The Fiery Ordeal of the Church
J. Irons. Isaiah 31:9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, said the LORD, whose fire is in Zion… I. Let us endeavour to understand THE NAMES BY WHICH GOD'S CHURCH IS DESIGNATED, particularly under the Old Testament — "Zion" and "Jerusalem." They are very significant. Some tell us that the word "Zion" simply signifies a monument or heap of stones in memorial. Nothing could be more significant with reference to the Church of God — a chosen monument of grace, constituted of a heap of stones. "Jerusalem." It is very evident from the termination of it — Salem — that it signifies "peace"; and it is conjectured by some to have been the capital of Melchizedec; but one thing is certain, it was the organised city of the great King, the King of peace, and so is the Church of the living God. No city on the face of the earth was ever so warred against as Jerusalem. And, in this respect, Jerusalem was exactly the picture of the Church of God. What was her paramount glory? Not her extent; she never was a large city. Not the tractableness and teachableness of her sons, for they were very rebellious against even the Lord their God. What then was the glory of her city? The name and presence of her God there. This is our stay, this is our confidence, this is our joy, this is our constant expectation. His presence must be sensibly enjoyed, in order to know that He is here. II. THE ORDEAL THROUGH WHICH THE CHURCH OF GOD MUST PASS. "His fire in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem." The saints of the living God may expect, and whether they expect or no, they are sure to meet a succession of trials, both in a temporal and a spiritual sense. I would take another view of the subject: if there were no "fire in Zion," and no "furnace in Jerusalem," there would be no sacrifice, no burnt-offering, no clouds of incense; and therefore God says, it shall ever be burning. In this sense, it is the emblem of life Divine, the Holy Spirit's work. I would name three things which God is doing with the "furnace." (1) He is melting; (2) He is manifesting; (3) He is making useful. These are the main purposes for which a furnace is used. III. THE TENDENCY AND THE TERMINATION OF THIS PROCESS. The tendency is the exercising of all the graces in personal religion; the termination is to demonstrate Divine love and faithfulness in the deliverance and ultimate glorification of His saints. (J. Irons.). Parallel Verses KJV: And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. WEB: His rock will pass away by reason of terror, and his princes will be afraid of the banner," says Yahweh, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.