Malachi 3:2
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:

Are you counted as one who will abide?

Most people understand what refinement is and how it works. What about fuller’s soap? A fuller’s job was to cleanse and  make the cloth white. They removed dirt and oils from wool so it would be pure white. The process the fuller used was first to soak the cloth in a soap that contained alkaline substances such as sodium carbonate or potassium (acids). Then, with the cloth soaking in soap and water, the fullers beat or stamped it to remove the impurities.

You are being refined like oil and cleaned like cloth with every trial and test.

Psalm 66:10-12 O Lord, we have passed through your fire; like precious metal made pure, you’ve proved us, perfected us, and made us holy. 11 You’ve captured us, ensnared us in your net. Then, like prisoners, you placed chains around our necks. 12 You’ve allowed our enemies to prevail against us. We’ve passed through fire and flood, yet in the end you always bring us out better than we were before, saturated with your goodness. (The Passion Translation TPT)

One trial you will face continually is knowing who to believe. The Bible says: 
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (KJV)

If it were possible. That is an important phrase. What makes it “not possible for you to be deceived?” You are being refined in the fire. All the impurities are being burned out of you through time spent in the presence of God. You are being cleansed like the fuller cleans, washed by the word, and being transformed from glory to glory. Your past is in the sea of forgetfulness and your instructions are, “Go, and sin no more”. How will you maintain your relationship with the Father and abide? As you have been learning from the beginning, spend dedicated time in study, in prayer and in sincere worship. Don’t forget who God is, just because of what you see and/or experience. Walk by faith and not by sight. Believe whether you rise first or you are caught up (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), you have God’s provision for you. From today until Jesus comes, be steadfast. You are the church Jesus is coming back for. Be the one who abides until the end.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I thank You for the refiner’s fire and the fuller’s soap. As I remain in Your presence, You are burning off everything that does not look like You in my life. You are cleaning me up every day. I thank You for deliverance. You continue to wash me. You are getting me ready because You love me so much. I am so grateful You’re not leaving it up to me to get myself ready. The situations and circumstances in my life require me to let go of anything not like You and anyone who stands between me and You. You care so much about me; You keep me from falling. You love me so much; You chastise me, and You correct me. I will abide in You, and Your word will abide in me and hold me. When Jesus comes back, I will be without spot or wrinkle. I am the church You are coming for. I bless Your name…