Topical Bible: Fire: God's Enemies

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In the biblical narrative, fire often symbolizes God's judgment and the destruction of His enemies. Throughout Scripture, fire is depicted as a tool of divine retribution against those who oppose God's will and righteousness. This entry explores the various instances where fire is used as an instrument of judgment against God's adversaries.

Sodom and Gomorrah

One of the most well-known examples of fire as divine judgment is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were infamous for their wickedness and sin. 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, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." This event serves as a powerful reminder of God's intolerance for sin and His ability to execute judgment.

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. As a result, "fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." This incident underscores the seriousness of approaching God with reverence and obedience, highlighting the consequences of disregarding His holiness.

Korah's Rebellion

The rebellion led by Korah against Moses and Aaron is another instance where fire is used to punish God's enemies. In Numbers 16:35 , it is written, "And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense." This act of divine judgment served to affirm the authority of Moses and Aaron and to demonstrate the futility of opposing God's chosen leaders.

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel to demonstrate the power of the true God. After the prophets of Baal fail to elicit a response from their god, Elijah prays, and in 1 Kings 18:38 , "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 not only vindicated Elijah but also served as a decisive judgment against the false prophets and their idolatry.

The Day of the LORD

The prophetic literature often speaks of the "Day of the LORD" as a time of judgment characterized by fire. In Malachi 4:1 , it is prophesied, "For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day that is coming will set them ablaze, says the LORD of Hosts, not leaving them root or branch." This imagery of fire conveys the totality and finality of God's judgment upon the wicked.

The Lake of Fire

In the New Testament, the ultimate fate of God's enemies is depicted as the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10 describes the final judgment: "And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." This eternal fire represents the culmination of God's judgment against all who oppose Him.

Throughout Scripture, fire serves as a potent symbol of God's righteous judgment against His enemies. It is a reminder of His holiness, justice, and the ultimate triumph of His will over sin and rebellion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 10:17
And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Obadiah 1:18
And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD has spoken it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's People in the Furnace
... That is just what our enemies often do. ... But, in their endeavours to cast down God's
servants, they heat the fire rather too hot; they make what they say ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/gods people in the furnace.htm

"Then the Fire of the Lord Fell. " 1 Kings xviii. 38
... days of blasphemy and rebuke that the fire shall fall upon the Church, and that
some shall be so filled with the Holy Ghost that the enemies of God shall be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/lvi then the fire of.htm

That God's Lover Forsakes the World, Idleness and Irksomeness: and ...
... Truly not a few, set on fire with noisome covetousness ... that they dread, because they
heed not God that delivers ... lingent; that is to say: His enemies shall lick ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x that gods lover.htm

Israel in Egypt
... shall commingle, and the one sea of God's providence shall be "a sea of glass mingled
with fire?" Yes, the day is drawing nigh when God's enemies shall no ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/israel in egypt.htm

The Hallowing of Work and of Rest
... together for good to them that love God.' And, when ... His will"which are the only real
enemies that we ... as wax melteth' before the ardours of the fire; and, for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the hallowing of work and.htm

Of Divers Gifts of God's Chosen: and How Saints Come to Love in ...
... For the darts of our enemies shall not avail against such a ... Whiles in continual thought
she is with God, she casts ... of our enemy moves to; and the fire of love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter vi of divers gifts.htm

That God's Love is to be Mingled with Ilk Time and Deed nor Fails ...
... This love I liken to fire unslakened, the which no power of enemies can cast ... obstacles
that might let to love, and in the hottest flame of God's love makes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x that gods love.htm

The Children's Bible
... ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW'S SON. THE PROPHET OF FIRE. GOD'S LOW WHISPER. AHAB THE THIEF. ...
ELISHA'S WAY OF TREATING ENEMIES. THE END OF AHAB'S SELFISH FAMILY. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

How Perfect Love is Gotten by Cleanness and Love: and of Imperfect ...
... only to friends and neighbours, but also to enemies and strangers ... He truly that draws
to God is one spirit, not in ... the heart that truly receives the fire of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xvii how perfect love.htm

That the Perfect Lover of God had Liever Run into Great Pain than ...
... cherishings and manfully goes up betwixt these enemies to the ... filled within with
the solace of God's love, although he be set in the fire, he knows ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter viii that the perfect.htm