Embrace the Fire (PDF)

Embrace the Fire Copyright © 2003 by Demonstration of God’s Power Ministries International Standard Book Number 1-929371-31-4 Demonstration of God’s Power Ministries P. O. Box 1028 Moravian Falls, North Carolina 28654 USA http: //www.bobbyconner.org All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise indicated No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author. Cover Design and Book Layout by Micah Davis All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

By Bobby Conner

Contents Introduction...............................................................................7 Part One..................................................................................11 Part Two..................................................................................19 Part Three...............................................................................29 Part Four.................................................................................35 Part Five..................................................................................51 Conclusion...............................................................................71

Introduction Speaking to a people who had become somewhat disassociated and disconnected, God thunders this declaration through the prophet Malachi: Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years (Malachi 3:1-4).

This prophetic message of preparation has been boldly pronounced for sometime now. The Holy Spirit has been opening the ears of many in the Body of Christ to hear and heed the voice of the prophets with the message of 7

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preparation. Notice the place of His voice—in the wilderness. God Himself has positioned many of His end-time prophetic voices away in the wilderness preparing them to step forth with this message of preparation. The message is extraordinarily clear, “... Prepare ye the way of the Lord...” (see Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:3, and Luke 3:4). The Lord Himself is making ready a people who will prepare the way of the Lord. Ask for ears to hear and eyes to see the awesome, fresh new things that the Spirit of God is doing in our day. In Isaiah 40:3-5, we discover the promise of the coming glory of God revealed upon the earth in an unprecedented manner. It is time to lower the mountains of opposition in our lives and fill in the valleys—the low places of doubt and unbelief. It is time to remove the stumbling stones and make a straight and smooth highway of holiness for this coming move of God. One of the methods that God will use to accomplish this is through His “river of fire.” One can clearly hear the challenge that the Spirit of Truth is releasing during this hour to “Raise the standard!” There is going to be a generation that goes all out for the Kingdom of God. Ask yourself these perplexing questions: If not you—who? If not now—when? If not here—where? God is calling forth the history makers in our day. Now is the time to volunteer for the King’s service (see Psalms 110:3).

Embrace the Fire of God! It is absolutely essential that the Body of Christ embrace the consuming flame of God’s Holiness if we are to encounter the power of His Presence. There can be no true union of His Spirit without purity. The Spirit of Truth is at this time releasing a pure passion for Christ Jesus that will provoke us to purity. God will pour out His power without measure if He can find a people without mixture. The eyes of the Lord run 8

Introduction

up and down the earth looking for a people with a pure heart in order to show Himself strong on their behalf (see II Chronicles 16:9). It is only with clean hands and a pure heart that we will ascend the hill of the Lord. It is in the hill of the Lord that we receive the commissioning and the authority that the Spirit of God longs to release to the Body of Christ (see Psalms 24:3-4). Do you hear the call to advance upward? The invitation is extended to come higher in order for us to see farther and hear more clearly (see Revelation 4:1-5). Only as we go higher will we be able to see what the Lord’s plans are for us. The writer of Hebrews warns, “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), and we see that our God is holy and He demands that we be holy. We can be sure anything that the fire of the Lord consumes we did not need anyway. We would do well to also pay attention to this stern warning concerning the consuming fire of God, “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24). The jealousy of God has been aroused for His people and He is calling us unto Him. “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (II Corinthians 11:2). Of this fact be certain— Christ Jesus will not share His Bride with the ways of the world. The message is sounding out—it is the call for us to come out from among the wicked ways of the world and embrace the purity that Christ will release for all who seek Him with their whole heart.

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Part One

Beholding the Eyes of the Lord The eyes of the Lord are awesome—they are piercing, burning with a fervent, holy jealousy for His Bride. He has set His eyes upon His Bride—they are flaming with an intense, all-consuming flame (see Revelation 19:12).

Do Not Flee the Flame This flame is not for our punishment, but our purifying. The fire of God is to help us not to hurt us. As we turn our face toward Him, we behold His gaze is as a flame, burning with passion for our purity. It is time to lock our gaze upon Him so that we can be changed into His image (see II Corinthians 3:18). First, we must remove any and all veils of pretense that have covered our face. Paul states it is only as we behold Christ with an unveiled face, focused on Him that we are transformed into the same image. Oh, how we must make this declaration: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5 NAS). Notice the result of Job’s newfound realization of who God really is: “Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust 11

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and ashes” (Job 42:6 NAS). Jesus reminded us that it is the pure in heart that will see the Lord (see Matthew 5:8). I am truly amazed as I travel about the earth in ministry, at how many children and youth are seeing angels and having true encounters with Christ Jesus. I believe it is because their hearts are pure and their motives are pure. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). I had an awesome and amazing encounter with Christ Jesus. I had received an invitation to teach at a training school for a group of young people from all across the globe. I was extremely busy with many large conferences at the time, so when I received the invitation to minister to forty young people, I was going to decline. As I prayed about the invitation, the Lord said, “Yes! You are to go.” After two days of pouring out ministry to these precious young leaders from around the world, I was on my way to the airport to prepare for a ministry trip to New Zealand, when suddenly I felt someone putting something around my shoulders. It was the most beautiful robe or mantel I had ever seen, and the Lord Himself was placing upon my shoulders and affixing it around my neck with a beautiful gold chain. I was overwhelmed with the breathtaking beauty of this mantel and asked, “What is this?” And the Lord told me it was the King’s robe. I began to weep at the thought of receiving such an anointing. Then Christ said to me, “You have done well preparing a banquet for the King’s kids, when you do it unto them, you have done it unto Me.” May we never forget that some of today’s young leaders are very much like David. Although he was God’s choice to become king, no one was aware of who David was. He was not even invited to attend the gathering at Jesse’s house (see I Samuel 16:1-13). We can be sure that God is about to bring forth some of these young men and women. They will be 12

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coming in with awesome anointings given to them by the Lord Himself.

Song in the Night Once, I was scheduled to minister to a large number of pastors and leaders. While in prayer sincerely seeking the Lord for His prophetic word for these men and women of God, the Lord spoke very clearly to my heart saying, “I have a word for the leaders, will you give it to them?” Without any hesitation I replied, “Yes, Lord!” I was stunned when the word of the Lord came into my mouth, it was not a word at all, rather the words of a song, “Strangers in the night... exchanging glances...!” The Lord said, “I am tired of this distant and disconnected contact I am having with my people.” Now is not a time to merely glance at the Lord, we must set our face to behold Him. We must lock our gaze upon Him for He alone is altogether lovely. The song writer penned these precious words to this old hymn. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace!

“They looked unto Him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed” (Psalms 34:5). Whatever the cost, now is the time to force your focus upon the Lord and upon His Kingdom. We must not let the cares of the world distract us from true devotion to the Lord. The promise of God is clear, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). Do not let the cares of this life force your focus away. Now is the time to renew your commitment to set your heart utterly and completely upon the Lord. The Spirit of God is calling for each of us to run to 13

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the fire of God. This is not a time to flee the flame, but rather to run to the purifying fire of God. Absolutely nothing can decontaminate a defiled heart, but the fire of God. Man-made religious works simply result in more defilement and perpetuate a dead and lifeless existence. This burning fire of the Spirit of Truth will set men free from the bonds of religion (see II Corinthians 3:17). Only in the Spirit of the Lord is there genuine freedom. The Spirit of God will begin to pour out His power without measure, if He can find a people without mixture. The Spirit of Truth is bidding saints to come out from among the world and be holy. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:17-18). This coming fire will purify and cleanse what is truly God—it will also consume all that is fake and worthless. If our ministry life is built upon wood, hay, and stubble it will be reduced to ashes. The fire of the Lord will only serve to make more valuable the true foundations of God that are active in our lives. Paul states, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11 NAS).

Building Upon the Firm Foundation Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but 14

Part One he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (I Corinthians 3:12-15 NKJV).

Make no mistake about it—we are in a time when the Spirit of Truth is testing our foundations. Have we chosen the bedrock of the Word of God or a faulty foundation based on the plans of man? The wind and fire of God will test our labors.

