ER5: Garments of Glory and Beauty
I. Introduction
1. A Great Theme of Jesus Teaching was Eternal Rewards
- Jesus constantly taught about seeking Eternal rewards, and the need to pursue them
- “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”(Mat.16:27)
2. There are very Many Different types of Rewards
- In Rev.2-3 Jesus names many different rewards for those who Overcome specific challenges and trials
- The many Eternal Rewards that are described potentially form an important part of our Eternal Destiny
- We need to be familiar with the significance and importance of the different rewards revealed.
- Understanding what is at stake gives us great motivation for perseverance and transformation
“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality” (Col.3:22-24)
3. Rewards are Not Given Automatically…Only to those who fulfil specific Conditions
- “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Rev.3:21)
- “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (Jn.12:26)
- Note that in each of these scriptures receiving a reward is conditional upon our works and actions in response to Jesus
4. Our Small Sacrifices Now have Huge Recompense Eternally
- “You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” (Mt. 25:21)
- “Well done...you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.” (Lk. 19:17)
- God greatly values our small expressions of obedience in our mind , emotions and will
- He remembers them and rewards them in a much, much greater proportion
- God is a “Rewarder” (Heb.11:6) and He is extremely generous!
- “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” (Mt. 19:29)
5. Possible Categories of these Many Rewards
- The many Rewards mentioned in the Bible could be listed under the following headings:
1. Eternal Intimacy
2. Eternal Authority
3. Eternal Glory
4. Eternal Garments
5. Victor’s Crowns
6. Honour & Praise
7. Treasures & Riches
8. Vindication
- The first three of these rewards deserve special attention
- One of the Rewards mentioned more than any other is Ruling and Reigning with Christ
- This is because God’s original design for man is to be a Son:
Having Intimate Relationship with Him
Working with Him to extend His Kingdom with Power and Authority
Representing Him… His Character and Glory
Reward 4: Garments of Glory and Beauty
II. What are the Garments of Glory and Beauty?
1. Some Places in the Bible Where Garments are Mentioned
- God Himself:
God is clothed with Honor and Majesty. (Ps.104:1)
God clothes Himself with Light as a Garment. (Ps.104:2)
God is clothed with Majesty and Strength. (Ps.93:1)
- Adam and Eve:
God clothed them with animal skins because of their nakedness (Gen.3:21)
They had lost their garments of Glory and Beauty
- Angels:
Angels are clothed with white linen. (Ezekiel.10:1-2)
Angels are clothed with white linen. (Dan.10:5)
- The High Priest: Clothed in white linen. (Lev.6:6)
- Jesus Transfigured: Jesus robes were brilliant dazzling white. (Mk.9:3)
- The white linen garments that shine brilliantly refer to supernatural clothing, suitable for access to the realm of heaven
2. White Garments are Not the Same as the Free Gift of Righteousness.
- Mat 16:27 - For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
- Rev 19:7 - Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
- Rev 19:8 - And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- “The fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” …Note: Acts(plural) of the saints
- These garments express each believer’s devotion to Christ and their acts of service.
- Justification is a Gift Received by Faith, Based on Jesus’ Worthiness, not ours
Eph. 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast
Tit. 3:4 - But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
Tit. 3:5 - not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
- Our faith in the work of Jesus Christ saves and justifies us before God
- Our garments begin with the gift of righteousness that is imputed to us by faith (2 Cor. 5:21).
- However if our faith is alive and growing should produce a fruit of character and works that can be seen
- Our Salvation depends upon our faith in His Work….a Free Gift
- Our Eternal rewards depend upon our works: How we have lived out our life as a steward…A Reward
3. Who Receives the White Garments?
- (i). The Overcomers Receive White Garments
Rev 3:4 - You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5 - He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
The Overcomers are awarded white Garments as an prize, or honor for overcoming in life
- (ii). The Bride, The Lamb’s Wife Receives White Linen Garments
Rev 19:8 - And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
The Bride of Christ has “made herself ready”, she has prepared herself for the coming of the Bridegroom
- (iii). These are People from Every Tribe and Nation
- Rev 7:9 - After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
4. What are The White Garments?
- (i). The White Garments are Eternal Rewards
- The White Garments are supernatural clothing awarded to believers to acknowledge the quality of their love and walk with Jesus during their lives on earth.
- Walking “with Christ in white” is one reward for being faithful. The reason for receiving these white garments is given—“for they are worthy.”
