Fire

As we examine Revelation 14:8-12, we discover an immediate fulfillment in the first century of the Christian Era, when the Romans burned the city of Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple with fire on the 9th day of the Jewish month Ab, 656 years after the Babylonians had destroyed the First Temple on that same day in 586 Before the Christian Era. The Jewish commander of the armies of the Galilee became convinced that continuing the war against the Romans was futile and suicidal. Suicide is always a sinful act, but it does not keep a believer out of heaven. Josephus' writings give us the only comprehensive and accurate account of what took place in the wake of the Jewish war with the Romans. However, as we have seen throughout these studies, prophecies recapitulate, and so the ultimate fulfillment of verses 8-13 is found in the Lake of Fire, where all those whose names are not in the Lamb's Book of Life will suffer eternally (Revelation 20:11-15). As we reflect on the theme of Fire for 2024, we must consider 1 Peter 1:6-9. What is more precious than gold? It is that wonderful gift of God, faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). As gold is refined by fire, so our faith is purified in the fiery trials that are coming (1 Peter 4:12-14). That is why we can be joyful as we enter 2024. Our blessed Lord is going to purge out of us things that detract from our witness. That purging will result in praise, glory, and honor at his return--indeed, joy unspeakable (1 Peter 1:7-8). I want more and more to be a sweet aroma of the Lord Jesus Christ in 2024 (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). Don't you? That sweat aroma comes as we endure the trials of life without bitterness.