Fire from Heaven....
What is it?
What does it accomplish?
Who summons it?
Can it be falsified?
What is it?
"Fire" has been used to symbolize God's spirit and His truthful words (Jer.23:29; Heb.12:29; Ps.29:7; Rev.4:5; Deut.4:24; Ex.24:17).
That fire is not literal and physical, but spiritual (Ex.15:7; Deut.6:15). His words (Jer.23:29) were also compared to a "hammer" that "breaks stones/rocks to pieces (Rev.2:27; 12:5; Ps.2:9; 110:2; Isa.2:3; Prov.23:14; 3:12; Rev.3:19). As we see there, God can empower His servants ("Zion" -Rev.14:1), that they too can have the powers of His Word of Truth (Jer.5:14NIV ; Rev.11:3,5; Isa.24:6; Hosea 6:5; James 1:11; Jer.1:9; Heb.4:12; Rev.19:15; Luke 9:54; 12:49; John 12:48; Heb.1:7; Rev.14:18).
This symbolic "fire", compares well to physical fire. It can be used to destroy the lies of the false prophets (Hosea 6:5; Matt.24:51,50; 2Cor. 10:4; 6:7; Jer.1:10; 1Tim. 6:12; Matt.7:19; 13:30; 2Thess. 1:8; 1Cor. 3:13,15; Rev.8:5,7,8; Luke 3:17; Rev.14:16).
But "fire" can also cleanse and purify. The humble who are trained by the fire of Holy Spirit and it's Truth (Luke 3:16; Romans 12:20; Rev.3:18; Mal.3:3), can be adjusted, refined, and purified.
What does this fire accomplish?
There are only two choices for the Called and Chosen Anointed:
Remain in union with Christ, be refined, and bear fruit for salvation (John 15:5; Prov.18:20; Heb.13:15; 1Tim. 4:16)
(pearl-finetrees.blogspot.com)
Or, if they leave Christ (John 15:4-5; Col.2:19), they will eventually have their self-sourced work/doctrines, (OR the rotten fruit of the false prophets whom they follow -Eze.14:10; Rev.2:23), burned up by the spirit of the truth (John 5:31; 8:54; 7:18; 15:4,6; 16:13,14) (Zech.9:4; Rev.14:10).
Once the lies we may believe and teach, are exposed and consumed by Truth (Luke 8:17; John 16:8,13-15; Rev.1:1; 22:6; 1Cor. 3:13); we can either humbly be refined by that fire (Isa.48:10; Zech.13:9; Mal.3:1,2,3; Jer.9:7; Mark 9:49; 1Cor. 3:13,15; 1Pet. 1:7; Rev.15:2; John 15:3; Matt.7:24)
OR, suffer eventual destruction (Matt.3:12; 13:40; 25:41; 7:26; Luke 3:9; 2Thess. 1:8; Rev.20:9,10,15; 21:8).
-----------------------
We learn in God's Word that this battle of condemnation by fire, continues and culminates in the time of the end, by both genuine fire/Holy Spirit (truthful light), and by counterfeit fire/Demonic spirit (deceptive darkness --Rev.16:13)......
There is a true condemnation occurring (2Pet. 3:7,12; Rev.11:5; 16:8; 18:8), and a false condemnation occurring (James 3:5,6; Rev.13:13,15; 11:7), [and also a righteous judgment done by hypocrites, which occurs (Rev.17:16) due to God's will (Rev.17:17)]. Remember, the entire book of Revelation is symbolic. So is the "fire" mentioned within that book. If we remember this, we can gain accurate understanding (1Cor. 2:10,12,13,14; Eph.3:3,4; Luke 12:49; Mal.3:2; 2Pet. 3:12).
For those consumed by the spiritual fire of Truth, and the divine judgment which results, God's protection has been removed. They are then subject to blindness and death, from which results, they will not escape.
This brings us to
Who are those who have been given authority to summon "fire from heaven"?