- Rev 3:4 - You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
“Worthy”…Having weight, having value, one who has merited something, deserving reward
- (ii). The Word “White” Describes the Brightness of these Garments.
White… (Gk., leukos) …Bright, brilliant dazzling, emanating light
Mar 9:3 - His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Mat 17:2 - and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
- (iii). Each Person will be Clothed Uniquely, Having Differing degrees of Light and Brilliance
The brightness will depend upon the Person’s Rank and Stature in the Kingdom
Dan 12:3 - Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
Mat 13:43 - Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
1Col. 15:41 - There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead
- (iv). It is Possible that the Garments will be Diverse and Vary Depending on the Occasion
In the natural world leaders dress differently for different occasions
“who cover Yourself with light as with a garment... (Ps. 104:2)
“clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. (Rev. 15:6)
III. The Priestly Garments
1. We Are All Called to be Priests to God
- 1Pe 2:5 - you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Priests stand before God to offer sacrifices of praise and worship
- Priests make intercession on behalf of men
- Priests come before men to bless them
2. The Priestly Garments in the OT give insight to the Importance God Places on Garments
Exo 28:1 - "Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron's sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Exo 28:2 - And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:3 - So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
3. The Purpose of The Priests Garments
(i). Glory and Beauty
God designed the Priestly Garments to show His Glory and reflect His Beauty
“Glory”…….Gk. Kabod…..Splendor, Honor, Dignity, Majesty, Nobility
“Beauty”…. Glory, Honor, Rank, Splendor, Highly Attractive, an attribute of God
(ii). Consecration of the Priest
“Consecrate”….to set apart for a special purpose
(iii). Ministry Personally to God
To enter into His presence, and engage with Him face to face
4. The Details of the Priests Garments
- These are described in detail in Exod.28:1-43
- God gave exact directions regarding the design of the Priests Garments
- They had distinct parts (trousers, coat, girdle, bonnet, robe, ephod, breastplate, tunic, turban hats, sash, and crown).
- Exo 28:4 - And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skilfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.
- Exo 28:42 - And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs.
- Exo 28:43 - They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.
- These Garments had to be worn by the priest when he entered the presence of God to minister
- The OT priestly garments were made of fine linen
- The garments had different colours, each with significance (gold, blue, purple, scarlet.).
- The breastplate was worn over the ephod and had shoulder-pieces with onyx stones.
- The ephod of blue was worn over the robe, which was worn over the coat and girdle.
5. The Details of the Seals
(i). The Breastplate…Worn over the Heart (Transformed heart)
- Exo 28:29 - "So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually.
(ii). The Two Memorial Stones…Worn on the Shoulders ( Responsibility as Son)
Exo 28:12 And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a memorial.
(iii). The Gold Crown…Worn on the Forehead (Mind of Christ)
Exo 28:36 - "You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD ………So it shall be on Aaron's forehead,
- Each aspect of the Priests Garments prophetically point to Jesus Christ and Manifested The Sons of God (Rom.8:19)
- E.g. The Engraved Stones with the names of the tribes of Israel in order of birth (Exod.28.10)
Names are always associated with character, nature and destiny. These names identify the new creation
Reuben: “Behold a Son” …Sonship. We are born into a relationship with God as our Father
Simeon: “A Hearkening”…Sonship means hearing and obeying the voice of our Father, pleasing Him
Judah: “Praise”…Sonship means that we constantly thank and praise our Father
6. Only Overcomers will receive these Priestly Garments of Glory and Beauty
- What is an Overcomer?
“Overcome”…To subdue, to conquer, to prevail or gain victory over temptation and difficulties
- Rev 3:5 - He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments,
- Rev 20:6 - Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
IV. The Change in Priesthood
1. Overcomers will Be Priests to God
- The Overcomers who are raised in the First Resurrection are called Priests of God and of Christ
- Rev 20:6 - Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
2. Two Priesthoods
- There are two priesthood’s mentioned in the Bible: Levi(Aaron) and Melchizedek( Jesus)
- Levitical Priesthood
- The Levitical priests were chosen to minister the Old Covenant
- The Levitical priests were all descendants of Aaron
- Levi was violent and cruel and came under the curse of Jacob.
