Baptism of Fire

                                This chapter taken from the book When Faith Came by Franklin Whittenburg © 1998-2006

    I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11 KJV)

   Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12,13 KJV).

     Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 2:6,7 KJV).

    But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (1 Peter 5:10 KJV).

     The reason that I want to discuss this topic of suffering is because many people in the church today are going through tribulation and thinking that God is somehow cursing them for failing in some area of their Christian walk. Many also think that any trial they go through must be an attack of Satan on their life. The “baptism of fire” is the process of removing every thing out of the life of a Christian that is worthless to the Kingdom of God and the removal of things that are destroying the Christian.

     For example, I had a 1969 Camaro for years that was my first car that I loved. I was constantly restoring it, racing it, and driving it to work at the same time. When I would get the bodywork done and the car painted then the engine would blow up or the transmission would fail. When I would fix the engine and the transmission, then someone would run into the body. I replaced the engine six times in the car and changed seven transmissions. The driver’s side fender I replaced three times. The passenger side was replaced twice. The car was an idol in my life and was costing me a lot of money. Since all I had at that time was religion, I always thought that it was Satan that was trying to destroy that car, but the whole time it was God that was showing me that I had made it an idol. I still didn’t have the willingness to sell the car until after Jesus actually saved me and the Holy Spirit entered into me and gave me a greater desire than that of the car. I had to be delivered by Jesus from that bondage and desire, but no special “deliverance ministry” was needed. Please read the chapter “Decision Time” for a study on deliverance from material desires through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

     The “baptism of fire” is overseen personally by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a partaking of the sufferings of Christ that all Christians must participate in. It is also referred to as drinking of the Lord’s cup.

      But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:(Mark 10:38,39 KJV).

     And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; (2 Corinthians 1:7-10 KJV).

     It is known as the refiner’s fire. The refining fire will reveal any works that are not profitable for the Kingdom.

    For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.    If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-1. KJV)

     And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God (Zechariah 13:8,9 KJV).

     But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: (Mal 3:2 KJV).

     Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10 KJV).

    It burns away the chaff or worthless part of the wheat that cannot be used for anything.

   What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah  23:28,29 KJV).

    I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (Luke 12:49,50 KJV).

    I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt 3:11,12 KJV).

     Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12,13 KJV).

     It is the birth pains as Christ is being formed in you.

      My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (Galatians 4:19).

     It is the fellowship of suffering, spoken of by the apostle Paul.

     That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10 KJV)

   Jesus was perfect through sufferings.

     But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings (Hebrews 2:9,10 KJV).

    Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:8,9 KJV)

We must also enter into the Kingdom of God through tribulation.

      And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:21,22 KJV).

      The Bible uses the analogy of the Lord being the potter and we are the clay. As with a clay vessel, it could not be used for the purpose it was created for until it was first put in the fire and hardened. This process of hardening in the fire was two fold. First without hardening, a clay pot could never be filled with the water or us with the Spirit and be a vessel prepared for the masters use. Second, unless the potter hardened the vessel into the shape he wanted, someone could come along later and change the shape of the vessel.

   Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3 KJV).

   It is a process of refining and purifying to perfection and Satan is trying to stop the process by offering us pleasure instead of suffering.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward (Hebrews 11:24-26 KJV).

     The process of suffering also stops the process of sin.

     Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God (1 Peter 4:1,2).

    If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet  so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15 KJV).

     If life in this world were without affliction then there would be no desire for a better world. If the bondage of Egypt were pleasurable then the children of Israel would have had no desire to leave. That is why I think God never let me prosper in this world until I was surrendered to Him. I didn’t find out till after my spiritual conversion, God’s purpose behind this. As I said before, you may have the freedom to make choices in your life, but God has the control over whether your “choices” prosper or not. I believe that He controlled my circumstances to bring me to the point of total surrender to Him. God had done this very thing before! It was His way of separating me from the world and to get me to the point of total surrender to him and forsaking this world. Let me share a quick story.

      God did this same thing to the children of Israel when they were under the bondage of Egypt. In the Bible, Egypt is a representation of the world. When the captivity started out the children of Israel were getting fed and had a simple life under the protection of Egypt. But they were still in bondage and they didn’t have the freedom to serve God, because they had to serve Egypt. Egypt was their source of life. They prayed for a deliverer to free them from the bondage of Egypt. Now when God finally sent Moses to deliver them from bondage, God knew that they were not ready to forsake the life in Egypt to follow Moses across the wilderness to a promise land. In fact, even when they were out of Egypt into the wilderness, they wanted to go back to Egypt when things got tough. So God turned up the heat until they hated their life in Egypt. If you read the story, the more the children of Israel would cry out for salvation, the harder Pharaoh would make life on them. It finally got to the point that Moses questioned the Lord about this.

    And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all (Exodus 5:22,23 KJV).

    Finally after several plagues on Egypt and cruel bondage imposed on the children of Israel by the Egyptians, Pharaoh had enough of the plagues and told Moses to take the people and go. It seemed like their prayers for deliverance were finally answered. The LORD then did a very unique thing. The Bible says that the LORD hardened Pharaohs heart so he would not let the people go. And the LORD hardened Pharaohs heart again and again until He knew the children of Israel were in such distress and misery (like you may be in now) that they were ready to completely forsake Egypt and follow Moses into the wilderness, to a promise land (Exodus 4:21, 7:13, 9:12, 10:1, 10:20, 10:27, 11:10, 14:4, 14:8 KJV).

