Topical Bible: Miracles: Catalogue of Judgment by Fire

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In the biblical narrative, fire is frequently used as a symbol of divine judgment and purification. The following entries catalog instances where fire serves as an instrument of God's judgment, demonstrating His power, holiness, and justice.

1. Sodom and Gomorrah
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the most well-known instances of divine judgment by fire. The cities were notorious for their wickedness, and God decided to destroy them. Genesis 19:24 states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens." This act served as a warning against sin and a demonstration of God's righteous judgment.

2. Nadab and Abihu
Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command. As a result, they faced immediate judgment. Leviticus 10:2 records, "So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." This event underscores the importance of reverence and obedience in worship.

3. Korah's Rebellion
Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 other leaders, challenged Moses' leadership. In response, God demonstrated His authority through a miraculous judgment. Numbers 16:35 states, "And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense." This served as a powerful reminder of God's chosen leadership and the consequences of rebellion.

4. Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
On Mount Carmel, Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal to demonstrate the power of the true God. After the prophets of Baal failed to elicit a response from their god, Elijah prayed, and God answered with fire. 1 Kings 18:38 recounts, "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 miracle affirmed the supremacy of the God of Israel.

5. The Destruction of Ahaziah's Captains
King Ahaziah sent captains with their men to seize Elijah. Twice, Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume the captains and their fifty men. 2 Kings 1:10 states, "Elijah answered the captain, 'If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!' Then fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his men." This act of judgment highlighted the authority of God's prophet and the futility of opposing God's will.

6. The Final Judgment
In the eschatological vision of Revelation, fire is depicted as a tool of final judgment. Revelation 20:9 describes the ultimate defeat of Satan's forces: "And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them." This imagery reinforces the theme of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God over evil.

Throughout Scripture, fire as a means of judgment serves to reveal God's holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of obedience to His commands. These accounts remind believers of the reality of divine justice and the importance of living in accordance with God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 11:1-3
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

His Future Work
... For catalogue, address "Our Hope," 456 Fourth Ave., New ... prophet (the Anti-christ)
that wrought miracles before him ... The judgment which will then be executed by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/iii his future work.htm

Our First Proposition Was, that There is Satisfactory Evidence ...
... first time, to attribute to him a catalogue of miracles ... of the hearer, than by his
judgment: or, though ... blind from his birth; also many miracles besides cures ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i our first proposition.htm

Recognitions of Clement.
... Chapter LX.--Uselessness of Pretended Miracles. Chapter LXI.--Ten Pairs. ... Chapter
LVIII.--Sitting in Judgment Upon God. ... Chapter XXI.--A Black Catalogue. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/recognitions of clement /

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... understanding was no defect; in his judgment no error ... They have railed at his miracles;
they have denied ... had committed every crime in the catalogue except murder ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... magicians) withstood Moses (by working sham miracles) so do ... And what a large catalogue
of suffering Old Testament ... God shall bring you to judgment." Nay, those ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

Gospel Missions
... known which are not much behind the power of miracles. ... one text, but going through
the whole catalogue of truth. ... Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book iv.
... For in my judgment, if ten thousand were to entreat and ... indeed we are endued with
a power of working miracles. ... given by God to Moses from the catalogue of the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 4.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... to think somewhat of the future judgment; for if ... temples, and altars; and the whole
catalogue of the ... mere grace, that wrought through them all these miracles. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i this homily was.htm

The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable ...
... before us may be added to that catalogue which leads ... have preached his Gospel, and
wrought miracles in confirmation ... of his saints, to execute judgment upon all ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iv the necessity of.htm

The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands
... man, but he was like a lot out of the catalogue, one bow ... over, and it is the only
one of Christ's miracles which has ... We shall all meet in the day of judgment. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the lads loaves in the.htm