The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
God Himself kindled the fire on the altar and commanded that it burn continually day and night and never go out. It was the only fire to be used in sacred service, especially to kindle the incense on the censer, and all common fire was forbidden for that use under penalty of death. Nadab and Abihu dishonored God by offering common fire in disregard of His direction, and He consumed them so that they died. The divine fire represents God and the communion with Him opened through Jesus Christ alone, so that the perpetually burning fire kindled the incense that rose mingled with the prayers of the people as an emblem of His mediation, without whom no sacrifice is acceptable. That altar is still where people receive divine fire, and the truth must burn as a purifying fire in the hearts of ministers to shape their lives and bring light to those in darkness.
Sacred Fire Commanded
The fire on the altar was kindled by God Himself, and He commanded that it be kept burning continually, day and night, without ever going out. It was never to be extinguished, but was to remain perpetually burning as the sacred fire He provided for the priests' service. That sacred, God-kindled fire was the only fire to be used for sacred service, and it was used in all the sanctuary service. Especially it was the required source for burning incense, to be put on the censer for the priests' offerings of incense before the Lord.
Common or unauthorized fire was forbidden for that use and was distinct from the sacred fire. Explicit directions were given that all sacred worship must agree with His holy character, with any deviation punishable by death. Nadab and Abihu violated this command by bringing and offering common fire instead of the sacred fire. In doing so they showed positive disregard for God's directions and dishonored Him, so God consumed them and they died.
Their discernment was lost because wine confused their senses and beclouded and debased their intellect. Having gratified appetite by wine, they could no longer distinguish sacred fire from common fire.
What the Fire Signified
The fire on the altar represented God Himself, which is why only the fire He commanded could be used and its use was governed by His command. That divine fire represents the communication between God and humanity opened through Jesus Christ alone. It was kept burning perpetually so it could be placed on the censer, and while the people prayed without, the incense kindled by it rose mingled with their prayers as an emblem of Christ's mediation.
No sacrifice was acceptable unless salted and seasoned with this divine fire. To leave out the divine Saviour by using other fire insulted God and made the work like the offering of Cain. Like the spiritual water Christ gives, the continually burning fire pictures a continuing provision from God, not a gift that fails or is available only once.
Enduring Spiritual Application
The altar of God is the place where people receive divine fire to kindle their spiritual light, for the fire was to remain continually burning and never go out. The truth must keep burning in ministers’ hearts as a purifying fire that shapes their lives and enables them to bring light to people in darkness. Consecrated workers are to kindle a fire of sacrificial service in the South and keep it burning until their work is done, never allowing it to go out. The continually burning altar fire signifies humanity’s endless obligation to God, expressed through gratitude and giving. The portion God claims from income is to be set aside before personal wants are met, to support the poor and God’s cause, and what remains is blessed for personal use.
God Himself kindled the fire on the altar and commanded that it burn continually day and night and never go out. It was the only fire to be used in sacred service, especially to kindle the incense on the censer, and all common fire was forbidden for that use under penalty of death. Nadab and Abihu dishonored God by offering common fire in disregard of His direction, and He consumed them so that they died. The divine fire represents God and the communion with Him opened through Jesus Christ alone, so that the perpetually burning fire kindled the incense that rose mingled with the prayers of the people as an emblem of His mediation, without whom no sacrifice is acceptable. That altar is still where people receive divine fire, and the truth must burn as a purifying fire in the hearts of ministers to shape their lives and bring light to those in darkness.
Sacred Fire Commanded
The fire on the altar was kindled by God Himself, and He commanded that it be kept burning continually, day and night, without ever going out. It was never to be extinguished, but was to remain perpetually burning as the sacred fire He provided for the priests' service. That sacred, God-kindled fire was the only fire to be used for sacred service, and it was used in all the sanctuary service. Especially it was the required source for burning incense, to be put on the censer for the priests' offerings of incense before the Lord.
Common or unauthorized fire was forbidden for that use and was distinct from the sacred fire. Explicit directions were given that all sacred worship must agree with His holy character, with any deviation punishable by death. Nadab and Abihu violated this command by bringing and offering common fire instead of the sacred fire. In doing so they showed positive disregard for God's directions and dishonored Him, so God consumed them and they died.
Their discernment was lost because wine confused their senses and beclouded and debased their intellect. Having gratified appetite by wine, they could no longer distinguish sacred fire from common fire.
What the Fire Signified
The fire on the altar represented God Himself, which is why only the fire He commanded could be used and its use was governed by His command. That divine fire represents the communication between God and humanity opened through Jesus Christ alone. It was kept burning perpetually so it could be placed on the censer, and while the people prayed without, the incense kindled by it rose mingled with their prayers as an emblem of Christ's mediation.
No sacrifice was acceptable unless salted and seasoned with this divine fire. To leave out the divine Saviour by using other fire insulted God and made the work like the offering of Cain. Like the spiritual water Christ gives, the continually burning fire pictures a continuing provision from God, not a gift that fails or is available only once.
Enduring Spiritual Application
The altar of God is the place where people receive divine fire to kindle their spiritual light, for the fire was to remain continually burning and never go out. The truth must keep burning in ministers’ hearts as a purifying fire that shapes their lives and enables them to bring light to people in darkness. Consecrated workers are to kindle a fire of sacrificial service in the South and keep it burning until their work is done, never allowing it to go out. The continually burning altar fire signifies humanity’s endless obligation to God, expressed through gratitude and giving. The portion God claims from income is to be set aside before personal wants are met, to support the poor and God’s cause, and what remains is blessed for personal use.