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The Holy Spirit like a Consuming fire
The Bible describes God as “a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29), so it is not surprising that
fire often appears as a symbol of God’s presence. Examples include the burning bush
(Exod. 3:2), the Shekinah glory (Exod. 14:19; Num. 9:15-16), and Ezekiel’s vision (Ezek.
1:4). Fire has many times been an instrument of God’s judgment (Num. 11:1, 3; 2
Kings 1:10, 12) and a sign of His power (Jdgs. 13:20; 1 Kgs. 18:38). Fire is a wonderful
picture of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is like a fire in at least three ways: He brings God’s
presence (Num. 9:14-15, 17-23; Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 5:1; 6:16), God’s passion (Luke 24:32; Acts 4:31), and
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God’s purity (Titus 2:14; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; cf. Psa. 66:10; Prov. 17:3).

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives.
When we walk in the Spirit, we will see the results of His activity in our lives producing
what the Bible calls the Fruit of the Spirit. This supernatural fruit is not a result of our own
efforts, for in our flesh, we cannot produce this fruit (Gal. 5:22-23). The Greek word
translated “fruit” refers to the natural product of a living thing. That product is the natural product of a
living Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. Notice that the verse does not say, the “fruits” (plural) of the
Spirit. He uses the singular word, “fruit” meaning a unified whole, not a bunch of independent
characteristics. The fruit that is generated by the Holy Spirit is love (John 3:16; Phil. 2:1-3), Joy (which is
based on our relationship with Christ), peace (which comes from knowing the One who is peace),
patience, kindness and goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (Eph 4:2) and meekness, self-control (Gal.
5:19-21).

The Future Work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit and Rapture
The rapture of the church is the culmination of Jesus’ promise to build His church
(Matt. 16:18). The church will consist of saved Jews and Gentiles who have been
baptized by the Holy Spirit by faith. The glorified Christ will appear in the sky in clouds
and will bring the dead and living church saints into the presence of His glory (I Thess.
4:13-18; I Cor. 15:51-53, John 14:1-3, Phil. 3:20, Titus 2:13; I John 3:1-3). The Bible
declares that the Holy Spirit was involved in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Heb.
9:14, Rom. 1: 4, 8:11). In like manner, the Holy Spirit’s work during the rapture will be to make alive
those who have fallen asleep (died) and to raise those who are alive (Rom 8:11).

Holy Spirit and the Tribulation Period
The next major event on the eschatological calendar is the rapture of the church. We are all
looking for the coming of Christ to permanently redeem His Bride, the Church. The world
will enter a seven-year period of history called the Tribulation Period, where the wrath of
God will be poured out on mankind as never before in the history of the world. Some teach
that the Holy Spirit will no longer be present in the world to restrain sin. Is this true? In the
Tribulation time, there will be much witnessing and this all by the power of the Holy Spirit. 144,000
Jewish witnesses will be sealed (Rev. 7). This sealing is the protecting power of the Holy Spirit. These
witnesses are sealed with an immunity from death. Another good reason that the Spirit must be present
during the tribulation is that He is omnipresent. Since He is everywhere at all times, He must be in the
world during the tribulation.

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