My first experience of the fire of God was during my service as an executive of a Christian fellowship in senior high school. We gathered together, praising God. Suddenly, a girl started complaining about fire burning her. At first we resisted her leaving but when she complained that there is fire in the gathering and she could not bear it, we had to let her leave. I have since experienced more people complaining about the same. one observation during these ordeals is that their flesh does not burn but it is their spirit burning. That is a glimpse of the fire in hell, an indication that the bible is true. Imagine being tormented with such fire momentarily, what of eternity where will your spirit be?
Fire from the lord has its root in the priestly order. The priests were commanded to offer burnt offerings of all sort – peace offering, sin offering, guilt offering. As a result the fire on the altar must continue burning. When priests offer these offerings, a superior fire comes from the lord and consumes. The fire can consumes two things – either the priests or the sacrificial offering. Fire from God consumes priest, when they offer sacrifice not in accordance to God’s instructions. Fire consumes sacrificial offering when priests adhere to God’s instructions. When fire consumes burnt offerings it is an indication that their trespasses have been pardoned, restoration of relationship with God which commands the blessing. When priests offer burnt offerings it is not that fire is the answer but the presence of God is what is invoked, fire bursts from the presence of God when there is anything that is consumable. There are places where the glory of God came down but no fire (1 Kings 8:11. 2 Chronicle 5:14) and there are places with fire (2 Chronicles 7:1-16).
This fire can take two forms – invisible or visible. What is witnessed nowadays is the invisible fire of God.
The old testament was a shadow of things to come. The gathering, the church is is not a place for perfect people but a clinic for the brokenhearted, a place of deliverance for the captives and a place for equipping of the saints. When priests follow the instruction of God in order of leading the people, an invisible fire from God delivers his people, restoration of broken relationship with God is made and they are blessed. On the contrary, if he fails to follow the instructions the priest suffers spiritual death from an invisible fire. Examples of fire consuming priests – Eli and his sons (1 Samuel 2:12-36), Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1).
Fire from God is burning in this season. Are you playing with fire?
