This word is submitted by Gil Diekhoff (Diekhoff_Gil_P@CAT.com)

Refining Fire
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I saw a large home that was on fire. The interior of the home was totally engulfed in flames and both fire and smoke were pouring out of the windows and roof. It was night time. The glow from the fire filled the area with moving light and an accompanying roaring sound. There was a large number of firemen there. Most were involved with trying to put the fire out, but there seemed to be a good number who were standing back and watching the fire. These that were standing back, looked tired and dirty already, soot and sweat streaming down their faces. I could see in their faces that they had little hope of being able to put out the fire.

Suddenly, one of the firefighters (one who was back resting and watching) seemed to make some kind of decision. I could see a look of determination on his face and there was a gleam of hope in his eyes. He purposely strode toward the burning house and without looking over his shoulder, disappeared into the smoke and flames which filled the house.

Those who were fighting the fire did not notice that one of their brothers had gone into the house. Those who had been resting watched tensely, the expectancy and worry obvious on their faces. Finally, another one of the resting firemen, apparently not able to wait any longer, rushed into the roaring flames.

Then, I saw one of the firemen emerge from the house. It was an awesome sight, as it was like I had been holding my breath the whole time, waiting for him to come back out again. For just a moment, I was so happy to see him come out, that the details of what I saw did not register.

First of all, the firefighter was no longer dressed like a firefighter. He was not wearing all of the gear normally associated with a fireman. In fact, as far as I could tell, he wasn't,t wearing any clothes at all, but was dressed completely in a glorious light. He had been transformed into something different. Then I noticed that he was carrying a small child, an infant, in his arms. Both were unharmed. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen and it filled my heart with an overwhelming joy. That was when I noticed that many of the firefighters were now going into the blaze, and many were coming out again having gone through the same transformation and all of them were carrying small children when they emerged. The stream of firemen going into and coming out of the house, seemed to be never ending.

The Lord began to explain that this was a refining fire, it was His fire. It was consuming the things of this world. The house was physical, temporal, of this world. He told me that when we overcame the bondage of fear and made the decision to lay down our lives, to risk entering the fire, that He would preserve us while we were in the fire. The fire was indeed a life/death situation, in that it killed the flesh, but brought forth the spirit, in life. The fire cleansed and purified us while we were in it, until we emerged covered with and emitting the glory of the Lord. When we finally emerged, we would be freed of all the temporal things of the world. We would no longer need them (the fireman's gear/clothing). All of that was consumed in the fire. It is interesting to note, that although the Lord did not specifically say anything about it being night, that the light "of our refining" was shining into a "world covered in darkness." I believe Isaiah 60 to be a prophetic word for this time, and believe that that is why I saw the house burning at night.

He also told me that as we emerged from the fire, we would be bringing forth a new child into the Kingdom. We were in effect, helping to birth and then deliver a new child into the Kingdom of God. Each one who went through the fire was responsible, in part, for the deliverance of this child. I believe that the Lord was speaking of the man child spoken of in the 12th chapter of Revelation. It is the body of Christ, under the leadership of the head of that body, which is to rule the nations. It is also interesting to note, that in the vision, those who were fighting to put the fire out, were not having much if any success, and were unaware of what the other group of firemen were doing. They continued to battle the blaze, but could not put it out. Our God is a refining fire. John the Baptist said that Jesus "came to baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire." My pastor says that we will all go through the fire. We can submit to it willingly, and if not, God is happy to give us a little nudge or even a push. Regardless of how, it will happen to all, sooner or later.