Peter prophetically and accurately declares New Testament saints as both kings and priests – a dual-mantle calling never to be taken lightly. EXAMPLE: Taking upon himself that heavy double calling prior to its time, and outside the will of God, previously blessed King Uzziah (2 Chron 26) was stricken with leprosy, separated and suffering for the rest of his life. Note to self: Don’t mess with God.
As priests, it would be wise to study some of the duties and charges of the priests. For our purposes, and quickly, let’s look at fire in the temple lamps.
Exodus 27:20-21
20 “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.
21 In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.
Continually and forever – God was initiating and prioritizing the ministry of eternal fire. He was (and does) remain so QANA (jealous/zealous) over holy fire, that He demonstrates His qana position in both testaments:
OLD TESTAMENT – Leviticus 10:1-2
1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.
2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT – Mark 3:28-30
28 “ Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;
29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”—
30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
The Holy Spirit baptism of fire is our intended anointing. Christ in us, the hope of glory. That glory-fire impartation was and remains absolutely key to the Kingdom plan, and the Kingdom work to be accomplished on earth.
Jesus made it clear that His own heart burned for our hearts to be burning:
Luke 12:49 – “ I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”
John the Baptist declared the FIRE baptism to come as a result of our Lord, John’s baptism being the baptism of water:
Matthew 3:11
“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.”
It therefore ought to come as no surprise that the religious spirit would make war and resist Holy Spirit fire, satan’s worst dread being Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, sons and daughters of God – Holy Spirit praying, Holy Spirit anointed people living in and under Kingdom authority. Our adversary is OK with a pretty much dry and lifeless (and even well-intended dry and lifeless) church. But a church on fire is a church against which the gates of hell cannot and will not prevail.
That’s why Jesus, in Mark 3 (and elsewhere) so sternly warns against blaspheming the Holy Spirit, a sin typically accomplished IN the church and BY the church – by ones who ought to know and behave better, accountable to understand and acknowledge the purposes, fullness and fear of God.
Nadab and Abihu are poster children for God’s wrath when we play with fire (see above). Our God does not change.
Time would not permit a longer discourse on burning bushes, chariots of fire, etc. Perhaps later – hence the title FIRE – Part 01.
Suffice to say, profound biblical revelation is fire-based:
Revelation 19:11-16
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Our charge, priests, is to faithfully keep your own fire burning. THAT is inner chamber activity. Stoke the coals on the altar of your life. Daily. It is our salvation, our anointing, our victory.
Luke 12:35
35 “ Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;
Luke 24:32
And they said to one another, “ Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”,
(all scriptures NKJV)
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