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 Daniel 11:35

 

In Daniel 11:35 we read:

Daniel 11:35
"And some of those who are wise shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time."

    According to this passage - that though it is in a prophetic context, it is also generally applicable in principle (see other passages below) - even the wise will fall and the purpose is to be refined, purified and be made white. As Isaiah 48:10 tells us

Isaiah 48:10
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction."
(NKJV-RSV)

    Regarding the meaning of the furnace, it was a place where they put, such precious metals as gold and silver, and through very high heat, refined and purified them from any mixtures. Similarly, the furnace of affliction, is the place where the Lord puts His own PRECIOUS people, to purify them and remove any mixtures.
     As David confesses: 

Psalms 119:67, 71
"Before I was afflicted I went astray...It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes."

    Those that enter the furnace of affliction are those that I) THE LORD LOVES (see also Hebrews 12:6), and considers PRECIOUS but II) have mixtures, and have gone astray. For sure, the furnace means very high heat. As Hebrews 12:11 tells us: "No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful". However, "to those that have been trained by it, it afterwards yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness". Those that come out of the furnace, are WHITE, CLEAN AND REFINED. THEY KNOW THE STATUTES OF THE LORD, not only in their heads but also in their hearts.
    Nonetheless, let us not think that God takes pleasure in affliction, and all that it may mean. As Lamentation 3:33 tells us:

Lamentations 3:33
"For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men."

    When one has a child he does not think with pleasure the possibility to have to pass him through chastening. So also with the Lord. "He does not afflict willingly". It is something that when He does it, it is only because HE HAS TO DO IT, NOT BECAUSE HE LIKES TO DO IT. In the furnace of affliction go only those that need refinement and only "FOR OUR PROFIT, that we may be partakers of His holiness" (Hebrews 12:10)

Tassos Kioulachoglou

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