The bible describes God as a consuming fire and from many places and divers’ manners from the scriptures; God reveals himself through the manifestations of fire to his servants and people as the symbol of his presence and power. (1). He did this to Moses in the burning bush when he called the latter attention toward the fire burning but the bushes were not consumed. (ii). He showed himself to the Israelites in the wilderness to guide them by the pillar of fire in the night throughout their walk in the jungle till they got to the land of Canaan. Exodus 3:2. Exodus 13:21-22. (iii) At Mount Horeb, where Moses received the tables of the law and the commandments, the sight and the presence of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. Exodus 24:17. (iv). Purposely to defeat the false prophets of Baal and to prove himself as the Only true and living God once and again to the backslidden and idolatrous Israelis, he used Prophet Elijah in the contest at Mount Carmel to pray fire down from heaven to consume his sacrifice – then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered and said, “That is a good idea.” Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.” 1 Kings 18:24. (v). Re-assuring his ever- abiding presence in his unfailing protection and security around the church which is also known as the universal body of Christ, God promises to be as a wall of fire around them. Zachariah 2:5. (iv.) After King Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house to show the acceptance of his offering and prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:1.
 
The three sub divisions or categories of divine fire.

 The transforming power of divine fire meant for relationship with Jehovah, fellowship and stewardship in the kingdom.

The children of Israel in the wilderness was called and known as the church in the wilderness, and were led and protected by God for forty years with the pillar of cloud in the day; and by the pillar of fire in the night, till they were brought into the land of Canaan. All of the people that came out of Egypt and passed through the sea were all under the cloud; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. This is the type and notion that they were all baptized with the Holy-Ghost as it was written that they drank from the Rock that followed them, which was Christ. Otherwise, they shouldn’t have had the continual presence of the wall of fire round about them throughout their journey in the wilderness. It was Jehovah’s intention to transform them through this wonderful experience, to the end that they might worship him in Spirit and in truth; but they refused to learn his way, Israel would none of his ways. Because of their persistent indulgences in those earthly, carnal and idolatrous things they were meant to be purged, purify and delivered from, Jehovah was not pleased with many of them and was overthrow in the wilderness for their transgressions.                                               

John the Baptist made the public announcement of this prior to the arrival of Christ at his gospel preaching centre in the wilderness.‘I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire’.Matthew 3:11-12.                               

John’s prophetic declaration was fulfilled on the glorious day of Pentecost when Christ descended to live supernaturally in each of his member-body through the out-pouring of the Holy-Spirit to ignite each member with the fire of his Spirit like the light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel. ‘I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you’. John 14: 18-20. 

God will ignite the heart of any repentant sinners with the fire of his love; even us, who were once enemies in our minds by wicked works with his transforming power of fire. This is to set the believer’s aflame for divine zeal, fervent spiritual devotion and services. Spiritual hotness is preferred and rewarded above spiritual lukewarmly (unenthusiastically lukewarm manner). Where there is spiritual lukewarm, it is the signal of a life-less love to the Lord, bearing the mark of imminent rejection and vomitus object from the Lord who is not interested in cold lovers in relationship and in the business of his kingdom. Believer’s spiritual emotion should be genuine and intense before the Lord. ‘Be not slothful in zeal, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’. Romans 12:11.

Fervency in Spirit is commended and rewarded above slothfulness in spiritual business, indifferent to please the Lord in our daily walk by making lifestyles spiritual changes, with total commitment in the service of Jehovah. A lukewarm believer is a hypocrite half-hearted lover, who is not striving and labouring that Christ should be formed in him. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and sound mind. This exactly is what the transforming power fire of Christ will do in us as he did through Peter who once thrice denied the Lord before crucifixion; but after he received the baptism of the Holy-Spirit, stood before the crowd and multitudes to proclaim that his Master was indeed the Christ-crucified but was raised from the dead through the same power of the Holy Spirit. It is the transforming power that renders his children and ministers a flame of fire, burning and shinning as light out of the darkness of the world.

The transforming power of divine fire of love changes the timid and normal person into an unapologetic fire brand new creature in Christ Jesus; a staunchly and die- hard follower and lover Christ Jesus as the flames of the Spirit of God ignites his heart with unflinching love for God and his Christ in a godless, filthy and perverse nations. The relationship, fellowship and stewardship with fire is an emblem of distinction among the heroes of faith, who through many waters of trails of faith, raging winds of the wicked with fierce persecutions, afflictions in nakedness, poverty, sickness, lack and death; either of things present, or things to come; height, depth, nor any of Satan’s threat or appealing glittery rewards of iniquity of the present evil world shall be able to diminish nor separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. When we truly are in love, we become increasingly selfless to please our lover; supposedly we want to solidify the relationship.

