The fire is not part of the oil, not part of the lamp and not part of the wick.

It’s something external; it doesn’t flow out from the lamp just because. Somebody brings it; it comes from outside. But it is almost the most fundamental part of this matter, because a lamp without the fire burning on it is obviously useless, even if full of oil and with a wick in it.

Jesus one day said: “You will be baptized …with fire”. He meant that somebody would bring fire. For a lamp to work it is not only necessary to get the adequate element; somebody also must kindle it. It will be the fire that will finally give what was really wanted: Light!

And yet is the fire not part of, nor one more thing in this assembly.

It comes –to consume what has been prepared! The fire is what will give that so desired light, but being fed with what was prepared. It has the power of expelling the darkness, but to do so it will require something combustible to burn.

The Bible dictionary teaches that in the Scriptures the fire typifies the glory of God, His protection, His holiness, His power, His justice, His wrath against sin, His penetrating word, and above all, always, His Presence.

This Presence, just as it came upon the Tabernacle of Moses in the desert because it had been prepared according to His will, will always be found wherever the conditions are met. A man or a woman, with the Word and with the Spirit of God in their hearts, and the constant surrender of their own being to do the will of God, will find himself or herself lit.

The fire is the Presence of God in us. That will remain as long as man walks in the will of His word, remaining filled with the Holy Ghost and in total surrender to Him.

His Person is the consuming fire that brings the light with him.