(Luke 9:54) (Eph.2:6; 1:3; 4:8,7,11; 2Pet. 3:13; Heb.12:22-23; Phil.3:20).
There were three historical persons in the Bible who were able to summon fire to come down from heaven.
These were Moses, Elijah, and Satan (2Kings 1:12,14; 1Kings 18:38; Num.16:11,28,35; Job 1:6,8,12,16). Power over fire from heaven, manifested that someone was being used for divine purpose. It also symbolizes that someone has received divine permission, empowerment, and authority, to condemn and destroy (Rev.20:9; 14:18; Eze.38:9,16,22; Luke 9:54; John 20:23). When this sign is expressed within Revelation, that is it's meaning.
[note: Fire also came from heaven when Solomon
inaugurated the Temple, displaying God's accord with it's purpose.
(2Chron. 6:41,42; 7:1,2,3,4)]
Knowing these facts is a very important lesson; because the final "two witnesses" are associated in vision by Jesus himself, as represented by these same two prophets...Moses and Elijah (Mark 9:2,1,3,4). These also are personified in the "two witnesses" in the time of the end (Rev.11:3,4; Matt.17:11; Acts 3:21).
Like Elijah (and John the Baptist -Matt.17:12,13), they prepare God's people through repentance.
Like Moses, they also have power over plagues (Rev.11:6) and are assigned to release God's Chosen ones from captivity to the Wild Beast (Rev.13:7,10; 9:3,4,14), and the symbolic "City" (Egypt) within which, they are killed (Rev.11:7-8; 17:18,6).
What did Moses and Elijah use the "fire from heaven" for ?
That fire demonstrated God's judgment and disapproval upon his enemies,
and his favor upon Moses and Elijah.
The final two prophets use that symbolic fire (God's Word of Truth) similarly (Rev.11:5; Matt.10:20; Luke 12:12).
These two figures then, are agents of divine judgment, in the time of the end.
Can this power over fire be falsified?
Yes. We saw by means of scripture (Job 1:16), that Satan also has the literal power to bring down "fire from heaven". This recorded fact in God's Word confides to us that Satan also has the power to use symbolic fire, along with the same consequences....
the false appearance that one has been judged, and has lost God's favor.
Do other scriptures bear this out?
Satan did do this... to the poor man Job; and as a result, this faultless man was condemned by his associates
(Job 2:11; 4:1,7,17; 5:1,2; 8:1,3,4,6; 11:1,3,4,5,14,15,20; Eze.22:9; Ps.35:15; Jer.6:28; 2Pet. 2:3; 1Cor. 4:13; John 16:2; Isa.66:5).
When we read that the False Prophet has the ability to "cause fire to come down from heaven" (Rev.13:11,13), do you think God ("heaven") is giving that false prophet power to judge others by truth and in righteousness?;
OR, do you think that Satan is empowering the "two-horned" false prophet (counterfeit "two witnesses") with the ability to render a false condemnation of the righteous?
(Rev.11:7,8,9,10; 13:15; 6:9,10,11)
This "fire" comes "from heaven", because the point at which the false prophet receives this power; Satan has not yet been completely removed, and is still "waging war" with the "woman's" seed (Rev.12:3,4,8,13,17). He is not cast down (loses his heavenly authority) until this counterfeit fire is fully used against those righteous ones "killed" by it (Rev.11:7; 6:9,11; John 16:2; Mark 8:35), by which faithful deaths and testimony, he is cast down (Rev.12:10,11; 13:13,15,4).
According to scripture, both God and Satan have the power to condemn. This power of Satan is amply demonstrated against all anointed, including Christ (Matt.26:65; Heb.13:13; 12:2; 11:26; 1Pet. 4:14,16; Rom.6:5; Matt.5:11; John 16:2; 15:21; Acts 5:41; 28:22; Mark 13:13).
