like a “refiner’s fire”
like a refiner's fire...
Often its them little words that define the issue for understanding...Words such as like, and as...It is not the thing, but it's like the thing or as the thing...
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:
Water baptism doesn't save us...It could be tomato soup or Grape Jelly...Liquid has no saving attributes...It's stepping into the liquid that saves us due to a good conscience toward God...That is the real baptism; not getting wet but a good conscience toward God...Stepping into the water is our statement that we have that good conscience...
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:
Is God a bar of soap??? No...He is like a bar of soap, and like a refiner's fire...
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.
So God is sitting there in front of a blast furnace ready to drop the sons of Levi in there and purge them??? He drops them into a cauldron of 2800 degree fire and to refine them??? Naw, there wouldn't even be any ashes left to to offer anything in righteousness...
You do realize once a mind is closed around an idea, even though false, it is difficult for that person to objectively analyze another idea? 🤔
Yeah, I’m certain you do.
😊
I was referencing the scripture and Music used in Handel’s messiah(He may have sourced not KJV but another version) from memory so I didn’t take the time to put in the scripture references... but if you want to split hairs, fine.
The NT speaks of the works of Christians passing through the fire and only those works that are not burnt up are those accorded to us as worthy of reward.
See Corinthians 3:10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”
So say again?