Walk in the Light—Do Not Stumble in the Darkness In order to truly walk in union and harmony with the Holy Spirit, we must set our heart upon the cleansing fire of God. Scripture poses the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). The answer is clearly “No!” Let the fire of God remove any and all things that separate us from holy communion with Christ. We must walk in the light as He is in the light, only then will we have unbroken fellowship (see I John 1:7-8). Paul reminds us that we are children of the light and that we have a responsibility to walk in such a manner as to reflect His Light (see Ephesians 5:8). There are several important steps of preparation in order to receive the cleansing fire of God: First: Pray the prayer found in Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The motives of our hearts must be thoroughly searched by the Holy Spirit, in view of the fact that our own hearts can be too deceptive and we can not accurately know what is within us (see Jeremiah 17:9-10). One must never forget that man looks on the outside; however, the Lord searches the hearts of all men. We must not attempt to conceal and hide our sins from God (see Proverbs 28:13). Psalm 66:18 warns us that if we 15

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continue to allow concealed sin to lodge in our heart, this will hinder our communication with God. Sin truly separates us from Christ. The prophet Isaiah warns us that it is our sins that have separated us from God (see Isaiah 59:1-2). Second: Step into the river of fire as soon as the Holy Spirit brings a realization and conviction of a sin. Quickly and completely repent and cease the sin. Remember the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). Third: Forgive yourself and do not allow past sins to continue to haunt you. If you have truly received God’s forgiveness and have been set free, you are free indeed. Paul said we should forget about the past and push on to a bright future.

Acquiring the Fire Is a Now Word A great deal has been written as well as spoken, regarding the fire of God and acquiring the fire. It is time to stop merely talking about the fire of God and get burned until we are totally consumed by it. The present day Church cannot release the fire of God until we have personally embraced the fire of God. It is a simple fact you cannot give away something that you do not have. May God so impact us with His holy fire until we are contagious—spreading revival fires everywhere we go! This true fire of God will not be released through us until we have had the refining fire of God come into us. Now is the time to pray that the refining fire of God would fall afresh upon our hearts (see Malachi 3). May our lives be transformed from a dull, lifeless form of religious activity into exciting acts of the Holy Spirit. The prophet John promised that the baptism of fire would surely come. 16

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An Old Message for a New Generation It is evident that in the last few years we have been hearing more about holiness than in days gone by. These are days of acceleration—things are changing incredibly fast. The Holy Spirit is now speaking to the Church about holiness with an intensity not previously seen, at least not in our generation. This is extremely important because without true holiness no one will see the Lord (see Hebrews 12:14). The subject of God’s holy fire is now being highlighted in messages at gatherings and in conferences in many different parts of the earth. Get ready for swift change. Now is the time for divine revolution. One of the definitions of revolution is: “a swift and forceful turning.” The winds of change are fanning this river of fire, producing a revolution. We can expect to see a “Jesus Revolution” that will stagger the Church world once again. We must learn how to walk with a “G-rated heart” while living in an “X-rated” world. For the past several years I have had the awesome privilege to speak and minister at some of the largest youth conferences in several nations. My heart is overwhelmed with the concentration and focus of many of the young people. They might appear outwardly to be raunchy; however, their hearts are wonderfully righteous. Over and over, I am asked to pray for them the prayer spoken by Paul when he prayed for a “worthy walk.” I like the translation of Colossians by Peterson stating: Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to His will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth, but the glory-strength God gives. 17

Embrace the Fire It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us (Colossians 1:9-12 THE MESSAGE).

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Part Two

Malachi’s Message God is speaking forth a warning and a promise: He is saying even though you are not ready—He is coming anyway and His coming will prepare us. “Ready or not here He comes!” He is coming suddenly to His temple. The temple God is speaking about is not some structure in the Holy Land, but each of us as believers are His temple. Paul reminds us that our bodies are the temple of God (see I Corinthians 3:16). The prophet Malachi speaking for God thunders out this prophetic warning in Malachi 3:1-5: Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them 19

Embrace the Fire as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

In this prophetic promise we see clearly that God has great plans for His people to walk in purity and holiness. When we embrace the fire of God, then God in turn begins to confuse and confound the workers of darkness. In these verses we discover the manner of Christ’s coming and the mission to which He is coming.

Where Is the Power of God and the God of Power? The people to whom the prophet was speaking were distant and totally backslidden. In the second chapter of Malachi they seemed to be questioning the reality of Almighty God and His care and concern for them. The question seemed to be, “Just where is God anyway? We can do anything we like and we do not have to answer to Him.” In the first words of chapter three we see God releasing a clear answer to the profane atheistic demand of the scoffers who questioned: “... Where is the God of judgment?” (Malachi 2:17) By their lifestyle and actions, many today seem to be asking the same question, to which it is readily answered, “Here He is at the door; the long-expected Messiah is ready to appear.” And to which He says, “For judgment have I come 20

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into this world—that judgment to which you have so daringly bid defiance.” Be sure God will send the righteous King to set all things in order, even the King—Christ Jesus the promised Messiah. In the “... beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ...” it is expressly said to be the accomplishment of this promise (see Mark 1:1-2). But get ready because He is coming again, not as the babe of Bethlehem or the suffering sacrificial Lamb, but rather as the Prince of Glory. He is about to appear as the “Sent One.” Even though this careless generation has not sent for Him, He is coming. The Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the God of judgment, who you think, has forsaken the earth. We will do well to notice the warning—this coming of the Lord will be suddenly. This generation has been somewhat half-hearted in their invitation for His intervention. He is coming not to take sides but rather to take over. Be certain of this fact: Christ is coming first to His Church before He comes for His Church. He is the King of Glory! Notice the Prophet declared that the coming one is the Lord—Adonai, the basis and foundation on which the world is founded and fastened, the Ruler and Governor of all, the one Lord over all (see Acts 10:36). Christ has all power committed to Him (see Matthew 28:18) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever (see Luke 1:33). He is the messenger of the covenant or the angel of the covenant, that Blessed One that was sent from Heaven to negotiate peace, and to bring reconciliation between God and man. He is the Lord of Hosts who received commission from the Father to bring man home to God by a covenant of grace. Christ, as a prophet, is the Messenger and Mediator of the covenant. He is given for a covenant (see Isaiah 49:8). That covenant which was spoken by the Lord and produced for us 21

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our salvation (see Hebrews 2:3). The Church has been brought to a threshold—we are about to encounter the Lord in a much deeper and different level. He shall come suddenly and His coming draws nigh. Christ is going to come to His Church before He comes for His Church. He shall come to His temple and I do not think that Christ is going to come just to His temple in Jerusalem. He is going to come first with His holy fire to those who are the temple of God. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (I Corinthians 3:16).

His coming shall be like a refiner’s fire, separating the gold from the dross by melting the ore. Like fullers’ soap He will cleanse us and with much pressure and rubbing, remove the spots out of the cloth. The Lord knows our heart—this is not a time to attempt to conceal our life from Christ. God is demanding truth in the hidden part of our heart. “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom” (Psalms 51:6). Do not be afraid to bring your failures and faults before the Lord, He is full of love and compassion and will quickly remove all that seeks to pull us away from walking in communion with Him. His holy fire will only burn away the bonds that bind us. This coming of the fire of the Lord will reveal the hearts of all men. We will discover “... that the thoughts of many hearts might be revealed” (Luke 2:35). This coming fire will be used to separate the precious and the vile, for His fan is in His hand and He will completely remove anything that is worthless in our lives (see Matthew 3:12). This coming fire will be used to shake everything that can be shaken. This shaking will affect both heaven and earth so that the wicked 22

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might be shaken out (see Job 38:13) and that the things which cannot be shaken might remain (see Hebrews 12:27). He shall sit as a Refiner. Christ shall purify and reform His Bride, for to this end He gave Himself for the Church, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word (see Ephesians 5:26). God’s plan is to purify for Himself a peculiar people (see Titus 2:14). The Holy Spirit is the great Refiner. Who will He purify? The sons of Levi—all those who are devoted to His praise and engaged in His service, as was the tribe of Levi; and all those He designs to make spiritual priests (see Revelation 1:6). God will have Himself a holy priesthood (see I Peter 2:5). All true Christians are sons of Levi—set apart for God to service His sanctuary and to engage in warfare for the good of His Kingdom. Pay close attention to the ways He will purify us: 

He will purge us as gold and silver

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He will sanctify us inwardly

He will not only wash away the spots we have contracted from without, but He will take away the dross that is found within. He will separate from us the indwelling corruption which renders us worthless and useless, and in so doing, make the Body of Christ like refined gold—both valuable and serviceable. This coming fire of God will purge the Church, as gold and silver are purged, for He baptizes with the Holy Ghost and with fire (see Matthew 3:11). The Holy Ghost works like fire. He purges the Church by afflictions and manifold temptations so that the trial of their faith may be found to be praise and honor (see I Peter 1:6-7). He will purge the Church so as to make them a precious people unto Himself. What will be the effect of it? This people will be able to offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness. 23

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The Fullers’ Soap Fuller is the word kabhac which literally means “to trample.” The fuller was usually the dyer, since, before the woven cloth could be properly dyed, it first had to be free from the oily and gummy substances naturally found on the raw fiber. Anciently many different substances were used for cleansing, among them were white clay, rancid urine, and the ashes of certain desert plants (Arabic qali, is the biblical word for “soap” see Malachi 3:2). This coming cleansing that God’s fire will bring about in the hearts of His people is referred to as “fullers’ soap.” Before the Lord can totally touch and transform our heart, we must have the fullers’ soap which removes the residue of the world out of our life. The fullers’ shop was usually located outside the city (see II Kings 18:17, Isaiah 7:3 and 36:2) for two reasons. First, that he might have sufficient room to spread out his cloth for drying and sunning, and also because of the offensive odors sometimes produced by his processes. What a beautiful picture of the work of God’s Spirit—the sweet wind of the Spirit blowing away the offensive odors of the world from our lives and the bright warm sunlight sent to refresh. Even today, the Syrian indigo dyer still uses a cleaning process closely allied to that portrayed on the Egyptian monuments. The unbleached cotton is soaked in water and then sprinkled with the powdered ashes of the ishnan locally called qali and then beaten in piles on a flat stone either with another stone or with a large wooden paddle. The cloth is washed free from the alkali by small boys treading on it in a running stream. This is part of the fullers’ soap, “foot fountain” also translated “fullers’ fountain” because of the fullers’ method of washing their cloth. Mark describes Jesus’ garments at the time of His transfiguration as being whiter than any fuller on earth 24

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could whiten them (see Mark 9:3). Remember we are called to be holy and pure as He is Holy and Pure. Our lives are to radiate His Glory. Many fail to understand that God’s plans for His people are better than the plans they have chosen for themselves. So in love and mercy, God begins to remove our plans and purposes from us in order to establish His perfect plan. This is called refining. Never forget the process of refining is always to make the object being refined of more true value. God’s purpose is to help us not hurt us. “The LORD is good...” (Nahum 1:7). Let’s take time to do a brief word study about this process because each of us will need to go through this refining. May the Holy Spirit release to us a deeper understanding concerning the refiner as well as the refining process. Two Hebrew words have been translated “refine.” These words provide us with a great deal of insight into the prophetic message of Christ’s coming as a refiner to refine the saints. Tsaraph which literally means to “fuse” (see Zechariah 13:9, Isaiah 48:10, and Malachi 3:2-3). This same word is also rendered “tried” in Psalms 66:10, and “melt” in Jeremiah 6:29, and “purge” in Isaiah 1:25. Zaqaq means to “strain” or “sift.” In the case of silver and gold the term probably referred to some washing process in connection with refining, as in Malachi 3:3 both tsaraph and zaqaq are used. The same word in Isaiah 25:6 referred to the straining of wine. This is a process that removes all unwanted matter. The Greek word puroo, speaks of being set ablaze literally “to be ignited,” is translated “refined” in Revelation 1:15 and 3:18. Most of the Bible references regarding the refining of silver indicate that the silver used by the ancients was probably obtained by smelting lead sulfide ore which was rich in silver (see Proverbs 25:4, Zechariah 13:9, and Isaiah 25

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48:10). Notice how in the process of refining the substance is always brought to a much more precious value, in this illustration—from common lead ore to precious silver. God’s grace and tender mercy at work in one’s life always produces more true worth. The fire was applied to the ore to reduce it to a metallic condition, then the lead was separated from the silver by blowing hot air over the surface of the melted metal. The lead was thus changed to lead oxide, in a powdered condition, and was driven away by the air blast. The resulting lead oxide, called in the Bible silver dross, was used for glazing pottery (see Proverbs 26:23). Syrian potters still use this process today. Here again, we see the symbol of the burning breath of God removing all that is worthless in our lives. The description of refining in Ezekiel 22:18-22 may indicate that a flux (compare “as with lye,” see Isaiah 1:25) was sometimes added to the melted metal to dissolve the oxides of copper, lead, tin, and iron as they formed—thus leaving the silver pure. Crude processes similar to those described are used in the Taurus Mountains even today. In Zechariah 13:9, God declares, And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

In the various Bible references, the refining of precious metals is used figuratively to illustrate the kind of trial God’s children are called upon to go through. If they are of the right metal, the dross will finally be blown away—leaving pure, clear, shining silver. Again we see the promise stated by the prophet of God. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth 26

Part Two of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain (Isaiah 4:46).

Now that we have a better understand of the process of refining and the fullers’ soap, let’s look more closely at each of these verses in Malachi: But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap (Malachi 3:2).

“But who may abide the day of his coming?” He is coming to call us to account for our indifference and lethargy. Are we ready for His fiery presence in our midst, burning away the chaff? His coming will be to subject our character to the fiery test of His heart-searching truth (see Matthew 3:1012). “For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap.” His mission is to prepare us to stand before a Holy God. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness (Malachi 3:3).

“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...” The promise “He shall sit” speaks of His faithfulness to His people. Never think that God will turn the heat on and abandon you. In this refining process He is near 27

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and the promise is sure—He is a Friend that stays closer than a brother, and He is a very present Help in our time of need. The purifier sits before the crucible, fixing his eyes on the metal and taking care that the fire is not too hot. He allows the metal to remain in the fire only until he knows the dross is completely removed—when he sees his own image reflected in the glowing mass. So the Lord, in the case of His people, applies the fire so that He may purge away the dross and see His own image reflected clearly in each of our lives, and then He removes the saint out of the furnace. He will sit down to do the work, not carelessly, but with patient love and unflinching justice. The purer the gold—the hotter the fire, the whiter the garment—the harder the washing, (see Romans 8:29, Job 23:10, Psalms 66:10, Proverbs 17:3, Isaiah 48:10, Hebrews 12:10, and I Peter 1:7). “... And he shall purify the sons of Levi...” The Levites speak of all saints because all saints are called by God to be ministers unto God. “... That they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness...” Refiner’s fire and the fullers’ soap— each deal with purity. The Body of Christ is about to receive a baptism of fire! With this baptism of fire a new and much needed understanding will be released concerning the demand of holiness from the heart of Father God for His people.

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Strange Fire Is a Dangerous Substitute The Body of Christ is about to perceive the dangerous consequences of offering strange fire in the place of God’s holy fire. Counterfeit commitment can carry a very deadly result (see Acts 5:1-13). In the Book of Numbers we read the account of two men who attempted to worship God with a defiled heart and deceptive motives. Read the results: And Nadab and Abihu died when they offered profane (or strange) fire before the LORD (Numbers 26:61).

We are all enormously thankful and extremely grateful to our Lord for every sincere servant that is seeking to build and advance the Kingdom of Christ. We should do all we can to help promote and encourage these genuine, legitimate men and women of God. However, it is appalling and embarrassing to observe some of the things that are being done in the name of Christ, some of which is nothing more than counterfeit ministry. Some have become manipulating con-artists attempting to swindle people out of their money. 29

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Be sure the Holy Spirit is far removed from this type of charlatan activity that brings fading glory and vanishing riches to a man. These pretenders stand in true peril; the impending judgment of God stands at the door for these pretenders. Let us join in prayer and intercession for the valid victorious servants who are upright in their heart, but let us ask that the scam artists be quickly exposed and that they completely repent or be swiftly removed from public ministry. It is sad to see that the desperate hunger of the saints of God has given place to such extreme mishandling of the Word of God. It is sad when so-called ministers spend more time attempting to seduce and entice the saints into buying anointed prayer clothes or bottles of water from the Jordan River, and the list of gimmicks goes on and on. How shameful, but rest assured this type of behavior is about to come to a sudden end. Just as Christ turned over the tables of the moneychangers in His day, He is about to do the same thing today. He said to the people in His day you have made My house into a cave of thieves. He is about to drive out the moneychangers again in order for His house to be a true house of prayer, praise, and ministry.

What Is This Fire? In the Scriptures fire often speaks of Gods awesome power and presence. The Hebrew word 'esh, is the word used for “fire.” Forms of this word appear in over 375 biblical references. In its first biblical appearance 'esh represents God’s presence as “a torch of fire.” And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch... (Genesis 15:17, italics mine).

