Tag: fire

Lazarus and the Rich Man: Heaven and Hell

In this second part of our discussion about the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, we get a small glimpse of heaven and hell. Keep in mind this is prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Also, keep in mind I am no expert, but this is just my take based on what I have read in the Bible.

Several words have been used in the Bible to describe where one goes when they die. A general term used is Hades or Sheol. In the story of Lazarus, Hades is a place of torment for the wicked and unrighteous. Abraham’s bosom is where the righteous go (before Jesus’ resurrection when He declares victory over death and Hades). Jesus also called this Paradise, as He did when talking to the thief on the cross). After the resurrection, people go to heaven or hell, those who believe go to heaven, those who do not go to hell. Gehenna is when final judgement (the Great White Throne Judgement) occurs, where the unrighteous will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (the second death). 

Continue reading “Lazarus and the Rich Man: Heaven and Hell”

Prepare for the Master

Are you prepared for the day when Christ returns? Let us be prepared for that day. Jesus says to watch and be ready. How do we do this? First, trust in Jesus. Those who follow Him will be saved and have eternal life. Second, live for Him. Our actions should reflect that we are His followers. Third, tell others. Do those around you know that you are a believer? Do they know about the gospel?

Continue reading “Prepare for the Master”

Joel: Warnings and Prophecies

God often starts a prophecy with a warning, but He also offers hope and blessing. God wants His people to do the right thing, to turn to Him, to be blessed. But sometimes, people are stubborn and it takes drastic measures to get their attention. Actions result in consequences. Ever wonder why there is so much chaos and so many troubles in this world? Perhaps we need to turn to God. Perhaps He is trying to get our attention.

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The Good and Bad of Fire

Fire will burn you, but it also provides so much to improve our daily lives.  It gives us light.  It gives us heat.  We cook with it.  We use it to purify metals and to shape them into tools and so much more.  As we discussed in the previous post, God often reveals Himself through fire.  Here we will discuss how fire is used for judgement, but it is also used to purify us, to help us to grow.  It is also used to represent the evil schemes of the devil, but we know that fire will await him in the end. Continue reading “The Good and Bad of Fire”

The Fire of God

“Fire represents life”, they say in ‘Survivor.’  I am a bit of a Survivor junky.  But, in scripture fire is used in a completely different context.  It’s not a game; it’s much bigger than that.   In the next two posts we will discuss how fire is used in the scriptures.  Fire is used many times throughout the Bible  to represent different things.  It is often used literally as well.  Sometimes, God uses fire to represent the opposite of what it represents on ‘reality’ TV.  It represents death.  Hades.  Hell.  Sometimes it represents God’s wrath, while other times, God literally showed His wrath with fire.  He also used it to show His power and glory.  Fire is also used for purification.  Sometimes, fire is used to describe God Himself, but He can also be that “still, small voice.”  Continue reading “The Fire of God”

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