by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD.
“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” –Hebrews 12:26-29
A Second Wave
Over the last couple of years, there has been a sifting and refining that has taken place in the church. The hidden places were uncovered and God, through His mercy, extended an invitation to repent. I feel that in 2022, there will now be a second wave of refining fire sweeping across the church. This fire will not only go deeper in exposing the roots of sin in order to heal and re-establish on healthy foundations, but it will call us all to a higher level of consecration and devotion to Jesus in our everyday lives so that we can steward the increasing glory God wants to pour out.
The first wave of refining took out many who started their journey strong but got distracted or sidelined by fame, hidden sins, undealt with brokenness, or who were not deeply rooted in Jesus. There is now another refining coming that will purify at an even deeper level. The fire I am referring to is the fire of God’s presence and holiness. The Lord in His mercy, is sending this second wave to prepare us to learn how to live in the fire, refined and consecrated so that we can receive all that He has for us. This invitation to live in the fire is not as much a turning from sin, but it’s a call to those who are already walking in obedience to become even deeper rooted in His presence to steward the incoming glory. It’s an invitation to have greater union with God Himself.
Living in the Fire
When we learn to live in this fire rather than avoid it, when the fire does come, sometimes through increasing favor and other times through trials or persecution, we will already be purified to the core of our being so it won’t take us out. When we welcome the fire of God to examine our motives and purify our hearts, to purge us of anything that would hinder honoring His holiness, we will be immoveable to the swirl and constantly changing atmospheres around us. We will be established in Him as our Source and anchored in the Word of God which is His eternal truth.
In this new year, inspired by our burning love and devotion to Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit, may we seek to honor God by walking in purity at a deeper level (2 Corinthians 7:1). There is a seriousness about His holiness that must be respected. We must position ourselves to stand under the incoming greater glory so that we are not crushed by it. What we will face in the future demands a deeper level of consecration now so that when persecution knocks at our door, we can withstand the increasing shaking.
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty… ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” –Haggai 2:6-9
Take Your Place
I know this is a heavier word than I have released before and more of a warning, a calling to walk on the highway of holiness and to raise the plumbline, but times are changing. I just released a book called Fasting for Fire and am preparing for our online School of Revival on the theme of Martyrdom this spring. We must get ready. This is no time to flirt with the things of the world. We must set our faces like flint before the King of kings. We must come off the sidelines and step into the front lines if we are not already standing here.
I pray the Holy Spirit uses this word to both apprehend and inspire you to throw off everything that hinders and run the race destined for you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the glorious and holy one who paid a price for loving you.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross…” –Hebrews 12:1-2
Happy New Year! May we run into the fire of His love and holiness together and may we live our lives in such a way to honor the great price He paid (Romans 12:1).
