Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "conflagration" refers to a large and destructive fire that causes significant damage. In a biblical context, it often symbolizes divine judgment, purification, or the presence of God. The imagery of fire is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, serving as a powerful metaphor for both destruction and renewal.
Biblical References:1.
Judgment and Destruction: Conflagration is frequently associated with God's judgment upon the wicked. In the Old Testament, fire is a tool of divine retribution. For instance, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is described as a fiery judgment from God: "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens" (
Genesis 19:24). This event serves as a stark warning of the consequences of sin and disobedience.
2.
Purification and Refinement: Fire is also used metaphorically to describe the process of purification and refinement. In
Malachi 3:2-3, the coming of the Lord is likened to a refiner's fire: "But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver." This passage highlights the purifying aspect of divine fire, which cleanses and prepares God's people for His service.
3.
The Presence of God: Fire often signifies the presence and power of God. In
Exodus 3:2, Moses encounters God in the form of a burning bush: "There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but it was not consumed." This theophany illustrates God's holiness and His ability to sustain and preserve.
4.
Eschatological Conflagration: The New Testament speaks of a future conflagration associated with the end times. In
2 Peter 3:10, the apostle Peter describes the day of the Lord: "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare." This eschatological fire signifies the final judgment and the renewal of creation.
5.
Symbol of the Holy Spirit: Fire is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit's presence and power. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles as tongues of fire: "They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them" (
Acts 2:3). This event marks the empowering of the early church for its mission in the world.
Theological Significance:The concept of conflagration in the Bible underscores the dual nature of fire as both destructive and purifying. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness, justice, and mercy. Fire as judgment warns of the seriousness of sin, while fire as purification offers hope for transformation and renewal. The presence of God as fire assures believers of His power and presence in their lives, guiding and refining them for His purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A fire extending to many objects, or over a large space; a general burning.
Greek
4451. purosis -- a burning, hence a refining... burning, trial. From puroo; ignition, ie (specially), smelting (figuratively,
conflagration, calamity as a test) -- burning, trial. see GREEK puroo.
...Strong's Hebrew
3346. yeqedah -- a burning... Word Origin (Aramaic) from yeqad Definition a burning NASB Word Usage burning (1).
a
conflagration. (Aramaic) from yqad; a
conflagration: see HEBREW yqad.
...6867. tsarebeth -- scab, scar (of a sore)
... burning, inflammation. From Tsaw'ar;conflagration (of fire or disease) -- burning,
inflammation. see HEBREW Tsaw'ar. 6866b, 6867. tsarebeth. 6868 ....
4168. moqed -- a burning mass
... burning, hearth. From yaqad; a fire or fuel; abstractly, aconflagration -- burning,
hearth. see HEBREW yaqad. 4167, 4168. moqed. 4169 . Strong's Numbers.
4858. massaah -- the uplifted (cloud)
... burden. From nasa'; aconflagration (from the rising of smoke) -- burden. see
HEBREW nasa'. 4857, 4858. massaah. 4859 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Conflagration
... BOOK V CHAPTER LIICONFLAGRATION.... Fire!' had scarcely been raised when it seemed
too late to check the strangely precipitous ravages of theconflagration....
Whether the Fire of the FinalConflagration is to Follow the...
... OF THE FIRE OF THE FINALCONFLAGRATION (NINE ARTICLES) Whether the fire of
the finalconflagration is to follow the judgment? Objection...
Of the Fire of the FinalConflagration (Nine Articles)
... OF THE FIRE OF THE FINALCONFLAGRATION (NINE ARTICLES). We must now consider
the fire of the finalconflagration: and under this...
The RomanConflagration and the Neronian Persecution.
... CHAPTER VI. THE GREAT TRIBULATION. (MATT. 24:21.) Section 37. The RomanConflagration
and the Neronian Persecution.... [518]. TheConflagration in Rome....
Argument: Besides Asserting the FutureConflagration of the Whole...
... Chapter XI."Argument: Besides Asserting the FutureConflagration of the Whole World,
They Promise Afterwards the Resurrection of Our Bodies: and to the...
Observe, Now, Here at the Very Beginning, How, in Ridiculing the...
... Chapter XV. Observe, now, here at the very beginning, how, in ridiculing
the doctrine of aconflagration? Observe, now, here at...
The Great Distress the Jews were in Upon theConflagration of the...
... CHAPTER 5. The Great Distress The Jews Were In Upon TheConflagration Of
The Holy House. Concerning A False Prophet, And The Signs...
Unlawful Expulsion of John from his Bishopric. The Trouble which...
... his Bishopric. The Trouble which followed.Conflagration of the Church
by Fire from Heaven. Exile of John to Cucusus. From this...
Whether that Fire Will Engulf the Wicked?
... OF THE FIRE OF THE FINALCONFLAGRATION (NINE ARTICLES) Whether that fire
will engulf the wicked? Objection 1: It would seem that...
Whether, Then, There are Cycles of Time, and Floods...
... Moses and certain of the prophets, being men of very great antiquity, did not receive
from others the statements relating to the (future)conflagration of the...
Thesaurus
Conflagration (1 Occurrence)... (n.) A fire extending to many objects, or over a large space; a general burning.
Multi-Version Concordance
Conflagration (1 Occurrence).
...Nero
... In May AD 64, a terribleconflagration broke out in Rome, which raged for six days
and seven nights, and totally destroyed a great part of the city....
Conflict (18 Occurrences)
Fire (602 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Fuel in a state of combustion, as on a hearth, or in a stove or a furnace.
3. (n.) The burning of a house or town; aconflagration....
Benammi (1 Occurrence)
... It presupposes a universal catastrophe-such as theconflagration of Sodom and Gomorrah,
Admah and Zeboim suggests-in which all the human race, save Lot and his...
Ben-ammi (1 Occurrence)
... It presupposes a universal catastrophe-such as theconflagration of Sodom and Gomorrah,
Admah and Zeboim suggests-in which all the human race, save Lot and his...
Consuming (26 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the name of Jehovah cometh from far, burning with his anger
a grievousconflagration; his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as...
Confiscation (2 Occurrences)
Code (6 Occurrences)
... symbol 22). Whoever attempts to enrich himself from a building inconflagration
is thrown into the fire (section symbol 25). 3. Laws...
Grievous (73 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the name of Jehovah cometh from far, burning with his anger
a grievousconflagration; his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as...
Resources
Who are the Branch Davidians? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should I believe in Christ's resurrection? | GotQuestions.orgConflagration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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