Baptism of FireBaptism of Fire

The rapture theory is widely taught and believed through out Christianity today. Most popular books and movies spin themes around this doctrine that essentially teach that Christ will come back twice, first coming only into the atmosphere to snatch believers away to heaven for several years; then actually returning to set foot on the earth.

We live in a time when most people are content to get their knowledge of religion secondhand.

But you cannot afford to neglect your personal responsibility to prove the truth!

1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

If the rapture theory were truly a biblical doctrine, it would mesh with all other scriptural references to Christ's coming. But does it stand up to that test, we will see?

Joh 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

All scriptures must work together in agreement, they cannot be broken. If they don't, it is our doctrine that must change, not God's Word.

When most people come across Bible passages talking about fire, they would not associate the word "fire" with the Creator Himself at all. Our first thoughts would probably be Hell-fire, the Lake of Fire, or Sodom and Gomorra. It may come as a suprise to many people that the word "fire," often speaks of the Creator and His glory, though.

God, in fact, manifests Himself in various forms of fire on many different occasions. We find one example of this manifestation in the burning bush,

Exo 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exo 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. Exo 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

Why do the scripture's feel it necessary to point out that the bush was not consumed? Could that be a picture of something?

Also in the pillar of fire,

And on Sinai,

Exo 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

In the flame on the altar,

Jdg 13:20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

1Ki 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

1Ki 18:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

and also God answering by fire.

Deu 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

In this physical world fire can be our friend or our foe. Fire can bring us comfort or tragedy. This startling description of God as a “consuming fire” is found in both the old and new testaments of the Bible. When Moses exhorted the children of Israel to be obedient to the Word of God, he said to them,

In the New Testament, Hebrews 12:29 quotes Deuteronomy 4:24 and say's,

We often see words like "God is love" hanging on the walls in many homes. But have you ever seen the words "God is a consuming fire" hanging anywhere? Both these verses are in the New Testament. But we don't like to think of God as a consuming fire. And therefore our concept of God is imbalanced. And when our concept of God is imbalanced, our Christian life will be imbalanced too - and CARNAL!

In Isaiah's prophecy we read the following words:

Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

We read that there are both sinners and fearfull hypocrites in Zion (the church)!!! And then the scriptures ask, who can live with the devouring fire?

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Many churches today claim to be the church. However, a mark of the true Church is understanding that God is a consuming fire - and knowing that we should start with the fear of God.

Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

Again, most people do not even want to think of God in this way at all. They prefer to think of God as a loving and kind God, which He is. But, you cannot escape the fact that the scriptures also say that God is a “consuming fire”. This description of God, as a consuming fire, is a description of His very nature. This “consuming fire” is also God’s holiness manifested in judgment.

God’s glory, God’s holiness is likened to a devouring fire,

Exo 24:16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Exo 24:17 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.

You should also take note of the end times references in these verses as well, picturing the Lord upon a mountain, a cloud covering six days and the seventh day moses called from the cloud.

2Ch 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Zec 2:5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

So God’s glory, God’s holiness is the fire,

God’s judgment is also described as a consuming fire to destroy Israel’s enemies in the Promised Land. We read in,

Deu 9:3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

God assures us though, that His servants, His witnesses, will go through the fire but they will not be burned. You will walk through the fire, and the flame shall not kindle upon thee. Our first example of this is in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Dan 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Dan 3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Dan 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Dan 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

So if we look at the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were thrown into the fiery oven. We see that they were not hurt by it. Not one single hair on their heads were scorched. They walked in the midst of the fire.

It is true that “God is love” and thus He is a loving God. But, He will not be a loving God at the expense of His holiness. God is holy and thus He must judge and consume everything that is contrary to His holy will. God is intolerant of evil and of all that is inconsistent with Himself. His righteousness and justice are inflexible. Sinners should indeed fear and tremble at the prospect of God’s impending judgment. It says in,

Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

There is no doubt that we live in a “sin saturated” society and so consequently there is no abhorrence of evil or of the sinful lives that we live.

Man sins with impunity because he does not believe in God or he does not fear God. It says in,

Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Furthermore, man does not really believe he is accountable to God and that he will one day be judged for his sins.

