Hebrews 12.end II
December 14th 2014
Welcome all – near or far.
Next week in terms of a special Christmas celebration . . . we have gone to a lot of trouble and consideration to ensure there will not be one.
If you want to go to church and celebrate the Birth of the Lord please skip CAMPUS next week and attend one of the many churches which will certainly cover the story of that day with fanfare extraordinaire.
We will be continuing our verse by verse through John and will actually be introducing the last chapter of Hebrew – chapter 13
Right now why don’t we pray, hear the word of God set to music, and after a few minutes of silent reflection come back to Jesus words to His disciples in John 14 beginning at verse 22.
PRAY
So we left off last week with the last verse of chapter 12 – but I didn’t really cover it.
After comparing human relations with God under the Old Covenant with the same under the New, the writer encourages his reader (which includes us to some extent or another) saying:
28 “Wherefore” (in the face of all these comparatives and the benefits of being a Christian instead of under the law) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
And then adds the last verse which gives the reason for his directive for serving God acceptably with reverence and godly, saying:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Of all the concepts that the Bible presents to us – from parted seas to talking donkeys to Jesus paying for the sins of the world on an old wooden cross I am personally most fascinated and intrigued by this teaching – “that our God is a consuming fire.”
First of all I never hear anyone describe our God using this clear biblical teaching.
We will hear the question, “Describe God?” in the news or magazines and I have never heard anyone include this description of Him.
We’ll say, God is love. Which is true. We will say, God is light. True. We’ll say God is the creator. True too.
But we always leave this out – fire – a consuming fire.
Think about this for a second. Do you “perceive or understand” the God we worship as fire?
I mean doesn’t it sound almost pagan? Imagine a worship leader standing up and saying, as he strums his guitar,
(Soft and raspy-like)
Okay, now Join with me as we worship God, as we worship the fire. Worship the fire!”
Part of the problem may be that the fire that God is is apparently NOT the fire we see burning in the center of camp.
We can say this due to other biblical descriptions about God like
He is invisible.
Add in that He is also described as light (in whom there is no shadow), truth, love and that He is jealous – and the physical imagery is at best quizzical.
I suppose we can begin this discussion by admitting to ourselves (which is to agree with Jesus) that “God” wants (seeks those who will) worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
For me, this removes the idea that we worship God in flesh or through the flesh at all. To me this suggests that our worship must come from the “Spirit” and in spiritual truth and has never been about the visual or physical – especially with scripture describing Him as invisible consuming fire of light and love.
I would guess that we worship Him from the same “invisible fire of light and love” that burns from within us and transcends beggarly flesh and fallen will worship.
No, God seeks for those who worship Him from the same essence that He is – spirit and truth and it is very interesting that He has sent both to actuate the salvation and reconciliation of the world to Himself – He sent Spirit and He sent Truth (with a capital T – as in Jesus).
Why not just engage with us directly? It seems apparent that when God the consuming fire actually reveals Himself (as Himself fully) people get torched.
So He devised another way – in Spirit and in Truth – which I would say (again, in my opinion) is another way to say as “Jesus” (who is the way, truth and the light) and the Holy Spirit.
And through these means God, the consuming fire, reconciles the world to Himself.
So let’s consider this last line in Hebrews 12 before moving on:
In the context of this chapter the writer seems to admonish believers, in light of the fact that we have received a kingdom that cannot be moved, saying
“let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”
WHY? (he adds)
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
There is a very natural, almost knee jerk reaction to these words that invoke fear.
It’s almost like we could translate these passages to say:
“So in light of all this you had better serve God well and with utter reverence and fear of Him because God is an all- consuming fire.”
Where the line translated in the King James is, “Let us have grace” it is better translated as “let us continue in the grace we have.”
This is important in the context of this book because the believers of that place and time were thinking of abandoning grace and returning to the Law, right?!
SO the writer says,
In light of the fact that we are now the recipients of this unshakable kingdom, let us continue in the grace we have received . . (and adds – LISTEN)
, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”
Whereby in the King James is dia meaning “through this grace that we have received”
So we automatically have to note that this is not a directive to activity or mandated works or demands but is saying:
“let us continue in the grace we have received THROUGH which . . .”
Through which (this grace) through which we may . . .
, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear . . .”
The word for serve God is often tied to worship too but it is probably better thought of as worshipful service to God rather than just worship alone.
I say this because in our day and age the terms worship invokes certain ideas. We forget that perhaps the greatest form of worship we can give God is not with the lips but in worshipful service and this is the meaning of the Greek word used here –
LAT TRUE YO
Where worship (as in adoration) is typically rendered proscuneo.
, whereby (through the grace we have received) we may (worshipfully) serve God acceptably (meaning from the right heart and intent and objectives) with (the writer adds and the King James translates) with reverence and godly fear . . .”
“FOR (or because) our God is a consuming fire.”
Again, the words, “with reverence and godly fear,” strongly suggest that we ought to do everything (as believers) out of fear of the fire God.
This is not the meaning – otherwise I don’t think we would be “acceptably serving God.”
The word for reverence is aidos.