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It is especially important that the first sign of the word fire was God’s presence being made known. This occurrence of fire and the divine presence of Holy God is an awesome promise of what will happen when man has worshipped and makes a true sacrifice. Take time to study this account of Abraham. He had to stand against the fowls of the air as they came to devour his offering to the Lord. We too must engage in spiritual warfare to protect what we have put before the Lord. Today when we truly worship and sacrifice in the Spirit, the fiery presence of Holy God will again be seen walking among us. In the Scriptures “fire” was used to transform the offering into smoke, and as the smoke ascended heavenward, it symbolized God’s reception of the offering (see Leviticus 9:24). Smoke always ascends—it is a symbol of praise and devotion. In Exodus 3:2 we see that “fire” often attended God’s presence. Consequently, He is sometimes called a “consuming fire” (see Exodus 24:17 and Hebrews 12:29). God’s divine “fire” guided His chosen people through the wilderness as the pillar of fire releasing direction as well as protection (see Exodus 13:21). As saints of God, we do not need to stumble in the darkness, but we must have the glory of the Lord to direct our steps. The Psalmist declared, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalms 119:130). This light of the Word of God will be a true light to our pathway (see Psalms 119:105). Now is the time to hear the voice of the Lord clearly and to fully follow Christ wherever He leads (see John 10:3-4). We must have divine light and direction as well as protection. In Exodus 14:19 and 24 we again discover that fire was a symbol of the Lord’s presence and one of the signs of His power, as manifested through His approval or as destruction 31

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(see Numbers 11:1 and 3). We behold God appearing in the burning bush and also upon Mt. Sinai as divine fire (see Exodus 3:2 and 19:18). Just as Moses turned aside, it is time for us to turn aside and seek the source of the sign. Only as we take time to turn aside will we clearly hear the instructions of the Lord. When the Apostle John turned to seek the source of the voice, he encountered the risen Christ on a level he had never expected (see Revelation 1:10 and 18). How many times do we miss these divine encounters because we are in too much of a hurry to be still and know the Lord (see Psalms 46:1011). In the midst of fire He reveals Himself in the Old Testament as well as the New—to Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John (see Isaiah 6:4-5, Ezekiel 1:4, and Revelation 1:12-14). A great day is coming when He will again appear in fire (see II Thessalonians 1:7-8). God is compared to fire, not only because of His glorious brightness, but because of His righteous judgment against sin. God’s holy fire will consume the wicked as fire does stubble, if they do not repent (see Deuteronomy 32:22, Isaiah 10:17, Ezekiel 21:31-32, and Hebrews 12:29).

Symbols of Divine Fire Fire, in its symbolic use, is not only spoken of as protection, but also for purifying as with precious silver and gold (see Isaiah 4:5-6 and Malachi 3:2-3). The following is a list of examples of how fire is spoken of symbolically in the Scriptures. These are just a few of the many examples and you can, of course, do a much deeper study. 

The Word of God is described as fire. (see Jeremiah 5:14, and 23:29)

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The Holy Spirit is spoken of as fire. (see Isaiah 4:4, and 32

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Acts 2:3-4) 

The zeal of the saints is referred to as fire. (see Psalms 39:3, and 119:139)

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The angels of heaven are identified as messengers of fire, (see Psalms 104:4, and Hebrews 1:7)

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God in His glory, (see Daniel 7:9)

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God in His holiness, (see Isaiah 6:4)

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God’s jealousy for His worship, (see Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29, Psalms 79:5, and Isaiah 33:14)

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His protection of His people, (see II Kings 6:17-18, Zechariah 2:5)

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His righteous judgment and purification, (see Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2-3, I Corinthians 13:15)

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His wrath against sin and punishment of the wicked, (see Deuteronomy 9:3, Psalms 18:8 and 89:46, Isaiah 5:24 and 30:33)

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The Word of God in its power, (see Jeremiah 5:14 and 23:29)

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Divine truth, (see Psalms 39:3, Jeremiah 20:9, Luke 12:49)

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That which guides men. (see Isaiah 50:10-11)

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The Holy Spirit, (see Acts 2:3)

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The glorified Christ, (see Revelation 1:1)

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Kindness in its melting power, (see Romans 12:20)

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The tongue in its evil aspects, (see James 3:5-6)

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Heaven in its purity and glory, (see Revelation 15:2 and 21:22-23)

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God’s Burning Heart This impending move of God’s Spirit will release a deeper dimension of understanding and clarification of exactly what the fire of God is. Many seem to have the wrong impression of the fire of God, thinking that it solely concerns His divine judgment. They associate the fire of God with only agonizing, painful, and appalling experiences. The fire of God can and does speak of His divine displeasure with sin; however, this outpouring will reflect a Bridegroom’s heart of tender love for His Bride. We must not think that the love of Christ for His Church leaves us without the responsibility of walking in purity and true passion for holiness. On the contrary, the more we know about the true heart of the Father for us, the more we should be compelled to walk in true purity. In the Scriptures we see God revealing Himself in the fire. We discover in Exodus that God protected and directed His people by fire. Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for 35

Embrace the Fire God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.” So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people (Exodus 13:17-22 NKJV).

Just as God chose to reveal Himself to Moses on the mountain by fire, He will reveal Himself to the Church today in the fire of holiness. In Exodus we read the account of Moses on Mount Sinai. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice (Exodus 19:18-19 NKJV).

This river of fire is flowing from the throne of God, removing the apathy and deadness of the Church. The beginning point of this mighty river is the very heart of Father God. With awesome reverence for the holiness of God, we must recognize that the fire of God is not just His judgment, vengeance, and anger toward sin—it is primarily His love and passion. The current of this river is now raging, 36

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and just as flood waters overflow the banks of our natural rivers, this river of God’s passion for His people will rage. It will be obvious that if anyone steps into the river even slightly—they will instantly be swept away by the strength of the current. This is not a time just to look at the river of fire, now is the time to commit ourselves to the force and the flow of the river—the source of which is God Himself. John the Baptist prophesied that Christ would baptize His saints with a baptism of fire. This baptism of fire will be a total immersion in a river of fire, which is God’s intense passion for His people. This baptism purifies because the inner heart desires of God’s people will change as we embrace His river of fire.

Desire for the Fire The “love of Christ will constrain us” will become our motto. The love of Christ is becoming compelling causing all who embrace the river of fire to deeply desire a life that will bring true glory and honor to Christ. Everywhere we turn, everywhere we look, everywhere we are—we will see, experience, and feel the fire of God’s passion for us. We will be undone, in a good sense of the word. Our own plans and purposes will become undone. Our prayer will be for a swift synchronization of the will of God and the walk of man. His fire will overwhelm the church not in a judgment of wrath— but in the passion of love. In Matthew 3:11-12, John the Baptist releases this prophetic promise: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

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God’s Fire Will Call Entire Nations This baptism of fire will set our hearts ablaze for true evangelism. It is our own indifference that has caused the lack of true evangelism in our nation. It is not God who hinders the healing of our land—it is our apathy and our unbelief which keeps us from taking hold of all that is promised to us in the Word of God. Remember He is able to do abundantly above anything we can ask or think (see Ephesians 3:20-21). God has promised that entire nations will come to Him in a day. We must expect more, we must have faith for more. We should expect entire cities to turn to Christ. Do not marvel when I say entire cities can be saved. The Scripture tells us that nations will come to our light and kings to the brightness of our rising (see Isaiah 60:1-3). It is time to arise and shine bright with the glory of God.

The Key Is Christ-likeness The message for the Body of Christ today is the same spoken from the lips of Jesus: Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: (Matthew 11:20 NKJV).

Jesus has a word to say, not only to us as individuals, but to entire cities as well. In exasperation He rebuked Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum with tears (see Matthew 11:21). He cried out to Jerusalem (see Luke 13:34). If He expected cities to repent in the first century, He expects cities today to repent as well. Get ready to see entire cities come to God. 38

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This can and will happen. This coming fire of God will fall upon entire cities and the result will be the repenting and returning to true Christianity. This fire of God coming upon the Church today is removing the walls that have separated many. This coming together in unity of purpose is releasing a powerful anointing and grace (see Psalms 133). When we truly come together, God releases awesome, lavish anointing. Many saints in different cities are coming together for city-wide prayer meetings. These are proving to be very beneficial. God is raising up men and women with anointing to help bring whole cities together in prayer. There is also a grass roots prayer movement beginning in public schools again that is awesome. These young people are seeking God on a very intense level. Reports of Holy Spirit breakouts are coming in from many of these prayer gatherings. There is a wonderful release of power when saints come together to pray. Recently I was in a city speaking at a very large youth conference. These young people were going out into the streets with the power of God. Cripples were walking and deaf people were hearing. Many people gave their life to Christ as they watched and listened to these anointed young people sharing the life of Christ.

The Fire Produces Mighty Miracles It was in this precise context of reproving cities; however, that Jesus made a statement which reveals the awesome scope of God’s redemptive power. Listen to His rebuke, but also to its hidden promise. He said, ... For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes (Matthew 11:21 NJKV).

