2003-10-20 - Fire, Fire, Fire

Revelation 20:14,15 And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

10 days ago I had an interesting experience. Someone, who was apparently walking his dog, stood outside my house for 3-5 minutes screaming "fire." (He was even pointing) There was no fire. He eventually simply turned and walked away with his dog. I just stood at the window and watched him. I smelled no smoke. I was not alarmed. I was maybe more confused than anything. I honestly was wondering if the guy was psychotic, and that is why I did not go outside and talk to him.

I don't usually share life experiences in the devotionals, but this one was so strange, and having some time to think about it, there may be something here. What I am wondering is if I should be screaming, "fire, fire, fire," to those who are without Christ. Should I try to be more aggressive in my approach toward winning those who fall under the phrase of "For God so loved the world." As long as someone has breath they are potential candidates for life in eternity with the Lord. We don't save them from the fire, Christ does, and it is done under the Father's sovereignty, but we play a crucial part in the process. Should we not be screaming "fire" to those who need to hear the words?

This raises an interesting thought (at least for me). I hell a literal fire? Or is the Biblical rendering of the lake of fire simply something that is to help us envision our worst fears. Can you imagine burning forever? I don't like to get too close to heat when I am cooking. Can you imagine burning forever? I think that, and I have never heard anyone say this, so please take this with a grain of salt, but I think that the lake of fire, in God's wisdom, was the worst thing that He could use to explain what separation from Him forever would be. I think that once the glory of God is seen and known those who will be forever outcast from His glory will think it even worse than a lake of fire. This is just speculation, but in taking the lake of fire in a figurative manner, I am saying, not that it will not be that bad, but rather that it will be worse.

Whatever is true, our goal as believers is to be effective communicators to others as to how to be rescued from what Scripture calls the lake of fire. We don't need to be professionals in this task. Rather, as followers of Christ, we are already professionals in this task. It is why we are here. It is our true reason for living. Sharing the mission, love, mercy, sacrifice, and resurrection of Christ for our sin, and the sins of all who will come to Him in repentance and faith, is to be what we live for. So let us scream "fire." Let us do so and seek to be used of the Lord to win lost souls to Christ. Let us grow up in this task, and let us grow into this task. Let us share Christ with others. "Fire"

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

tim@cfdevotionals.org
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