SMOKE OR FIRE?

This past week until Wednesday the cameras of the world were focused on a vent pipe in the Vatican. Cardinals were voting twice a day. Black smoke after a vote indicated no pope had been elected. White smoke would announce a new pope. The world awaited a new pope by looking for smoke. The Church of God should not be looking for smoke. It should be looking for fire. Fire announced the coming of the Holy Spirit. Fire also describes the effect the Spirit has in one's hearts. Smoke arose from that Vatican building to announce a new pope within. Fire came upon the hundred and twenty as described in Acts 2 to announce that the Spirit had taken up residence within. In fact, the original language presents the picture of a column of fire descending from heaven, and, once above the group, splitting into individual flames appearing over the head of each seeker. This was in continuity with God's previous comings to dwell among His people. When both the Tabernacle in the wilderness and the Temple of Solomon's building were completed, God sent fire upon them to indicate that His presence would dwell in the innermost chamber, the Holy of Holies. The fire said God was within. Likewise, the fire upon the church said God, the Spirit, was within. Smoke, the new pope is within. Fire, the Spirit is within. I'll take the fire.