God says in His Word,

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

He also says,

Ecc 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Please, take notice that sin is universal. There are no exceptions. ALL have sinned. We are told in,

Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Since most Christians have an unbalanced view of God. It also impairs their understanding of how they are sinners. So then they don't even believe in the righteous judgment of God. The judgment of God is a reality and every one will have to face the same judgement. God is not a respector of persons.

Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

The word ALL does not mean only some. It is pride and vanity to think otherwise. Every one will receive for the things done in his body.

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Ephesians 5:1 (NASB) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

Ephesians 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

Ephesians 5:1 (RSV) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Why don't people understand the concept of how they are sinners? Let's look at what most people are being taught, and the corrupt doctrine coming out of it.

In other translations we are taught to be imatators of God. Which, not suprisingly is what satan say's.

Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

So what we have then, are people who imatate God and think they are sinnless, like God.

We can see though, in the true word of God, that it say's to be followers of God. We have sinful flesh and we must do the will of the father and mortify the deeds of our sinful flesh.

Eph 5:1 (KJV) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Before going any further though, we need to look at how God created man and what happened to us, so lets look at these verses.

Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

1Co_15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Lets consider here, that if man had been originally created with this sinful flesh, then God could not have considered it very good. Nor then, would he have had a need to send His Son to condemn the sin in the flesh.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

God made Adam in his image and likeness, but what is that image? God is an infinite being and has many communicable and non-communicable characteristics. Could the Image of God actually include what He looks like? When we “believe” God we will see just how suprisingly clear everything comes together!

Psa 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Psa 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Eze 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. Eze 1:27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. Eze 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Adam and Eve sinned, and as a result of their sin, they were clothed with coats of skins too cover their nakedness. However, God say's that we will again return to the image of God. God will put away, purify and refine the filth of the flesh. We must put off the corruptible coat of skin.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Lest there be any misunderstanding, God is pure light, not diluted or even mixed in any way with darkness. “God is light”, is not a theoretical assertion about the nature of God, but a statement that drives us to the heart of what God is. God is pure light, and this has serious implications for the Christian life. Thus it is crucial that we correctly grasp this basic truth.

We see that Adam was created in God‘s image and the likeness which includes the appearance of God. We can deduce more of how Adam was before the Fall and also how we shall be upon resurrection by looking at the following pictures presented in the bible. In fact this truth was revealed as far back as the time of Judges,

Jdg 5:31 So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Moses didn’t realize it, but when he talked with God he received the light from God. In a manner similar to material that glows after being exposed to light, so too did Moses glow after being exposed to the light of God. As we have seen, God is the “consuming fire”. Light is coming out of the Lord and as Moses spoke face to face with God, that light caused Moses to shine. Moses was apparently very close to the Lord as the Scriptures say

However, Numbers 12:8 adds another level of closeness between the LORD and Moses.

Exo 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Exo 34:29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. Exo 34:30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. Exo 34:31 And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. Exo 34:32 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. Exo 34:33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. Exo 34:34 But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. Exo 34:35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The beautiful thing about the bible is that God has no secrets, He reveals all the mystery's. We shall be “changed” from the corruptible to the incorruptible. We will bear the image of the heavenly.

Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

But again a Holy God must first judge the sins in our lives according to His word.

Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

The expression “treasurest up unto thyself wrath” is striking, for it pictures the sinner storing away day by day a fresh deposit of wickedness for judgment in a coming day.

But, because God does not exact immediate judgment, men imagine He never will. But, divine patience, persistently abused, leads to certain judgment. We read in,

Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The judgment of God, when it finally comes will be a righteous judgment. God will weigh your every sinful thought and deed. In true repentance, there is an element of remorse for sins that leads to a definite change of attitude and action. The Lord Jesus Christ said,

Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Let's take a look at what the scriptures say is going to happen to the ones who are proud and wicked, those who don't fear the Lord.

Notice the play on words where it say's “Sun” instead of “Son”. This is a very telling verse also as to His coming in the day.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Now in Mathew 3:11 it say's that everyone who repents and becomes saved in the name of Jesus, through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will also be baptized by fire.

Mat 3:11 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:

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1Pe 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

But first, lets consider what the Bible say's about the baptism of water, though?