Gen. 49:5 - "Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
- The Levitical Priesthood was replaced by Melchizidek, who was chosen to minister the New Covenant
- Melchizedek Priesthood
- Gen. 14:18 - Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
- “Melchizedek”… HB. Tesdeq … Justice, Righteousness: King of Salem… ”Shelem”…King of Peace
3. The Levitical Priesthood has Been Replaced
Heb. 7:11 - Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
Heb. 7:12 - For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.
Heb. 7:13 - For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar
- Both Jesus and David were from the Tribe of Judah. They are Melchizedek Priests
- The Order of Melchizedek has replaced Levi and taken over the duties they were given
- The Overcomers who descend not from Levi, but from every tribe and nation are also Melchizedek priests. This priesthood no longer includes blood sacrifices because they have a “better” sacrifice… The sacrifice of Christ on the Cross
4. Levi Replaced by Zadok
- God declared to Eli, a Levitical priest and descendent of Aaron, that He would replace him
- 1Sa. 2:35 - Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.
- Eli was replaced by Eleazar (1Sam.7:1) and Eleazar was replaced by Abiathar. Solomon replaced Abiathar with Zadok
- 1Ki. 2:27 - So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, that he might fulfill the word of the LORD which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh.
- 1Ki. 2:35 - The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.
5. Why Did the Sons of Levi Forfeit their Priesthood?
- 1Sa. 2:29 - Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?'
1Sa. 2:30 - Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed
- Why They Forfeited the Priesthood: Dishonoring God, Honoring Themselves
(i). Lack of Intimate Relationship
They had no relationship with the Lord, they did not know or respect Him and His Ways
(ii). Selfish Ambition and Self Promotion
They dishonored God by taking the best offerings for themselves.
They used their position to exploit people and to advance themselves
(iii). Immorality
They dishonored God by sexual relationships with women who came to worship
- They took advantage of vulnerable people and abused their position of power
- God saw it all and held them to account!...The loss of the Priesthood
6. Change in Priesthood means Loss of Millennial Inheritance
- The Bible uses the Story of Eli and Zadok as a prophetic picture of the Priesthood in The Millennial Age
- Ezekiel uses OT pictures off the temple and sacrifices to describe NT Kingdom realities
- God will not reintroduce natural sacrifices again. These have forever been replaced by Jesus sacrifice
- The Old Covenant and its sacrifices have been replaced by the New Covenant and the sacrifice of Christ
- Notice what God says to the Levitical priesthood through the Prophet Ezekiel:
Eze. 44:10 - "And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.
Eze. 44:11 - Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, as gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.
Eze. 44:12 - Because they ministered to them before their idols and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them," says the Lord GOD, "that they shall bear their iniquity.
Eze. 44:13 - And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.
Eze. 44:14 - Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it.
- The Sons of Levi
- In the Millennial Kingdom they will not receive a glorified resurrected body that can go back and forth between heaven and earth such as the body Jesus had following His resurrection
- They will not have access into the realm of heaven and the throne of God, nor reign with Him on earth
- They will be limited to ministering in the earthly realm, they will have a role serving the house
- These represent believers operating under Old Covenant legalism, who dishonor God, and who have refused heart transformation
7. The Inheritance of the Priests was God Himself
- Num. 18:20 - Then the LORD said to Aaron: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.
- To inherit God means to inherit a glorified body and have access to Face to Face encounters with God
- The Sons of Zadok
Eze. 44:15 - "But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood," says the Lord GOD.
Eze. 44:16 - "They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge.
Eze. 44:17 - And it shall be, whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen garments; no wool shall come upon them while they minister within the gates of the inner court or within the house.
Eze. 44:18 - They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat.
Eze. 44:19 - When they go out to the outer court, to the outer court to the people, they shall take off their garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and put on other garments; and in their holy garments they shall not sanctify the people.
- Linen is made from plant and wool comes from animals, sheep
Rev 19:8 - And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Linen then represents the glorious resurrected body and garments the Overcomers will receive
- Wool represents the fleshy physical human body
- These priests of God and of Christ will be given resurrected bodies like Jesus and be able to pass easily between heaven and earth just as Jesus did after His resurrection
- They will “put on linen garments” to enter into the Throne Room of God and minister to Him, and then “put on other garments….Wool” to return to earth and interact with and minister to people
- “ Cause sweat”…means human effort and toil, the consequence of the curse upon the earth (Gen.3:19)
- This is exactly what Jesus himself did after His resurrection
Luke 24:36 - Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."
