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◄ Fire: Wickedness►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Bible, fire is often used metaphorically to represent various aspects of wickedness, including judgment, destruction, and the consuming nature of sin. This imagery is prevalent throughout both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a powerful symbol of God's response to human iniquity and the inherent destructive power of evil.

Judgment and Destruction

Fire is frequently associated with divine judgment against wickedness. One of the most notable examples is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. InGenesis 19:24-25 , it is recorded, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." This event underscores the severity of God's judgment against rampant sin and immorality.

Similarly, the prophet Isaiah speaks of fire as a tool of divine retribution. InIsaiah 66:15-16 , it is written, "For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD." Here, fire symbolizes the purifying and consuming nature of God's righteous anger against sin.

The Consuming Nature of Sin

Fire also represents the consuming nature of sin and wickedness.Proverbs 6:27-28 uses the imagery of fire to illustrate the dangers of adultery: "Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?" This passage highlights how engaging in sinful behavior inevitably leads to personal harm and destruction.

In the New Testament,James 3:6 describes the tongue as "a fire, a world of unrighteousness." This metaphor emphasizes how words, when used wickedly, can cause great harm and spread sin like wildfire. The destructive power of the tongue is likened to a fire that can set the entire course of one's life ablaze.

Eternal Consequences

The ultimate consequence of wickedness is eternal separation from God, often depicted as a lake of fire.Revelation 20:15 states, "And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This imagery serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal judgment awaiting those who persist in wickedness without repentance.

Throughout Scripture, fire is a multifaceted symbol of wickedness, illustrating both the immediate and eternal consequences of sin. It serves as a warning of God's righteous judgment and the inherent destructiveness of living in opposition to His will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 9:18
For wickedness burns as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

All Things have Been Created for the Service of Man the Deceits...
... apostasy of six thousand years, and unrighteousness, andwickedness, and false prophecy,
and deception; for which things' sake a cataclysm offire shall also...

That the Perfect Lover of God had Liever Run into Great Pain than...
... From the greatfire of love so great beauty of virtue grows in souls... tormentry than
once, wilfully and knowingly, to be led from righteousness towickedness....

Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused...
... thywickedness returned on thy head, Hater of man: as hiswickedness was returned...
Fire released the righteous ones, whom thou hadst bound: a mighty bond be to...

That Perfect Love Mingles Nothing with God: and Why. And that it...
... Wherefore suddenly with burning of a noyousfire it is umbelapped and blinded... she
conceived, that is to say wicked desire; thereby shallwickedness worthily be...

Against those who Object Because the Devil Has not Been Put Out of...
... will not blaspheme thee to thy face." [578] He slandered God again to man saying
"Fire fell from... But hiswickedness is not from his nature, but from his choice...

Of God's Privy Doom: and that they that Fall Again be not Deemed...
... THEFIRE OF LOVE... Forsooth if they bide in their covetousness and theirwickedness,
in vain they hope themselves sicker of mercy, whiles theirwickedness is not...

The Race of Life
... baptize us with the Holy Ghost, lest he should need to baptize us withfire.... to have
found it out for ourselves before now"Our sins andwickedness hinder us...

Of Hell
... there; but that this misery will be infinitely varied according to the various kinds
of hiswickedness. It was therefore proper to say, thefire, in general...

Of Man's Turning to God; and what Helps and what Lets his Turning.
... are conformed to wanton concupiscence; and holding to old manners ofwickedness,
they love... would they not do unless they were blinded with thefire of froward...

Arguments in Opposition to Tatian, Showing that it was Consonant...
... who became apostates along with him; which [fire], indeed, they too shall justly
feel, who, like him, persevere in works ofwickedness, without repentance, and...