Notice what it say's, that water baptism and the fact that you are saved through it, still does not put away the filth of the flesh. It is only an answer of good conscience toward God.

So what we have then is Paul exhorting us in Romans 12:1-2 to,

– exactly as Jesus did.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Just in case there is any confusion as to what paul was saying when he said “that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice”, he clarifies later on that he gives his body to be burned. And also says that we should follow him just as he also is of Christ.

I think paul understands completely the righteous judgement of Christ on the sinful flesh!

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

In this life, those who become saved are called not only to believe, but also to suffer for Christ's sake.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1Pe 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

God saves us in this world for a reason and He has a purpose for our lives; but because we are still sinners as long as we live in this fleshly body, we have to learn obedience to the Spirit and often it takes sufferings to cause us to learn.

Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Even Jesus, who did no sin, had to suffer because He was a man.

Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The book of Hebrews teaches us that the law is a shadow of good things to come. And that Jesus crucifixion was about doing the Father's will. Too take away the first, so that he may establish the second.

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

So, when Christ came into the world, He said,

1Co_12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Jesus came to do the will of the Father and sanctify us through the offering of the body.

In Matthew 5:17-19, we see that Jesus taught that every jot and tittle of the Law of Moses will remain until heaven and earth pass away! So how do we deal with the subject of burnt offerings and animal sacrifices? They are part of the Law of Moses as well. Remember again that the law is a shadow of good things to come.

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

The blood of Jesus makes an atonement for the soul.

Jesus provides the blood on the alter but there is still a question as to the burnt offerings.

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Lev 9:1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; Lev 9:2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. Lev 9:3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; Lev 9:4 Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you.

Lev 9:6 And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you. Lev 9:7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. Lev 9:8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. Lev 9:9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar: Lev 9:10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses. Lev 9:11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. Lev 9:12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.

Eze 43:18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.

In fact if we look back in Ezekiel 43:18 we have God declaring the ordinance of the alter and to burnt offerings:

Notice that Jesus is doing the will of the Father by sprinkling / washing us with His blood. However, We must still offer the burnt offering to God the father.

Deu 12:27 And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh. Deu 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.

Also, in Ezekiel 43:27 through 44:2:

Eze 43:27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.Eze 44:1 Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Eze 44:2 Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.

Notice the referance to the eighth day and the taking away of the flesh.

Gen 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

The primary point of the burnt offering is that it was completely consumed. No part was given back to the worshipper, as with other sacrifices. It was therefore sometimes called a “whole burnt offering”.

Deu 33:10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.

Psa 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

The process of salvation is the process of removing the worldliness, lust, and self-will from our personality and filling us with the Spirit of Christ. God will accomplish this by bringing us through the fires of Divine judgment.

1Pe 1:7 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 honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

So even though our souls have been saved by the blood of Jesus, we still must be born again and put away this sinful flesh.

1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

We should start to see what the Scriptures mean by “we shall be changed” in the day, to have the filth of our flesh changed by the glory or devouring fire of Gods appearance. Putting away the corruptible so that we can inherit the incorruptible image of God.

Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

We need not second guess what is going to happen or even how this event is going to take place. Jesus tells us Himself in a parable,

Mat 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Notice that it says “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun”. We will inherit the incoruptible image of God. And we will shine like the sun.

There are only TWO categories of people before God - those who are HUMBLE and those who are PROUD, or in other words, those who followed Jesus in His humility and those who followed Satan in his pride. (Its pride that say's you are not a sinner, you wont have to be judged and that you will acend above the heights of the clouds.)

It is this pride that God is seeking to burn up with His consuming fire. It is the proud, haughty ones whom He seeks to remove from Zion. The Lord says,

Zep 3:11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. Zep 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

2Pe_3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Mar 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Looking at the words of Revelation 2:11, they are seemingly very peculiar. We would expect the verse to say, “He who overcomes will never be in danger of the second death”. Or, “he who overcomes will not be cast into the Lake of Fire”. But that is not what it say's.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

When we tell someone that an object or experience will not hurt them, then it only stands to reason that they will be subjected to it. But there is no reason to worry.

