"A REFINER'S FIRE" - DAY OF ATONEMENT
“A REFINER’S FIRE-Day of Atonement”
September 24, 2023, The Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Jesus cleansed the temple twice during his earthly ministry at the beginning and at the end of His ministry (John 2 and Matt. 21). We can compare the cleansings of Passover (Salvation- Blood of the Lamb), Pentecost (Baptism of fire), and Atonement (purification by fire).
Malachi 3: 1-4: Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when he appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.
There is an outward washing (baptism) with water, and there is a baptism of fire. God cleansed the temple at the beginning of this age (the ministry of Jesus) and will cleanse His church at the end of this age.
On September 21, 2023, apostle Dutch Sheets posted a word titled, “Now the Fire!” He released a dream given to Jenna Golston: “People are on the threshold of a major unfolding of God’s plan. God first led them to a fiery encounter with himself setting them on the course of destiny and history. This present history-making season of the church will require today’s church to experience a transforming encounter with God. The Lord spoke to her: “If I awaken and realign the nation without realigning the church, the harvest will be lost. I can’t have a harvest without harvesters. There must be a functioning Ecclesia to tend the harvest as the harvest comes in.” Dream: Vibration of electrical current and a mighty wind started to blow. Fire dropped out of the heavens on everyone present. There was a fiery presence of the Lord as he entered the room in a visible tangible demonstration. People felt overwhelmed by the presence of the Lord. It was a baptism of fire. It came with great force. All were being transformed by the fire of God.” The Lord wants us to encounter him in the baptism of his fiery presence. This transformative baptism is what we are moving into. True encounters with God mark our lives and bring total transformation.” (end of quote from “Now the Fire.”
The Day of Atonement begins at sunset today and ends in the evening on Monday. We thank God for the pattern we find in Israel’s Feasts, and for the knowledge that there is a place of real victory over sin and the flesh for the Church of Jesus Christ.
Lev. 23:27: On the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement. It shall be a holy convocation unto you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
Applied to the Christian, that full and complete Atonement was made for the whole human race by Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is also a reality as we consider our own individual lives, as well as that of the historical Church, that we have never really appropriated any real measure of the great atoning work of the Cross. Yes, we have received our righteousness by Faith as a gift, but we cannot point with positive assurance to any person in the Church-age who has really appropriated this blessed condition of holiness in its fullness.
The journey of the Christian is that we received forgiveness of sins at our Passover experience with Christ as our Savior. God has “passed over” the Saints not imputing our trespasses to us. Then was a time of separation and the beginning of our walk with God in holiness, sincerity, and truth (Unleavened bread); Then we began to arise to walk in newness of life, knowing Him in the power of His resurrection (first-fruits); Then we are baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, endued with power from on high. This is a time of faith, miracles, Gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives, great joy, and great victory. Then we hear the call to come to maturity within the rent veil (Trumpets); next comes the purification by fire as our souls are afflicted, and we die daily in repentance, and we learn as over-comers how to walk in the Spirit.
I am persuaded this fiery visitation of the Lord Jesus as seen by the prophetess in vision is, “yes, the Pentecostal baptism of fire is to those who have not yet received the Holy Spirit; but I am also convinced this fiery visitation is for the Ecclesia as we as a nation and a people are coming through this mighty shaking and testing.”
He that overcomes according to the bible enters the very victory and triumph of Christ --- a victory which can never be lost or forfeited. The over-comer is “more than a conqueror” through Christ who loves us. “God did not create a people with only a form of godliness, but he birthed ignited demonstrators of his power and likeness.”
Those saints, who will submit to this and be baptized or purged with this fire, will become fire carriers. Heb. 1:7: And of the angels he said, ‘who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
J. Golsten: “We must know there is more. The entrance to the more is through the door of God’s transforming presence. We are in a destiny moment of time. Destiny moments require a destiny decision. God offered Moses a destiny. That destiny required a decision to say “yes.” To help Moses with his decision, God allowed a bush to burn and not be consumed then he spoke from the fire.
One hundred twenty men and women were chosen by the Lord to continue what he had begun to do and teach, but each one had to decide to say “yes.” God threw them into a fiery encounter with him that marked and changed their lives forever. Each one had to decide to go to the upper room and wait for the Holy Spirit.
