A Look At “The” Eternal Flame
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn close proximity to President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, is an eternal flame — one of several eternal flames seen at various locations around the world. The only thing wrong with these “eternal” flames, is they are not eternal.
The inspired writer Peter tells us:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10-NKJV).
The Day Of Judgment
When our Lord returns on that final time-based day of judgment, the creation that God took six days to create (Genesis 1:31-NKJV; cf. Psalm 104:24-NKJV; Hebrews 1:10-11-NKJV) will one day be destroyed with intense and fervent heat. When this event occurs, these “eternal” flames here on earth, will no longer exist.
However, there is an eternal flame that will last forever. This flame, is “the” flame of fire that will one day surround those immortal spirits who have chosen to disobey God in this time-based environment called earth (cf. Luke 16:24-NKJV; Mark 9:43-44-NKJV; Isaiah 66:24-NKJV). The term “quenched” in Mark 9:43,44,45,46,48-NKJV, refers to the “kind” of fire that will never be extinguished — “the” eternal flame that the rich man found himself in (Luke 16:24-NKJV).
A Fire That Never Consumes
We might ask ourselves, “How could God create a fire that would never consume its victim?” Do we not remember the incident of the angel of the Lord appearing in the burning bush that was not consumed? (cf. Exodus 3:2-KJV). Note in this incident, however, that the Lord was “in the midst of the bush,” signifying the fact that this “flame of fire” was not designed to torment or consume. However, note that the Lord’s presence is absent in the flame that engulfed the rich man (Luke 16:24-NKJV). Also, note the word “tormented” in vs. 24. This is a continuous action verb, denoting an action which will never end — the victim experiencing and undergoing great anguish and pain.
The “Prepared Fire”
The “prepared” fire we read about in Matthew 25:41-NKJV; cf. Matthew 13:42, is not a “consuming” fire, but rather, a “tormenting” fire — an “eternal” fire that will never be extinguished (cf. Matthew 3:12-NKJV; Revelation 19:20-NKJV; Revelation 20:10-NKJV). A fire designed by God to cause continuous torment, pain, and agony. This eternal tormenting fire, was originally “prepared” for “the devil and his angels” — not for mankind (Matthew 25:41-NKJV).
God’s Desire
God’s desire, is that no human being should ever experience “the” eternal, tormenting flame of fire “prepared for the devil and his angels,” but that “all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9-NKJV). This is why our loving heavenly Father is “longsuffering” toward us, so that we might not have to experience that never-ending existence in “the” eternal flame that the rich man found himself in (Luke 15:24-NKJV).
Conclusion:
Brethren and friends, let us this day thoroughly examine our spiritual lives by looking into the “mirror” of God’s word, correcting any flaws we see in the mirror, by repenting of our sins (Acts 17:31-NKJV; cf. Acts 2:38-NKJV) and humbly rendering obedience to the saving gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5-NKJV; Matthew 7:21-NKJV; James 1:22-25-NKJV; Romans 6:17-NKJV; cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18-NKJV; Romans 8:28-29-NKJV).
Rest assured, we never want to experience “the” eternal flame — that place where “fire and brimstone” exists (Jude 1:7-NKJV; Revelation 14:10-NKJV; Revelation 19:20-NKJV; Revelation 20:10-NKJV; Revelation 21:8-NKJV).