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What an awesome promise! These cities were extremely wicked places, but the promise is clear—miracles would have produced repentance in even these sin centers. Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities known for their debauchery and sin. Yet, Jesus said that a true demonstration of His life, revealed in power, can bring even the vilest of cities—places which ought to be destroyed—to “sackcloth and ashes.” Never forget the promise where sin does abound grace does much more abound. The overcoming factor is the Church moving in love and power. Remember love covers a multitude of sin (see Romans 5:17 and I Peter 4:8). The strategy to win our cities, is for the Church to reveal Christ’s love and life in power. Yes, the revelation of Christ in us as individuals, and the power of Christ displayed corporately through us, can turn our worst cities back toward God! It is time for a true demonstration of God’s power (see I Corinthians 2:1-5). The Kingdom of God will not be established with just talk. Performing miracles with awesome power will bring souls to Christ (see John 6:2). There is coming a mighty revival to some of our most wicked cities. Prayer will release the harvest. Today, as in days past, the river of God’s fire will flow through the streets of our cities. In the wake of this river of fire souls will be turned to Christ and lives rescued from the destroyer’s grasp.

Ripe for Real Revival Today, many cities are ripe for revival. The Word of God promises where sin does abound grace will much more prevail. What hinders the turning of the people’s hearts? The answer lies with the Church and with our sins of selfrighteousness, apathy, and unbelief. The Lord said, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from 40

Part Four heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (II Chronicles: 14).

For, ... God our Savior,... desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4 NKJV).

With this in mind, Paul taught that entreaties and prayers should be made on behalf of all men, “... for kings and all who are in authority” (I Timothy 2:2 NJKV). The sacrifice of Christ provides for the salvation of all men. Heaven waits only for the Church to act. This coming river of fire will set our hearts to action. Jesus continued His rebuke of cities, saying, “If the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day” (see Matthew 11:23). Amazingly, when Christ is manifested in power, Jesus said even Sodom could find repentance! The promise is very clear, where sin does abound grace does much more abound. I realize that I keep repeating this promise, but somehow we have not truly caught the promise. We have all heard preachers compare Amsterdam, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York to Sodom. These cities have seen the deeds of Hell, now let the Church demonstrate before them the deeds of Heaven. We would do well to spend time blessing our cities. Our words have power and we should seed the heavens with blessings for our cities. If we take intercession for our nation to a higher level we will see the rain of Heaven begin to fall—flooding our nation with grace and mercy. The serious drought we are seeing in much of the world is a direct result of our lack of true prayer. Our world desperately needs to see Jesus revealed in His Church. The promise of Christ is that even Sodom could repent in the atmosphere and revelation of Christ’s power. If 41

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there is hope for Sodom, there is hope for your city as well!

Revival Christ Jesus is looking upon the harvest—He sees people. It is a sad situation when Church leaders look on the harvest and only see Church members. Something must move us past an ambition to grow just for growth’s sake. People are much more than just nickels and noses. He sees the hurting humanity for which He gave His life. He sees the very purchase of His blood. He beholds husbands arguing with wives while their children tremble in fear. He sees drugs being sold on playgrounds and teenagers having abortions. He observes as desperate old people linger away stored in nursing homes and warehoused away living lonely lives in retirement centers. He suffers at the bedside of the infirm. The heart of Christ grieves with the loneliness of the elderly and identifies with the struggle of the handicapped. Yes, the eyes of the Lord probe the spirit and humanity of our towns. He sees the hungry homeless, the drunks and the dope-heads. From His eternal perspective, He also beholds the most terrible event known to man. We must never forget that the way of the sinner is hard. There is pleasure in sin but only for a season. He sees the overwhelming horror and the utter despair every unsaved person experiences as they realize they are indeed, dead and going to hell. There is no rest for the wicked; their lives are filled with turbulence and torment, storm tossed vessels on troubled seas. Does He see His Church busy and active seeking to win the lost, or does He see the Church—His Church, purchased at the cost of His own precious blood—sitting comfortably amused with remote control in hand, watching television or surfing the worldwide web seeking somewhere to vacation. We must have this river of fire to burn away the lukewarmness and restore true passion for hurting people. Jesus does not have a problem 42

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with the hot or cold dimensions of life. It is the lukewarm that He will spew from His mouth (see Revelation 3:15-16). What stopped the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—towns which already had the blessing of Christ’s healing—from embracing ongoing renewal? They assumed Christ’s love was given only to enrich them. They saw the rewards of Christ—without understanding His requirements. The Church today is frighteningly similar in attitude to these ancient cities. The majority of the first century saints gave their lives to Christ with the full knowledge they would face persecution, suffering, and possibly, death for their faith. Such was the character and vision of the Church in the first century. We must embrace the fire of God in order to consume the consumer-type Church, which only wants to bring to the people what they want to experience. The people-friendly Church must become the Holy Spirit-friendly Church. It seems we are expending much of our spiritual resources on attempting to build a type of Church that will attract more people, when in fact we should be seeking to build a fellowship that would attract the Holy Spirit. It appears that the main emphasis of much of our Christianity is; however, to help believers become normal. So much of our contemporary teaching keeps alive the very nature that Jesus calls us to crucify! We need to reevaluate our preaching. Are we preaching the cross and the call to follow Jesus? What are we training our people to become? It seems that much of our time is spent on attempting to counsel out of people what should have been extracted at conversion (see II Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit’s goal is not merely to bless us, but to transform us into the image of Christ Jesus! He desires to use us to turn our nation back to Him. Surely God has made 43

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no provision for the healing of our land apart from us becoming Christ-like! Once we realize this vital truth, we shall return to the source of New Testament Christianity, and our cities will have hope for redemption. When the Church demonstrates the love and power of Christ, repentance and revival can occur even in a place like Sodom.

Demonstrations of the Apostolic When God releases the fullness of this baptism of Spirit and fire, it will result in an outburst and outbreak of apostolic demonstrations of God’s power in signs and wonders. The Holy Spirit will release His power to do ministry. We stand at the door of a release that will: produce an impartation—resulting in an impact—resulting in a breakthrough—resulting in a breakout. The miraculous and the supernatural will become normal in many Churches. Business as usual in the Church is about to come to an abrupt end. This baptism of fire will release such power that a radical change will occur. Church will not be what we have been experiencing. Expect a great visitation that will release an impact for the Body of Christ that will result in a breakthrough in order for the Church to have a true breakout. The message and ministry of the Church must get outside the four walls of the Church out into the marketplace. This coming move is unparalleled and exceptional in that it will sweep across denominational lines. For all who truly embrace this river of fire will be released into a much higher level of signs and wonders. Young and old alike will be set ablaze with pure passion for Christ and His advancing Kingdom. Children will move on an extremely high level of prophetic anointing. They are now seeing into the Spirit realm in an awesome manner. Where the fire of God consumes the works of the flesh the miraculous works of God 44

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will break out. Some of the most powerful demonstrations of God’s power will not happen in the Church meetings. Do not misunderstand this—there will be exceptional power when God’s people gather for praise and worship. However, when those immersed in God’s holy fire get outside the four walls of the Church building, into the streets and marketplaces of the world, miracles will happen to the unbelievers, causing them to come to know Christ Jesus in a personal way. The good news that God’s power is flowing will pour into the streets, homes, and communities and multitudes will come into the meetings to see and experience the true power of God (see Mark 2:1). It is very exciting and encouraging—God is doing a new thing (see Isaiah 48:5-9). We must not fear the changes that are coming from the fire of God. We must abide in the Word of God walking in quietness and confidence—it is in the power of God that we will rest. Being immersed in the passionate fire of God will burn away the routine of the mundane. No longer will we be lost in the daze of the familiar. The Lord spoke to me saying, “Bobby, I give you My personal permission to attempt to explain what I am about to do on earth!” I said to Him, “Lord, I will need a verse for that one,” and He said, “no problem,” and He gave me Ephesians 3:20-21. Now is the time to expect more from the Holy Spirit. If we would truly expect more, we would see and experience more. Christ said according to your faith be it unto you. I was flying out to the northern part of California to conduct a conference, and the Lord spoke to me saying, “I have a promise for the Saints now.” I replied, “Great, what verse?” and He said, “It is on page 33 of the magazine in the pocket in the seat in front of you.” I opened it and discovered these words: “YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT!” 45

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God is offering an open invitation “... Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this”(Revelation 4:1 NKJV). It does not matter what level we are at presently. God longs to carry us higher. We can and must advance from glory to glory. The Spirit of Truth is moving the Church to maturity. The Body of Christ must move forward, this is not a time to retreat back to the safety of past normalcy. We must maximize the moment. We must redeem the time and make the most of the moment. God is now releasing for each of us a kairos moment, which is that moment of time where your time and God’s purpose come together. Now is not a time to continue in a form of godliness without any demonstration of divine power. The enemy and a religious spirit hate this move of God and will be at work trying to distract people back into a worthless form of Christianity. But unlike Lot’s wife many in the Church will not look back. They will press ahead boldly! It is in the day of God’s power that His troops volunteer willingly (see Psalms 110:3). As we embrace the fire of God, then the husks of the world are burned from our heart, permitting us to see the Lord and more of His glory, and as we know Him more, we will trust Him more. It is the people that push on to know the Lord who will display strength and take action (see Daniel 11:32).

