Table of Contents
This lesson explores the symbolism of fire in the Bible, representing the word of God. The main points covered are: Physical characteristics of fire – it is hot, consumes, burns, and can either purify or destroy. God compares His word to fire because it has similar properties – it judges and consumes sin, but also refines and purifies those who accept it. Old Testament prophecies foretold a coming day when God’s fiery word would judge the arrogant like burning stubble, but heal the righteous (Malachi 4:1-2). Jesus fulfilled this at His first coming, separating the “wheat” from the “chaff” – gathering believers but judging hypocrites with His words (Matthew 3:11-12). The fire baptism represents being purified by God’s word, as Isaiah was cleansed by a burning coal (Isaiah 6:6-7). There are two types of figurative fire – God’s fire of truth that refines, and Satan’s fire of lies that destroys (Revelation 9:17-18). The key lesson is to embrace God’s refining fire of truth through His word, rather than face judgment from rejecting it. When God’s word ignites in our hearts, it purifies us of sin through spiritual rebirth.
Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.
While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.
The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.
Figurative meanings:
Fire: the Word of God
Secret of Heaven: Figurative Fire
What does the fire mean?
The fire represents the word of God.
Let’s examine why this imagery is used today through looking at scripture, so that we can understand the meaning and how God’s word refines us.
Figurative Fire
Main Reference
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
Jesus speaks figuratively here, saying “I wish [the] fire were already kindled.” He has come to bring spiritual fire and light to the world. This does not mean literal arson or setting fires to buildings. When Jesus drove out merchants and money changers from the temple, he was filled with righteous anger at how they defiled a holy place of worship – “How dare you do this in my Father’s house!” However, he did not literally set the temple ablaze.
By saying he wishes the fire were already kindled, Jesus indicates the fire of faith, understanding, and devotion was not already burning brightly among people. As the Messiah, he had come to spiritually ignite people’s hearts and minds with God’s truth and love. This fire is not a physical blaze, but the light of spiritual awakening and purification Jesus wants to spread through his teachings and the Holy Spirit. His mission is to spiritually transform lives, not cause physical destruction. He is the catalyst for this change (revival). We must look beyond the surface figurative of fire to understand Jesus’ deeper meaning – the fire of spiritual revolution he came to ignite within humanity.
To understand what Jesus means by ‘fire,’ we should consider its symbolic qualities. Let’s first consider its physical characteristics.
1. Physical Characteristics of Fire
I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions, and told parables through them (Romans 1:20, Hosea 12:10). These passages talk about the importance of prophecy and parables, and how God uses creation to explain Himself.
What are the characteristics of fire? What does fire do?
1. It gets hot. Because fire gets hot, it burns and consumes. A fire in a controlled setting gives life. It provides light, heat, and warmth. It cooks our food and creates our tools. It makes things pure. But in an uncontrolled setting, fire decimates everything. It destroys.
2. So fire does two things when it burns: it purifies and refines, or it destroys. That is the characteristic of fire.
So now, to understand how this applies spiritually and why God compares His word to fire…
2. Spiritual Meaning of (True) Fire
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
So what did God say Is not my word, like fire. And like a hammer. That breaks a rock to Pieces. Not the only time God says this. He actually said it a few chapters before.
Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says:
“Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes.
So God here, Once again, the book of Jeremiah similar to the book of Isaiah, Was written during a time where God is not happy with the Israelites approximately 600 years.
Before Jesus was born. And so, God is prophesying about the things that will happen in the future. With the chosen people because these people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth. Jeremiah A fire. And these people. The word it consumes people, the wood, it concerns.
So when God carries out, this judgment, it will not be done by physical fire, but by spiritual fire, And its effects of burning being hot consuming judging. Will be done. Spiritually internally with the people. So let’s understand about this fire judgment. As this is a common term that Christians talk about often fire judgment.
And we’ll also talk about fire baptism as well today and really come to a clear understanding of what these things are. So, let’s go to the Book of Malachi and we’ll see an Old Testament prophecy about fire. Judgment.
3. Fire Judgement
Old Testament Prophecy
“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
What we see here in this passage is prophecy. There are telltale signs indicating that this is a prophetic text. Did anyone notice the clear marker of prophecy here? What was the telltale sign?
The opening phrase “the day is coming” signals that we are reading a prophetic passage, so this should be understood as symbolic, figurative language like a parable. Let’s examine the imagery presented here. It says “the day is coming” that will burn like a furnace.