And it shall be attained by the over-comer – not by the flesh, but by the Spirit. The experiential Day of Atonement is at hand for the Church of Christ. The promise is held out to us at the ends of the ages, as to no other people in any past dispensation. “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart…” (Heb. 4:7).
The Feast Day of Atonement was the most solemn of the Jewish Feast Days. It was the day of national and sanctuary cleansing. On the great Day of Atonement, the high priest washed and put on the linen garments of righteousness. He laid aside the garments of glory and beauty (Phil. 2: 1-11). The High Priest was designated to make the atonement for himself as well as for the people. Besides the offerings for himself, two goats were chosen for the atonement of the people. Lots were cast upon the goats, the one being set apart for sacrifice, and the other as the scapegoat. “Scapegoat” signifies “the goat that went away.” In a basic application, Jesus was both goats. The Lord’s goat died to reconcile (Heb. 9: 1-14; 13: 11-13). The Scapegoat lived to reconcile. Jesus died for our sins and carried them away. The first goat was slain, and the blood brought within the veil in the Holy of Holies and sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat. Then Aaron as high priest laid his hands upon the head of the scape-goat, confessed over it all the iniquities of Israel, and sent it away into the wilderness. The LORD appeared in the cloud upon the mercy seat. (Lev. 16:2).
In type, the whole ordinance speaks of the Atonement which Christ effected on the Cross. The high priest offered sacrifices year after year. The sacrifice of Christ is eternally efficacious.
Jesus is our High Priest and entered in once and for all for us. Heb. 6:20: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil; the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Applied to the Christian, the Feast reveals our progressive walk in Christ as we experience the purification of fire.
Mt. 3:12: I (John) do indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
We as a people are being tested, tried, and shook as we watch God’s hand of judgment upon our nation. The Lord is surely bringing forth the Harvesters of the Harvest. We can say “Yes” and be part of a decision that effects destiny. Like you, I wonder before the Lord what my part is, but I do know I have been given the grace of spiritual insight that is not always widespread revelation. I have to muster up courage and take no thought for rejection or popularity. Revelation knowledge will cost both.
It is my persuasion this visitation of fire seen by the prophetess will not only bring a people into the Pentecostal baptism of fire, but the purging fire of Atonement. The Church is not only preparing to cross over into Pentecost (The Holy Place), but the Ecclesia is preparing to cross the golden altar into the Holy of Holies.
Christ has entered the Holy of Holies, not just for a few moments, but to abide there forever. “By his own blood he entered in once (for all) into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb. 9:12). Aaron alone went in, while all the rest of Israel was excluded. But Christ went in as the “forerunner” – one who runs on ahead of others who shall follow later (Heb. 6:20). “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say his flesh…” (Heb. 10: 19-20). Some fear to enter. Fear that this would be intruding into spheres of holiness and life and glory and power that God has not intended for us. But I am assured that God invites us to enter into this realm with all confidence. “Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest…” The Blood of Jesus has made us worthy. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! We must say “yes” to this new and living way, this holy life behind the veil “whiter the forerunner is for us entered…” (Heb. 6:20). God alone will be glorified in this wonderful experience. For His blood alone has made us worthy. Through Christ’s Atonement, we are invited into the Holy of Holies and His Name alone shall be exalted.
“Send the Fire” by William Booth (1829-1912)
“Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! Thy blood-bought gift today we claim, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! Look down and see this waiting host, Give us the promised Holy Ghost; We want another Pentecost, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! To make us fit to live or die, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! To burn up every trace of sin, To bring the light and glory in, The revolution now begin, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
’Tis fire we want, for fire we plead, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! The fire will meet our every need, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! For strength to ever do the right, For grace to conquer in the fight, For pow’r to walk the world in white, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
To make our weak hearts strong and brave, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! To live a dying world to save, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire! Oh, see us on Thy altar lay Our lives, our all, this very day; To crown the off’ring now we pray, Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!”
And who can stand when he appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap.
Only Christ can produce the fire, but I offer prophetic fuller’s soap. May we all say, “yes,” and may we all walk before the Lord daily in humility and repentance rejoicing as over comers in Christ.
Jesus has overcome. Ask him to deliver us that we may overcome. He will gladly bless us to become over comers.
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Ministries Church
Scripture from K.J.V. – I entered the labors of Feast of Tabernacles by George H. Warnock; Dutch Sheets; Jena Golsten; and lyrics by William Booth. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered their labors.