Fascination With the Master or the Miracles? The explosion and outbreak of mighty miracles will result in a newfound attraction and fascination with Christ Jesus. This will be awesome, causing man’s focus to get off people and firmly fixing our eyes upon the Lord of the miracles (see John 2:23). This fire of God will take our eyes off the man that God uses to accomplish the miracles and focus us firmly upon the Master. The names of the persons God uses to work 46

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the miracles will hardly be remembered. The focus will be upon the Lord of Glory. It will be the name of the Lord that is praised. The day will soon come when people leave the meeting rooms and no one will be speaking about the person who preached or ministered—everyone will be talking about the magnificence of the Master. Right now people become fascinated with places, ministries, and individuals who carry authority in the Spirit. People flock to locations where there is a move of God because they are so hungry for the Lord (see John 6:1-2). This coming wave of the fire of God will produce a deep desire to know the Lord on a much more intimate level. But after this baptism, we will not be awestruck with where God’s hand is at work because we will be mesmerized with Him. We will only feel at home as we seek to place our lives yielded at His feet. We will be focused as was Mary, sitting at the Lord’s feet, drinking in the words of life from His lips. As this move of God is unleashed and with every miraculous demonstration—people are going to be totally overwhelmed with the character and nature of God—people are going to behold the beauty of the Lord. We too will join with Isaiah of old when he declared, “... I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1 NKJV). The result will be the same with us, we will cry out in desperate repentance seeking the cleansing fire of God to purge away from our lives any and all things that separate us from Him (see Isaiah 6:5). The Bride will be enamored by Him and not just what He is doing. Our hearts will be set to seek His heart not just His hand. This move of the Spirit will remove the heart of Gomer from His Bride (see Hosea 1:2-7). The fire of God will remove the whoring heart from the Bride, we will be loyal and trustworthy. As a well known prophet has said, “Soon there 47

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will be a generation more concerned in seeking His face and not just His hand.”

Devotion Restored This fire of God will help restore the Church to its first love and spiritual fidelity will be restored. Are we guilty of taking the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, which were given to us to woo the Bride to Christ, and using them to win her to ourselves? Surely there could be no greater form of treason. Just as the trusted servant of Abraham was given gifts to woo a bride for his son, Isaac, we too have been entrusted with gifts. The faithful servant of Abraham would take one of the beautiful gifts from his master and release it to Rebecca, telling her that it was from Isaac. The fire of God will cleanse our motives. We will not use these ministry gifts to bring people to ourselves. What is our true motive? No longer will Church growth be the goal of her leaders—the main goal will be establishing the Kingdom of God and seeing the glory of God restored to the Church. The fire of God’s glory will promote the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of any man. This fire of God will remove from us the evil ambition that robs us of integrity and uprightness of heart, thus removing evil spirits of competition and mistrust. The day is coming when—because of signs, wonders, and miracles—people will be obsessed and consumed only with the Bridegroom. Our desire will be nothing other than to dwell in intimacy with the Lord. Daily fellowship with the living Christ will be our main goal. He will be our only reward. The Spirit of God is calling us to come daily and sit at the feet of the Lord. As Christians we are challenged, as well as commanded in Scripture to be bold, brave, and courageous in our stand 48

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for Christ Jesus. We are instructed to boldly contend for the faith. However, this only occurs when we are walking in integrity and purity of heart. God’s ultimate goal is for us to possess and manifest true Christlike character and virtue. These graces are fundamental if we are to be a bright, shining light; a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. The Scripture declares, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). True boldness stems from a steadfast, upright heart. Our life must be a fountain, filled and overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:22- 26 NKJV).

Satan understands that if he can tempt a person into disobedience and rebellion against the will and way of God, along with the sin comes shame and guilt, thus reducing a vital witness to silence and a fearful timidity. When sin enters into one’s heart, then comes shame and a feeling of condemnation which results in the timidity that will rob the heart of its bold confidence David pleaded, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me... Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalms 51:10, 13). There is a real difference between true humility and timidity. Just as there is a world of difference between true godly boldness opposed to arrogance which produces a sinful, self-willed pride. 49

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This coming baptism in the river of God’s holy fire will restore our hatred for sin. The Scripture states “You who love the LORD, hate evil!” (Psalms 97:10). Notice first that we are instructed to love the Lord: this love for the Lord is what will produce a dislike for sin. If a person attempts to hate evil without first loving the Lord, they will become a religious zealot and unfruitful in the Kingdom of God. The same instructions are given in James 4:6-7 where we are reminded to first submit and draw near to God and resist the devil. If we attempt to resist without first drawing near and submitting to God, our efforts will be religious activity that will prove worthless.

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Formed and Forged In the Fire ... Results of Abiding In the Secret Place It is imperative for us to seek the divine union which will produce in us His divine nature. In Scripture we find that the formation of a human embryo is a mystery on which the mind of man dwells with a deep and reverential awe. It was God who gave us physical life in our mother’s womb. In this we had no choice, but as we are called to again be formed into the very likeness and image of Christ Jesus, we have all the choices. The Spirit of God is calling us into the hidden, secret place of fellowship and communion with Christ so that we may again say, as well as reveal, “... I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works...” For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest 51

Embrace the Fire parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You (Psalm 139:13-18 NKJV).

Notice that the psalmist states, “... When I was made [formed] in secret...” We too are being called to come away with Christ again into a place of humility—a secret place where He can form us more and more into His image. As we take time to be yielded in childlike surrender in His transforming presence, we will soon find ourselves being changed.

From the Womb to the World We must be formed again in the secret place, just as the first time you were formed in the secret place, deep within the warm womb of your mother. Hidden from the eye of man, God brought you about and gave you physical life. Even now, the Spirit of God is seeking to bring us again to His secret place—to be stilled and silenced before His holy throne in order that we might be formed into His divine image. We must enter into the secret place with the Lord to be able to hear His heart and receive His plans. Our world is waiting, wanting, and watching to see the life emerge that has been transformed in the secret place. So what is this secret place like? It is... ... a place of God’s own choosing. ... a place of quiet separation. 52

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... a place of humility. ... a place under the inspecting eye of God. ... a place where we have a destiny and a future. ... a place we are expected to come into. ... a place of transformation and union.

Curiously Formed to Be Totally Transformed! The psalmist states that he was wrought or formed in the secret place. The words wrought or formed speak of divine embroidery. God Himself has woven together the threads of our life. Only as we surrender our will to the will and way of God will we be brought into a divine union with Christ, enabling us to receive His divine nature. Our goal should be to so position ourselves that we can be transformed in humility to receive divine grace in order to bear the divine nature.

Transformation or Conformation? The pressure is on! People are being formed by either the divine or the demonic. We will either bear the image of the Lord or reflect the wicked ways of the world. Paul pleads with us to present our bodies and minds to the Lord, but you must make the call: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV).

The choice is ours, will we be consecrated to Christ or 53

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conformed to the world? If we choose to surrender to Christ, we will be made in His likeness. However, if we yield to the ways of the world, we will stumble in darkness—farther and farther away from the light and life of Christ Jesus. In the New Testament, the supreme example of consecration is Christ Jesus Himself (see John 17:19, Hebrews 7:28 and 10:10). Believers are also consecrated by Christ (see John 17:17 and 1 Peter 2:9), and are urged to consecrate themselves as well (see II Timothy 2:21). One of the results of our consecration by Christ is that we are now a priesthood of believers (see I Peter 2:9), with direct access to our Heavenly Father (see Ephesians 3:11-12). True consecration will always result in transformation.

Transformed Genuine transformation means to change radically in the inner-man. It means that our very character, condition, or nature is brought into a place of surrender to the Word of God. In Romans 12:2 the Apostle Paul exhorted Christians, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Followers of Christ should not be conformed, either inwardly or outwardly, to the values, ideals, and behavior of a fallen, wicked world. We are called to come out from among the sinful activities of this evil age. We are called to be holy and separate (see II Corinthians 6:14-18). As believers we should continually renew our minds through prayer and the study of God’s Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way, we will be transformed and made like Christ. If we will walk in the light of the Word of God as He is in the light, we will have unbroken fellowship 54

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with Christ (see I John 1:5-7). It is not enough to know that our life will be transformed when Christ returns. We should be actively seeking to have a pure, holy life now—not just waiting for our life to be transformed at the return of Christ (see Philippians 3:21). We should be seeking to walk daily in a transformed lifestyle.

