Thursday, 4 February 2016

THE FIRE WITHIN US.

Since the ancient times, Fire served many purposes. Fire was used for heat, light and cooking. Metals needed Fire to become more refined. Communications between between neighboring towns used Fire to produce smoke and light. Fire was also used in a military context in sieges and open battles.
In the Old Testament, Fire is often used to execute Divine Judgment. God placed a Flaming Sword to guard the Road back to Eden's Tree of Life. (Genesis 3:24). God destroyed the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah with Fire. (Genesis 19:24). The Egyptians experienced a supernatural Thunderstorm, which involved hail accompanied by Fire. (Exodus 9:23). Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu were consumed by Fire in front of the Tabernacle after they violated ritualistic protocol. (Lev.10:2). Korah's rebellion abruptly ends when God consumed 250 men in Fire. (Num.16:35). Fire likewise consumed 2 Israelite commanders and their soldiers when Ahaziah initially sends for Elijah. (2Kings1:10-16).
Fire also played a Central Role in ancient Near Eastern Religions, as both animal and vegetable sacrifices were most often consumed by Fire. For this purpose in ancient Israel, a perpetual Fire was maintained on the Altar of Burnt Offerings. (Lev.6:12).
Fire additionally served as the primary Medium for theophanies and other Divine manifestations.
God is represented in Abram's dream in the Form of a Smoking Fire Pot and Flaming Torch. (Genesis 15:17). God spoke to Moses out of a Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2), and descended to Mount Sinai in Fire (19:18). The wondering Israelites were nocturnally guided by a Pillar of Fire. (Exodus 13:21). Elijah defeated the Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel when God produced Fire for a Sacrifice. (1Kings 18:23-40), and the absence of God in the Fire at Horeb is explicitly remarcable (19:12). Elsewhere, God is described as emitting Fire from His Mouth (Psalm 18:8; 2Sam 22:9). God's presence in the Tabernacle and Temple is symbolized by the 7 Flames on the Menorah. Also, Fire often accompanied the description of Angels in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. (Judges 6:21; 13:20; Daniel 10:6; Revelation 1:14; 2:18).
Whenever we refuse the Call from God to follow His Will, that is manifested as having Fire in our Hearts, we run the risk of living an unfulfilled and unhappy life. No matter what we do, and no matter what material things we acquired  along the way, if we do not listen to God's Call and make the things that make our Heart feel the Fire of His Word and sing in Praise, then we will feel an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction and regret when we get the final moment and that is The End of our Lives.

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