The spirit of selflessness in relationship is the flame of our affection to demonstrate the singularity of our affection and devotion.                                                                         

The oppressed sinner chained by Satan through his own lusts is now made free from the power of the law of sin and death which is at work in him; so that he might start living and doing what he loves to do regarding the laws of God in his heart in the past, but was weak and helpless to live by them. He is now empowered to implicitly hate and steadfastly resist what has once held him captive; and his heart desire is now more of Christ or nothing. As the saints’ increases in the knowledge of God’s word, memorizing scriptures for use when the occasion presents itself, in like manner are they making sizeable garment of fire for spiritual warfare –is not his word like fire? Every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. The word of God is like fire and like hammer that breaks the rod into pieces: but we cannot have sufficient fire, if the word of Christ is not dwelling in us richly in all wisdom. Fire in the bone is the word shut up in the heart which is released against any confrontation of the enemy when the need to unleash it. Isaiah 9:5. Jeremiah 20:9: 23:29. Acts 2:1-3.
 
The Spirit filled believers are children born of God’s Holy Spirit in the midst of spiritual conflict and are called into a spiritual warfare. But the carnal Christian is like a soldier who has lost his mission in the combat zone. The flesh and the enemy are having larger parts of him, thus he is rendered spiritually incompetence and disable, incapacitated in his effectiveness for any positive outcome in spiritual battles.

The devil has little or no problem with a carnal believer, because he is sure that as long as he keep walking after the flesh; he has advantage over him for his failure to mortify the deeds of the flesh through the indwelling presence of the Spirit of regeneration. The enemy’s worry, concerns, target and restlessness are after those that have the fire burning, who holds on to live righteously in a consistent, effective and fervent biblical gospel and prayerful life. Those are the bright gem of Christ crown, shining as light in the world as they’re influencing sinners to the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and making impact for the Lord all over the places-men and women turning the world upside down, causing troubles for Satan and his kingdom anywhere they go. Acts17:6. Colossians 3:10.                                                       

The first thing the enemy will work at is to make all possible efforts to quench the fire of the obedient spirit to have him to compromise with the word. If he gets any to make accommodation and concession with the flesh and the world; then, such a person is at loss to the fire-power of the word he ignored to live for.

This is the manner the enemy adapt to quench the fire of the Spirit in a zealous believer. Satan will device different means such as worldly distractions, depression, delayed hope and promises, confrontations of sinners, scandalous reports, fights within and fears without, busy church activities and involvements, professional lifestyles and business schedules as an excused for prayer-less life; including spending many hours before television screen and internet browsing all day long, anxiety and cares for material needs of this world, devotion to irrelevant activities which does not edify the inner man with other physical events to drain the physical and mental strength that there should not be enough time to rest – with little or no strength to spend a qualitative time before the Lord in prayer and study of the word to renew, refilling and refuelling with new fire for a new day in the secret place of the Most High. If any man has not the spirit of God, he is none of his. We know that without the Spirit of God, no one can say Jesus is Lord, and none can come to Christ without the convincing power of the Spirit of God: but the devil is content if you are just in the same category of imagination and understanding as the Ephesus brethren in your experience of water without fire baptism. It’s not that you will not likely make heaven if you are diligent, and your struggles with the flesh and its works without the indwelling spirit to help you subdue the works of the flesh shall be unimaginable (Romans 8:13) but know for sure that you are more than hundred percent below the performances and wonderful experiences in the fellowship with the Holy Spirit of a Spirit – filled believer. Acts 19:1-7.                                                       
What else shall we say to the daily prayer life of our Lord before the cock crow than to emulate his self disciplined early morning prayerful lifestyles? In the days of his flesh, Christ was daily reignited with new spiritual gas for fire as the demonic possessed cried and tried to hide from his presence because they can feel the intensity of the fire from him. ‘And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed’. Mark 1:35.                                                             What shall we say to David’s daily prayer and study life before the cock crow than to take courage and to pay the daily price for the same effect of an increasing fire which never ceases to produce flame.’O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for thee, my flesh longs for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Psalms 63:1-2.

If we allow Satan through life’s distractions to diminish or quench the fire of our prayer and study life, then is our study and the prayer in danger. Our study and prayer life are interlock; and the diminishing of any of them shall open the door for lukewarm spirit (demonic and destructive) and the Lord threatened to spew the lukewarm out of his mouth. It is not the will of the Lord that we should be cold in the Spirit.

Luke warmness is a spirit that can come any time if we take our heart away from spiritual growth by shrinking away from the first love. We must overcome and subdue lukewarm and slothful spirit by consecration and occupation for the things of the Lord in the steadfastness of spirit to make our calling and election sure. Spiritual laziness hinders us to pray effectively and sufficiently, slacking our hands from the kingdom works and commitments against the Lord’s expectation to keep doing something for him –occupy till I come. Luke 19:13. Philippians 4:8-9.

We are baptized with the Holy Ghost and the fire of our light should not cease to shine but to keep burning for the Lord while waiting for his arrival like the five wise virgins that had extra oil in their lamps till the arrival of the bridegroom. Extra oil is obtainable in the place personal retreat and waiting on the Lord to renew their strength.

