THE GOD OF FIRE
The Bible teaches that God is surrounded by fire:
“For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29 NKJV)
Lamps of fire burn before his throne. “From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.” (Revelation 4:5 NLT).
His throne is a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire and a fiery stream Issues before him. “I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10 NLT).
Psalm 97:3 says, “A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.”
“Who makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His ministers. (Heb. 1:7; Psalm 104:4 AMPC)
He appeared to Moses as fire in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-4)
God descended on Mount Sinai in a fire( Exodus 19:18).
In Exodus 24:17, while On the Mount, Moses described the sight of the glory of God as a consuming fire.
God led Israel in the wilderness as a pillar of fire. “Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you.” (Deuteronomy 9:3 NKJV).
In Deut.4:33, 36, Moses said, God spoke to Israel from the fire
God answered Elijah by fire. (1 kings 18:38).
On Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit appeared as cloven tongues of fire on the disciples (Acts 2:2-4)
IT IS NOT FOR NOTHING THAT GOD HAS CHOSEN TO BE REPRESENTED BY THE SYMBOL OF FIRE. WHEN WE SAY “FRESH FIRE”, WE ARE INVOKING THE GOD WHO ANSWERS BY FIRE TO REFRESHEN US LIKE IT HAPPENED ON PENTECOST DAY. ELIJAH SAID, “THE GOD WHO ANSWERS BY FIRE, HE IS GOD.” 1 Kings 18:24
LIKE WE ALWAYS SAY, “A LION DOES NOT GIVE BIRTH TO A LEOPARD.” IF GOD SURROUNDS HIMSELF WITH FIRE, HIS CHILDREN MUST NOT BE LUKEWARM AND COLD. HE WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO BE HOT, ZEALOUS AND ON FIRE.
1, Fire is a symbol of judgement. As fire, God destroys his enemies and your enemies. We often think of God as loving and gentle, but in fact, God is a warrior who destroys and judges his enemies and our enemies by fire. Who are the enemies of God?
2, Fire quickens, it energizes. It releases power and strength. God’s fire empowers us.
See what happened on Pentecost day. The disciples were empowered. They went about preaching.
3, Fire purifies. Malachi describes God as a refiners fire who purges and cleanses.
““But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:2-3 NKJV).
4, Fire Transforms: Fire is associated with the power of transformation, both in a literal sense (burning and changing materials) and in a more metaphorical sense (representing passion, energy, and change). Divine Fire changes us. It changed Samson, it changed Elijah. It changed Elisha.
5, Fire warms. The disciples whom Jesus met on the way to Emmaus said their hearts burned when Jesus spoke to them.
6, Fire lightens darkness. Fire lightens the dark pathways of life.
AUSTEN UKACHI