Toward men “aidos” means bashfully. And Toward God “aidos” is best rendered “modestly.”
We’re starting to get the mind and heart-set the writer is describing here.
Remember that the kingdom of which we belong is fully established without ANY future movement.
Everything has been shaken to the core from the heavens to the earth and the Kingdom is immovable.
So approach it from the position of grace that you have received in full, serving God from the heart and out of love, with modesty, bashfulness, and Godly fear (the King James writes) but the word is youlawbia and not only means fear, but awe, and reverence, respect.
For our God is a consuming fire.
Bringing it all together, the writer is describing to his readers the Christian mindset they ought to have as members of this unshakable kingdom –
“Let it come by and through the grace you have received, worshipping God through service from the heart, service that is humble and modest and not self-aggrandizing, having reverence and awe for our God who dwells therein for He is a God of consuming fire.”
In this way we shift from the warning being based in fear but a directive being founded on humility and utter respect for an incomprehensible God of power whom we serve.
In other words the reminder that the God we worship and serve is a consuming fire is not there to terrify us anymore (as He did in His Old Testament manifestations) but ought to be a God to whom we utterly and wholly respect and render reverence toward – not because He is going to toast us, but because we want to ensure that we never forget our place before Him, and the attitudes we ought to maintain in anticipation of being in His presence.
Getting back to the line that “Our God is a consuming fire” the writer is quoting Deuteronomy 4:24 where Moses wrote:
“For the LORD
In Exodus 24:17 we read “And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.”
Deuteronomy 6:15 says:
For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Naturally, under the Law, these descriptions were absolutely true. In His engagements with the fallen, sinful, world God was an utterly destructive force (consuming is another way to say, destroying, destructive fire).
It is of interest that in Genesis 19:24, when speaking of Sodom and Gomorrah, we read:
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven.
Of course when Moses went up to the mount we read in Deuteronomy 4:11
“And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.”
De 4:36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
We remember Elijah and the priests of Baal where it says:
(2nd Kings 1:12)
“And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.”
Later, when Elijah was taken up into heaven it was by a chariot of (that’s right) fire ascending up into a whirlwind.
When David built an alter in 1st Chronicles 21:26 we read:
“And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.”
The same is reported as happening to the offering Solomon made.
When Job’s family was wiped out almost entirely, the servant ran to him and said (in Job 1:16)
“The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”
Of course there is the burning bush (which burned and illuminated but wasn’t consumed) but when we get to the New testament we have our God, who is a consuming fire, introducing Himself in similar, but more accommodating ways, don’t we?
What I mean by this is the fire is very much present and working, but now in and through His Son and Holy Spirit.
Before we speak of these graceful loving manifestations God has given us to mediate and teach and comfort those who believe on Him through His Son, lets look carefully at the Greek words used in this last verse of Hebrews 12
Hebrew 12:29 For
Kata Nalisko is translated consuming
And pur is translated as fire.
ANALISKO means to destroy and/or consume.
PUR means fire but most particularly lightening fire.
And KATA means down.
So perhaps the better rendering of Katanalisko pur is
“Our God is a destroying down fire.”
The notion was alive and well among the Jews.
We remember in Luke 9:54 that when Jesus and the disciples were passing through Samaria and weren’t received that James and John, when they saw this unwelcoming reception said to Jesus:
“Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?”
And what was Jesus reply?
“You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.”
For me this lends support to the idea that God, who is love, is not out to destroy but until Christ COULD only destroy in His interactions with men.
It also makes me wonder if God as the destroying fire has been a “spirit or motivation” misappropriated to God in the hands of men.
What I mean by this is we think calling God down to destroy is a solid representation of the heart of God (like John and James assumed) but Jesus tells them the spirit that drove them was not good.
What does fire mean or signify in scripture?
First of all fire was used in Old Testament days for sacred purposes.
Fire from heaven or fire of the Lord almost always refers in its original sense to lightening.
We know that sacrifices were consumed by fire (Genesis 8:20) and that the “ever-burning fire” on the altar was first kindled from heaven (according to Leviticus 6:9 and 13).
At the dedication of Solomon’s temple this fire was rekindled in the same way (according to 2nd Chronicles 7:1 and 3).
When fire was used (in a sacred way) that came from any source other than the altar it was called “strange fire.” (Leviticus 10:1,2; Numbers 3:4).
Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power (Ex 14:19; Nu 11:1,3; Jg 13:20; 1Ki 18:38; 2Ki 1:10,12; 2:11; Isa 6:4; Eze 1:4; Re 1:14, etc.).
Additionally God’s word is also likened unto fire.
Jeremiah 23:29 says:
“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
This passage helps me understand when Jesus says to His apostles in John 15:13:
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you,” and it helps reiterate the importance of God’s Word in the sanctification of individuals.
I mean, if it serves as purging burning cleansing fire, we could possible suggest that His word burns the dross away and refines us to the point where the soul is clarified thereby.
1st Peter 1:7 puts it this way:
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
Additionally, due to the purgative nature and cleansing and consuming properties of fire – especially the fire from on high – we also see in scripture that God’s fire is an emblem of trials, refinements and even misfortune.