Church membership and every Sunday’s church service and worship participation are insufficient to sustain our spiritual life. If we are to be hot in the Lord, it commence by personal devotion to the Lord; then, our regular attendance of the weekly activities and other programs in our local church like the prayer meetings, bible studies, women’s fellowships, group or personal evangelism, intercessory meetings and night vigils every weekend if it is available in our church or around us (not forsaking the assembly of other brethren where sound doctrine is preached -iron sharpens iron) joining any group in the body of Christ wherever we are led to work and fellowship for the Lord’s sake and for our growth and increase in the Lord. Proverbs 27:17.                         

Mount Zion is the place (spiritual name for church) where we can be strengthened to go from glory unto glory and from strength to strength for a new and fresh fire from the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. Isaiah 31:9. Psalms 84:7.                                                                                             

Quench not the Spirit the bible commands. But the Spirit does not die; but the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20) shall ultimately quench the fire of the Spirit of God and weaken the flame of the edge of divine wall of fire of protection around you to give room for the serpent to crawl in and to bite you.        How many anointed servants and so called children of God has been touched by the enemy and has died like Saul and Jonathan died by the hands of the Philistines as if they were not anointed with oil? How many believers were once involved in spiritual warfare but have now retreated from that which they were called to be engaged till the end as overcomers? Let us go before the Lord to be baptized afresh with the Holy-Ghost and fire; and to reignite his holy fire in us before the lamp of God go out in the temple of the Holy Spirit-your body! Ecclesiastes 10:8. 1 Samuel 3:3. 2 Samuel 1:21.
 
At the cleansing of the temple, the disciples were somehow caught unaware to see the other side of Christ spirituality in his humanity and to witness the Savior to whom they were first introduced to as the gentle Lamb of God in such a heat. Christ, whom they believed should be the king of Israel should so seemingly forget himself as to do such aggressive inconsiderate act to the people in the temple. Afterward, they remembered it was written of him; that the zeal of his Father’s house ate him up. This is the manifestation of the fire of the Spirit in azealous and sanctified life, bringing every thought to the obedience of God while contending for the faith once delivered to the saints- contending for the sanctification of Jehovah’s name. May Jehovah’s name be sincerely sanctified in words and deeds through us and in ever place in Jesus name.
 
What sign showeth thou if you do this thing?The people asked the Lord.They misunderstood the zeal of Christ for his heavenly Father’s house to ensure orderliness and proper use of the temple (both spiritual and physical temple) when he was moved to chase out the money changers, buyers and sellers from the temple and declared that his Father’s house should not be made as den of thieves. It was written about him that the event might also teach us to follow after the steps of our Lord to repudiate any activity that does not promotes righteousness and hallow the name of Jehovah in his holy temple, but is exalting mammon in God’s house, instead of pure gathering to worship in godly contentment. Has gain become godliness (1 Timothy 6:5) that the house of prayer should not be distinguish from clothes, cosmetics, perfumes, hair attachments, rings, shoes, cars, wrist watch and jewelry boutique? Has the time changed for everything under heaven, that we can do anything anywhere and at anytime?

Majority of men are money conscious and their pursuits and interest for money is so overwhelming that the call to fear and serve Jehovah acceptably with reverence and godly fear has fallen on deaf ears. Should the house of God be exploited as a commercial business centre to meet and sell our wares? Neither our body (which is the actual temple of God) nor our place of worship which is sanctified (house of God) and set aside to honor Jehovah should become a den of thieves; but to be especially reserved and strictly use for godly and holy spiritual gatherings. The temple should not be turned into any worldly business activity before, during or after the church gathering. Such practices and mentality is not honoring Jehovah. It is not hallowing his name and house. There is a part of God’s nature designate and design in us to express displeasure against repetitive, unscriptural and ungodly practices which may jeopardize the reputation of God and can also bring other people into destruction (Acts 13:6-12) or implicate us before God, if we fail to defend the honor his name, his cause and interest by the Spirit-led precise action. This is known as the holy-anger or displeasure- to be stirred up in the Spirit or moved by the Holy Spirit (exciting strong but not unpleasant emotions). Numbers 22:22. Acts 17:16.                             Phinehas demonstration of holy-anger prevented the continuation of outpouring of divine anger for slaying an Israelites man who was so defiant and promiscuous to bring his sexual sin and partner in sin (Moabite lady) to the camp for sexual pleasure in the sight of all his brethren. Phinehas took a Javelin and went after the man and the woman and killed both of them (Jehovah counted it as his righteousness) and the Lord’s plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And, he by his action turned away divine wrath and destruction from the camp and was blessed by God. ‘And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying,Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous (holy fire in anger) for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:And he shall have it and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel. Psalms106:28-31. Numbers 25:10-13. It is dishonoring to God (sin) if we are tolerating ungodly, worldly and unscriptural practices in the house of prayer and worship centers because we don’t want to be called bigotry in the name of modernization, simplicity and questionable love. We are to stand up to protest in contend for the faith, once delivered to the saints against such acts or practices subtly introduced by the enemy to desecrate the temple of worship. If we fail to act properly, then it means that we don’t know, neither do we have the true knowledge of God’s love, but are destitute of sound spiritual judgment, discernment and sincerity, not knowing what is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. If you can’t beat them, join them. That is the world’s view. But the scripture says, come out from among them and be ye separate. The zeal of God’s house forbids us to consult our own reputation, credit, ease and safety, when they come in competition against the word of God, his will and our duty before him and to others. Consider the response of Jesus is Mark 3; 33-35 when he said; who is my mother or brethren, for whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my mother and brethren. This may sound harsh, humiliating and offensive to some hearers, to Mary his mother, and to his earthly brethren if they are carnal, sensual and spiritually senseless, by trying to apply sentiments and morality to interpret spiritual truth and instruction. This sound like Christ who should teach respect and know best to speak to people, especially his own mother is rude, proud; and seems to renounce his own family in the public. But never will the Lord do such things!The lesson here is thatthe minister’s family should not be the attraction or distraction in the house of God, nether should they be the centre of interest (only for good example in the assembly) but the work of souls winning. This is to show us that the works of God (there is time to work; and time to rest; and time to interact with family members) and giving the best to the people for whom we are called must be our pursuit, goal and consummation; either to few or many, good or bad, obedient or likewise, sinner or righteous. ‘Whosoever loves his father or mother or brethren or his own life more than God, is not worthy of him’. Deuteronomy 33:8-11.
 
