THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Eleazar, the priest, addressed the soldiers preparing for battle, stating, “This is the decree given by the Lord to Moses: Gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, and lead, along with anything that can endure fire, must be passed through fire for purification. Additionally, those items that cannot withstand fire should be purified with water. Your garments are to be washed on the seventh day; only then shall you enter the camp” (Num. 31:21-24). Notice that Moses, who first articulated the time for purification for the victorious, did not specify the method; this was foretold by the law concerning the cleansing brought by Christ. The method was later clarified by Eleazar, the second priest after Moses.
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Following Moses, Christ provided the directives, focusing not on when purification occurs, which has arrived, but clarifying how it is achieved, ultimately revealing the mystery and the true purpose of the law. Eleazar commanded that items able to withstand fire be brought through the flames, while all weaker materials, such as garments and items made of leather or wood, were to be cleansed in water. This distinction reflects upon us, as Christ has purified us through both fire and water; we have been baptized “with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Matt. 3:11). The act of passing through fire and water with items taken from the defeated clearly symbolizes our cleansing, for we were once under the dominion of the adversary before Christ liberated us by entering the stronghold, seizing his possessions, and binding him (Matt. 12:29). Furthermore, Eleazar instructed the victorious to enter the camp only after their garments were washed on the seventh day, thus made clean. Likewise, the complete purification and removal of all unrighteousness will occur in the final days of the earth, when, as previously noted, sin will be entirely vanquished, and humanity will be restored to its original holiness: “Then shall it be,” it is written, “...and the highway shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not pass over it...And the redeemed of the Lord shall return” (Isaiah 35:8-10). I believe this explanation retains its intended significance. However, if anyone interprets this differently, we affirm that every vessel of the overcomers, whether gold, silver, bronze, or a similar material, will be tested by fire, for as the blessed Apostle Paul states, “the fire shall test each man’s work, of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13). Additionally, each vessel of every overcomer, regardless of material, is also established to pass through water, as confirmed by the Psalmist, who teaches that the souls of the saints undergo trials similarly. David proclaimed, “You have tested us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined… We went through fire and through water, but You brought us out to rich fulfillment” (Psalm 65:10-12).