John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 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.”
Luke 3:16-17
Fire is often the Lord’s chosen instrument of Holy glorification, while at the other times, an instrument of divine destruction. Consequently, the holy fire comes with either intent, the result fully determined by the heart of the one it comes into contact. One will submit in all humility, the other will become hard of heart. One will cry out with joy, the other will shrink in terror. One will see the divine glory of God, while another will view the utter darkness of hell. Rest assured all will taste the burning coal on their lips as Isaiah did, but not all will be cleansed.
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