We have to be very careful in our walk with God, lest we should be judge as deceitful Christian and fall into the damnation of evil tolerance, though we did not actually practice evil. We shall be doomed if we tolerate evil in the church, working place or at home in the name of getting along with everybody. This is not the way to seek and pursue peace; and it is not the kind of peace we are asked to seek and pursue. We are partaking in their sins as long we do not lovingly and politely stand up against their sinful works or forsake their company. Psalms 101.

Two people cannot walk together if they don’t agree. We are commanded not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but to rebuke and expose them. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished’. 2 Peter 2:4-9.                                       

Woe unto them that call evil good. The seeds (tares) of Satan are planted in the churches as the insiders fulfilling his will, walking as the enemy of the cross of Christ, whose god is their belly, who mind, pursuit and promote worldly and earthly things in the temple or places of worship. We should weep and cry to God where ever we see the triumph of any unbiblical and ungodly practices thriving in his house; but the children of Satan or an agent of his will rejoices and encourages such practices and attitudes which are not biblical to fulfill the lust of their father-Satan. Prophet’s Eli insincere emotional love for his children tolerated the continuation of their promiscuity in the temple and failed to take any action against them. Had he removed them from the priesthood, probably he could have saved them and himself from dying shamefully on the same day for the sins of his children and the removal their generation from the priesthood in addition to the curse of premature death placed on his posterity.

We should avoid sentimentality (false emotion in a maudlin way) in our ways of doing our best to uphold the integrity of the word of God for the purification of his house in an undivided divine love that others might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God: removing anything and anyone, including our mother, Father, uncle, aunt, son, etc who may be causing offenses and stumbling blocks in any responsibility, office or vocation, and be replaced. Only the fire of divine zeal and service can ignite the minister to openly rebuke them that sin that others also may fear. It is the pure flame of the Spirit’s zeal that can induce the youths to flee youthful lusts, but to follow righteousness, faith, charity and love with them that call on the Lord out of pure heart. 1 Timothy5:20. 2 Timothy 2:22. Only the genuine and radical born again can speak and act like Nehemiah did in the temple at Jerusalem.Lets us look into real action of a great believerin his zeal to keep and maintain the sanctity of the house of and people God in Nehemiah as another good example of the zeal from the fire of divine service. ‘In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, what evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day?Did not your father’s thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath.And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day.So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.Then I testified against them, and said unto them, why lodge you about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath.And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, everyone in his business;and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good’.Nehemiah 13:15-31.
 
 We must be careful of the danger of zeal without knowledge as well. Many people are quick to criticize and pass judgment to condemn. Some do this out of bitter or envious spirit; and others out of an ignorant spirit. Whichever way, we must put the scriptures under consideration, lest we found ourselves in a big trouble with God, opening the mouth without knowledge is a gross sin and foolishness before God.
 
We read about the envy of Aaron and Miriam against Moses because he married an Ethiopian woman. Though Moses was their youngest brother in the flesh; yet, he was their spiritual leader and a prophet, anointed and appointed by God. They brought calendar age-game into spiritual matter to insult their leader. Thus God smote Miriam with leprosy. Had it not been the supplication and intercessory prayer of Moses, it could have been worst for both of Aaron and Miriam before God. Numbers 12; 1-12.
 
