Purification

In the biblical context, purification refers to the process of making oneself or something clean, both physically and spiritually, in accordance with God's standards. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where various laws and rituals were established to maintain purity among the Israelites.

Old Testament Purification

The Mosaic Law contains numerous instructions regarding purification. Leviticus 11-15 outlines various laws concerning clean and unclean animals, skin diseases, and bodily discharges. For instance, Leviticus 11:47 states, "You must distinguish between the clean and the unclean, between the living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten." These laws served to set the Israelites apart as God's holy people.

Ritual purification often involved washing with water, offering sacrifices, and waiting for a specified period. For example, Leviticus 14:8-9 describes the purification process for a person healed from a skin disease: "The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days."

New Testament Purification

In the New Testament, purification takes on a more spiritual dimension. The coming of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament laws, and purification is now understood in terms of inner cleansing from sin. Hebrews 9:13-14 explains, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?"

The apostle John emphasizes the need for spiritual purification through confession and the blood of Jesus. In 1 John 1:7, he writes, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

Readiness

Readiness in the biblical sense involves being prepared for the return of Christ and living a life that reflects His teachings. It is a state of spiritual alertness and moral integrity, characterized by faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.

Parables of Readiness

Jesus frequently taught about readiness through parables. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), Jesus illustrates the importance of being prepared for His return. The wise virgins took oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones did not. When the bridegroom arrived, only the wise were ready to enter the wedding banquet. Jesus concludes, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matthew 25:13).

Exhortations to Be Ready

The New Testament contains numerous exhortations to be ready for Christ's return. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, Paul writes, "For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and security,' destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober."

Living in Readiness

Living in readiness involves a commitment to holiness and godliness. In 2 Peter 3:11-12, Peter urges believers, "Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God." This readiness is not passive but active, requiring believers to engage in good works and live according to God's will.

In summary, purification and readiness are intertwined themes in the Bible, emphasizing the need for both spiritual cleansing and vigilant preparation for the return of Christ. These concepts call believers to live lives that honor God, reflecting His holiness and anticipating His coming kingdom.