"Burn, Bride on Fire"
I heard the Lord say longingly over His Bride in this hour, "Burn, Bride on fire, burn. I've called My Bride into the fire for such a time as this.
"My holiness adorns you, My Bride on fire; it clothes you in white. Flames of white dance upon your head brightly, burning away doubt, fear, inadequacy, complacency, and slothfulness. Righteousness befits you, illuminating darkness and preparing a way for your Groom to come. Don't neglect the fire, My Bride.
"I've called you into the fire for such a time as this. Purity comes out of the fire. Love is tested and, ultimately, forged in the fire. Don't neglect the fire, My Bride.
"When you are amid a furnace stoked by Hell, do not fear, for I AM with you in the fire. I've planned and purposed to work out good through the fire. Don't neglect the fire, My Bride.
"When the land about you looks scorched, charred, and mired, take heart! For there is life that comes out by fire! Don't neglect the fire, My Bride.
"When the tongues of fire dance about you, I'm purifying. For I refine precisely in the fire. Don't neglect the fire, My Bride.
"When power comes upon your head, anointing you in the flames, trust the purpose of My Spirit and surrender your pride to the all-consuming fire. Don't neglect the fire, My Bride. (Photo via Pixabay)
"Seek Me. Wade into My stillness. Look up higher! Give your life to purchase the oil to tend to the fire. Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn! Burn, My spotless Bride on fire! Ensure your lamps are ready to escape the great judgment of My righteous wrath that will consummate and make all things new in fire! I SEE MY BRIDE IMMERSED IN MY OIL TO [BE] SET AFLAME IN A MAGNIFICENT AND HOLY FIRE!"
We Must Be like the Wise Virgins
Disciples of Jesus, we must be consciously aware that it is always the season to be a prepared Bride (read Matthew 25 below). It is always the season to be a wise virgin, pure in heart and prepared, longing for our Bridegroom to come. NOW is the time even more so! Don't neglect the fire.
In biblical times, oil lamps were much different than what we may imagine now. Oil lamps were crafted as pottery dishes, either by hand or through the potter's wheel, in which olive oil or animal fat provided fuel for the wick to burn.(1) Most biblical lamps would last about four to five hours before they needed to be refilled with oil, which would indicate that most lamps would run out around the midnight hour.(2) Gleaning from this knowledge and the parable of the wise virgins, how do we continue burning?
How to Be a Bride on Fire
1. Allow your life to be molded and shaped by the Potter. The way the clay of biblical lamps was shaped directly indicated how long the fire would last and the intensity of the light from the flame. As Isaiah 64:8 exhorts, "But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand."
As clay in the Potter's hand, submit to the shaping, molding, and rendering of your heavenly Father to fashion you as He does best. Do not fret or worry as the shaping and molding take place, despite the challenges of it, or if you feel uncertain of God's exact plan as He brings about reshaping in your life. As the prophet Isaiah warned, "Woe to him who strives with Him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to Him who forms it, 'What are You making?' or 'Your work has no handles'?" (Isaiah 45:9).
2. Cleanse yourself from anything impure and be ready for every good work. Flee from immorality. Cut out anything that hinders your relationship with God. Repent and turn to Him again. Submit your thoughts to Him and make your tongue obedient to the Word, not slandering or cursing. Be a vessel worthy of honor. Be a vessel that can shine and burn brightly for Jesus.
"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:20–21)
3. Trim the wicks by letting go of the things in your life that God has burned away. As the Lord refines your life, let go of that which has been burned and allow it to be removed. As the Holy Spirit burns away the dross, you will become purified. (Photo via Pixabay)
Interestingly, the word "trimmed" in the parable of the wise virgins is kosmeó in Koine Greek. According to Strong's Lexicon, under Strong's 2885, it means "to beautify," "arrange," "decorate," "garnish," "to embellish with honor," "adorn," and "to put in proper order."(3) As you submit to His fire and to the trimming of what needs to be removed in your life, your life will become beautifully arranged, and you will be adorned in purity for your Bridegroom.
4. Shine brightly for all to see God's power through your life. Burn not for yourself but to display the glory of God. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
5. Purchase the oil of intimacy and store a supply. Oil is costly, but you are never to let the oil burn out. The oil of intimacy is costly, but it cannot be purchased by anyone else for you (Matthew 25:9). Your pastor cannot purchase your oil. Your husband or your wife cannot purchase your oil. Your past deeds cannot purchase your oil. Your past relationship with God cannot negate having a current relationship with God, which supplies fresh oil. As we lay down our lives for the Lord and as we seek Him in intimacy, devoting our lives to His Word and to His presence, we will store up His Spirit's oil. It's not the time to be complacent in purchasing oil.
"I Am Your Bride on Fire!"
Meditate upon these passages below and allow His Spirit to consume you in His fire. Cry out to the Lord in unison with His Bride that He is forging to be spotless and without blemish. Cry out in sincerity and openness of your soul, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23–24). Cry out, "Lord, mold me, shape me, purify me, enlighten me, and be with me! I am Your Bride on fire!"
"John answered them all, saying, 'I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.'" (Luke 3:16–17)
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them... And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25:1–3; 10–13)
1. "The Oil Lamp," Window Into The Bible.
2. Ibid.
3. G2885. "Kosmeó" Bible Hub, Strong's Concordance.
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Rachel Lynn Lawrence
Charismatic Theologian
Email:Â rachellynnlawrence@gmail.com
Website:Â www.charismatictheologian.org
Rachel Lynn Lawrence is a writer, speaker, and emerging prophetic voice who has served as a Theology Judge for Christianity Today and has been featured on the 700 Club. Rachel is passionate for people to experience intimacy with Jesus, grow in prayer, and steward the gifts of the Spirit through emphasizing abiding first in Jesus and bearing the fruits of the Spirit. She earned her Master's of Divinity degree, with a specialization in Renewal Theology, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry through Randy Clark's Global Awakening Theological Seminary. Rachel and her husband, Steven, delight in their four children ages six and under. She and her family are active members of Oasis Church, where she is on staff as the Discipleship and Prayer Director and is involved with leading prayer, inner healing and deliverance, and altar ministry teams through their outreach ministries, Hope Night Wisco, Pray Wisconsin, and Churches on Fire. Rachel provides equipping and resources, and will be soon launching a podcast on prayer at charismatictheologian.org and Instagram @gracefultheologian.
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