So what will be the two contrasting results of this burning? First, what does the fire do according to verse 1? It says the arrogant evildoers will be judged – they will be set on fire and turned to ashes and stubble, completely burned up and destroyed.
But then in verse 2, the same fire has the opposite effect on the second group of people – those who revere God’s name. What does it say happens to them? They are refined and healed by the fire.
So we see the arrogant being judged and destroyed, while the righteous are purified. This is the key contrast presented in the parable. If this is Old Testament prophecy, this foreshadows the final judgment when God’s fiery judgment will have two divergent results for humanity – either purification or destruction. How do you see it being fulfilled?
First Coming Fulfilment
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John the Baptist says that Jesus will gather up the wheat and take it into his barn. But what happens to the opposite – the chaff? The chaff will be taken and burned with unquenchable fire.
The chaff represents those who are judged. Chaff is seedless crop, the part that gets separated from the good wheat that contains the seeds. Farmers gather the wheat and chaff into a basin. When it’s windy, they throw everything into the air. The heavy wheat falls back into the basin because it has seeds, but the light chaff blows away because it has no seeds.
So how important is it for us to have God’s seed – His Word – within us? It’s so important. We need to stay grounded in His Word, like wheat with heavy seeds. Chaff has no seed and blows away. When God lifts and tests us, will we stand firm like wheat or blow away like worthless chaff?
Let’s be those who stay firmly rooted in God’s Word so that we do not blow away. So who is it that Jesus says will be rebuked with unquenchable fire? It is those represented as the light and seedless chaff, lacking God’s Word in their lives.
“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?
“You snakes, you brood of vipers. How will you escape being condemned to hell? Imagine hearing those words. What would happen within you? Jesus spoke similar words when judging the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes and teachers of the law who were hypocrites.
They spoke falsehoods to the people and misled them. They were the ones that Jesus condemned. Let us not be those who are condemned by the words of Jesus: “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being sentenced to hell?”
To the hypocrites he said: “On the outside you appear righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. You make people twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”
Jesus lit them ablaze with his fiery words of judgment. Let us heed his warnings and not follow in the footsteps of the condemned Pharisees and Sadducees who misled the people.
Reminder:
Let’s review what we have covered so far. The Spirits of Heaven are figurative fire. The fire represents the word of God. Fire has a few key traits. It is hot and consumes – it burns. In a controlled setting, fire is useful for heating, cooking, etc.
However, an uncontrolled fire destroys everything – it judges and consumes. God compares His word to fire because it has similar traits. God’s word judges those who are sinful. And God says “My word I will give to you, the one I trust to deliver my word faithfully.”
At the time of the Old Testament, there was a prophecy in Malachi 4:1. It said that the coming day of the Lord will burn like a furnace. The arrogant will be set ablaze by that fire. But those who revere God’s name will be healed.
So how was this fulfilled at the time of the first coming of Jesus? When Jesus came, he separated people. He brought the wheat into his barn by speaking his word of promise to them. And the chaff were burned with unquenchable fire. Jesus essentially told the same parable in Matthew 13:3-8 – the parable of the sower.
So how did Jesus carry out that judgment? He judged those who gave false words at the time of the first coming and corrupted God’s chosen people. He judged them by exposing who they were so people would no longer follow them willingly.
Now let’s see how the second coming is described in terms of fire.
3. New Testament Prophecy
The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
We observe a mixture of hail and fire, accompanied by blood. Let’s consider what hail is in a physical sense. Hail consists of balls of ice that descend from the sky. Although ice and fire do not physically mix, this description must be interpreted figuratively.
When hail and fire, mixed with blood, were cast down upon the earth, the result was that all the trees and grass were incinerated.
We should ponder the figurative meaning of trees and grass, which tree presents inner being (person) being born again through the seed of the word. (Jeremiah 5:14) According to 1 Peter 1:22-25, people are like grass, suggesting that this event cannot be taken literally. Moreover, the claim that the earth is ‘burned up’ seems to contradict other biblical passages, such as Ecclesiastes 1:4, which states that the earth endures forever despite the passing of generations.
To resolve this apparent contradiction, we must understand the passage correctly. Often, it is misinterpreted as alluding to nuclear warfare or catastrophic events that devastate the planet. However, this contradicts God’s intention of restoration.
Therefore, we conclude that the imagery is not physical but symbolic, representing a spiritual or figurative judgment upon human hearts. This judgment is enacted through the Word of God. This concept aligns closely with Jesus’ teachings.
