Heb 12:28-29 “Therefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.
While I was in prayer, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Keep your fire burning!” Why? Because we need to keep a fire burning in our hearts as we serve the LORD. Sometimes when we are going through difficult times it can cause people to be discouraged and they lose their fire and passion!
This should not be! In the midst of trials we must continue to be the light of the world, and a city on a hill which cannot be hidden. When you think about fire in the Bible, what does it symbolize or represent? Fire is representative of the Holy Spirit. It is also symbolic of testing and purity. In many references, fire is used to test one’s devotion to God and their own salvation. The Body of Christ is being tested right now in their faith, but we must hold on to God’s unchanging Word! In the book of Revelation we find that the LORD rebuked the church of Laodicea because they were lukewarm and not cold or hot. Listen to the Words of the LORD!
Rev 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
Rev 3:15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
The LORD rebuked this church because as it relates to their works they were lukewarm. To be lukewarm means to be in between. They were not a church on fire, and they weren’t really cold, but somewhere in the middle. These passages of scripture definitely have some revelational meaning because God doesn’t want us in between or in the middle, but he does respect our freedom of choice. So he said, I wish you were cold or hot. In other words, make a decision! Jesus even said in Matt 5:37 “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” He then says in Rev 3: 18, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”
Notice that the LORD said, buy from me gold refined in the fire! Why gold and fire? Because gold is pure, and fire is used to purify it! People of God we need to be as gold refined in the fire, and you need to keep your fire, zeal, fervor, and faith strong in these tough times.
Heb 12:28-29 goes on to say “Therefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” People of God, we are of the Kingdom of our LORD Christ which cannot be moved or shaken! The world may be shaken, but the church should not be shaken. We all understand the difference between wisdom and faith, but we need both of them.
The LORD Jesus told a parable in Matt 25 verses 1-4 which give us some revelation about the importance of keeping your fire burning!
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them.
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Think with me for a moment, in order to light a lamp you need oil and fire. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and the fire which produces the light that you need to shine brightly! While we go through the trials of this season, please keep fresh oil in your vessel and keep your fire burning. If you have no oil (Holy Spirit), you will have no fire or light. So no matter what the season may bring, let us serve God with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire!
Stay tuned for Pastor Quinn’s new book project in May 2020 entitled “God’s Divine Purpose System” coming soon to Amazon!