The Cloud of Fire
A cloud led the Israelites through their journey to Canaan. During the day, the cloud would keep them cool and shelter them from the blazing sun. During the night, the cloud turned into a pillar of fire which would give them light and keep them warm during the cold desert nights. The Lord made sure that His people were protected during the day and at night.
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” Exodus 13:21–22
“He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.” Psalm 105:39
God used this cloud to guide the Israelites through the desert. If the cloud stopped, then the people would stop and set up camp and settle in. But when the cloud started moving, then the people would raise up their tents and bring their things and follow the cloud wherever it would take them.
The cloud would also protect them from their enemies. “And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.” Exodus 14:20.
The Israelites were encamped by the Red Sea when Pharaoh came to reclaim his slaves once and for all. Suddenly a cloud covered the Egyptians so they could not see where the Israelites were going. God used the cloud to block the Egyptians so they could not get to His people.
Throughout their entire journey, God protected His people through the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Nowadays, does God protect His people? Does God protect us? God allows light from His throne to shine all along the path of life. A pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night, is moving before us, guiding us to the Promised Land.
“And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.” Isaiah 4:5–6
This is a beautiful and comforting promise given to us by God. He will protect us and care for us in the final struggle with evil. We are not alone now, and we will not be alone then. We may not see the cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night, but God is there, looking after us and guiding us in His path. So it is my wish and prayer that we may not forget that Jesus is with us no matter where we go.
Stephen Newby
Fire of the Holy Spirit
The most important fire that we need in our lives is the fire of the Holy Spirit.
“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Luke 3:16
John the Baptist spoke these words when the people he was preaching to, began to question whether or not he was Christ. John, who was called to make way for Jesus, told them that, while he was a human, and could only baptize them symbolically with water, One was coming who would be able to cleanse them fully, and give them the Holy Ghost.
Sister White writes that “The prophet Isaiah had declared that the Lord would cleanse His people from their iniquities ‘by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.’ The word of the Lord to Israel was, ‘I will turn My hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin.’ Isaiah 4:4; 1:25. To sin, wherever found, ‘our God is a consuming fire.’ Hebrews 12:29. In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them. Jacob, after his night of wrestling with the Angel, exclaimed, ‘I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’ Genesis 32:30. Jacob had been guilty of a great sin in his conduct toward Esau; but he had repented. His transgression had been forgiven, and his sin purged; therefore he could endure the revelation of God’s presence.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 107
As sinful human beings, we need the Holy Spirit to cleanse us. We need this “fire” to purge our characters, and give us new life. If we submit to God, and let Him take control, the power from the Holy Spirit will destroy all the sin within us, and make us whole. It will free us from our bondage. It will allow us to look upon God’s face when He comes in the clouds of heaven.
One example that I find interesting is when the disciples were gathered in the Upper Room after Jesus left, they were praying. Suddenly, tongues of fire appeared over all their heads. It was the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1–4 it says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
This fire was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power. It showed that He was with them, and His power rested upon them. It gave them the ability to do many things, such as speak different languages and perform miracles. They were all fully cleansed and ready to become closer servants of the Lord.
In the time of the end, the latter rain will come down upon all the righteous people of the church. It will give them power to speak, to bring souls searching for Christ and to stand forward in the courts before the judges and declare their faith.
It is my wish and prayer that we can accept God’s help, let Him cleanse us with fire, and the Holy Spirit, and finally be free from the grasp of sin.
Amen.
Cyrus Newby