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.
Jesus’s words will judge at the last day like a fire, according to his statements. Just as he judged the Pharisees and Sadducees with his words while on earth, he will do the same for all those who ultimately reject his words. However, for those who accept his words, the opposite happens
– his words bring refinement.
So let us now talk about those who do not reject his words and what happens for them.
4. Fire Baptism
What does this mean? Higher baptism. Let’s go back to the Old Testament to understand this concept further. We’ll look at a clear and insightful example from the Book of Isaiah.
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
A seraphim is similar to an angel. This particular seraphim was holding a burning hot live coal. The seraphim placed the live coal on the mouth of Isaiah. This seems to be a literal event, not symbolic.
This would have been an intensely painful moment for Isaiah. However, Isaiah survives this encounter. What happens next to Isaiah? Verse 7 says “With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
The coal refined Isaiah, taking away guilt and atoning for sins. The seraphim intentionally put the coal on Isaiah’s mouth for a purpose – Isaiah is now prepared to speak the words he has been given, having been purified and refined. He has undergone a baptism by fire, a purifying experience. Now, he has a mission to fulfill with the message he has received.
This foreshadows what John the Baptist meant in Matthew 3:11.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. At first, it might seem like the fire is just another name for the Holy Spirit. But here’s what we need to get: The Spirit and the Word always go hand in hand. They can’t be split up (see 1 Corinthians 2:6-16). Where you find the Spirit, you’ll find the Word. They are one and the same.
When we talk about being baptized with fire and the Spirit, we’re really talking about being baptized with the Word that comes with the Spirit. They’re not two different things. This lines up with what Jesus said in John 15:3, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” His words have the power to cleanse and make pure those who embrace them. But for those who turn away from His words, there’s a different result: judgment.
The very same words result in two different outcomes, based on whether one hears Jesus or not.
Whether you are refined by the fire or judged by it is up to you, as it always has been. God always provides a choice (Deuteronomy 30:19). I set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life. But you are free to choose death if you wish. It is your choice. Choose life.
Do not be foolish like Satan, who thought “I can do this myself. I’m a created being, but I’ve got this.” He didn’t end well. His goal and duty now is to make others do the same – to try and rely on themselves rather than God.
Let God’s fire and message refine and improve you, not judge you. Satan wants to destroy everything with fire. To understand his kind of fire, we can look at an example from Leviticus in the Old Testament.
5. Satan’s fire
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
Aaron’s sons offered unauthorized fire to God. And what was the result of this unauthorized offering? Death. God did not ask for it or specify that type of offering. So how is our life of faith? Are we offering God unauthorized offerings, doing things we think will please Him but instead are displeasing? The God today is the same God that judged Nadab and Abihu. He has not changed.
Let us thank God that there is no God of the Old Testament and a different God of the New Testament. There is no distinction – He is the same God who carried out judgment then, and will do the same now if we offer unauthorized offerings. Let us not do that by any means. We cannot afford to displease God in that way.
Imagine Aaron’s devastation when his sons died. That must have been extremely painful for him. This happened to many great prophets and leaders God used – their children were often not as devoted as they were. A sad and frustrating experience indeed.
Let us be more passionate than the generation before us. We can do better because God is doing amazing things in our time, opening up deeper understanding of His Word before our eyes. Let us set an example for the generations after us through our devotion. We can do it!
As we know, there are two types of fire – God’s holy fire, and the destructive fire of Satan. Satan’s fire brings judgment, as we see examples of at the Second Coming described in Revelation.
17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.
A third of mankind was killed by the fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths.
As we continue to study, we will gain a deeper understanding. But for now, this provides another clue – another key that unlocks part of the meaning. Beings resembling horses appear at the time of the Second Coming. Not literal horses, but bringing a deceptive message that leads to the death of a third of humanity.
We will unpack this imagery further as we go. In summary, here are the two types of figurative fire mentioned:
6. Two types of Fire
There is God’s fire, which is God’s word of truth, and there is Satan’s fire – Satan’s words of lies, unauthorized. Satan offers this false fire in a way that makes it look like God’s true fire, so that people will embrace the lies and face judgment.
Jesus wished that a certain fire had already been kindled. What fire was this referring to?
