The Baptism of The Holy Spirit and Fire

If you are walking through a dark time, this word is for you.

The fire of God fell on Mt. Carmel when Elijah prayed. When the Israelites witnessed this they repented and turned back to God. That fire which was an external manifestation, fire coming upon an altar and a dead animal, which was intended to point to something greater. Malachi prophesied that "I will send the prophet Elijah and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers..." Jesus said the Elijah did come, if you had received him, he was referring to John the Baptist. John the Baptist said of Jesus "I baptize you with water, but there is one who comes after me who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

In the run up to the cross, while the disciples are waiting for the kingdom of God to manifest, Jesus told them that first "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!"  Luke 12:50 

The burning bush, the pillar of fire in the wilderness, the fire on mount Carmel, those where all sings pointing to something greater. That was fulfilled on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, God in us. Before Pentecost could happen, Jesus had to go through his baptism of fire - his sufferings on dying on the cross. We all have our own sufferings, we do not need to die, but we do get to have him come into our sufferings and be with us. We get to die to ourselves, we get to take up our cross, we get to follow him. And like fire transforms what it consumes, his fire will transform our sorrow, darkness and pain into righteousness, peace and joy.