The Bible presents various symbols of the Holy Spirit, each depicting different attributes of its nature or aspects of its work. Today’s symbol is “FIRE.”

The Bible presents various symbols of the Holy Spirit, each depicting different attributes of its nature or aspects of its work. Today’s symbol is “FIRE.”

“For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:29) 

In the Old Testament, fire is often associated with the “presence” of God: the account of the smoking fire pot and flaming torch passing through Abraham’s sacrifice (Ge. 15:17); Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:2); the pillar of fire leading the Hebrews during the Exodus (Ex. 13:21-22); the mountain top engulfed in fire and smoke when Moses received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 24:17); and in Isaiah’s prophecy of Christ (Is. 10:17). Fire also denotes God’s Holiness (Psalm 97:3) and ability to refine us and burn off our impurities (Malachi 3:2). Likewise, in the New Testament, fire is also reckoned with the presence of God (Heb. 12:29) and the purification He can bring about in human life (Rev. 3:18). This is implied during our Lord’s Transfiguration when He “shone like the sun” (Matt. 17:2), as well as in the tongues of fire that alighted upon Christ’s disciples on the feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:2-3), but is also identified with Christ Himself (Rev. 1:14; 19:12) Who is often referred to as the “Sun of Righteousness.”

Fr. John