We are plainly told at Rev.12:10, that Satan is known to be "the accuser of our brothers"! He is a false accuser/condemner. How does he manifest those accusations in the physical world? Of course, through the false prophet who is the messenger of his false condemnations (Rev.16:13; 9:1). That counterfeit "divine condemnation", is represented by "fire from heaven".
So as is clear, yes, "fire from heaven" can be falsified, when it condemns the righteous to "death" (Eze.13:19; Jer.23:17,14; Rev.11:8). This is what the false prophet is enabled to do (Rev.9:1; 13:13,15; 6:9,10,11; 11:7,8,9,10) by means of Satan's ability (Job 1:12,16; Rev.13:2; 11:7; 9:11,1) to falsely condemn the righteous, causing counterfeit, symbolic "fire from heaven".
We are told that God will destroy the world by means of "fire" (2Pet. 2:5; 3:6,7). The target of this fire is called the "heaven and earth which are now" (2Pet. 3:7,12,14,17) and are identified as those who teach lies against the work of God's agents (2Pet. 2:1,2,3,9,10).
(Jer.23:31,26,21,22,16,17,15; Rev.8:11).
The wicked are condemned by means of an unfavorable judgment according to Spirit and Truth/Fire. (Both are sourced "in heaven"--"fire from heaven")
[The Truth is the rod of measurement (Rev.11:1; 2Tim. 3:16), to which all must measure up (Amos 7:7-8; Isa.28:17; Zech.4:10).
The 144000 do "measure up" to that standard. (Rev.21:15,17; 14:5; Eze.43:16)]
(The meaning of 12, 144000, and 6, can be found at pearl-666.blogspot.com)
That final judgment by means of genuine Truth/Fire, comes through the testimony of the final "two witnesses" (Rev.11:5). Their message of Truth/"fire", is from heaven (Eph.2:6; Rev.11:4; Jer.5:14NIV ; Matt.10:20).
For those who are judged by this genuine "fire from heaven", these will not receive divine protection when Satan brings destruction.
______________________
Satan is the Destroyer....not Christ or the Father (John 10:10; 1:4; John 5:40; Ps.36:9).
This world will end by means of the Devil (Rev.12:12; John 8:44; Heb.2:14).
The Devil is the original possessor of the "key to the abyss" (authority) over death (Heb.2:14).
(pearl-leviathan.blogspot.com)
Once Christ died faithfully, Jesus acquired that authority (and it's symbolic "key")
(Heb.2:14,15; Rev.1:18; 1Cor. 15:55)
Satan's work is lies and murder (John 8:44). Jesus can now undo both (1John 3:8; John 12:31; 16:11)
Satan the Devil is the Destroyer, not God (Rev.9:11; John 10:10; 2Sam. 24:16; 1Cor. 10:10; 5:5; Ex.12:23; Isa.33:1) (Heb.2:14).
Satan's Sons are "sons of destruction" (2Thess. 2:3; John 17:12; 6:70).
When Satan knows his "short period of time" has expired (Rev.12:12; 20:3; Matt.24:22), he will do what he does best.
What is it?
What does it accomplish?
Who summons it?
Can it be falsified?
What is it?
"Fire" has been used to symbolize God's spirit and His truthful words (Jer.23:29; Heb.12:29; Ps.29:7; Rev.4:5; Deut.4:24; Ex.24:17).
That fire is not literal and physical, but spiritual (Ex.15:7; Deut.6:15). His words (Jer.23:29) were also compared to a "hammer" that "breaks stones/rocks to pieces (Rev.2:27; 12:5; Ps.2:9; 110:2; Isa.2:3; Prov.23:14; 3:12; Rev.3:19). As we see there, God can empower His servants ("Zion" -Rev.14:1), that they too can have the powers of His Word of Truth (Jer.5:14NIV ; Rev.11:3,5; Isa.24:6; Hosea 6:5; James 1:11; Jer.1:9; Heb.4:12; Rev.19:15; Luke 9:54; 12:49; John 12:48; Heb.1:7; Rev.14:18).
