Refine's Fire: A metaphor?

 Refiner's Fire

                                                                             

What is a metaphor?  According to the the Oxford Dictionary it is "a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, especially something abstract." 

For example, in scripture, many times fire is representative of the presence of God. In Exodus 13:21,  And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.  God spoke to Moses from a burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6).  On the Day of Pentecost, The Holy Spirit fell as flames or tongues of fire resting on the heads of those who were present, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4).

Fire can destroy as in Matthew 3:12 .  He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork.  Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire."

Fire tests and purifies as in Zechariah 13:9 (NLT).  I will bring one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested...

A women's Bible Study leader went to observe a silversmith "refining or purifiying" silver to help her better understand the scripture above.  The silversmith brought the silver to a certain temperature which caused the impurities to surface at which time he skimmed those impurities off the top.  He did several times.  She asked, "How do you know when the silver has been purified or refined."  His response was "When I can see my reflection in it!"

Blessings.

~CWP~

He who has a ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  Revelations 2:29 (NKJV)

Emphasis in the scriptures are mine.