So, "when God's judgements are on the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness." However, we shall certainly only be saved through Christ (entering through the door, calling on His name and so on). It is only Christ who can redeem us.
So then, how are we to see the lake of fire? Ray refers to people being "burnt clean" (i.e. purified) - Scripture seems to indicate that this something for believers, doesn't it? And if God's "fire" is enough to purify someone to perfection, they are not in fact being saved through Christ, are they?
This would lead me to think that the lake of fire is more about the combination of the consequences of sin and God's judgement on evil doers (i.e. all) being brought to bear on someone, such that they then do ultimately accept Christ's sacrifice. But this does seem different to being "burnt clean", which is more of a purgatorial process.
Does anyone see what's confusing me here... the mechanism of salvation for all... being driven to repentance, or being (painfully) "refined"? Or is it a combination of the two?
Farlsborough,
The lake of fire is Jesus Christ and the elect of God.
Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire."
1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that,
when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
Isaiah 33:14-15 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?
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Revelation 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.
Revelation 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.
1 Corinthians 6:2 "Do ye not know that the
saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"
Obadiah 1:21 And
saviours shall come up on mount Zion
to judge the mount of Esau; and
the kingdom shall be the Lord's.
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying,
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of
his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
The purpose of judgement and fire is to set right and save:
1 Corinthians 3:13-16 "E
very man's work shall be made manifest: for the day [JUDGEMENT DAY] shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:
but he himself shall be saved; yet
so as by fire."
Genesis 18:25 "Shall not the
Judge of all the earth
do right?"
To judge is to SET RIGHT.
God bless,
Alex