 If we are gifted, there is an anointing that flows and fire that shines with the gifts. It is the Holy Spirit’s work to make room for the use of those gifts, positioning us where we rightly fit in the body of Christ. It is the greatest thing to love and be zealous to serve Jehovah; but it should not be in strife and in vainglory, but in lowliness of mind and respect for others; and not to compete against other believers. We must be very careful of any zeal in us without adequate knowledge which may lead us to destruction before God just as Uzzah who was not a priest, but a Levite (Numbers 4:15) enthusiastically took interest to prevent the ark of God shaking on the cart from falling to the ground because the oxen shook it; but God smote him dead on the spot for his error. The proud and envious Dathan, Koran and Abiram staged a rebellious act against Moses and Aaron, coveting higher position of authority and recognition among the church in the wilderness, and drawing away some other members who were naive to their rebellious company. God crushed them and caused the earth to open and swallow them alive with the people that followed them in rebellion against the church authority in the wilderness. Numbers 16; 1-6. 2 Samuel 6: 1-9. Psalms 106; 16-18.
 

The purging and refining power of divine fire –sanctification fire.
 
The fire here symbolises the holiness of God. The Lord will sanctify his people by the fire of his word that works as the refiner’s fire. Raw gold must pass through the fire in the process of removing the impurities for its glittering, shining and glory to come forth. Likewise shall the Lord purify and cleanse his people by the washing of water by the undiluted word and strong meat of his word from all spiritual uncleanness, contaminations, defilements and pollution if they will receive the engrafted word in their heart with meekness and will not become as those that strive with the priests and hate him that rebukes in the gate, and abhor him that speaks uprightly. The believers with itching ears shall never attain to the required standard of perfection in holiness to make heaven. They have chosen to themselves the suitable part of the word God and the rest is none of their business to regard or obey. Thus they despised and contemned the counsel of God and take him for a liar while ignoring part of his word. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6. Without the love and daily application of the whole truth, we shall not come into the perfection of God’s holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. If we fail to walk and grow in the truth, we shall remain spiritual babes, serving diver lusts: and tossed to and from by every wind of doctrines, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, deceiving and been deceived. ‘Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4. 

The purging and refining power of the word of the word of God depends on the believer’s willingness to submit under the influencing and controlling power of the word of God, allowing it to mix with faith in his heart that it might work as the progressive inner detergent and purifying and purging agents from the filthiness of the flesh and of the Sprit to perfect holiness in the fear of God. The sanctifying power of the word is in the daily continuation and diligent application of the written word in sincerity of heart. Thy word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. As we fellowship with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14) of God, he will enlightens the eyes of our understanding and increase our spiritual knowledge and insight to grow progressively in grace and in the knowledge of God. Believer’s gradual growth in grace and in the knowledge of the word in obedience will be the gradual unveiling of Christ in him, the means into the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ. It is a gradual inner transformation and changes wrought by the truth we embrace and apply (wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way, by taking heed unto thy word) with a striking change in appearance, character and physical circumstances. Psalms119:9. Ephesians 4:11-15.                     The written word is our shield, buckler and lantern to give us light in the darkness of this world and to keep us from the path of the destroyer, having escaped the corruption that is in the through lusts, through the knowledge of him who has called us to virtue and glory. ‘And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one’. So, we are elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:2. The water is the word of God of which is giving for cleansing by the washing of the water through obedience by the sprinkling of the blood. We are walking in the truth if we obediently practice the written word in our daily walk. The word is the truth and the truth is the light that lightens our paths to prevent us from stumbling and falling into any earthly, moral or spiritual dirtiness, filthiness and pits of darkness. Ephesians 5:26.                                                               

Divine goal and hope before us is to be with the Lord and to see him as he is. But the scriptures warn us to purify ourselves, even as he is pure. When once shall we personally be cleansed? When shall we begin the process of self cleansing by the fire of God through his from all the filthiness of the flesh, working into perfecting holiness in the fear of God? 2 Corinthians 7:1.  No more can we indulge in sin and impurity, but as he that has called us is holy, undefiled and separated from sinners, even so must we begin to cleanse and to keep ourselves undefiled in the way and to be holy in all manner of conversation.Psalms 119:1. 1John3:1-3.

If we make holiness our pursuit, the goal is to be presented by Christ before Jehovah spotless; and the heaven of bliss for our coveted prize, then shall we not beled away with the error of the wicked to fall from our own steadfastness as the Spirit of God continue to work in us both to will and do according to his good pleasure until Jesus is perfectly molded and formed in us. We are saved and called to walk in holiness in all manner of conversation. This great and unique goal can be achieved if we are faithful in applying the truth for the progressive and continuance sanctification work of the Spirit of grace in us. ‘But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth’ 2 Thessalonians 2:13.                                                                                                                                            Sure, the first step is to separate from the counsel of the ungodly, unspotted from the world, and should not be unequally yoked together with the unbelievers. It is also wise to look and discern before we make choice of the company of friends to keep among the brethren or in the church because a little leaven will leavens the whole lump. ‘But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22.                                                                                 As the believer keep walking, living and timely increasing in the transforming power-fire of the Sprit of God; and his zeal is bringing fruits unto the Lord, he is like the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed to receive more blessing from God- the Lord will purge him more and more, that he might bring forth much fruits. Hebrews 6:7.             