The wording of Revelation 2:11 gives the impression that the overcomer will be subjected in some manner to the second death (lake of fire) but it will not hurt him.

Another verse along the same lines, is as follows:

Again, we would expect to read, "such will never be in danger of the second death." Instead we find "on such the second death hath no power."

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Again, when the doctrine that we are taught does not fall simply and clearly into the verses of Scripture it is our doctrine that must be changed, or at least modified, until it is precisely in line with the Scripture.

It is the false prophets, that try to change the words of the Bible. They try to change the meanings of the words by suggesting that there are better translations or other definitions.

1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 1Ti 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 1Ti 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Pro 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Pro 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Psa 119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

My King will prepare a people for Himself. By His fire He shall refine and purify us, purge us as gold and silver. One day, we - His pure, spotless and radiant bride – We will be able to live with Him forever.

His holy fire will bring judgment to the wicked, and it will build humility, faith and purity in those who seek Jesus.

Isa 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Job 21:18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

The day is coming when the wheat and chaff shall be separated. This day of judgment will be a distinguishing day. We will be separated from the corrupt flesh without, and purified of the corrupt affections within. Hell is the unquenchable fire, which will certainly be the portion and punishment of the proud and haughty, the hypocrites and unbelievers.

Psa 104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Psa 52:5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

Luk 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Luk 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luk 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Many people who believe in the rapture often quote these Verses, but lets see what the scriptures say about who the person taken, is.

The ones taken from the bed are plucked out of thy dwelling place and destroyed by God, well, count me out of that.

The ones taken from the field are rooted out of the land and destroyed by God, and again, count me out of that.

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Let's also look for a moment at the parallels between what the secret rapture theory says and what satan declares. I will ascend into heaven, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most high (sinless).

The rapture theorists teach that we will acsend above the clouds, just as satan declares. However, the scriptures say;

Psa 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. Psa 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. Pro 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Pro 2:21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. Pro 2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Psa 101:8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Joe_2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

Not only do the scriptures teach that it is the wicked who will be destroyed from the land. And that we will again bare the image of the heavenly. But also that we will go through the flaming sword, the east gate, to a new heaven and earth, or garden of eden.

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

In fact satan is still, even today, trying to tell people that they won't die. He teaches that there is peace and security.

But if you look at the scriptures they don't actually say that your flesh will not die. They simply say you will be changed so that you do not feel the sting of death.

1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Isa_65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Isa_66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

2Pe_3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

What does it mean to be caught up in the clouds? Again, we shall be changed in order to walk through the fire. Too put on the incoruptible image of God. Not one event, or two or even three events.

Isa 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

Hos 13:3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Clouds are smoke which is a consequence of fire!

Exo 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. Exo 19:17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Joe 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Joe 2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. Joe 2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

“To execute one judgment upon ALL”

Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Notice that we have multiple witness's saying that when He comes He “shall not keep silence”. It will be a very hot and loud moment. There is no secret appearing, no matter how much you try to subtract from or add to the scriptures.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

2Pe_3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

So many preachers are offering doctrines of demons, tainted and not fit for the eating. And many people are deep in the false gospels of this world, people anointing people and calling them to an office. It is the Lord who anoints, for He is the Anointed One! Man teaches that they will equip you, but God says He will equip you for every good work.

So many have lost their way and follow after the false gospels that run rampant throughout. My ears become ever attuned when someone says I’m a prophet, I’m a prophetess, I’m a this, I’m a that… God’s true servants walk according to His will and for His purpose, their desire is to please God, not man.

Sadly we have the building becoming larger and the people falling further into the mire. To further follow after the teachings of man instead of following wholeheartedly after the Lord thy God. Seeking man’s face instead of the Lord Jesus (the true word), seeking guidance from man instead of praying and asking the Lord and the Holy Ghost to teach and guide and lead.

Either we believe in the Lord's judgement to burn up the filth of our flesh in His Holy Fire or we are in danger of the hell fires that lead to death everlasting.

He is a Consuming FIRE!, GOD!!!!! Allow him to show you the false lies that the false gospels bring forth….Allow Him to reveal and to burn up everything that is not of HIM!!!! Ask the Lord, and then Believe on Him!

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.