Refiners Fire.

     "Behold I send my messenger and he will prepeare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and 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 fuller's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and siver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
     Malachi 3:1-4 ESV

     The Israelites, God's chosen people longed for the appearing of the Messiah. They were warned by the Prophet Malachi however, that when He appeared, it would not be what they expected. They held many misconceptions about the Messiah. They desired His appearing, but in reality their hearts were far from God.
     Many in the Church today long to see the return of Christ. They are sick of this world and want to get out of it. Many, like the people in Malchi's day, have hearts that in reality, are far from Christ! For many, the day of His return will be a shock.
     We long for revival, but if Christ came to our churches in power and glory, it would be a shocking surprise for many. As the text says, He will come as a refining fire and fuller's soap. Before we can share in the glory of God, we must be refined, and cleansed! God is looking for a Holy people, a Church without spot and wrinkle, and He will purify His Bride!
     Revival brings with it the presence of God. Conviction, awful conviction, soul searching, and deep repentance must come before we can experience the times of refreshing that come from the presence of the Lord! Sadly, like Malachi said, "But who can endure the day of his coming?". The line is drawn in the sand so to speak. Many leave, they can not endure the presence of God. Those who yield to the working of the Holy Spirit find refreshing. They experience God in a new fresh way. Their lives are clean and pleasing to God once again. They walk in power and victory. They have an intimate fellowship with Jesus that they never knew before.
     It takes a refining fire...