Someone has declared November to be fire-prevention month. In light of all the recent west-coast fires, this might be a good time to discuss Biblical fire prevention.
The Bible Speaks of Fire. The word fire occurs some 500 times in the Bible. The Scriptures use fire in a number of ways.
- Fire Used in Sacrifices: It was said concerning a lamb offering: "... it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet savour unto the Lord." (Leviticus 1:13)
- Strange Fire: God was specific about the use of fire. A failure to observe the proper command about fire got Nadab and Abihu into trouble with God when they "offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not." (Leviticus 10:1) Because they obtained the fire from the wrong place, "there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord." (Leviticus 10:2) We must not act in the absence of commandment! This infraction of God's law may seem very innocent, but fire orders must be respected.
- Fire as a Guide: God used fire to guide His people as they journeyed toward Canaan. It is written in Exodus 13:21-22: "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night..."
- Jesus Will Appear in Fire: Jesus' second coming will be with fire. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire...." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). What a scene!
- Baptism of Fire: There is a baptism in which you do not wish to participate; it is fire baptism as mentioned in Matthew 3:11-12. It is prepared for "the devil and his angels...." (Matthew 25:41); and is called "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thessalonians 1:9). It is a "second death...." (Revelation 20:12-15).
Indeed, fire is a Bible subject, and each of God's children needs to work tirelessly to ensure his/her escape from the fires of an eternal hell with the devil and angels. Many have asked if the fire will be real. We really don't know, but God's word uses images we can understand. Fire certainly carries with it the image of something that is vivid and painful. I remember being burned by fire at a very early age; the pain was real and intense. However, there is one big difference between the pain of that burn and the pain of hell's fire-it was temporary; the burn healed and the pain diminished. Hell's fire and torment will never end! Allow me to make what might be a helpful suggestion. Don't worry about whether or not Hell's fire is real-just make certain you don't find out the hard way? Knowing that there will be pain, torment, and eternal separation from God makes it very unappealing doesn't it? (KMG)