“For indeed the day is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant evildoers will be chaff. The coming day will burn them up,” says the Lord who rules over all. “It will not leave even a root or branch. But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings . . .” (Malachi 4:1, 2)
A fire came. I heard its roaring but wasn’t afraid. Those who were unprepared fled. While it was not my place to sever the bond between body and spirit, still, I called, “Come, holy fire, come.”
Two combustions swirled together. The first was of heat, oxygen, and fuel. The second was of holiness, love, and redemption. The white-hot wall raced forward, sucking atmosphere, matter, and people into its power. On my right, a mountain exploded and sank into a molten flow—on my left, a house, a tree, and a man writhed.
With a single wince of pain, my old body vaporized. Relief swept my being. A three ton burden lifted. I sprang to the Savior, and left everything corrupt, ill, or sinful in ashes.
The fire has passed and the new era has begun. The garden is cool and peaceful. The redeemed are magnificent to look upon. Every impurity was burned to release the living me. Before the incineration, I was trapped with death inside the coffin of my old form. But when the fire raced by, Grace hid my spirit beneath his wings and healed me into a spirit body.
I’m not the same type of human. My Savior even gave me a new name. I’m still me. I recall the old blessings and most of the laughter, but darkness and drudgery are gone forever.
My previous form couldn’t bear to look upon the fire of God’s holiness, but since the day of healing, it has become my playground. I soar through his brilliance, absorbing love and righteousness, and culminate in his light.
For those who ignored Jesus, the destruction continues—but for me, there’s only burning joy.
Prayer: Lord Redeemer, hasten the final blaze.