Thursday, March 4, 2004 (9)SPEECH AND KNOWLEDGE FROM THE HEAVENS. ONE ASPECT OF HEAVEN AND THE THRONE. Heaven is spectacular beyond description. There is nothing casual or mundane about it. Shockingly it is a world of fire. As we have already noted, the Lord Himself is a consuming fire. Heb. 12:9 Perhaps it would be well to take time here to consider the type of fire of which the Word is speaking. This fire can be both a great blessing and a terrible judgment. The beneficial fire is seen descending on the day of Pentecost. When cloven tongues of fire fell on the waiting church in Jerusalem and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4 John had prophesied that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and FIRE. That baptism of fire is exciting. It is cleansing. It is filled with power. It is ecstasy beyond any other experience in life. Today there should be more emphases on the fire than on tongues. It is the fire that energizes and anoints. The fire sanctifies and purifies. Too many speak in tongues but have no fire, nor sanctification in their lives. Because of that particular aspect and attribute of His being we should not be shocked at the revelation of the scriptures that heaven is a place of fire. The throne of the Lord is a throne of fire and is surrounded by fire. Dan. 7:9 A stream of fire, the energy of the Spirit flows out from the throne inundating the redeemed who are seen standing before His thrones. The power and glory of the Spirit is sweeping out over them like a river at flood time. Who can illustrate or declare the joy and blessing that is flowing to them. It is like a constant baptism of the Spirit only far greater. It is bliss immeasurable.
THE REDEEMED WILL DWELL IN FIRE. There is no comparison whatsoever between the two places of eternal fire and the consequences. The fires of hell are a judgment. The fire of Heaven is the fullness of the blessing of the Lord. Isaiah posed the question, who shall dwell with the devouring fire, who will dwell with everlasting burning? That is an excellent question that must be answered by each and every individual. It
is very personal. Isa. 33:14 The next verse is an answer to the question. Those who will dwell with the God who is a flaming fire are the righteous. Whose walk and speech is according to the will and desire of the Lord. They will dwell on high. They will constantly look upon their King in all of His glory and beauty. Isa. 33:15-17 Ezekiel saw the majesty of the Lord. He describes Him as being fire from head to foot. Eze. 1:27 The Revelation pictures the overcoming gathered before the throne of the Lord on the sea of glass which is mingled with fire. Most assuredly the righteous are going to dwell with fire and be filled with that very fire. Rev. 15:2 The cloud clothed being, descending from heaven has feet like pillars of fire. Because of association, like Moses on Sinai, His face is shining like the sun. He is crowned with a complete rainbow which is symbolic of the Godhead because of its three main colors, The three, making one rainbow. Rev. 10:1 May the Lord take His Word and create in us an all consuming hunger to live in the fire of the Almighty and to be consumed by that Holy fire.