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and good works from pure, unselfish motives. Outside righteousness, while the inward adorning is wanting, will be of no avail.” This Day With God, 182.

We can conclude on this point by agreeing that “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.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 88.

“The eyesalve [represents, or] is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God has given His church eyes which He requires them to anoint with wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes of the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come to the light, lest they should be reproved. The divine eyesalve will impart clearness to the understanding.” Ibid., 88, 89.

I must make this point clear to our understanding that according to the Faithful and True witness—Jesus Christ—the Laodicean Christians are not totally blind. “The Laodiceans,” Ellen White states, “were not entirely blind, else the eyesalve would have done nothing to restore their sight, and enable them to discern the true attributes of Christ. Says Christ, By renouncing your own self-sufficiency, giving up all things, however dear to you, you may buy the gold, the raiment, and the eyesalve that you may see.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 965.

Why anoint the eyes? “He would anoint the blind eyes, that they may discover the holy character of God in His law, and understand the love of Christ, which is indeed gold tried in the fire.” Ibid., 965.

This is important because while we are blessed with 20/20 vision to see about our self-interest and to glorify self, at the same time we are blind to see Christ and His wonderful love which we so desperately need. Because we are so focused on self we are totally destitute of the love of Jesus; therefore, when our love for God and our fellowman is tested, we utterly fail. We give up on Christ and we abandon our fellow human beings.

What we need to understand is that the more we promote self, the more we fail to realize how wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked and lukewarm we are.

But, let us not forget or be confused that there is love in the church, but Christ, the owner of the church still says to us, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire.” This conveys the fact that what the church calls love is not the genuine love. Jesus’ love holds up under all circumstances; it remains unchanged no matter how severely tried or unkindly treated! This is the gold tried in the fire.

The current love present in the church, which makes God nauseated, is a love that is destructive, which cultivates evil and only more evil, and which originates in the synagogue of Satan; it’s a love that cherishes hate, resentment, pride, jealousy, fault-finding, gossiping, envy, evil-surmising, strife, bitterness, an unforgiving spirit, deception, hypocrisy, unbelief and all manner of unchristlike attitudes and behavior! It’s a love that is pretentious. So Christ once again says, buy of me gold tried in the fire. Buy the genuine article, for this is the only one that will endure when all else fails. “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” I Corinthians 13:13.

Ellen White reminds us, “It is difficult for us to understand ourselves, to have a correct knowledge of our own characters. The word of God is plain, but often there is an error in applying it to one’s self. There is liability to self-deception and to think its warnings and reproofs do not mean me. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?’ Jeremiah 17:9. Self-flattery may be construed into Christian emotion and zeal. Self-love and confidence may give us assurance that we are right when we are far from meeting the requirements of God’s word.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 332.

So, having said all this, I would like to go back to my original question and provide the answer. What is it that Christ is waiting for and longing for before He returns to this earth? We read in the Gospel of Mark, “But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:29.

What fruit is Christ here referring to? The apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatian Christians identifies this fruit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” “This fruit can never perish, but will produce after its kind a harvest unto eternal life.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 68, 69.

“Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.

“It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel.” Ibid.

Satan knows this; consequently, this is what he has been doing: “The enemy well knows that if we do not have love one for another, he can gain his object, and wound and weaken the church, by causing differences among brethren. He can lead them to surmise evil, to speak evil, to accuse, condemn, and hate one another. In this way the cause of God is brought into dishonor, the name of Christ is reproached, and untold harm is done to the souls of men.” This Day with God, 165.

So Jesus has been waiting, longing to see His love manifested in the lives of all His followers, and this in turn would hasten His coming. Will He wait forever? No!

In closing I leave these words with you: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” I John 3:1–3.

Jesus pleads to you and me, “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.” Revelation 3:20. Will you open to the heavenly merchant man? “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:15, 16.

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-822-3900.