Buy Gold Refined by Fire - Applying Spiritual Eye Salve

Applying Spiritual Eye Salve

Jesus also sternly admonishes those Laodiceans: "Buy . ..white outer garments that you may become dressed and that the shame of your nakedness may not become manifested , and eye salve to rub in your eyes that you may see." (Revelation 3:18b) They should seek a cure for their spiritual blindness by purchasing curative eye salve, not that of the local healers, but of the kind that only Jesus can provide.  This would help them to walk in "the  path of the righteous ones" with their beaming eyes focused on doing God's will. (Proverbs 4:18, 25-27)  Thus, they may put on, not the costly garments of black wool made locally in Laodicea, but fine  "white outer garments" that proclaim their privileged identity as followers of Christ. -Compare 1 Timothy 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 3:3-5.

Is spiritual eye salve available in modern times?  Assuredly it is!  In 1879 Pastor Russell, as he was affectionately called, began to publish in defense of truth the magazine that is known worldwide as The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom.  In its second issue, he declared:  "[This magazine] has, we believe, Jehovah for its backer, and while this is the case  it will never beg no petition men for support.  When He who says: 'All the gold and silver of the mountain are mine,'  fails to provide necessary funds, we will understand it is to be time to suspend the publication."  Some 20th century television evangelists have amassed vast fortunes and lived in shameless (and sometimes immoral ) luxury.  (Compare Revelation 18:3) In contrast, the Bible Students, known today as Jehovah's Witnesses, have used all the unsolicited contributions received to organize and advance the worldwide preaching of Jehovah's incoming Kingdom.  The John class to this day directs the publishing of the Watchtower and Awake!, which magazines had a combined circulation in 1988 of more than 20 million.  The Watchtower is available in more than a hundred  languages.  It is the official journal of a congregation of more than three million Christians who have used each spiritual eye salve in getting their eyes opened to false religion and to the urgency of preaching the good news in all the nations. Mark 13:10.

Next time: Buy Gold Refined by Fire - Benefiting From Reproof and Discipline

From the Book of Revelation