The Fire of Protection
And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” Zechariah 2:5 (English Standard Version, ESV)
God is described as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29) When God descended on Mount Sinai, the mountain was on fire. We’re to be filled with the Holy Ghost and fire. When we are, the things that are not of God that come near us are burned up and consumed. They can’t hurt us. God will be a wall of protective fire around us.
In the Old Testament, the glory of God would fall like fire and consume the sacrifice. We are to be living sacrifices, burning with God’s fire.
In Exodus 40:34-38 and I Kings 8:10-11, God’s glory came on the tabernacle and the temple, signifying God’s presence among His people. Now, God’s Spirit is in us and on us.
The Spirit In Us
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 (KJV)
The Spirit lives in us when we are born-again, or born of God’s Spirit.
The Spirit On Us
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:3-4 (KJV)
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh 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: Matthew 3:11 (KJV)
The Holy Spirit came upon us at the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and we were filled with God’s Spirit and fire.
Our bodies are referred to as the house or temple of God. In Acts 1:8, we are promised that glory will fill this house, or our bodies. In Haggai 2, God promised greater glory for our latter house, or bodies. We’re God’s temple and tabernacle, where God now dwells. The Holy of Holies corresponds to our spirits.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)
Our bodies correspond to the Outer Court of the tabernacle and temple. Our souls refer to the Holy Place. Our spirits are the Holy of Holies.
As we’re filled with God’s Spirit as they were on the day of Pentecost, God’s Spirit is blowing and the fire is falling to consume everything that is not of God. God is in our midst as a flame of fire; a wall of fire. His presence is protecting us. As we live in His presence, He surrounds us like a wall of fire. He is filling His house- His people- with fresh fire, glory, and presence. God is in our midst, with us, in us, and on us. He surrounds us with a wall of fire; His very self.