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
I’ve come to bring fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled.” Jesus came to bring the word to people. This was a teaching that was not yet known or understood. That is why those who heard him were so surprised, as noted in Mark 1:27 – “What is this? A new teaching with authority!” Yes, it was a new teaching. But only a few were refined by Jesus’s teaching. The rest judged. Let us seek to be refined.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
In the story from Luke 24, two disciples who were not among the Twelve were walking on the road to Emmaus when they encountered Jesus. However, their eyes were kept from recognizing him. As they walked together, Jesus explained the scriptures that pointed to him as the Messiah. Later, when Jesus broke bread with the disciples, their eyes were opened and they recognized him, though he immediately disappeared from their sight. The two disciples then said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
This story illustrates how spending time in God’s word should set our hearts on fire. As we read and understand the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus Christ, we too should feel our hearts burning with faith and insight. Let’s pursue that same transforming revelation as we study the Bible.
Memorization
John 12:48
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.
Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says:
“Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes.
Instructor Review
SUMMARY
Figurative fire represents the word. Our reference verse was Luke 12:49, which we understand refers to Jesus bringing the fire of his Father’s word. Fire is hot, consumes, burns, and can either refine or destroy. God compared his word to fire because it both refines and destroys. This was the fire prophesied to come in Malachi 4:1-2 that will burn like a furnace, destroying the arrogant and evildoers. But those who fear and revere God’s name will be healed. The same fire yields two results.
In Matthew 3:11-12, we see that Jesus brings fire and separates two groups of people – the wheat is brought into the barn while the chaff, those without the word, go to the unquenchable fire. Jesus carried out this judgment by exposing the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and teachers of the law for who they really were with his words.
In New Testament prophecies about the second coming, we see judgments by fire – hail and fire mixed with blood that burns the trees, grass, and horses with a strange appearance that breed fire, smoke, and sulfur. But while Satan’s fire brings judgment, Jesus promised his words would also judge. Jesus’ words also refine, similar to the prophecy of Isaiah receiving the hot coal that cleansed him. Jesus did this same baptism by fire, giving people a new word from above. The spirit and word are an inseparable package deal, coming together (1 Corinthians 2:6-16).
God’s fire is the fire of truth that refines. Satan’s fire is the fire of lies that destroys. Let’s be refined by God’s fire of truth.
Review with the Evangelist
Review
Title of Lesson: Secrets of Heaven – Figurative Fire
What are some physical characteristics of fire? Fire is hot. It consumes and burns things. Burning can either purify or destroy.
What is the spiritual meaning of fire? In Jeremiah 5:14, God’s word is compared to fire that consumes the people who are like wood. We learned that fire represents judgment in the Old Testament.
In Malachi 4:1-2, it was prophesied that a day is coming that will burn like a furnace. The arrogant evildoers will be burnt up like stubble set on fire. But those who revere God’s name will be spiritually healed and purified.
When was this prophecy fulfilled? It was fulfilled when Jesus came in his first coming. Jesus gathered the righteous like wheat into the barn, but the chaffs were burnt in unquenchable fire, like he judged the Pharisees with his words.
Jesus also prophesied about his second coming in Revelation 8:7, mentioning hail, fire and blood burning the earth. Is this literal physical fire? No, because Ecclesiastes 1:4 says the earth remains forever. Revelation contains symbolic parables that we must understand properly.
We also learned about the fire baptism. Jesus said his followers are cleansed by his word in John 15:3. Those who accepted his word were cleansed, while those who rejected it faced judgment.
There are two types of figurative fire with different results: 1) God’s fire represents his word and truth that consumes sin and purifies. 2) Satan’s fire represents lies that destroy one’s inner being. So fire can give life or take life, depending on who uses it.
Our words also have power like fire. We must be careful how we use them, especially when sharing God’s word. Our hope is to be refined and purified by God’s fire at Jesus’ second coming rather than face judgment. When God’s fiery word ignites in our hearts, it cleanses us thoroughly of all sin and wickedness through spiritual rebirth. Let God’s transforming word ignite in our hearts.
Review in Small Group
Review
We talked about the figurative secrets of Heaven – fire. Our hope is to be refined and purified by the fire instead of being judged at the second coming. What is this fire and how can it purify and refine us? Besides that, how can the fire also be used to judge at the second coming?
To answer these questions, we first look at what fire signifies. Our main reference was Luke 12:49, where Jesus said he came to bring fire to the earth and wishes it were already kindled. This refers to the Word of God that Jesus brought and shared with people during his first coming.
