The Fire

These latter days are days of fire;

The flame engulfs the world entire;

And Satan rules; but there is One

Whose purposes are not outdone…

In hell’s abysm, long ago,

The flame was kindled, and it’s glow

Has daily since been stoked and fanned

By a fireman who has shrewdly planned

The ultimate defeat of grace,

And the grim destruction of the race.

Behind the gleam is a whirlwind’s breath,

A searing blast that burns to death,

It sweeps the multitudes away,

But… only the stubble, wood and hay!

After the blast, the gold’s still there,

In heavenly luster, pure and rare.

God’s saints have ere been tried by fire,

They humbly brave the tempter’s ire,

The flames of lust and greed and hate,

And passion… hell’s most luring bait;

When tried and tried and tried again,

They come forth purer, stronger men.

By fire and whirlwind set apart…

The consecrated, pure in heart.

Though seven times hotter the flame be made,

They walk therein, all unafraid,

For it is there, in the furnace heat

That they their Lord and Savior meet.

The chaff and hay will soon be gone;

When fire and wind at last have done

With faithless men, and churches cold,

And false religion, and false gold…

God’s purpose in this last day flame

Is men that glorify His Name!

–James Troyer