"Buy Of Me"

by G. Jarvie | Category: General | Nov 1963

"I counsel thee to buy of Me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich" (Revelation 3.18).

The messages from the Lord to the seven churches in Asia are very instructive to us, because it is likely that this will be the character of His judgements when our works are tried, as by fire, at the coming Judgement-seat. These were His judgements of some of the early churches of God. When we read these thoughtfully we do not feel complacent about our own work. "Each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it," wrote Paul (1 Corinthians 8.13). Solemn thought indeed! Again we read, "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God" (1 Corinthians 4.5). It will be after the hidden things and the counsels of our hearts have been made manifest, that what is worthy of praise will be rewarded.

"Before the holy judgement throne

We'll see, as we in awe bow down,

Our works in fire be tried."

We ask ourselves now, "How much of what we have done will abide the fire in that day?" We can learn much from the Lord's judgement of the seven churches in Asia, and it is well to remind; ourselves that these are not the judgement of sectarian churches, but of early churches of God. How searching they are!

There is no need to comment extensively on all His messages to the churches. His judgements are clear in their language, so that all of u~ can understand them. We should, however, notice one or two points. To each of them He said, "I KNOW", and to only two out of the seven did He send words of unreserved commendation. To each church He held out a promise to the overcomer.

To Ephesus He said, "Thou didst leave thy first love" (2.4). They had continued patiently doing His will, but the warm glow of their first love was gone, and because of that He called them to repent. That is a very searching thought to us. Most of us are continuing patiently doing His will, but how many of us still feel the early glow of our first love to the Lord? How many of us are really doing the first works? He would accept nothing less from the saints in Ephesus, and surely if that is so, then He will accept nothing less from us. Let us repent of any coldness in our hearts. Let us take time in the secret place, until the warm glow of His love to us causes our hearts to burn again.

The warm-hearted ones of Smyrna are commended, and they were warned, too, of the coming fiery trial. Any who lose their lives for His sake, are promised the crown of life. Someone has written, "It is wise to lose what we cannot keep, to gain what we cannot lose". We may not be called upon to give up our lives as the martyrs have done, but we can lose them in this world for Christ's sake and the gospel's sake (Mark 8.35). Young brethren and sisters, if you live for yourselves, you will lose your lives, but if you yield them to the Lord you will gain them. Be wise!

In the Lord's words to Pergamum we see that words of commendation are not withheld where there are love and faithfulness to Him. Then also the special difficulties of their situation were noticed by the Lord. He took note of everything, and He knew that some lived in more difficult situations than others. So also it is today. The Lord knows where we dwell, and the particular difficulties that some of His saints have. The testimony to Antipas, "My witness, My faithful one", is recorded for our sakes also. His reward is sure in the coming day.

Those in Thyatira who are clear of unclean teaching are commended and urged to hold fast until He come. It is instructive to notice in 2.27, that His rule over the world when He comes to reign, will be rule with a rod of iron

Sardis had only a name to live, spiritually they were dead. They had the name of a church of God, but they had nothing of His power. Let us fear lest that should ever describe the church with which we are associated. They had been working for God, but none of their works had been fulfilled before Him. Most of them were defiled in some way, and their work was not acceptable to Him. Perhaps they thought that the name was the chief thing, and that the power was not so important. Let us learn from their mistake.

Philadelphia is wholly commended. If they hold fast they would receive the crown. There were warm, true hearts in Philadelphia.

Laodicea calls for particular comment, because of two very precious promises to them-and to us. To Laodicea He speaks as "the faithful and true Witness". Faithful and true speaking they sorely needed. They were poor, but they thought themselves rich. They were naked, and they thought themselves to be well clothed. They were blind yet they thought they could see clearly. How could that be? Because they were lukewarm? That is the simple explanation of their different viewpoint from the Lord's. Outwardly they were prospering. Their meetings may have been well attended, and their surface knowledge of the Scriptures may have been extensive. But He who is the faithful and true Witness did not spare them. In His sight they were poor and miserable and blind and wretched and naked. None of us would like to hear words like those at the Master's Judgement-seat. How much better to hear them now, and to judge ourselves

What was the Lord's counsel to Laodicea? "Buy of Me," He said, "gold refined by fire". He did not say, Ask-of Me. No! He said, "Buy of Me". The true riches are not always to be had for the asking. Repentance was necessary. It is only with the lowly in heart that God will dwell (Isaiah 57.15). He will not give His good things to the proud.

We turn the searchlight of the word upon our own hearts, and ask, What about our thoughts, our actions, and our service for the Lord? Do we want our own way? If so, we are on dangerous ground. Slowly but surely, like cataract in the eyes, blindness will come over us, as it came over those in Laodicea.

What is the Lord's counsel? "Buy of Me." A price must be paid. The fine gold and white garments and eyesalve must be bought. Back along the way they had erred they must go, making confession to God, and to others, if need be. Then the true riches and the white garments and the eyesalve would be given to them.

The Lord does not finish there. There is another precious promise, which I regard as one of the sweetest in the Scriptures. It was for them in that day, and it is for us in our day. He Himself will come and dwell with us, if only we will hear His voice and open the door (3.20). Let us ask, every morning, for His presence during the day. Then He will come and sup with us, and we with Him. How sweet indeed! And in the coming day, if we are overcomers, He will give us even more of His fellowship. He will make us to sit down with Him on His throne, as He overcame in the days of His flesh, and now sits with the Father on His throne.

G. Jarvie | Nov 1963
General