>>8660805 lb

I have also been thinking about this metaphor recently.

Some of those who are wise, prudent, and understanding shall be weakened and fall. It will be a test to refine, to purify, and to make those among God's people clean, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for the time appointed.

Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

Daniel 11 & 12

"It will come about in all the land," declares the LORD, "that two parts in it will be cut off and perish; but the third will be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are My people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"

Zechariah 13

Bless our God, give Him grateful thanks and praise, for He assigned us and kept us among the living, and has not allowed us to fall.

You, God, have put us to the test, refining us by fire like silver. You let us be put in prison [the net, the dungeon], in heavy chains. You let men trample over us, and we went through fire and through water, but you brought us out into a free pleasant place [to abundance and refreshment in the open air].

Psalm 66