       If you are hearing this and your life is a mess, and nothing seems to work out right, it may just be that God has chosen you for something very special and is separating you from this world and is drawing you to Him, where He can give you the true riches through Jesus Christ. All God is waiting for is for you to finally come to the point of totally surrendering all.

      Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5 KJV).

        For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (I Corinthians 1:26-28 KJV).

       Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, of father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:28-30 KJV)

   Satan tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross through Peter.

   From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.    Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.   But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men (Matthew 16:21-23 KJV).

    It is the same cross that we are to pick up and carry. Jesus said that if you don’t hate your own life then you couldn’t be his disciple.    

    And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:25-27 KJV).

   There is a big difference between hating your life and hating your self. Satan will try to get you to save your life in this world by making your life a success in this world also.

      And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:34-36 KJV).

    Paul said that we are to stand joyfully by while our goods are spoiled, but our goods can’t be spoiled till Satan is bound then our goods are spoiled.

   But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance (Hebrews 10:32-34 KJV).

     But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. (Matt 12:28,29 KJV).

    While you are hanging on to all the goods and pleasures of this life then you have no desire for a better life with Jesus. You are actually hanging on to death instead of life. Paul said that men that preach that material gain is proof of godliness are destitute of the truth (1 Timothy 6:5 KJV). The Christian that has no riches in this world has to just ask and they can have what ever they want from their heavenly Father. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10)! That is how the Christian can go through life in this world possessing no worldly things yet having access to everything! When Jesus needed a colt, all He had to do was ask and it given Him! How did Jesus know that a colt would be tied up waiting on Him (Mark 11:2-6 KJV)? Because it was already His before He asked for it.

       As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things (2 Corinthians 6:10 KJV).

      Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s (1 Corinthians 3:20-23 KJV).

     Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim 6:5-10 KJV).

     I also would like to stop here and briefly address an error that is being taught by many religions today. What I have heard is that worldly prosperity is the abundant life that Jesus promised. I even heard one pastor say, “show me the money” as proof of God’s blessing on the Christian.

     The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10 KJV).

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:15-21 KJV).

      Jesus states plainly that man’s possessions are not the abundant life. Paul found everything he wanted by losing everything he had.

      But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Phil 3:7,8 KJV).

     Jesus called Paul for the purpose of suffering.

     But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake (Acts 9:15,16 KJV).

    This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting (1 Timothy 1:15,16 KJV).

   Job also knew about the process of suffering and so did Joseph.

   Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy (James 5:10,11 KJV).

      What is the Biblical course of action to take to get through tribulation and suffering?

      Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (Romans 12:12 KJV).

      The suffering of Christ abounds in His people.

      The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:16-18 KJV).

    That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Phil 3:10 KJV).

     Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

    For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (2 Corinthians 1:5-7 KJV).

      I have even heard of different religious sects that also try to identify with Jesus Christ’s suffering by mutilating and abusing their own bodies. They don’t understand that by His stripes we are healed! This is important! If any religion requires you to hurt or mutilate your physical body or another person it cannot be classified as Christianity. His body was broken for us as is represented in communion. Please read the chapter on “The Lord’s Supper”.

      Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1 Peter 2:24 KJV).

  The Bible says a Christian has to suffer also.

    For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me (Phil 1:29,30 KJV).

    These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 KJV).

    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter (Romans 8:35,36 KJV).

   I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:9 KJV).

   The Baptism of Fire is also a trial of faith.

    Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:6,7 KJV).

    Many people believe it is Satan that is trying to attack people’s prosperity in this world. If a person’s life were falling apart, then that would drive them toward a Savior (Christ) instead of away. Satan’s best plan of action is to offer man success and all the desires of this world.

    Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. (James 5:1-3 KJV).

  But woe unto you that are rich! For ye have received your consolation. (Luke 6:24 KJV).

   He offered Jesus the same thing in the wilderness!

    And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine (Luke 4:5-7 KJV)!

    Remember that this world that you are trying to find happiness and success in, is not the world of Jesus.

    And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world  (John 8:23 KJV).

  The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath (Proverbs 15:24 KJV).

     Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence (John 18:36 KJV).

   The only reason that He came into this world was to save us from this present evil world.

      Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Gal 1:3,4 KJV).

   The Bible says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. How does he do that? Please read the chapter “Decision Time” for a deeper study of Satan’s snares.

    The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:8 KJV).

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:9,10 KJV).

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15 KJV).

Jesus gives us a peace that overcomes this world.

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid  (John 14:27 KJV).

   These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 KJV).

    Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22 KJV).

   We are no longer a part of this world and since we are not of this world, we suffer tribulation in it.

    If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:18,19 KJV).

    I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:14-16 KJV).

  Our God is also a consuming fire.

For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24 KJV).

   And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:27-29 KJV).

Fire is associated with brass.

   And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived (Numbers 21:8,9 KJV).

    The Christian can rest in the assurance that Jesus will be with them through the fire as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found out when their faith was put to the test.

   He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire (Daniel 3:25,26 KJV).

     And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters (Rev 1:12-15 KJV).

    The Lord is the source of afflictions in this life so you will remember the day when you called this world (Egypt) home.

     Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life (Deuteronomy 16:3 KJV).

    And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left (Isaiah 30:20,21 KJV).

     Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10 KJV).