Fire From heaven?
Note: The phrase baptism by fire or baptism of fire, known in English since 1822, is a translation of the French phrase baptême du feu and is a reference to a soldier's first experience under fire in battle. It originates from the ecclesiastical Greek baptisma pyros, in which "fire" is used to mean "the grace of the Holy Spirit as imparted through baptism". Later it was used of martyrdom, especially by fire (e.g. Joan of Arc). Today, it has entered the common vernacular to describe anyone doing something "the hard way" for the first time, particularly if training is necessarily insufficient to fully prepare one for the experience (as is the case with battle).
what do think about ''fire from heaven"? I mean we've all heard it, but do we really understand it? Elijah called down fire from heaven, to stop the rains, for 3 terrible years no rain fell, and the land of Israel dried up.
the defination of fire in the Bible dictionary says it's the combustion of flammable materials. In the Bible, fire often appears as a symbol of God's presence and power.the Israelites, particularly, thought of fire as a symbol of God's mystical presence as well as His power and judgment.
It was used to make a burnt offering and sacrifice as we know as well. God used fire to guide His people, and He spoke to Moses in the form of/at the burning bush. Numerous references to fire in the Bible emphasize God's judgment on wickedness and unbelief.God is represented as a "consuming fire" in Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; and hebrews 12:29.
Fire from heaven is described as an instrument of God's wrath to crush the Satanic rebellion. (Revelation 20:9-10).As a source of heat and light, fire is often picuted in the Bible as God's agent to purify and illuminate. The comming Messenger of the Lord is protrayed as a "refiner's fire(Malachi 3:2). the tongues "as of fire" which came with the descent of the Holy Spirit at pentecost underscored the purging and illuminating quality of God's truth. (Acts 2:3).
Then you have to read about Baptism of fire, and well... it says that it's a concept used by John the Baptist to describe the work of Christ: "he[Christ] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire''(Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16).Some scholars believe that two different baptisms are mentioned here: "the baptism of the Holy Spirit"(the baptism that brings mercy, forgiveness, and life) and ''the baptism of fire'' (the baptism that brings judgment, condemnation, and death).
When this interpretation is followed, the baptism of the Holy Spirit belongs to the present age of grace and the baptism of fire belongs to a future age of judgment. Other scholars believe tht only one baptism is meant: Christ baptizes "with the Holy Spirit and fire". They point to the experience the Day of Pentecost when "there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit".(Acts 2:3-4).
The scholars see this as a reference to the work of the Holy Spirit in purifying God's people.
So okay...what do you get from all this? I mean, fire from heaven is so broad that chances are it means something different in every case...is most of it good or bad, what exactly does it mean? Just something that came to my mind and I want to understand this better, any and all advise and everything will be greatly appreciated, but please don't argue with one another or cause conflict on this.
Let's just have a discussion, giving and recieveing of advise and everything on this, and not dispute please. Thanks so much, and God bless!