Topical Bible: Fire: Judgments

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In the biblical narrative, fire frequently symbolizes the presence and power of God, often serving as an instrument of divine judgment. Throughout Scripture, fire is depicted as a purifying and consuming force, reflecting God's holiness and justice.

Sodom and Gomorrah
One of the most notable instances of fire as divine judgment is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19:24-25 , it is recorded, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." This event underscores the severity of God's judgment against sin and immorality.

Nadab and Abihu
In Leviticus 10:1-2 , the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. "So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." This incident highlights the importance of reverence and obedience in worship, as well as the consequences of disregarding God's instructions.

Korah's Rebellion
In Numbers 16, the rebellion led by Korah against Moses and Aaron resulted in divine judgment by fire. Numbers 16:35 states, "And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense." This judgment served as a warning against rebellion and the rejection of God's appointed leaders.

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah called upon the LORD, and in 1 Kings 18:38 , "Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench." This miraculous event demonstrated the supremacy of the God of Israel over false gods and served as a call to repentance for the people.

Judgment on Jerusalem
The prophets often spoke of fire as a metaphor for God's impending judgment on Jerusalem due to the people's unfaithfulness. In Jeremiah 21:12 , the LORD warns, "O house of David, this is what the LORD says: Administer justice every morning, and rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of the oppressor, or My wrath will go forth like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds."

The Day of the Lord
The New Testament also speaks of fire in the context of eschatological judgment. In 2 Peter 3:7 , it is written, "And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." This passage points to the ultimate purification and renewal of creation through divine judgment.

Lake of Fire
The Book of Revelation describes the final judgment, where fire is a central element. Revelation 20:14-15 states, "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This imagery conveys the eternal consequences of rejecting God's salvation.

Throughout Scripture, fire as a form of judgment serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, justice, and the serious nature of sin. It calls believers to live in obedience and reverence, acknowledging the reality of divine judgment while also recognizing the hope of redemption through Christ.

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Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
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Deuteronomy 32:22
For a fire is kindled in my anger, and shall burn to the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
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Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
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Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like as a fire? said the LORD; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
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Amos 1:4,7,10,12,14
But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.
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Amos 2:2
But I will send a fire on Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kirioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet:
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Malachi 3:2
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
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Luke 12:49
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
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Revelation 20:9
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
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Library

The Judgments of God.
... even earthquakes and storms, are instances of this law; warnings from God; judgments
of God ... And the fire of God, which burns for ever against the falsehoods and ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xx the judgments of.htm

John's Explanation of his Relation to the Messiah. The Baptism By
... [96] Those who refused to be penetrated by the Spirit of the Divine life
should be destroyed by the fire of the Divine judgments. ...
/.../section 39 johns explanation of.htm

The Fifty-Eighth Chapter: High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of ...
... judgments of the Lord are true and wholly righteous." [43] My judgments are to be ...
for they who are filled with eternal truth burn with the fire of unquenchable ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fifty-eighth chapter high matters.htm

Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments which are not to be ...
... judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.(2) My judgments are to ...
for being full of Eternal Truth, they burn with the fire of inextinguishable ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter lviii of deeper matters.htm

Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self ...
... Chapter XVI."Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self-Indulgent;
And ... They have one single fire in public"on the altars; no water even in ...
/.../chapter xvi instances from scripture of.htm

Strange Fire
... So, then, the same divine fire, which had graciously signified God's acceptance
of ... would have seemed to indicate their murmuring at God's judgments, and might ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/strange fire.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... There is no distinction of persons in the judgments of God. ... Do not forget that we
are in danger of a consuming fire"a danger which kills without remedy. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

Fire! Fire! Fire!
... I could not in my conscience withhold at a time when there are judgments around
us ... Of course the walking through the fire here is put for the severest form of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/fire fire fire.htm

Prayer and Fervency
... It takes heat, and fervency and meteoric fire, to push through, to the upper heavens ...
"My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgments at all ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/v prayer and fervency.htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... tribunal until the consummation of the world, of which judgments one is already
completed in the deluge of water, and the other shall be completed by fire. ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm