The context of fire throughout The Bible?

Law of Loud · #1 4th September 2004, 06:31 PM

I was reading one of the questions in the Questions by Non-Christians forum, and it led me to thinking as regards the context of the use of fire within the Bible.

Various sections of the Bible are often given a very symbolic use of the term fire.

For, example, Matthew 3:11-12 reads I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

I have never heard of any yet taking this verse literally, as there is no reason to suspect that Jesus was involved in the spontaneous combustion of any of the apostles. So, what we have seen here is a fire that cleanses the soul. Quite an interesting concept if one thinks about it.

What disturbs me as we go on however, is that many also take the context of fire in the Book of Revelations, and apply it very literally. For example, they are certain that those condemned to hell will quite literally burn eternally.

Why is it that we take a book that is often very literal, Matthew, and easily take something that is obviously symbolic as being just that. However, when it comes time for us to look at a book such as Revelations that is more mysterious, we take the word for exactly what it is, and do not allow ourselves to look at it in any of the context with which the word has previously been used.

Peace be to you,
John