We should earnestly and constantly pray for the Sprit fire of holiness to purify and sanctify us from whatsoever is not of God and to protect our heart from any impurity, pleading the blood to purge our conscience from any dead work to serve the living God. If the Spirit of God convicts us of any sin, we should earnestly implore heaven for help and grace to sanctify and freed us from any wrong, and to frame our actions and ways before God. ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 138:23-24. 

The word of God is the word of his holiness (Jeremiah 23:9) and the word preached with pure fire and wisdom taught by the Spirit of God will always bring the hearers to a conclusive and decisive point of making amendments to their ways and to frame their lives before the Lord as they sanctify him over and over again in their heart for the blessedness which was spoken by the Lord Jesus for the pure in heart- they shall see God. The pureness of the heart and the cleanness of our hands are the works of grace wrought through the submission to the word of God, as we allow him to align and re-create our life by his light and power. Matthew 5:8. All the vessels of the Lord must be clean and their emblem must be ‘holiness unto the Lord’. The Lord will refine them: and his fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. If the yoke breaker (believer or the Christian workers) should not become the yoke multiplier, and a stumbling stone, instead of spiritual heroes and repairer of breach and restorer of paths to dwell in, it is imperative that he must first of all be purged and broken by the Lord, anointed and sent before they engage in spiritual battle or get involves in the harvest field to minister and to save souls into the kingdom of God, lest they fall and fail, thereby becoming a reproach and laughingstock before the world of ungodly men and women. Proverbs 25:4. Malachi 3:1-4. All roads lead to Rome, so goes the old proverb; but only one way lead to heaven-the highway of holiness in Christ Jesus, whom God has made unto us sanctification. No man comes to the Father, except by him, who was made sin unto us, that we might be the righteousness of God in him. In him, we are sanctified once and for all through the offering of his body to make us holy and unblamable,  if we will be rooted and grounded in him who has saved us by his grace, and has purged us from all iniquities that he might purified unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. 

‘And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up there on, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there’. Isaiah 35:8-9. Holiness of life is the fruit of a complete a deliverance. It is also the ultimate purpose of our calling as he who has called us is holy. The believers that would go through the highway of holiness victoriously are those that will endure the burning fire process of the word. The word shall be sweet in their mouth, but bitter in their stomach. They shall receive from the Lord grace and glory, strength and power to walk with him in the way. ‘Is not my word like as a fire? Says the Lord: and like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces? Jeremiah 23:29.                                     

The spirit of God is called the Spirit of holiness (Holy-Spirit) which is at work to sanctify us as we yield to his presence and operation in our lives through obedience to the word. If we are indeed delivered from the hands of the enemy and there is no more enchantment or bewitchment against us not to obey the truth like the foolish Galatians, it is shown and known in all holy conversation or manner of lifestyles. There is no low tunnel or crooked road, but a highway –main and major road to heaven. It is a straight and narrow way, which leads to eternal life, but unfortunately, only few ply the road. None can ascend into the hill of God, nor dare to stand in the holy place of the thrice holy God if his crooked paths has not been made straight, and the rough places become  plain, and the deserts in his life is make straight to prepare a highway for divine encounter. It is both a highway to the Lord and highway for the Lord to get to us: then shall the glory of the Lord be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. It is the only way we can connect to God and he can connect to us. ‘For the Lord thy God walks in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up your enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. Deuteronomy 23:14.                                                             The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity’. It is the highway where no iniquity should be found in Jacob, neither shall any perverseness be seen in God’s Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. It is not a highway for the hypocrites and pretenders with the form of godliness, but for the redeemed that are showing forth the grace and power of walking daily in newness of life. Proverbs 10:29. It may appear to be unattainable to the fools (fools make a mock at sin) because their heart is not right with God and are found faulty: but, it is delightful to pay the price of self denial and to travel through the highway of holiness for those that has found the pearl of great price, for the safety of their soul and keeping of their non-negotiable treasure – Christ. Proverbs 14:9. The security and assurances of the highway of holiness both presently and for eternity are endless. Whenever the prince of this world shall come to visit any who has chosen the straight gate and the narrow way, he will not found anything (sin) attractive to him in such; thus, they are untouchable. It is only in this highway that you can be in league with the stones of the field, and the angels shall bear you up with their hands, and you will not dash your feet against a stone. The beasts of the field shall be at peace with you; and you shall tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under feet. You shall know that your tabernacle shall be in peace; and you will visit your habitation and shall not sin. You shall know also that your seed shall be great, and your offspring as the grass of the earth.  You will not die in youth, and your life shall not be among the unclean, but shall come to your grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn comes in in his season.                                                   
It is the safest road, where the thieves and robbers cannot succeed to rob, to kill and to destroy. Wasters and swallowers are powerless in this highway and all that chooses to go through it are well protected and secure because it is the King’s highway- the only way where the wicked one (Satan) is powerless to wrought havoc and destruction, demonic activities and bombardments cannot prosper and succeed in the highway of holiness. ‘All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not’. 1 John 5:17-18.                                                                                                                 

