“I will take revenge on you, my enemies, and you will cause me no more trouble. I will take action against you. I will purify you the way metal is refined, and will remove all your impurity.” (Isaiah 1:24,25)
Fire is a repeated theme of this book. When Isaiah encountered God in all his glory he felt guilt and shame until a burning coal touched his lips.
“God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29) in the book of Isaiah: “God, the light of Israel, will become a fire. Israel’s holy God will become a flame, which in a single day will burn up everything, even the thorns and thistles.” (Isaiah 10:17)
The basis for understanding the smoke that ascends “forever and ever” in Revelation comes from Isaiah chapter 34. And finally, this most tantalizing passage:
“Now I will do something and be greatly praise. Your deeds are straw that will be set on fire by your very own breath. You will be burned to ashes like thorns in a fire. Everyone, both far and near, come look at what I have done. See my mighty power! The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: ‘Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?’ He who walks righteously and speaks what is right…” (Isaiah 33:10-15)
What is the consuming fire of God?
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