Eternity is in Our Heart: Session 7 – Our God is a Consuming Fire

Notes:

Our God is a Consuming Fire    See Session Slides Here

2 Peter 3:10-13. The fall polluted the universe. But God will deal with sin’s pollution and presence forever.

2 Pet.3:10. ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up’. The final judgment will be characterized by fire.

1) ‘The heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat’. The elements, i.e. building blocks, of the heavens will melt, making way for the new heavens and earth.

2) ‘Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up’. Earth and man’s buildings, achievements.

‘But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men’ (2 Pet.3:7). Thesauros = to amass, treasure, heap up, store (‘kept in store’ KJV). The heavens and the earth are stored with fire ready for the Day of Judgment. The instrument by which God will judge and destroy this world, the fire, is already here.  It’s not something He is going to bring from outer space; nor create at the last minute. The active agent for the destruction is already present.

2 Pet.3:13. ‘Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells’

  • The earth will not be annihilated. The heavens and the earth will be completely purified and made new. ‘For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind’ (Isa.65:17). ‘kainos’ means new in quality and character. Not the emergence of a totally new universe, but a renewed universe which is a continuation of the present one.
  • Just like our new bodies. Different, but the same.
  • The prototype of this is the Flood. The flood destroyed the known world but did not obliterate it. From its ruins the new earth emerged with differences. Next time the earth will be destroyed by fire.
  • Redemption means to buy back. It is the restoration of all things, including on earth.
  • God does not destroy the works of His hands but cleanses them from sin. The coming fire will consume all that is evil and make way for the new earth. But the earth will not be destroyed.
  • The earth will pass away ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away’ (Lk.21:33). They will pass away, not annihilated but as the caterpillar which passes away and a butterfly emerges. Like a bush fire where vegetation is destroyed but fresh vegetation grows in the same place, (Psa.102:25-26).
  • From the existing heaven and earth will emerge a new heaven and earth. Planet earth will no longer be under the curse. The atmospheric/stellar heavens will no longer be the realm of Satanic activity.
  • This new heavens and earth will be perfect for eternity, never to be spoiled or infected by sin.

 

2 Pet.3:11-12. ‘Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?’

  • God is a consuming fire that consumes everything that is unholy. At the Cross the fire of His wrath was poured out for us on Jesus. We will not endure the fire of God.
  • But our works will be tested and subjected to His fire. ‘…each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire’ (1 Cor.3:13-15).
  • Don’t set your hearts on those things which will be destroyed, but on that which is to come.
  • Hasten the coming. Though the date is fixed, we can pray (Matt.6:10) and witness (Matt.24:14).
  • Make the most of the delay. ‘…consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation’ (2 Pet.3:15).

Please note: Since recording this message Ken now has a different understanding to the views expressed in this message regarding annihilation and eternal conscious torment of the unbeliever. View his current belief on this subject on the following YouTube video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOJmQNCPKhs