Consuming or Refining

Our God is a consuming fire. Jesus immerses us into His Spirit. He immerses us in fire. Baptism, defined, is immersion. All that is not of Christ ceases to remain as we are refined from that which causes us to believe lies and deception.

Fire is spoken of much in scripture but how does that concern us?  What happens when you put something in the fire? Nothing is left but ashes. 

When God made Himself known to Moses He came to him as a fire that did not consume the bush. When God showed Himself to the Israelite nation at the mountain, He was seen as fire and smoke and lighting and thunder. He restrained Himself from consuming them but they were extremely aware and fear of His power in the moment was very real to them!!

They were told not to go on that mountain until they washed and cleansed themselves. Otherwise, they would not be able to experience His Presence that is a consuming fire. We have to be washed and refined by Jesus to stand in the Presence of a Holy God, else we would be consumed.  Anything that is left in us that is of the earth cannot survive.  

Jesus allowed three of His disciples to see Jesus transformed into pure light while not being consumed as He was transfigured and fellowshiped with Moses and Elijah. Only Jesus kept them protected by the transfiguration much like the three Hebrew children who were thrown into the fiery  furnace but not consumed.   

When Jesus came He came to cleanse us and wash us and to refine us in fire. He refines us so we can live in relationship with Him. 

The three Hebrew children were put in the firey furnace and Jesus stepped in in a supernatural event that kept mankind from consuming those who were His sons. Why?  Because He can and it seems to me He was making that point to a leader that thought he had more power than he did. Leaders must acknowledge God in spirit and truth and walk and live in the fear of the Lord.  Recall, that even though Moses met with God face to face, he fell on his face in the fear of the Lord when the Israelites were murmuring against God. We must never follow anyone who doesn’t fear the Lord. They must only speak what the Spirit is saying and only do what the Spirit is doing.  

The two witnesses are starting to appear in the earth.  I used to believe this would be two men but this is those in the body of Christ that have been matured and changed by the Spirit of Christ.  These are olive trees and lamp stands. They stand for the Spirit and Light. (They carry the truth of the Light that Jesus is by way of the Holy Spirit).  They are refined by supernatural fire and speak truth to mankind.  This is the fire that will issue from their mouth.  The Body of Christ who is refined will be able to withhold the truth from those who aren’t looking to be saved. This is rain (living water) withheld that will cause a famine for the Living Word. (Christ).  Why would they do that?  Only because mankind rejects Christ and His way for their own. They refuse the salvation that comes through Jesus. They love the darkness (their own ignorant ways) more than the Light (truth taught by the Spirit of God).  

The accuser and all mankind who follows lies will be cast into fire. Literally, the consuming fire will burn up what cannot be saved after God has done all He can to save mankind. 

Some will call on the Name of the Lord but live in ignorance in the earth. They won’t  mature because they did not submit to obey Christ or follow the teachings of the Holy Spirit. They will suffer the great loss of not reigning with Christ until they grow up. Because they never surrendered to live in obedience they will not have matured into the image of Christ; however, because they believed, they, themselves, will be saved. My conviction is that they will be brought to the fullness of the truth during the millennium reign of Christ.

Our God is a consuming fire. The fire of God refines us to live in Him. Living in His Presence changes us and causes us to submit to be conformed to His likeness and image. 

As the silver tried in the furnace of the Lord, the Words of the Lord is pure. The Word is purified seven times (a complete purifying fire) He is the Living Word and refines those who are His Sons. When we are completely immersed in His refining fire He brings us through to live in purity.  Our God is a consuming fire  

He refines us but all that is consumed is that which is not of Him.  We walk through the fire and do not smell like smoke. 

Selah