This symbolic "fire", compares well to physical fire. It can be used to destroy the lies of the false prophets (Hosea 6:5; Matt.24:51,50; 2Cor. 10:4; 6:7; Jer.1:10; 1Tim. 6:12; Matt.7:19; 13:30; 2Thess. 1:8; 1Cor. 3:13,15; Rev.8:5,7,8; Luke 3:17; Rev.14:16).
But "fire" can also cleanse and purify. The humble who are trained by the fire of Holy Spirit and it's Truth (Luke 3:16; Romans 12:20; Rev.3:18; Mal.3:3), can be adjusted, refined, and purified.
What does this fire accomplish?
There are only two choices for the Called and Chosen Anointed:
Remain in union with Christ, be refined, and bear fruit for salvation (John 15:5; Prov.18:20; Heb.13:15; 1Tim. 4:16)
(pearl-finetrees.blogspot.com)
Or, if they leave Christ (John 15:4-5; Col.2:19), they will eventually have their self-sourced work/doctrines, (OR the rotten fruit of the false prophets whom they follow -Eze.14:10; Rev.2:23), burned up by the spirit of the truth (John 5:31; 8:54; 7:18; 15:4,6; 16:13,14) (Zech.9:4; Rev.14:10).
Once the lies we may believe and teach, are exposed and consumed by Truth (Luke 8:17; John 16:8,13-15; Rev.1:1; 22:6; 1Cor. 3:13); we can either humbly be refined by that fire (Isa.48:10; Zech.13:9; Mal.3:1,2,3; Jer.9:7; Mark 9:49; 1Cor. 3:13,15; 1Pet. 1:7; Rev.15:2; John 15:3; Matt.7:24)
OR, suffer eventual destruction (Matt.3:12; 13:40; 25:41; 7:26; Luke 3:9; 2Thess. 1:8; Rev.20:9,10,15; 21:8).
-----------------------
We learn in God's Word that this battle of condemnation by fire, continues and culminates in the time of the end, by both genuine fire/Holy Spirit (truthful light), and by counterfeit fire/Demonic spirit (deceptive darkness --Rev.16:13)......
There is a true condemnation occurring (2Pet. 3:7,12; Rev.11:5; 16:8; 18:8), and a false condemnation occurring (James 3:5,6; Rev.13:13,15; 11:7), [and also a righteous judgment done by hypocrites, which occurs (Rev.17:16) due to God's will (Rev.17:17)]. Remember, the entire book of Revelation is symbolic. So is the "fire" mentioned within that book. If we remember this, we can gain accurate understanding (1Cor. 2:10,12,13,14; Eph.3:3,4; Luke 12:49; Mal.3:2; 2Pet. 3:12).
For those consumed by the spiritual fire of Truth, and the divine judgment which results, God's protection has been removed. They are then subject to blindness and death, from which results, they will not escape.
This brings us to
Who are those who have been given authority to summon "fire from heaven"?
(Luke 9:54) (Eph.2:6; 1:3; 4:8,7,11; 2Pet. 3:13; Heb.12:22-23; Phil.3:20).
There were three historical persons in the Bible who were able to summon fire to come down from heaven.
These were Moses, Elijah, and Satan (2Kings 1:12,14; 1Kings 18:38; Num.16:11,28,35; Job 1:6,8,12,16). Power over fire from heaven, manifested that someone was being used for divine purpose. It also symbolizes that someone has received divine permission, empowerment, and authority, to condemn and destroy (Rev.20:9; 14:18; Eze.38:9,16,22; Luke 9:54; John 20:23). When this sign is expressed within Revelation, that is it's meaning.
[note: Fire also came from heaven when Solomon
inaugurated the Temple, displaying God's accord with it's purpose.
(2Chron. 6:41,42; 7:1,2,3,4)]
Knowing these facts is a very important lesson; because the final "two witnesses" are associated in vision by Jesus himself, as represented by these same two prophets...Moses and Elijah (Mark 9:2,1,3,4). These also are personified in the "two witnesses" in the time of the end (Rev.11:3,4; Matt.17:11; Acts 3:21).
Like Elijah (and John the Baptist -Matt.17:12,13), they prepare God's people through repentance.
Like Moses, they also have power over plagues (Rev.11:6) and are assigned to release God's Chosen ones from captivity to the Wild Beast (Rev.13:7,10; 9:3,4,14), and the symbolic "City" (Egypt) within which, they are killed (Rev.11:7-8; 17:18,6).
What did Moses and Elijah use the "fire from heaven" for ?
That fire demonstrated God's judgment and disapproval upon his enemies,
and his favor upon Moses and Elijah.
The final two prophets use that symbolic fire (God's Word of Truth) similarly (Rev.11:5; Matt.10:20; Luke 12:12).
These two figures then, are agents of divine judgment, in the time of the end.
Can this power over fire be falsified?
Yes. We saw by means of scripture (Job 1:16), that Satan also has the literal power to bring down "fire from heaven". This recorded fact in God's Word confides to us that Satan also has the power to use symbolic fire, along with the same consequences....
the false appearance that one has been judged, and has lost God's favor.
Do other scriptures bear this out?
Satan did do this... to the poor man Job; and as a result, this faultless man was condemned by his associates
(Job 2:11; 4:1,7,17; 5:1,2; 8:1,3,4,6; 11:1,3,4,5,14,15,20; Eze.22:9; Ps.35:15; Jer.6:28; 2Pet. 2:3; 1Cor. 4:13; John 16:2; Isa.66:5).
When we read that the False Prophet has the ability to "cause fire to come down from heaven" (Rev.13:11,13), do you think God ("heaven") is giving that false prophet power to judge others by truth and in righteousness?;
OR, do you think that Satan is empowering the "two-horned" false prophet (counterfeit "two witnesses") with the ability to render a false condemnation of the righteous?
(Rev.11:7,8,9,10; 13:15; 6:9,10,11)
This "fire" comes "from heaven", because the point at which the false prophet receives this power; Satan has not yet been completely removed, and is still "waging war" with the "woman's" seed (Rev.12:3,4,8,13,17). He is not cast down (loses his heavenly authority) until this counterfeit fire is fully used against those righteous ones "killed" by it (Rev.11:7; 6:9,11; John 16:2; Mark 8:35), by which faithful deaths and testimony, he is cast down (Rev.12:10,11; 13:13,15,4).
According to scripture, both God and Satan have the power to condemn. This power of Satan is amply demonstrated against all anointed, including Christ (Matt.26:65; Heb.13:13; 12:2; 11:26; 1Pet. 4:14,16; Rom.6:5; Matt.5:11; John 16:2; 15:21; Acts 5:41; 28:22; Mark 13:13).
We are plainly told at Rev.12:10, that Satan is known to be "the accuser of our brothers"! He is a false accuser/condemner. How does he manifest those accusations in the physical world? Of course, through the false prophet who is the messenger of his false condemnations (Rev.16:13; 9:1). That counterfeit "divine condemnation", is represented by "fire from heaven".
So as is clear, yes, "fire from heaven" can be falsified, when it condemns the righteous to "death" (Eze.13:19; Jer.23:17,14; Rev.11:8). This is what the false prophet is enabled to do (Rev.9:1; 13:13,15; 6:9,10,11; 11:7,8,9,10) by means of Satan's ability (Job 1:12,16; Rev.13:2; 11:7; 9:11,1) to falsely condemn the righteous, causing counterfeit, symbolic "fire from heaven".