To further grasp the meaning of fire, we should also review the physical characteristics of fire from our experience and knowledge – that it is hot, gives light, consumes what it touches, and can burn to either refine or destroy. We are familiar with this, and God uses his creation to explain his work (Romans 1:20). This gives us an idea of what fire is and what it can do.
What about its spiritual meaning? As stated in Jeremiah 23:29, God’s Word is like fire and like a hammer that breaks rock. We now see the connection between fire and God’s Word – that his Word can set our hearts burning and give life, and it can also be used to judge. Like a hammer that shatters rock, as we read in Malachi 4:1-2, the arrogant and evildoers will be set on fire and turned to stubble. Even Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, were not spared because of their unauthorized fire. This shows what God is capable of doing. Instead of doubting or losing faith, we should revere him and live by his Word.
We are more accustomed to water baptism. However, there is also a fire baptism. In Isaiah 6:6-7, an angel came down with a live coal from the altar, touched the prophet’s lips with tongs, and his guilt was taken away and his sins atoned for.
But as we know, good and evil both exist. So God’s fire is the Word of Truth, while Satan’s fire is the Word of Lies (Revelations 9:17-18). This passage describes horses breathing out fire, smoke and sulfur to kill people, explaining that while God’s fire purifies and gives eternal life, Satan’s fire brings death. This is like how the good wheat is kept and the worthless chaff burned, or the good fish kept and the bad thrown away. These parables show two sides.
I pray that we continue to choose the Lord’s good and truthful Word above all else, and keep this lesson and more to come rooted in our hearts and minds, strengthening our faith. God bless.
Let’s Us Discern
Discernment is still a work in progress …. Proverbs 14:15 (ESV)
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Analysis
Questions to Self-Reflect
Outline
Unpacking Figurative Fire
I. Introduction
- Defining Figurative Fire: This section introduces the core concept of the lesson – the idea that fire, as presented in scripture, is not literal but symbolic, representing the Word of God.
- The Power of God’s Word: It emphasizes that the Word of God, like fire, has the dual capacity to refine and purify or destroy, depending on the individual’s response to it.
II. Understanding Fire: Physical and Spiritual Dimensions
- Physical Characteristics of Fire: This part explores the tangible qualities of fire – its heat, its consuming nature, its ability to both refine and destroy – as a foundation for understanding its spiritual significance.
- Spiritual Significance of Fire: This section delves into the symbolic meaning of fire in the Bible, drawing on verses from Jeremiah and other prophets to establish the connection between fire and God’s Word, particularly its judgment aspect.
III. Fire Judgment: Old and New Testament Perspectives
- Old Testament Prophecy: This section examines the prophetic pronouncements in Malachi about the “Day of the Lord” that will burn like a furnace, separating the righteous who will be healed from the wicked who will be consumed.
- First Coming Fulfillment: This part analyzes how the Old Testament prophecy of fire judgment was partially fulfilled during Jesus’s earthly ministry, where he separated the true believers (wheat) from those who rejected him (chaff).
- New Testament Prophecy: This section explores the apocalyptic imagery of fire in the Book of Revelation, emphasizing that the descriptions of fire and destruction should be understood symbolically, representing a spiritual judgment on humanity.
- Jesus’s Words as Judgment: This part focuses on Jesus’s own pronouncements about his words serving as a judge on the last day, highlighting the enduring power of his teachings and their role in determining eternal destinies.
IV. Fire Baptism: Purification and Refinement
- Isaiah’s Encounter: This section examines the account of the prophet Isaiah being purified by a burning coal from the altar, symbolizing the cleansing and empowering effect of God’s Word.
- John the Baptist’s Prophecy: This part connects Isaiah’s experience to John the Baptist’s prophecy about Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, suggesting a powerful transformation through the Word of God.
- Spirit and Word as One: This section emphasizes the inseparable connection between the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, asserting that being baptized with fire is synonymous with being immersed in God’s truth.
- Choice and Consequences: This part underscores the importance of individual choice in responding to God’s Word, emphasizing that the same fire can either refine or judge depending on one’s willingness to embrace it.
V. Two Types of Fire: God’s Truth and Satan’s Lies
- Unauthorized Fire: This section explores the story of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, who offered unauthorized fire to God, resulting in their death. It highlights the dangers of attempting to serve God on our own terms rather than following his instructions.
- Satan’s Counterfeit Fire: This part contrasts God’s holy fire with Satan’s destructive fire, which is depicted in Revelation as fire, smoke, and sulfur emanating from deceptive beings that lead to the death of many.
