Post by tomdurst on Feb 14, 2019 21:49:49 GMT -5
THE LAKE OF FIRE
by Thomas E Durst
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.”—Malachi 3:1-4 ESV
“. . .our God is a consuming fire.”—Hebrews 12:29 ESV
The Apostle John uses the metaphor of “the lake of fire” in describing this process of purification (Revelation 19:20; 20:14-15). I see this "lake of fire” as a pool of God’s love that we plunge ever deeper into as we experience more of His love and grace. It is NOT a place of hellfire and eternal punishment—far from it!! As we immerse ourselves in that pool of God’s love it will consume "the hell" out of us and sometimes that can be exceedingly painful. Only God knows how all of this purification will play out either in this life or the next so I will not venture to speculate on the details (Deuteronomy 29:29). We cannot enter the fullness of the Kingdom of God until we are indeed “purified, refined, and made white.”—Daniel 11:35 ESV It is only through increasing revelations of and experiencing more of the love of God in our innermost being that we can ever find true fulfillment. No one can escape this purification so it is wise to surrender to the inescapable love of God each day and experience His peace, joy, and love.
[Note: The point of view which I express above most certainly doesn't answer all questions that could be raised on this topic but at least presents some aspects of it. There are no viewpoints on any topic that could be raised that are free from having unanswered questions and this one is no exception. I encourage readers of my writings to "take what you like and leave the rest." I have no disposition to debate about much of anything as this point in my spiritual journey. TD]
For related thoughts read THE SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT on the link below:
THE SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT