Some good stuff coming up so far. I'm gonna try and say all this slow for you hardline bible-humpers, because it's pretty vital stuff:

The fire that God uses is not literal fire.

He says several places in the old testament that the concept of burning people is an *abomination* (Deuteronomy 14, Jeremiah 7, 19 & 32).

Likewise, here are some things which He uses the symbol of "fire" to describe:

"Our God is a consuming fire" - Hebrews 12 (an echo of Deuteronomy 4:24)

"Is not My word like fire?" - Jeremiah 23

He makes "His ministers a flame of fire" - Hebrews 1 (also Psalm 104)

fiery trials = sharing in the sufferings of Christ - 1 Peter 4

Israel's captivity in Egypt = "an iron furnace" - Deuteronomy 4:20


Note that per Revelation 14, those cast into this "lake" are "in the presence of the Lamb". He Himself is likely the fire that purifies.

The only thing that it burns up is the old, corrupt nature and its debris. . .


Fire will expose and test each person's works. . ."if it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames" - 1 Corinthians 3

"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged". . .Proverbs 16

"The wicked will see it and be vexed, He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked will perish" - Psalm 112

"For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall die" - Deuteronomy 5

The process of "fire" leaves us in ashes. . .a scriptural symbol of humility.