We are told that God will destroy the world by means of "fire" (2Pet. 2:5; 3:6,7). The target of this fire is called the "heaven and earth which are now" (2Pet. 3:7,12,14,17) and are identified as those who teach lies against the work of God's agents (2Pet. 2:1,2,3,9,10).
(Jer.23:31,26,21,22,16,17,15; Rev.8:11).
The wicked are condemned by means of an unfavorable judgment according to Spirit and Truth/Fire. (Both are sourced "in heaven"--"fire from heaven")
[The Truth is the rod of measurement (Rev.11:1; 2Tim. 3:16), to which all must measure up (Amos 7:7-8; Isa.28:17; Zech.4:10).
The 144000 do "measure up" to that standard. (Rev.21:15,17; 14:5; Eze.43:16)]
(The meaning of 12, 144000, and 6, can be found at pearl-666.blogspot.com)
That final judgment by means of genuine Truth/Fire, comes through the testimony of the final "two witnesses" (Rev.11:5). Their message of Truth/"fire", is from heaven (Eph.2:6; Rev.11:4; Jer.5:14NIV ; Matt.10:20).
For those who are judged by this genuine "fire from heaven", these will not receive divine protection when Satan brings destruction.
______________________
Satan is the Destroyer....not Christ or the Father (John 10:10; 1:4; John 5:40; Ps.36:9).
This world will end by means of the Devil (Rev.12:12; John 8:44; Heb.2:14).
The Devil is the original possessor of the "key to the abyss" (authority) over death (Heb.2:14).
(pearl-leviathan.blogspot.com)
Once Christ died faithfully, Jesus acquired that authority (and it's symbolic "key")
(Heb.2:14,15; Rev.1:18; 1Cor. 15:55)
Satan's work is lies and murder (John 8:44). Jesus can now undo both (1John 3:8; John 12:31; 16:11)
Satan the Devil is the Destroyer, not God (Rev.9:11; John 10:10; 2Sam. 24:16; 1Cor. 10:10; 5:5; Ex.12:23; Isa.33:1) (Heb.2:14).
Satan's Sons are "sons of destruction" (2Thess. 2:3; John 17:12; 6:70).
When Satan knows his "short period of time" has expired (Rev.12:12; 20:3; Matt.24:22), he will do what he does best.
Only those few who are unmarked by the Beast and *have God's favor, will survive the end*...
and not be under the Covenant with Death/Babylon the Great (Isa.28:15; Rev.17:5; Matt.7:14; Rev.13:8).
*(All of Psalm 121; Psalm 28:7; 3:3; 13:5; 16:9; 18:2; 91:1,2; 18:2; 61:3; 146:3; Prov.18:10; 14:26; 29:25; 2Sam. 22:2; Joel 2:32; Rom.10:13) (Rev.13:8; 20:4)*
(pearl-leviathan.blogspot.com)
The wicked who are empowered with "fire" by Satan, so that they may falsely condemn and "kill"
(Rev.9:1; 13:1,2,4; 2Thess. 2:3,4,9,10,11,12; 2Cor. 11:14,15)
are certainly able to make the righteous appear condemned by God (Rev.13:13).
This occurs in our day, when a public announcement is made ("in sight of men"/"in full view of the people") that falsely condemns a faithful one (when they are disfellowshipped). All who hear this announcement take it to mean a spiritual death and condemnation by God ("fire from heaven"). None who suffer this false condemnation by means of the Harlot's agent (Gentile Beast), can successfully resist it (Rev.13:4,15; 11:7).
Satan's seed (John 8:44) were even able to condemn Jesus Christ in this way (Matt.26:66; Jer.26:11; John 19:7; Deut.21:22).
The faithful will "follow him, wherever he goes" (Rev.14:4; 1Pet. 2:21; 4:1,13; Matt.16:24; Acts 14:22; John 14:29,30; Heb.13:13).
Dear Gabriel,
I hope this answer helps to satisfy your question.
Please feel welcome to write me about any need.
Love,
Pearl
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