I may be wrong in this but from my estimation of scripture, all human beings are exposed to heavens fire.
First it is applied in and through the Christian walk and indwelling of the Holy Spirit amidst ALL believers.
Then if this fire is not received and effectual here and now in mortality it will be effective in its second more broadly applied application – in hell and the lake of fire.
So, again, in the Old Testament God – (only known as God and not Father nor Son) did not engage (as a consuming fire) with man.
But He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
Interestingly enough John describes the Son (the word made flesh) “as light that came into the world.”
Of course we know how John the Baptist, who was destined to pave the way for the King of Light and love said about Him relative to Himself, right?
He said (in Matthew 3:11-12)
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner (potentially the first-fruits, the Sons and Daughters of God, the elect); but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire,” (referring to both Jerusalem’s end and or the state of those filled with chaff after this life?)
The expression by John the Baptist that Jesus was coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit AND with fire has been variously understood.
Some believe that he was speaking of the trials and afflictions believers would suffer – especially in the early physical church.
This was certainly so (so) maybe there is merit to such an explanation.
Other’s think that John was speaking of the personal trial by fire all believers undergo in the walk with Christ.
How we all have crosses to bear in the purging of our souls from the dross of character and the flesh.
With fire being a symbol of God’s judgment and (even vengeance) this is possible too.
In comparing his ministry to the Lord’s what he would be saying by this is “his ministry (which came with him “baptizing with plain old water”)
Would be far less powerful than the ministry of Christ, who, when He enters into the life of an individual, will change EVERYTHING by refining the good and destroying the bad.
In other words, John came purifying the outter man with ablutions and water, but Christ came with invisible, consuming fire which would purge the dross out of the Gold within us, and destroy the dross.
In an event that sort of couples the fear of the Old Testament fire God and the New Testament warmth Christ brings we read about the Mount of Transfiguration.
The elements contained herein are fitting.
It says in Matthew 17:1-7 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light (Phos in Geek which is often translated fire – fire or light of the Sun).
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
We can see from this that at the revelation of Christ, the transfiguration of His carnal flesh into the light within, that the apostles were terrified, similar to the Nation of Israel at the reception of the Law, and which (in my opinion) serves as a reminder that Christ IS Emmanual, “God with us,” or, as the writer of Hebrews says:
“A consuming fire (with us) putting scripture together.”
It is not a mistake that the writer of Hebrews refers to Jesus as “being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,” back in the 1st chapter third verse of this book.
That word translated “brightness” is
“AP OW GAS MA” and means “flash of effulgence,” similar to how we would describe lightening . . . similar to the Greek “kata analiska pur” – DOWN DESTROYING FIRE.
In Jesus case,
“Down” as “I came down from Heaven”
“Destroying” as in “destroying sin and death”
And “Fire” as consuming as the fire that is our God.
We know in the descriptions of Christ as the Word Revelation 19:11-13 says:
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”
So we can see from all of this that Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, to is represented as not only having connection to Fire (as spoken of by John the Baptist) but that He too, like His Father, would be filled with this consuming fire.
Looking to the Old Testament we can see that the Spirit too, is a spirit of fire.
In Isaiah 4:4 we read:
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the “spirit of burning.”
In Luke 24, where the Lord has died and resurrected, He appears on the road to Emmaus to two disciples – one named cleopus.
They all walked and talked and Jesus discussed all sorts of things with them.
Right after disappearing, verse 32 reports that . . .
“They said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
The Greek word for burn is Kayo and it means to consume by fire.
The Psalmist spoke to this experience, saying (in Psalm 39:3):
“My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue”
Jeremiah the prophet spoke of this fire (which was not literally smoke and fire but the Fire from on High that burns but does not consume).
He was tired of preaching and told himself that he was not going to do it anymore. And . . . well let me just read what he said:
(Jeremiah 20:9)
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
Of course the best example of the Holy Spirit as another bearer of fire from heaven upon men is the day of Pentecost.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Filled with this Spirit (which manifested itself as tongues of fire) God moves into our heart by the finished work of Christ (fire-filled) who overcame by and through obedience to the Father (Our God of consuming fire).
We cannot avoid the fact that here in Hebrews 10 the writer does admit that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
As believers living in this dispensation of grace where Christ has reconciled us to the Father I would suggest that we boldly come to the throne of God knowing that by and through His finished work we are presented holy and purified by faith and faith alone.
I would also suggest that facing or experiencing God without the atoning work applied would be infinitely more terrifying than walking naked into a flaming forrest.
But this is not the case for us.
I think it’s important to recall the fact that fire simultaneously serves as an enormous blessing OR as an threatening curse.
It lightens or turns everything black.
It warms or burns.
It purifies or destroys.
It strengthens or weakens.
In His reconciliatory work among the children of Men so it is with His essence.
By and through Christ and the Holy Spirit He is made an approachable, warm, inviting, illuminating source of protective comfort.
Without them, He is simply terrifying and we chose which way we want our introduction to go.
Q and A
