I feel there are some things that Christians are getting wrong when interpreting scripture. Because they don’t really understand the grace of God they look at scriptures from an old testament view point – under the law. We can still think God is angry with us but now that we are under grace, we are forgiven. Jesus has come to save and not condemn.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17
“For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.” 2 Corinthians 5:19
In the Book of Revelation, we see a vision of Jesus in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks. He has fire in His eyes, and assume that this is because He is angry with mankind, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. The bible shows us that He has washed away our sins and now we are the beloved Children of God. The fire in His eyes is the ‘Fire of Passion,’ not the ‘Fire of Anger.’ When you understand this truth it changes everything.
Jesus also said that He has come to start a fire in the earth, and we immediately think that it’s to do with judgement, but have you ever considered that it could be His love? I love the way the Passion Bible interprets this verse.
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze with fiery passion for God!” Luke 12:49
Yes, the Lord wants the people of this earth to fall in love with Him and it’s the goodness of God that leads to repentance, not judgment. It’s the Goods News. Romans 2:4
In the Book of Acts we are told that the Spirit of God came at Pentecost baptizing the disciples with Holy Spirit and Fire. When the Spirit came, the Disciples were in the upper room and above each of their heads appeared tongues of fire. After this experience, they went out and caught the world on fire for Jesus, demonstrating God’s love with signs and wonders.
Passionate love is expressed as fire. In the Song of Songs chapter 8 we read of the love of the Bride being like a fire.
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” Song of Songs 8:6 –7
I love how the Passion Bible interprets these verses.
“Fasten me upon your heart as a seal of fire forevermore. This living, consuming flame will seal you as my prisoner of love. My passion is stronger than the chains of death and the grave, all consuming as the very flashes of fire from the burning heart of God. Place this fierce, unrelenting fire over your entire being.”
When the disciples on the road to Emmaus listened to the words of Jesus, they said that their hearts burned within them.
“Stunned, they looked at each other and said, “Why didn’t we recognize him? Didn’t our hearts burn with the flames of holy passion while we walked beside him? He unveiled for us such profound revelation from the Scriptures!” Luke 24:32 TPT
We the blood washed Church are not to be afraid of the All Consuming Fire of God, for this Holy Fire is the fire of His love. But sadly, for those who reject Christ, the fire is that of His judgment.
The more I have surrendered my heart to the Lord, the more I have ventured into the fire of His love. Christ’s desire is that we know the love of God so that we might be filled to overflowing with the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19
Another verse that has helped me on this journey into the fire of His love is found in Isaiah 33:14-16
“The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.”
The question is. “Who can dwell in the Fire of God?” Only His Children can. Unfortunately, if you are doing something that isn’t pleasing to the Lord, your heart will condemn you and you will be afraid to approach the fire.
The wonderful thing is, the more we tidy up our lives by the power of His Spirit the more will see God and embrace the Fire. “For without holiness no man shall see God.” Hebrews 12:14-15
In Isaiah 33 God is described as an everlasting burning that we are all invited to dwell in. This speaks of His Holy Fire. It’s a fire that allows no competition for its ‘all consuming’. It consumes all that offends, only leaving behind the silver and gold.
“For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29
In the light of the fire being His love and our tendency to often see scripture from a judgmental point of view, look at this End Time verse.
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.” Joel 2:30
Most would interpret this verse as meaning lots of bloodshed, ravaging fires and nuclear bombs before the Lord’s return. But did you realise that the ‘Blood’ could also be speaking of the blood of Jesus being made available to us in the Last Days for the cleansing of our sins. The fire could be speaking of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all flesh and us falling in love with Jesus. The pillars of smoke can also be interpreted as manifestations of His Presence. His Glory Cloud appearing on the earth. Look at these verses in Isaiah chapter 4.
“When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.” Isaiah 4:4-6
Could it be that those Christians, ‘The true Daughters of Zion,” who have thrown out all that is offensive to the Lord will be rewarded with His fire. The fire of His Presence? He will respond over our assemblies with manifestations of His Glory. There will be signs and wonders that amaze the world and people will run to us for safety and shelter from the storms of life.
Let’s lift up our eyes as all these troubles come on the earth and try not to be so negative. As Paul said “But we see Jesus.” Lets embrace the goodness of God, and as we do we will change to be like Him. We are invited into the Holy Fire of God and just like the 3 Hebrew boys we will not be burned, and like them we will see the Son of God walking in our midst.