- Discernment and Choice: This section reiterates the crucial need for discernment to distinguish between God’s life-giving truth and Satan’s deceptive lies, urging readers to choose wisely and embrace the Word of God for purification and eternal life.
VI. Conclusion and Review
- Refinement, Not Judgment: This concluding section summarizes the key points of the lesson, reminding readers that the goal is to be refined and purified by God’s fire, not judged by it.
- Embrace God’s Word: It calls for continued study and application of God’s Word, emphasizing its transformative power to cleanse and renew those who wholeheartedly embrace its teachings.
- Living in the Light of Truth: The lesson ends with a call to action, urging readers to allow God’s Word to ignite their hearts and guide their lives, leading them to a deeper understanding of God and a closer walk with Him.
A Study Guide
Decoding the Figurative Fire: A Study Guide
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- What does the figurative fire represent in the context of these excerpts? Explain with a supporting verse.
- According to the excerpts, how does the concept of fire relate to God’s Word?
- Explain the analogy of wheat and chaff used in Matthew 3:12 to illustrate the impact of God’s judgment.
- Describe the two contrasting outcomes of the “fire” mentioned in Malachi 4:1-2.
- What does the “fire baptism” symbolize, and how is it connected to the Holy Spirit?
- Using the example of Isaiah 6:6-7, explain how fire can be an instrument of purification.
- What is meant by “unauthorized fire” as demonstrated in Leviticus 10:1-2?
- How does the burning hearts imagery in Luke 24:32 relate to the theme of fire?
- According to the excerpts, what distinguishes God’s fire from Satan’s fire?
- Based on the excerpts, how can we ensure we are refined by God’s fire rather than judged by it?
Answer Key
- The figurative fire represents the Word of God. This is supported by Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
- Fire, like God’s Word, possesses the qualities of heat, consumption, and the ability to both refine and destroy. God’s Word can ignite hearts with faith and understanding, but it can also bring judgment upon those who reject it.
- The wheat represents those who have internalized God’s Word, while the chaff represents those without it. During judgment, the wheat is preserved, while the chaff, being light and worthless, is burned away. This highlights the importance of grounding ourselves in God’s Word.
- The fire in Malachi 4:1-2 will bring judgment upon the arrogant and evildoers, consuming them like stubble. However, for those who revere God’s name, the fire will act as a source of healing and purification.
- The fire baptism symbolizes being immersed in God’s Word through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and the Word are inseparable; where the Spirit is present, the Word is also present, working to cleanse and transform believers.
- In Isaiah 6:6-7, the angel uses a live coal to purify Isaiah’s lips, symbolizing the cleansing power of God’s Word. This act prepares Isaiah to speak God’s message with cleansed and sanctified lips.
- “Unauthorized fire” refers to actions or offerings made without God’s guidance or approval. Nadab and Abihu’s offering was unauthorized, leading to their death, emphasizing the importance of aligning our actions with God’s will.
- The burning hearts of the disciples in Luke 24:32 represent the powerful impact of encountering God’s Word. Just as fire can ignite and transform, so too can God’s Word illuminate and inspire those who engage with it.
- God’s fire represents His Word of truth, which refines and purifies, ultimately leading to life. Satan’s fire represents lies and deception, bringing destruction and death. This distinction highlights the importance of discerning true teachings from false ones.
- We can ensure refinement by God’s fire by actively engaging with His Word, allowing it to illuminate our hearts and guide our actions. By seeking truth and embracing God’s teachings, we position ourselves to be cleansed and transformed rather than judged.
Additional Questions
1. What is the true meaning of figurative fire and how many types of fire are there?
– Fire = The Word consumes and judges (Jeremiah 5:14)
– God’s Fire: Truth (Luke 24:32) = Life
– Satan’s Fire: Lies (Unauthorized) = Death
2. Who brought God’s fire at the time of First Coming?
– Jesus (Luke 12:29)
3. What are the difference between Fire baptism and Fire Judgement?
– Fire Baptism – Baptism of the word that refines us
– Fire Judgement – Word that judges us (Malachi 4:1-2)
Glossary of Key Terms
Figurative Fire: A symbolic representation of God’s Word and its power to both purify and judge.
Word of God: The divine revelation of God’s will and truth, often equated with Scripture.
Refinement: The process of being cleansed and purified through the transformative power of God’s Word.
Judgment: The act of God evaluating individuals or groups based on their alignment with His will and truth.
Fire Baptism: Symbolic immersion in the Word of God through the Holy Spirit, leading to cleansing and spiritual transformation.
