They Will Be Cleansed and Whitened

The Book of Daniel is unique in that it describes real events of the time when Daniel lived, as well as narrates what was to happen afterward and at the very end of earthly history. Some prophecies found their fulfillment during the author's lifetime, but at the end, Daniel writes that the words of his book will be sealed until the last time. This means that those reading these prophecies will not understand their meaning until the Lord removes the seal.

The last time began after Christ's ascension to Heaven, where He began His service in the Heavenly Temple. And when the Apostle John wrote the prophetic book of Revelation, many symbols of Daniel's book became understandable to the readers' consciousness, and God's children studying the written predictions saw how these books are intertwined. But the final understanding of all prophecies will occur at the very end of the last time, that is, in our days.

I would like to draw attention in this chapter to two important verses that very clearly point to the goods of the Laodicean store. We read in Daniel 11:35: "Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." It is commonly believed that the Laodicean period began in 1844 when the prophecy of 2,300 evenings and mornings was finally fulfilled. The word "Laodicea" itself translates to "people of judgment". There is a special Divine providence in this coincidence.

In verse 35, I would like to highlight 3 words: wise, purification, and whitening. It is important to compare them with the verse from Revelation 3:18. The wise are those who bought the eye salve. The purified are those who acquired gold refined through fire. The whitened are those who bought white clothing.

"Some will suffer." This phrase indicates that during this period, there will be oppression and persecution, during which some will have to suffer, lose something, or even die. From historical examples, we see that some state, atheistic, and religious regimes continue to contribute to these oppressions to this day. And at the end of the final events, the entire world will rise against us but will not be able to overcome, because Jesus Himself will lead this war and win, and with Him, we will emerge victorious.

We read the verse from Daniel 12:10: "Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand." Here is a direct reference to Revelation 3:18, indicating that many will already be tested, and the wise will understand. And if we add the parable of the five wise virgins from Matthew 25:1-13, a very interesting picture emerges. If the Lord repeats something in a prophecy twice or more times, it means that special attention should be paid to what is described, because it will certainly be fulfilled. Genesis 41:32 says, "The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter is determined by God and God will do it soon."

The Lord predicted thousands of years ago what we are experiencing now and made clear the importance of what the Faithful Witness will advise us.

In Revelation 3:14, we read: "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation." The Lord characterizes Himself as the One who gives the most infallible and precise testimony. He very clearly defines my true position, praises nothing, and provides the only way out of my lukewarm state. Daniel predicts that many will be cleansed and clothed in white garments but also says that the wicked will not understand.

The conclusion suggests itself. If I have no interest in Jesus' advice or do not understand what is being discussed, I may be in a group with not a very good name. But if I decide to change something in this matter and begin to ask, seek, study, and delve in, then the Lord will begin to sell me the offered goods. He does not intend to enrich anyone by force.

Once, the Lord gave the Most Valuable thing He had — His beloved Son, and the world killed this Man. The world will do the same to all followers of Christ if God removes His protection. But the Lord came not to destroy but to save the world, and He succeeds.

In Daniel 12:1, we read that "at that time Michael, the great prince, will arise," and a time of trouble is described. All this suggests that in the very last time, the Lord will personally accomplish something very significant. And Christ's statement that He is already standing testifies to my being in that period of time when all this is being fulfilled.

But Daniel's prophecies may remain simple letters, hidden from understanding, if I do not have time and desire to figure them out. And then I will definitely not enter the number of the wise.

What will happen to those who buy nothing according to the advice of the True Amen? I think they will not be refined, cleansed, and whitened as the prophet Daniel predicts. God will not throw simple stones into the fire; there is no point in that. They will not change and will not become purer.

Gold refined by fire, which symbolizes faith, hope, and love, enriches anyone who buys it. It becomes part of a person's soul, refining that soul according to God's requirements and expectations, without violating the Christian's freedom of choice. It is very simple to be rich in love, having an boundless potential and resource of Heavenly love. And when this molten Heavenly metal passes through my heart, it refines me, burning out and removing harmful and impure impurities. God's Agape has made its way into my heart so that now, passing through it, it can naturally pour out on all neighbors, expecting only that I become a constant buyer of its endless possibilities.

Even if the dirtiest person is dressed in clean white clothes, they will look very elegant. But the Lord does not cover our dirt; He cleanses it, washing it away with His Blood upon our repentance. And on a pure heart and mind, He puts on a solemn "white linen" to present us before the entire Universe.

White clothing is the character of my Savior, which through constant buying and exchange has become mine and has become so firmly established in my life that it no longer resembles a fabric that can be constantly removed and put on. It is now God's light, visible to all people like a burning lamp in a dark world.

Eye salve makes the unwise wise and the wicked righteous. But it must be bought to see and understand what it represents. And with open eyes, one can evaluate the cost of all the most important goods for Laodicea.

How Daniel and John desired to be in our time to experience all these blessings, to be cleansed and whitened, and to be refined in trials, but they were only given to see and describe it. We can buy and eat all this and make it our possession for this life and all Eternity.

How many of God's children dreamed of entering our time to be cleansed and whitened, and we live in this and can do this from morning to evening, having bought from the Heavenly Merchant. And how delicious it all is, and how my life is enriched by these goods. What else can one wish for? Only not to stop in this purchase and to be thankful for everything.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Matthew 13:12; John 3:16; Daniel 7:22,26; 8:14; 11:32-36; 12:10; Ephesians 5:14-17; Hosea 4:6; Revelation 13:5-7; 19:8; 22:17-20; Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 118:18; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 6:1-3; Romans 13:10-13 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Are you glad that ancient prophets wrote about our time, predicting that many will be cleansed and whitened?

4. Do you believe that our purchase of Heavenly goods is God's plan for us?

5. Has the time come when it is worth understanding what Jesus offers to the Laodiceans?

6. What will those who buy nothing from the Heavenly Merchant be called?

7. Do you wish to be enriched by Heavenly gold?

8. What does a person rich in Heavenly gold look like? How is their wealth manifested?

9. What should those do who do not understand a single word of the Faithful Witness's address but very much want to be saved, seeking other paths?

10. Are you glad that we are already living before the Second Coming and will be participants in great Divine works?

11. Will those who bought Heavenly goods have an advantage over those who did not do so but knew where they were sold?

12. What is the difference between the wise and the foolish, since they have the same faith and the same church?

13. Are you not afraid of the prospect of having to learn to know love for all Eternity?

14. Do you have oil in your vessels? If yes, where did you get it?