TaliOrlando said:
Hello Everyone!! Good Morning!! I read all through that answer and I thank you all however my question of why does God tell the Churches to repent in Revelation has not been answered. Can someone please tell me why?
Revelation 3
15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
You have to compare this "White Raiment" with the parable of the Wedding Garment:
Mt:22:11: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment
The White Garment means the Righteousness of Christ and the Eyesalve means the Holy Spirit which enables you to discern your own nakedness...
Jn:16:8: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment
2 Thessalonians 2:
10: And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11: And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Maybe I will tell you more about this Wedding Garment later today...
They are deceived, believing they are covered when they are not. They are naked. Walking around without the Righteousness of Christ. Just have an outward cover of "believing on Christ" with no inward change.
"Gold tried in the Fire" is an experience they know not. God puts us through fiery trials that our defects of character may be revealed to us and we have opportunity to correct them through the power of Christ. The "Cleansing of Sin" Process. This is the "Refining Process" described in Malachi chapter 4, which speaks about getting us ready for the second coming of Christ. Read carefully:
Malachi Chapter 4:
1: Behold, I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
2: But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
4: Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
5: And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
God is working to prepare His Church for the second coming of Christ:
Eph:5:27: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
But then you have the false professors who go around trying to convince the people that they need no change of character. They will tell you that the people need no refining process. They are fine just with throwing a false cover of "just believe" over them. Thus, the need in the Book of Revelation to point out their nakedness and to startle them out of their deceived state. Telling them that they need the White Raiment of Christ.
Rom:1:18: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness
Rom:8:4: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rv:19:8: And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.