What is "the refiner"

Malachi 3:1-4

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. 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: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord , as in the days of old, and as in former years.

The Lord spoke to my heart concerning this entire book of Malachi but specifically these verses. When we ask to be purified or God sends word that he is about to purify us; we sometimes miss the meaning of it. I looked up refiner and of course it means to purify metals. But it's how they do it. They put the metals in the hottest flames so that the impurities will rise to the surface and be removed. So when God says he is about to purify us he is about to take us through some tough trials to get rid of our impurities. And all this done that he can accept of our offerings as righteousness. God bless you ladies.