SPIRIT "BURNING" AMONG TRUE CHRISTIANS.

"Beloved ones, do not be puzzled at the burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial, as though a strange thing were befalling you. On the contrary, go on rejoicing forasmuch as you are sharers in the sufferings of the Christ, that you may rejoice and be overjoyed also during the revelation of his glory.  If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the Spirit of glory, even the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. However, let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a busybody in other people's matters. But if he suffers as a Christian, let him not feel shame, but let him keep on glorifying God in this name. For it is the appointed time for the Judgement to start with the house of God. Now if it starts first with us, what will the end be of those who are not obedient to the good news of God? "And if the righteous [man] is being saved with difficulty, where will the unGodly [man] and the sinner make a showing?" So, then, also let those who are suffering in harmony with the Will  of  God keep  on commending their souls to a faithful Creator while they are doing good."  (1 Peter 4:12  19).

THE SPIRIT "BURNING" FOR A TRIAL.
Only those deemed to be of the household of God experience an inner "burning" as their spirits are tested as to the quality of their faith or character. True Christians who experience this Spirit "burning" are sharers in the sufferings of The Christ and in the coming glory to be revealed.  (4:12-14).

I say to those without prior knowledge of this Spirit "burning", that as the Spirit of God rests upon you for a trial, not only will you be puzzled at why you are experiencing the gravity of this Spirit "burning", but you will react to it according to your disposition. You are then tested. The Spirit of God is a sanctifying Spirit for one's benefit, that we might "live as to the Spirit from the standpoint of God", that is to say, according to His Spirit requirements (His Will) for us.  (4:6).

You may ask what this "burning" in your spirit indicates. Well, it reveals that you have been accepted as a beloved member of the household of God, that the Spirit of God rests upon you, that the Judgement of God has begun with you, and that you are to be spiritually cleansed by the teachings of The Christ. (4:17 NEB). It also indicates that you are among those who will be overjoyed at the coming revelation of the glory of The Christ.

For suffering in harmony with the Will of God and humbling themselves while under test, faithful servants of God will be exalted in due time. (5:6). But while this "burning" is a sign to us of what is taking place, Jehovah will not allow the suffering of Spirit "burning" to continue throughout the remainder of our lives, for it says: "But, after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to His everlasting glory in union with Christ, will Himself finish your training, He will make you firm, He will make you strong.  To Him be the might forever. Amen." (5:10,11). Following the experience of Spirit "burning", and to finish our training, Jehovah permits situations to unfold in our lives that He may make us firm in spirit righteousness.

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD'S JUDGEMENT.
The Spirit "burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial" is not to be confused with the Spirit of the  Lord's Judgement against members of the "Assyrian" described in the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: "Therefore the true Lord, Jehovah of armies, will keep sending upon his fat ones a wasting disease, and under his glory a burning will keep burning away like the burning of a fire." (Isaiah 10:16,12).  For the "Assyrian" are Godless enemies of the Kingdom of God who  will  experience "wasting with sickness, yet  overflowing with righteousness." (Isaiah 10:16,22 NEB footnote)  (See Page 1/9/87 on the identities of the "Assyrian" today).

24/6/92.
 

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