Conformed The Greek word Paul used in Romans 12:2 for conformed is the word suschematizo, which means “to be fashioned or shaped,” made into the same image and likeness as the original thing. This is just as soft clay will bear the image or form of that which is pressed against it. We will bear the divine image of Christ as we press on to know Him, allowing His life to shape our lives. We must remain soft and malleable in His hands, willing to let His hands form us into His image.

Renewing Our Minds The Word of God will convert the soul of man. By this I mean that our mind, will, and emotions must be put right before God. As we surrender our mind, will, and emotions to the control of the Spirit of God, we will soon find that God is releasing a fresh anointing upon our lives. This daily renewing of our minds will enable us to remain soft and shapeable. This renewing of our minds will bring us to the promise found in Titus 3:5 which says, “... not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (NKJV). This is a fresh impartation of the Spirit and a revival of His power. This is what is so desperately needed in our world— 55

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the Holy Spirit in charge of our lives. These are apocalyptic as well as apostate times, and many will be drawn very close to Christ at the same time as many others are falling away. These truly will be some of the best of times and some of the worst of times. They will be days of great glory and light, but also some of the most drastic, dangerous, and dark days the world has ever seen. Notice this verse in Isaiah 21:11-12: “... Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, ‘The morning cometh, and also the night....’” Just as the prophet reported in his day about the night and the light appearing at the same time, these are going to be days of great contrast: joy and sorrow, jubilation and depression, life and death, peace and anarchy. What will make the difference in how these times affect your life? Simply this—your walk with Christ Jesus! These are days when the battle will rage for our minds. The foe will try to cause us to divert our eyes away from the Lord and to focus on the events occurring on earth. Now is the time to give earnest heed to the warnings found in Romans 8:5-6: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (NKJV).

Let these words sink deep into your soul, for they will be life and peace to those who will hear and obey. The battle is for your mind, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). We must keep our minds focused and fixed upon the Lord (see Isaiah 26:3). What we set our mind upon will determine how we live during these dark days. The Scriptures remind us to set our 56

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mind on things above (see Colossians 3:1) and think on things that are pure and honest and good (see Philippians 4:4-8). May the Spirit of God open the eyes of your understanding to give you wisdom and direction during these apocalyptic and dark days.

Tribulation—Producing Transformation We are facing times of tribulation that will become times of transformation. This may well prove to be the Church’s finest hour. Our nation is calling out to God during these times, along with many other nations throughout the world. The pressures and problems coming upon us during these days will either cause us to be conformed to this evil world or transformed by the grace and power of God’s Spirit. When the pressure is on, we will discover what is deep down inside of us. These adverse times will release what is hidden within our soul and the real you will come forth. Surrender yourself totally to the will of God, so that you might experience times of revolutionary change and transformation. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from Heaven (I Corinthians 15:49 NIV).

The Spirit of God is calling us to a total yielding of our wills to the daily control and guidance of the Lord. There must be a complete surrender of our soul to the will of God. This yielding will result in a restoration of resurrection power. The Spirit of God was His impregnating seed to produce the new birth in our life. In the same way, the Word of God is the God-seed that will result in each of us being formed into the image of Christ.

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In Job 10:10 we read this revealing question: “Did You not pour me out like milk, and curdle me like cheese?” (NKJV) The word used here for curdle is qapha, which means “to congeal, harden or curdle.” What does it mean for God to curdle us? He is declaring that He wants to give us form and function, purpose and destiny. This is an awesome passage, showing that only God can give us power to stand and express His Kingdom purposes. Remember, “... it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 NKJV). We are in a time when the Spirit of God is releasing His power to stand and walk in divine purpose (see Ephesians 5:14-21). Now is the time to live with a clear goal and divine purpose. Now is the time to make a commitment to Christ and the advancing of His eternal Kingdom. Life is too short to waste on trivial matters that will not matter in the long run. Christ warned us that a man’s life is not measured by what he acquires, but by how he relates to others. Remember: “... unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24 NKJV). As we die to our own will, lasting fruit will come from our life. However, if we continue to live for our own self-centered will, we will only bear a small part of what God had planned for our life. God is calling for a death to our will and way, enabling us to walk in true resurrection power—His higher way! God has given us physical life; now He desires to release His divine nature and spiritual life upon each of us. He wants us to live in a realm we have not yet experienced. Clothe me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews? You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit. 58

Part Five And these things You have hidden in Your heart; I know that this was with You (Job 10:11-13 NJKV).

As God clothed our bodies with skin, now He longs to clothe us with His glory. As He gave us a skeletal frame and structure, He now wants to give us inward strength which releases form and function. This will provide us with strength to stand strong in the things of the Spirit. Our physical bones give us a form and strength in which we can stand and express our physical life. The Holy Spirit must form Christ in us, permitting us to stand and reveal the divine nature.

In the Secret Place Just as we were formed at birth in the secret place, God is calling us again to His secret place to be formed into the image of His Son. And just as surely as you have been called to Christ for salvation, you are now being called to a total commitment of your life to Him. Only with this type of surrender can we truly reveal the divine nature. Peter informs us that we have access to everything necessary to be transformed and walk in divine authority: Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be 59

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The Spirit of God is calling us to a deeper commitment than ever before. It is time to cast away every sin and weight that is standing in our way. What will be required to receive and maintain this divine union that will release the divine nature? Rather than being something strange or unattainable, bearing His divine nature should be the norm for believers. But we must seek to obtain what pertains to us, walking in godliness, virtue, and glory. We must continue to press on and press in until we acquire what has been promised—the divine nature that gives us power to escape the corruption that is in the world.

Inside Out Paul challenged the Galatian Church about their need to have Christ formed in them: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). One of the words Paul used here is the Greek word morphoo, which refers not to the external and momentary, but to the inward, real, and genuine. Paul was expressing the necessity of a change in character and conduct, in order to correspond with the believers’ inward spiritual condition. He told them he was praying for their transformation into moral conformity to the image of Christ. A great promise regarding this is found in the Book of John: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). 60

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As we walk in a truly surrendered life, we will find that God will release fresh power each day. But we must set our minds upon the things of the Spirit. Too often the affairs of this life have robbed us of true fellowship with Christ. Paul challenged the Ephesians that they needed to have a renewed mind: “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind... that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24). The Scriptures declare that as a person thinks in their heart, so will be the conduct of their life. It is time to set our mind on things above. We have been much too preoccupied with the cares of this world. Now is the time to let the Spirit of God put our priorities in the proper order. Jesus instructed us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). Paul encourages the Colossians in this change of priorities: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-2 NKJV). Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him (Colossians 3:9-10 NJKV).

Our main quest should be to know Christ in a truly redemptive way and to make Him known. It is vital that we have a living union with Christ. Only then will people be able to see Christ clearly living in us.

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Pure Heart The writer of Hebrews presents an awesome objective for every believer: “... that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). God is calling us to walk in purity and true holiness. We are to exhibit the evidence of a life in union with Christ. One of the most convincing evidences that we are walking in union with Christ is that we exhibit a pure and holy life. This evidence of a pure heart is so persuasive and so needed in our day. Nothing should be more important than walking in unbroken fellowship and communion with the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 states, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” We are commanded to pursue consecration and holiness. The warning is all too clear: Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. God will not share His anointing and power with unclean vessels. The Bible instructs us, “... purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the LORD” (Isaiah 52:11 RSV). The Body of Christ is being confronted with the demands of living a holy, pure life, Recently the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me saying, “Tell the Church that holiness is not a dirty word! Neither is holiness optional!” When we cover over our hearts in an effort to keep our sins hidden from God, we also cover our spiritual eyes and become unable to see the things of God. When we get rid of our self-protection and self-righteous pretense, and instead purify our hearts, our spiritual vision is restored to see the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:8, Christ Jesus gives us a promise: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” What a wonderful promise. If our hearts are pure and our souls upright, we shall see 62

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the Lord. We will not only see things in the spiritual realm, but we shall see God active in our lives and our ministries. In Proverbs 22:11, we read this precious promise: “He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend” (NKJV). The King of Kings and Lord of Lords longs to fellowship and have communion with the pure in heart. If we are going to walk in power and true authority, it will be because we have purified our hearts. To advance in the authority of God, we must have more than clean hands—we must also have pure hearts. Holiness deals not only with our actions, but also our attitudes. Let us hear and heed the warning in Psalms 24:3-5: Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation (NKJV).