Unauthorized Fire: Actions or offerings made without God’s approval, representing disobedience and potential judgment.
Wheat and Chaff: An analogy used to illustrate the separation of the righteous (wheat) from the unrighteous (chaff) during God’s judgment.
God’s Fire: Represents truth, purification, and life.
Satan’s Fire: Represents lies, deception, and destruction.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events:
This lesson doesn’t present a chronological timeline of events in a narrative sense. Instead, it uses Biblical examples from various points in time to illustrate the metaphorical concept of “fire” as it relates to God’s word. Here’s a breakdown of the examples used and their approximate placement in Biblical history:
Old Testament:
- Nadab and Abihu Offering Unauthorized Fire (Leviticus 10:1-2): This event occurs shortly after the Israelites receive the Law from God on Mount Sinai, estimated around 1440 BC.
- Isaiah’s Lips Touched by a Live Coal (Isaiah 6:6-7): This vision happens during Isaiah’s call to be a prophet, around 740 BC.
- Jeremiah’s Prophecies about God’s Word as Fire (Jeremiah 5:14, 23:29): Jeremiah prophesies during a time of turmoil and impending judgment for Judah, approximately 627-586 BC.
- Malachi’s Prophecy of the Coming Day of the Lord as Fire (Malachi 4:1-2): Malachi delivers his message around 430 BC, foretelling a future day of judgment and purification.
New Testament:
- John the Baptist Foretells Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire (Matthew 3:11): This statement occurs during John’s ministry, around 27 AD, as he prepares the way for Jesus.
- Jesus’ Ministry, Teachings, and Judgments: The source draws on various events and sayings from Jesus’ ministry (approx. 27-30 AD) to illustrate the power of his words as both refining and judging.
- Disciples’ Hearts Burning on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32): This event takes place shortly after Jesus’ resurrection, around 30 AD.
- John’s Vision of Judgment with Fire in Revelation (Revelation 8:7, 9:17-18): The Book of Revelation, written by John, contains visions of future events, including judgments depicted with fire imagery.
Key Point: The source emphasizes that these examples, while drawn from different historical periods, all point to the consistent nature of God’s word as a powerful force that can both purify and destroy.
Cast of Characters:
Principle Figures:
- God: The ultimate source of the “fire” – His word. He is portrayed as a righteous judge who both refines and judges through His word.
- Jesus Christ: The Messiah, who brings God’s word to humanity. His words are both life-giving and judging, depending on how they are received.
- Satan: The adversary, who offers a counterfeit “fire” of lies and deception, leading to destruction.
Other Biblical Figures:
- Nadab and Abihu: Sons of Aaron (Moses’ brother), who offer “unauthorized fire” to God and are consumed as judgment.
- Isaiah: Prophet who experiences a vision of his lips being touched by a live coal, symbolizing purification and preparation for his prophetic ministry.
- Jeremiah: Prophet who proclaims God’s word as a fire that will consume those who disobey.
- Malachi: Prophet who foretells a future “day of the Lord” that will burn like a furnace, judging the wicked and refining the righteous.
- John the Baptist: Prophet who prepares the way for Jesus and foretells baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Teachers of the Law: Religious leaders of Jesus’ time who are criticized for hypocrisy and their rejection of Jesus’ message.
- Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus: Unidentified followers of Jesus whose hearts burn within them as Jesus explains the Scriptures.
Important Note: The lesson focuses primarily on the symbolic meaning of fire, using these Biblical figures to illustrate different aspects of God’s word. It does not provide extensive biographical details for each person.
Overview
Overview: The Figurative Meaning of Fire in the Bible
Main Theme: This lesson explores the multifaceted symbolism of fire in the Bible, focusing on its representation of God’s word and its dual capacity to purify and destroy.
Key Ideas and Facts:
- Fire as God’s Word: The core teaching emphasizes that fire is a metaphor for God’s word.
- Quote: “The fire represents the word of God.”
- This is supported by scriptural references like Jeremiah 23:29, ““Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
- Dual Nature of Fire: Fire’s inherent duality is highlighted: it can both refine and destroy.
- Quote: “So fire does two things when it burns: it purifies and refines, or it destroys. That is the characteristic of fire.”
- This is applied to God’s word, which can bring judgment upon the wicked while also purifying and healing the righteous.
- Fire Judgment: The concept of fire judgment is discussed in both the Old and New Testaments.