The roaring lion cannot get there to tear in pieces; and it is a ‘no go area’ (trespassing) for any ravenous beast to be found. It is the way ordained for the redeemed to walk as they cleanse themselves from all the filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. In our union with Christ, God’s divine power has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness. We draw from the vast and unlimited spiritual resources made available to us from the holy scriptures, that we might be partakers of the divine nature (holiness of God) having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, to live in all holy conversation and godliness. We are unspotted with the world and are not in any ungodly way in friendship with it. As Christ was made our sanctification, even so should we be set aside from the pollutions and abominable deeds and practices of the land that we might be undefiled in the way, to walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his way. Psalms 119:1-3.                                                                                               

As a major road, there is no confusion of turning to the right or left (bar or brothel houses, night clubs, cinema houses, summer beaches and other ways of sinner) than to go straight till they get to the gate of heaven and to inherit eternal life. It is a plain and pleasant way, and its end is heaven because without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. ‘Sanctify them by thy word, thy word is truth’. What a treasure and goodly heritage we have in the word of God which is given to cleanse us as we plunge into the rivers of life for the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Holiness in the body, soul and spirit is not open to argument or debate in the kingdom. This is the purpose of our salvation, to serve God in righteousness and holiness without fear, all the days of our life. It is the reason of Christ suffering and our election before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. It is the condition to see God and to be with him. Ephesians 1:4. The wise shall inherit glory because they shall walk through the highway of holiness uncompromising to heaven; but shame shall be the promotion of fools as the sentence will proceed forth from the Lord’s mouth to ‘depart from me, you workers of iniquities’ down to the pit of hell where they shall reap the fruit of corruptible lifestyles they had sown while they lived on earth –in the body. The fools, though are aware that they have not been redeem with corruptible things such as gold and silver from their vain conversations or ways of life received by tradition from their fathers, they still fall short to purify their souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, and chose to live their new life as if they were born again of corruptible seed, living in a corruptible life. The wisdom that is from above is first pure and the prudent and the pure in heart have discovered and embraced it as the most powerful principle to embrace and way to walk in, leading and ascending to the hill of God: so that at the end, they might stand in their lot in his holy place, while the transgressors (because the way of sinner is hard) shall fall and perish in the way. Proverbs 13:15. James 3:17. 

It a unique way not meant for everyone – only the redeemed shall walk therein, for they shall keep their garments and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. They shall be sober and watchful as they ponder the paths of their feet, waxing stronger and stronger (the righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger) day by day as the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day:that they may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Job 17: 9.
 
 The consuming and judgement power of divine fire.
 
In view of the awfulness and dreadfulness of the just and thrice holy God, the writer of the book Hebrews admonishes all to be careful and thoughtful in our services for and relationship with God that none dare set up any strange fire to mock his holiness or imitate his presence; but to know and understand the acceptable ways, manners and conducts to be portrayed before him in soberness by serving him in reverence and godly fear because he is consuming fire. We should lean the ways of the Lord to walk in them and we should know the doings of the Lord to act likewise, lest we be destroyed by the Lord whom we profess to serve. Hebrews 12:28-29. 2 Kings 17:25-26.
 
There shall not be any appearance of the flame of any strange fire in the church where God ought to be feared and had in great reverence before his saints. What is the strange fire? It is the boasting of a false gift – giving false prophecy and revelation when you had none from the Lord by faking the manifestations of the gifts you have not received –whosoever boast himself of a false gift is like cloud and wind without rain. Woe unto them that says the Lord says when he has not spoken. Thus men voluntarily incur the wrath and the curse of God upon themselves by trying to impress and deceiving others with the spirituality that is not in them. Proverbs 25:14.
 
If God has not called you to preach but the circumstances of life pushed you into the ministry, thinking to use it as an end to your means: or being overzealous and critical of the pastor in charge by accusing him of incompetency; thereby stirring up rebellious and confusion in the church against the authority of that local assembly, you are guilty of setting up a strange fire before the Lord. This is very dangerous and destructive if you do not put off the strange fire you kindled on time by genuine repentance before God; else it consumes and destroys you without remedy. Dathan, Koran and Abiram coveted the priesthood of Moses and Aaron to function in the anointing they had not received: but instead, divine wrath fell on them and the earth opened and devoured the rebels. Ignition of a strange fire was the first disobedient act of King Saul as he refused to wait to for the arrival of Prophet Samuel to minister according to the order of how things should be done and by who should it be done to be acceptable before God! Instead, he precipitated and forced himself in his presumption to sacrifice and to operate in the priest office of which he has not been anointed to function – thus the beginning of his life’s time spiritual problems and his immediate rejection from God as announced by Samuel to his face. 1 Samuel 13:1-14.
 