What Is Holiness? What is the true meaning of holiness? The Greek word used here is hagiasmos, which speaks of sanctification, consecration, or purification. Sanctification and holiness are more than just an attempt to separate ourselves from sin. We must also be separated unto the Lord. True holiness includes both separation from sin and union with the Lord. It means coming out from the world and coming wholeheartedly to the Lord. If we just attempt to be isolated from sinful things, and do not allow ourselves to be brought into a deeper walk with the Lord, it will result in our being overtaken by a selfrighteous, religious spirit. Remember that we must be separated unto the Lord, not just separated from a sinful lifestyle. 63

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An example of coming out of sin and to the Lord can be clearly seen in the story of the wayward son in Luke 15:1124. Looking at this parable, we discover willful rebellion on the part of the younger son. We also see the high cost of low living. He “... squandered his wealth in wild living” (Luke 15:13, NIV). Now the young man was totally depleted, destitute, and living in a hog pen. He was at the lowest point in his entire life—no friends, no food, and separated from his family. At this dark, desperate time, the Holy Spirit brought the wonder-working power of conviction, finally bringing him to his senses. “When he came to his senses, he said,... I will set out and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you” (Luke 15:17-18, NIV). He came out of the hog pen of his sinful living and went back to his father’s house. This will be the year that many backsliders come to themselves, come to their senses, and get up and return back to the “Father’s House,” where true hope and help will be received. What a joy it will be to see the wounded return and be restored!

Developing a Pure Heart The development of self-control is essential for bringing your thoughts and actions into captivity to the obedience of Christ, so that your mind is renewed daily. The results are true consecration, sanctification of heart, and life. Consecration is not just the outward restraining of a person’s involvement in sin; it is a cleansing of one’s heart to the point of not wanting to do anything that would offend the heart of God. The Spirit of God is seeking to break our hearts over what breaks our Heavenly Father’s heart. This only happens when there is both a purging and a placing—a purging away of any sins we have not yet 64

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repented of, and a placing in our hearts of God’s holy precepts. Yes, we need a Holy Spirit pruning, a lopping off of every fruitless branch. And we also need a watering with the water of the Word of God, which will cause us to grow in spiritual fruitfulness. We must have a removal of all that is unholy—then a reordering of our hearts so they are ruled by the Holy One. It is truly time to get the world out of our hearts and make more room for God to rule. We must open our hearts to God’s searchlight—removing every little thing it exposes that is not of Him, and then placing the light of His Word into our hearts to keep them ever pure. We must pray as the psalmist prayed: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23-24, NIV).

A Cry for Cleansing Having a pure heart begins with a cry for cleansing. The Holy Spirit is calling for repentance and cleansing from the defilement of sin. It is imperative that we ask the Lord to search our hearts and expose any and all sins, so we can confess and renounce them. Remember the warning, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalms 66:18 NKJV). If we give sin a safe hiding place in our hearts, it will hinder our communication with God. We will do well to ponder the prayer of King David in Psalm 51. This is the greatest of the penitential Psalms and has a very powerful confession of sin and cry for forgiveness. David’s confession comes after being confronted and rebuked by the prophet Nathan (also see II Samuel 12:1-15). The lesson we see is that no one can get to a place or position where they are not accountable for their conduct. Our nation certainly needs to hear this lesson—power and position do 65

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not release you from living a life accountable to God. This psalm starts with a cry of confession. David clearly declares that he has sinned and is in need of God’s mercy. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest (Psalms 51:1-4).

The prayer goes on to petition the Lord not only to cleanse the heart, but also to renew and restore. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit (Psalms 51:10-12).

David wants to be more than a forgiven sinner. He wants to become a pure vessel of the Lord. In essence, he is crying out, “make me more of what You want me to be. Because of Your goodness and loving-kindness, cause this defeat to bring new levels of victory in my life!”

Living in the Light of God’s Word The promise is very clear: If we want to stay close to the Lord, we must live a pure, holy life. The only way this is possible is to live a life ordered and directed by the Word of God. It is not sufficient to cast out the dark deeds of our sin; 66

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we must live in the light of His Word as we see below: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (I John 1:7-10).

This truth is also seen in these verses in the Old Testament, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5-6 NKJV). To keep our hearts pure, we must learn to abide with the Word of God. Too many Christians think of time spent with their Bibles as optional reading assignments or unnecessary legalism. But God’s Word is more than something to turn to when you need a promise or are preparing a teaching. For by reading, meditating on, and memorizing the Bible (having it hidden in our hearts) we will know God’s perfect path of purity. “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105). The results of a clean heart will be that we will see God, and others will see God in our lives. This will enable us to reap souls for the Kingdom of God and bring joy to the hearts of other believers. May God grant us grace to seek Him until He comes and rains righteousness upon us: Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you (Hosea 10:12). 67

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Do Not Get Used to the Darkness We need to heed Paul’s warning in Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Not long ago, my wife and I were invited to attend a very fancy candlelight dinner. Only a few candles illuminated the restaurant, and this was to enhance the mood and create a unique atmosphere. I stumbled into the dimly lit room, fumbled for a chair, and mumbled in a whisper that I needed a flashlight in order to read the menu. It was a lesson in walking by faith and not by sight; but there was also another spiritual lesson being shown. Gradually my eyes became accustomed to the darkness and I was again able to focus on objects. I thought to myself, Isn’t it funny, how one gets used to the dark. The Spirit of God began to reveal the desperate need for Christians to come out of the darkness and walk in the light of day. This is the time to walk in the pure light of the Lord, in order to reflect His divine radiance.

Time to Let Your Light Shine This will be a time of great sifting. God is calling us to become like Jesus at all costs. We are going to undergo a purging and pruning in order for the glory of the Lord to shine out of our lives. Although the world will become much darker, we are promised that God’s glory will arise in dramatic ways: Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings 68

Part Five to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you (Isaiah 60:1-5 NKJV).

It is time to allow the Spirit of God to remove each and every veil that we have placed over our hearts, so we can behold the Lord and become like Him.

Radical Revolutionaries God is saying that we must become radical revolutionaries that reflect His radiance! This is the only way others will see Christ in us.

The Emergence of Shape-Changers In the occult realm there are people so demonized that they are known as “shape-changers.” These are people so demonized that they can actually take on the form of different creatures. The Church, in contrast, is about to behold saints who are so submitted to the Holy Spirit that they become godly shape-changers. These men and women are willing to radically submit themselves to the Holy Spirit in such a manner that they are transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus. This is the only way we can fulfill our calling to bear His image. This process, involving both conversion and consecration, produces transformation. We are about to undergo such an inward dying to our soulish nature and will that the divine 69

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will of God may be made manifest in our lives. This will cause us to be much truer representatives of the grace and glory of God. We must take on the attitude and the actions of Christ Jesus. Just as Christ Jesus displayed the total form of God, we must do this with Christ. Just as Christ could say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (see John 14:9), we must be able to state, as Paul did, “For me to live is Christ...” (Philippians 1:21). Each of us should seek this transformation—changed into His image, from glory to glory. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:18). The psalmist declared in Psalms 17:15, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” We should never be satisfied with anything less than bearing the true image of Christ. The Spirit of God is granting us power to stand on a spiritual level that we have never before attained. Having done all, we will stand (see Ephesians 6:13)— stand not in our own human power but in true resurrection power and anointing of the living Christ.

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Conclusion The eyes of the Lord are searching for a people with a pure heart, so that He can show Himself strong on their behalf. The cry of our souls must be, Lord, make us that people!” For the people who truly know their God will display God’s strength and take action (see Daniel 11:32). Let us join with King David in his plea for purity found in the verses of Psalm 51. He cries out for a purged and pure heart, just as our cries will result in the reaping of souls for the Kingdom of God. The invitation is open to come to God for His fountain of cleansing which is flowing. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:18-19). It is only as we walk in purity and righteousness that we will truly be bold and brave in our stand for Christ and the advancing of His Kingdom. Having finished the course and having kept the faith, our life’s goal must be to stand before the throne of God to hear 71

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Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant!” There could be no task greater or more noble than to serve the King with all that He has placed within us. Living to gain His approval is the highest goal. Surely we should desire for His holy fire to purge from us anything that would hinder our pursuit of Him. God is at this time in history releasing great grace for all who have set their hearts to draw near to Him. May it be said of each of us that we were found fully in Him with our robes as white as snow—purged and refined by His Holy Fire!

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