HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

 For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. Exodus 40:38 

This was the cloud of the Shekinah, in the heart of which was fire, the symbol of the presence of God. Probably this fire was always present, but only visible against the background of the surrounding darkness. In the New Testament, fire is always associated with the ministry of the Holy Spirit; and in (Isaiah 4:5) we learn that in the coming time God would give, on every dwelling-place in Mount Zion, and in all her assemblies, the same cloud of smoke by day, and flaming fire by night, as had been vouchsafed to the Tabernacle where God dwelt. What a glorious revelation is this!

The Holy Spirit brooding over each individual believer.  It is a symptom of the highest life, when God spreads His tabernacle over the soul. We should march only when He lifts up His enfolding presence, rest under His canopy, and recognize the sanctity of all life.

The Holy Spirit resting on each home.  “Every dwelling-place in Zion” must stand for the homes of God’s people. How blessed it is when the home is a temple and each inmate of the beloved circle a priest! Such homes are rare, but they are possible. Let those who are founding a new family make this their ideal.

The Holy Spirit directing and filling each assembly and believer.  As of old, the movements of the cloud determined those of the tent and people, so in the Pentecostal Church, the Spirit was Guide, Director, Executor. “And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.“ (Acts 13:2) We must rely most absolutely on Him, waiting for His initiation, His teaching, the settling down of His infinite benediction. Then there will be glory and defence. A sweet savour unto the Lord. Leviticus 1:9, Leviticus 1:13, Leviticus 1:17. How sweet the offering up of the Son was to the Father! “Christ also hath loved us and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour” (Ephesian 5:2). The burnt-offering was an imperfect type of His entire devotion to His Father’s will. When Jesus saw the inability of a man to keep the holy law and volunteered to magnify it and make it honourable; when He laid aside His glory, and stepped down from His throne, saying, “I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.” Psalm 40:8; when He became obedient even to the death of the cross – it was as sweet to God as the fragrance of a garden of flowers to us.

Let us never forget the Godward aspect of the cross. The sacrificial fire fed on every part of the sacrifice, on the inwards as well as the carcase; so did the Holy God delight to witness the spotless and entire devotion of the Son to the great work in which the entire Godhead was most deeply interested. The fragrant graces of Christ were made manifest on the cross, and are perpetuated in His intercession.

There is a sense also in which our consecration to God is fragrant and precious. When we see His claims and yield to them; when we submit to His will and commit our lives wholly to His direction; when we offer and present ourselves to Him, a living sacrifice, keeping nothing back – His heart is gladdened, and His fire of complacency feeds on our act. Always count on this; you may feel no thrill and see no light, but reckon on God, believe that He accepts what you give, and will crown your sacrifice with the fire of Pentecost. Who today will surrender to God, and become an offering of a sweet savour?

1. Isaiah 4:5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
2. Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
3. Leviticus 1:13 But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
4. Leviticus 1:17  And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
5. Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.