Fire From Heaven

I almost cannot hear an insight from the Jewish perspective without considering the application to Revelations. Afterall, I think the Bible is the key to interpreting the book of Revelations because "there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl 1:9). I will go into more detail examples in the future. The thought for this blog begins with the following passage...

"Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth." (Rev 13:11-14)

John records that the future beast will perform "great and miraculous signs" with the assistance of the dragon (Satan, Rev 12:9) to "deceive the inhabitants of the earth." False signs should be no surprise to us since Satan and his servants will go to any extreme (2 Cor 11:14-15) to deceive and the Jewish nation is open to deception if they "seek a sign" (1 Cor 1:22). Although the beast will perform many false signs, John singles out one sign in particular, the ability to cause "fire to come down from heaven to earth in view of men." This sign is clearly intended to be the crowning deception of the beast, but why perform this particular sign?

When used symbolically in scripture, fire is always a picture of GOD and is never used to represent man. The LORD passed between the animals prepared by Abraham as both a "smoking fire pot" and a "burning torch" (Gen 15:17). Because both elements represent fire, the Jews understood the covenant to be between GOD and GOD as the representative of Abraham. Elsewhere in scripture, the GOD appears as a burning bush (Ex 3:2), as a fire on top of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:20), leading the nation in the wilderness "by night as a pillar of fire" (Ex 13:21), described as a "consuming fire" (Ex 24:17), and in Ezekiel’s vision of GOD above HIS throne "like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him" (Ezek 1:26). In Revelations John saw JESUS with "eyes…like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters" (Rev 1:14-15) and when HE returns JESUS will be "revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels" (2 Thess 1:7).

On at least three occasions in scripture, fire came from the presence of the LORD to consume a sacrifice on the altar in front of the Israelites. At the dedication of the tabernacle after Moses and Aaron blessed the people, "Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown." (Lev 9:24). At the completion of the temple after Solomon finished praying, "fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple." (2 Chron 7:1-3) and "when all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD" (2 Chron 7:3). The Israelites saw fire as the presence of the LORD.

Once started, the LORD instructed Moses, "the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood" (Lev 6:12). In Jewish thought, people brought the sacrifices, but the LORD provided the flame because "God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29). At this point, the altar was not a place to BYOF (bring your own fire). When the two sons of Aaron attempted to bring their own fire, contrary to the LORD’S command, they died before the LORD (Lev 10:1).

The pattern repeats for a third time in the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. After calling out to the LORD, "fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!" (1 Kings 18:38-39). It is interesting to note, I have not found in scripture the lighting of the fire for the second temple, which operated in the days JESUS walked the earth.

We do have one last event recorded in scripture of fire coming down from heaven prior to the Book of Revelations. No, its not when James and John wanted to "call fire down from heaven" (Luke 9:54). On the Day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks, Shavout), the HOLY SPIRIT came down and was distributed as "tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:3-4).

In the future, a new temple will be constructed, not by GOD, but by one who "will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thess 2:3-4). It is all part of Satan’s plan to receive the praise and admiration due the LORD. After brokering a peace that leads to the construction of the temple, the Adversary will fulfill two of the most important prophecies associated with the MESSIAH, world peace (Isa 9:7) and construction of the temple (Zech 6:12). The only thing left is for the Adversary to take the seat of the MESSIAH on the throne and proclaim himself to be GOD. A position foretold both by both Paul (2 Thes 2:3-4) and Daniel (Dan 11:36-37).

One small problem with Satan’s plan will remain, how to convince the very Orthodox Jews that the Adversary is really the long awaited MESSIAH. Looking to the scriptures, these Jews will look for the confirming sign GOD performed at the dedication of the first temple. The stage is now set for the Adversary to cause "fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men." Is the Adversary capable of bringing down fire from heaven? "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" (Job 1:16). Incorrectly reported by the servant of Job, this fire was not from "God," but from Satan as part of the trials brought on Job.

Many will believe the deception, but a few will understand that the collective actions of the Adversary are not consistent with the word of GOD. These faithful few are referred in scripture as "a remnant chosen by grace" (Rom 11:5-6) and "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved" (Rom 9:27).