Strange fire is a pretentious manifestation of evil or demonic anointing attributed to the presence of God and the working of his Spirit. It is an evil anointing, the diabolical means of copying or duplicating the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit of God whereby his holy name and authority is taken in vain as it is proclaimed and used through the power of Satan (bewitchments, magical spells and power, sacrifices and alliance with and allegiance to Satan for spiritual power 2 Thessalonians 2:9.) to work miracles. There are many so called preachers today who are professing relationship with the Lord and steward to him but are sorcerers: like the sorcerer, the false Prophet, whose name was Bar- Jesus. All that they doing through their miracles and wonders is turning people away from the true grace and salvation by their bewitchment: but Bar-Jesus was struck blind by the power of God by the decreed of Apostle Paul for his opposition to the salvation of deputy Sergius Paulus. Acts13: 6-11.
 
Strange fire is also the manifestation of zeal to appear fervent in the Spirit and filled with the Spirit of God under the influence of any stimulant substance such as cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, ecstasy and alcoholic consumption at the temple worship or before going to the house of God. Such act is evil and unacceptable before God. It was the error committed by the sons of Aaron as they ministered before the Lord under the influence of alcohol in the temple and were instantly consumed by the fire of his indignation from heaven and were divinely electrocuted. Note: as everyman has received the grace and gift, let them minister one to another. It is the crooked and mockery to God when we seek to minster in the capacity and the ability which his grace, glory, strength and power has not bestowed upon us.  A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven; and by doing the King’s business in the strength and power of Satan or carnally faking it, is deceitful, hypocrisy and an heinous crime to be punished by the King: and fire shall devour the tabernacle of the hypocrites and they shall perish forever like their own dung……And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, this is it that the Lord spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace….And the Lord spoke unto Aaron, saying, do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: and that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses. Leviticus 10:1-11. Job 15:34: 20:5-7.
 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?But it is very sad and a pity that man is laboring for the very fire without understanding that all the beautiful sights of this present evil world, its glories, the innovations and the inventions and the elements therein are reserved for fire against the day of the judgment and perdition of ungodly men and they shall be dissolved. Fire is one of God’s most treasure weapon, reserved to show his might. He is determined but waiting for the time he has set to demonstrate his fire power; first, in the destruction of the present evil, wicked, ungodly and corrupt world which by his word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men; wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Second, in the mystery of the suffering of eternal vengeance, where their fire does not quench and their worms dies not. Fire shall go before him to consume all his enemies. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. Understand therefore this day, that the Lord thy God is he which goes over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord hath said unto thee. Psalms 50:3. Deuteronomy 9:3. Psalms 97:3. Hebrews 10:26-27. Revelation 20:10-15.
 
Prophet Elisha called fire down from heaven and used it as weapon to destroy the two fifty companies of the captains of King Amaziah armies sent to arrest him ….if I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven to consume and you and your armies. It is so with a spirit filled believer as the carrier of fire in his bones (Jeremiah 20: 9) which can be acquired by constant intake and digestion of the word of God and dutiful unceasing prayer life. Such believer’s words are in power and authority as they speak the word, fire from heaven is sure to back up their statements. 2 Kings 1.
 Believers should be bold and authoritative to use fire in his warfare prayer against the enemy and to torment the devil and his demons, to call down fire over and against the unclean spirits and to burn every tree into ashes which heavenly Father has not planted in their lives into ashes. James and John threatened to send fire down from heaven to destroy the people of Samaria but were forbade by the Lord because the power was not meant to destroy those who shall not accept our gospel now, for they may do that later if the Lord’s will, but should be used to destroy all powers and agents of darkness assigned to arrest, hinder or destroy us against divine purposes and pleasures. Luke 9:54. Psalms 104:1-4.
 
The believer’s banner must be holiness unto the Lord if he has to keep the fire on the altar of his life burning unceasingly before the Lord. Don’t be fooled by those preachers with inconsistence and ungodly lifestyles with fire. If it is a home-made fire (Holy Ghost fire) it will soon dies off, if genuine repentance and consecration is not made and if it is a foreign fire –strange anointing fire it will keep burning to deceive the simple, ignorant and those that are out of the way till its expiring date with the devil. Prayerlessness and sinfulness or any of these in place will quench the Holy spirit fire. If the flame sparked by God should not dies off in us, we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service… and the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Command Aaron and his sons, saying, this is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it. And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place. And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. Leviticus 6: 8-16.