Luke 24:37 - But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
Luke 24:38 - And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Luke 24:39 - Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
Luke 24:40 - When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
Jesus appeared to His disciples in a body of flesh and bones that they could see and touch. He ate with them.
The overcomers will be able to do exactly what Jesus did, travel between Heaven and earth
This is what is will mean to be a Priest after the Order of Melchizidek
- These overcomers will instruct people and judge difficult situations
Eze. 44:23 - "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Eze. 44:24 - In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.
V. Jesus Warning and Counsel Concerning Garments
1. Jesus Warning: No Garments
- Rev 3:17 - Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
- “ Need of Nothing”….reveals pride and luke-warmness and blindness to spiritual condition
- “Naked”… is a term that means to have sin exposed, and hidden things revealed
- Gen. 3:10 - So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
- Rev 16:15 - "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
- “ Keep garments” …stay abiding in Christ and produce fruits that reveal the character and love of God
- To be naked or shamed in eternity is to be devoid of the reward of heavenly garments.
- All believers have the robe of righteousness, yet Jesus warns us of the shame of nakedness or “lacking the reward of clothing” that reveals one’s commitment to Jesus in this age.
- 1Jn 2:28 - And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
- Tit. 3:8 - This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
- Mat 22:11 - "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
2. Jesus Warning: Defiled Garments
- Rev 3:4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
- “Worthy”…..deserving of praise, having the suitable qualities
- Jesus closely checks our garments (acts) to see if they are defiled or if they are worthy of His Close companionship and reward
- “Defiled”…pollute, stain, contaminate, soil
To contaminate or make unfit by the addition of something unsuitable or unwholesome, lower quality
- Clean garments means clean hearts, and being clothed on the outside with righteous works
- These are works that flow out of love and faith and humility and are not stained with selfish personal agendas
- Our garments become stained by the presence of selfish agendas, hidden expectations, legalism, duty rather than love, lawlessness, doing our own thing rather than seeking Father’s will (Mat.7:23)
- E.g. Luke 14:12 - Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbours, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
- E.g. Luke 6:35 - But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
- E.g. Mat 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
- E.g. 1Jn 3:2 - Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
3. Jesus Counsel: Buy of Me White Garments
Rev 3:18 - I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
- What are the Garments?
The Garments are the “Righteous Acts of the Saints”
Rev 19:8 - And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
The accumulation of our acts of righteousness on earth forms the foundation for the garments we will be clothed with in the ages to come
- Jesus evaluates all of our acts with a desire to acknowledge our devotion to Him and acts of service
- Jesus Counsel: “Buy of Me”
“Buy of Me”……Jesus alone is the source of what is lacking our missing. We must trade with Him
“Buy”….To pay a price, or make an exchange in order to obtain something of value
The Foolish virgins failed to pay the price of intimacy to obtain the oil and were excluded (Mat.25:8-13)
There is a price to following Jesus.
It takes many different forms daily as we seek to represent Him and obey Him
We must die daily to self, trust and surrender our lives to Him, and develop a serving heart and lifestyle
“Heb.6:11 - “Without faith it is impossible to please Him
Jesus counsel is to “buy of Him gold tried in the fire”
- What is Gold Tried by the Fire?
1Pe 1:6 - In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
Gold is a precious metal of high value. Gold is refined (purified) by passing though fire
Faith is compared to physical gold. It is refined (purified) by trials and testing
Faith comes by hearing but it is refined and becomes authentic when we hold onto God and His Word in the face of opposition, hostility, difficulties, delays, contradictory circumstances, resistance by loved ones
Faith is refined when you apply it to your life and do the works, persevering and speaking of faith
Jas 2:17 - Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
Our authentic faith is revealed by works of love
4. Different Types of Garments
Garments will vary in glory according to how believers lived
- (Rev. 3:4-5, 18; 19:8).
- There may be many different types of clothing with unique designs, fabric, brightness, color, etc.
- To her [Bride of Christ] it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Rev. 19:8)
Rev 20:5 - But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
VI. Questions to Reflect Upon
1. What has the Holy Spirit been speaking to you about through this study?
2. What has been the area that has challenged you personally?
3. What impact does this have upon your motivation to serve God?
4. Are there any areas your motivation has defiled your works?
5. How will this teaching affect your attitude as you face difficulties, and hardships?
6. How will this teaching affect what works you say “Yes” to taking on?
7. How will this teaching change your response when your service is not acknowledged and honored by people