- Old Testament Prophecy: Malachi 4:1-2 foretells a day of judgment where the arrogant will be burned, but those who revere God will be healed.
- First Coming Fulfillment: This prophecy is linked to Jesus’s ministry, where he separates the righteous from the unrighteous, gathering the “wheat” and burning the “chaff” (Matthew 3:12).
- New Testament Prophecy: Revelation 8:7 depicts fire judgment in symbolic terms, emphasizing its spiritual nature as opposed to literal destruction.
- Quote: “Therefore, we conclude that the imagery is not physical but symbolic, representing a spiritual or figurative judgment upon human hearts.”
- Fire Baptism: A contrasting concept to fire judgment is fire baptism, which represents purification and empowerment through the Holy Spirit and God’s word.
- Quote: “When we talk about being baptized with fire and the Spirit, we’re really talking about being baptized with the Word that comes with the Spirit. They’re not two different things.”
- This is illustrated by the story of Isaiah, whose lips are touched with a live coal, cleansing him and preparing him to speak God’s word (Isaiah 6:6-7).
- Satan’s Fire: A distinction is made between God’s holy fire and the destructive fire of Satan.
- Quote: “There is God’s fire, which is God’s word of truth, and there is Satan’s fire – Satan’s words of lies, unauthorized.”
- Satan’s fire represents deceit and leads to judgment, as depicted in Revelation 9:17-18, where horses with fiery breath kill a third of mankind.
- Choice and Transformation: Ultimately, the response to God’s word determines whether one is refined or judged.
- Quote: “Whether you are refined by the fire or judged by it is up to you, as it always has been. God always provides a choice.”
- The document emphasizes the transformative power of God’s word to cleanse and ignite hearts, as seen in the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32).
Conclusion: Understanding the figurative meaning of fire in the Bible is crucial for comprehending God’s judgment, purification, and the transformative power of his word. The choice to embrace or reject God’s word ultimately determines whether one experiences its refining fire or faces its destructive judgment.
Q&A
Fire in the Bible: Q&A
What does fire symbolize in the Bible?
Fire in the Bible symbolizes God’s word. It possesses qualities similar to fire, such as being powerful, transformative, and capable of both purifying and destroying. God’s word can bring light, warmth, and refinement to those who embrace it, just as a controlled fire is beneficial. However, it can also judge and consume those who reject it, similar to an uncontrolled fire.
What is the difference between God’s fire and Satan’s fire?
God’s fire is the fire of truth, represented by His word. It refines, purifies, and brings life to those who accept it. Satan’s fire is the fire of lies, deception, and destruction. It leads to judgment, spiritual death, and separation from God.
What is fire judgment?
Fire judgment is the consequence of rejecting God’s word and choosing to live in sin and rebellion. It is a spiritual destruction and separation from God, symbolized by fire. This judgment is described in both the Old and New Testaments and will culminate at the final judgment.
What is fire baptism?
Fire baptism refers to the purifying and empowering work of the Holy Spirit, who brings the word of God to cleanse and transform believers. It is not a separate baptism from the baptism of the Holy Spirit but emphasizes the transformative power of God’s word working in conjunction with the Spirit. This baptism prepares believers to live a life devoted to God and share His truth with others.
How does fire relate to the Second Coming of Jesus?
Prophecies in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation, describe the Second Coming of Jesus being accompanied by imagery of fire. This fire symbolizes God’s judgment upon the wicked and those who have rejected His word. It also represents the ultimate purification and refinement of believers who have remained faithful to Him.
What does the story of Nadab and Abihu teach us about fire?
The story of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, demonstrates the seriousness of approaching God with reverence and obedience. Their actions resulted in their death, highlighting the importance of adhering to God’s instructions and not offering Him “strange fire” or worship that is not aligned with His will.
How did Jesus bring fire to the earth?
Jesus brought fire to the earth by bringing the word of God, His teachings, and the truth of the gospel. His words challenged the status quo, exposed hypocrisy, and offered a new way of life centered on love, forgiveness, and obedience to God. Those who embraced his words were refined and transformed, while those who rejected them faced judgment.
How can we ensure that we are refined by God’s fire and not judged by it?
We can ensure that we are refined by God’s fire and not judged by it by embracing His word, allowing it to penetrate our hearts, and living in obedience to His teachings. This involves studying the Scriptures, seeking to understand God’s will, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our thoughts and actions. Choosing to walk in the light of God’s truth will lead to purification and a deeper relationship with Him.