Hebrews 12:29: “For our God is a consuming fire.”

ABSTRACT

This article delves into the profound symbol of fire throughout Scripture, illustrating its multifaceted role in revealing God’s character and advancing the plan of salvation. Guided by the Israelite sanctuary as a divine blueprint, it contrasts God’s purifying, accepting, and judging fire with Satan’s deceptive, destructive blaze amid the Great Controversy, urging preparation for eternity’s threshold.

A CONFLAGRATION

This article will trace the profound and multifaceted symbol of divine fire as it appears throughout the biblical narrative, from the trials of Job to the final judgment in Revelation. We will journey through the plan of salvation by using the Israelite sanctuary as our divine map, demonstrating how each instance of fire—whether of trial, judgment, or acceptance—illuminates a different stage of our experience and a deeper facet of God’s character. We will employ a historicist interpretation of Scripture, viewing these events not as isolated incidents but as a progressive, unfolding revelation of a “complete system of truth, connected and harmonious” (The Great Controversy, p. 423, 1911), showing that God’s hand has directed the great movements of history. This approach reveals the sanctuary as the “foundation of our faith” (Evangelism, p. 223, 1905), a heavenly blueprint for redemption. Our central theme is the “war of fire”—the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan, played out through the contrast between God’s true, holy fire of acceptance and Satan’s counterfeit fire of deception and destruction. This journey will immerse us in the experiences of those who stood before the flames, asking not just what happened, but what it felt like, and what it means for us today as we stand on the threshold of eternity. The Bible also says, “For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:24, KJV). And, “For the Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:24, KJV). “The symbolism of fire is not limited to Pentecost. From the Old Testament to the New, fire is a powerful and recurring symbol of God’s presence, purification, and judgment.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 23, 1884). “The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away.” (The Great Controversy, p. 674, 1911). But what mysteries hide in the heavenly blueprint that shadows these flames?

SANCTUARY SECRETS REVEALED!

To understand the path of fire, we must first understand the map God has given us—the sanctuary itself. The sanctuary message is not just one doctrine among many; it is the very framework that holds all other truths together, a divine object lesson designed to make the plan of salvation tangible to human minds. God commanded Moses to construct a sanctuary on earth so that He might “dwell among them,” as recorded in Exodus 25:8, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” This was the embodiment of the Immanuel principle—“God with us”—a sacred place where a holy God could meet with sinful humanity. This earthly tabernacle, however, was never the final reality; it was a “miniature representation,” a “pattern,” a “shadow” of the greater, original sanctuary in heaven, “which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2). Just as a shadow points to the real object, the earthly services pointed to the magnificent, once-for-all ministry of our true High Priest, Jesus Christ. The Bible also says, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Hebrews 8:5, KJV). And, “A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (Hebrews 8:2, KJV). “The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin.” (The Great Controversy, p. 488, 1911). “God had committed to His people a work to be accomplished on earth. The third angel’s message was to be given, the minds of believers were to be directed to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ had entered to make atonement for His people.” (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 67, 1958). Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. But how does this heavenly blueprint anchor our hope beyond the cross?

HEAVEN’S PRIESTLY POWER!

This heavenly reality forms the bedrock of our hope, for Christ’s work for us did not end at the cross. While His sacrifice as the Lamb of God was complete and all-sufficient, it was the inauguration of the second phase of His redemptive work: His priestly intercession in the sanctuary above. The book of Hebrews makes it clear that after His ascension, Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary to apply the benefits of His atoning blood on our behalf. For centuries, He ministered in the first apartment, the Holy Place. Then, as prophesied in Daniel 8:14, “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,” a great transition occurred. At the end of that prophetic period, on October 22, 1844, Christ entered the second apartment, the Most Holy Place, to begin the final phase of His atonement: the cleansing of the sanctuary, also known as the Investigative Judgment. Ellen G. White affirms this pivotal truth: “Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man—to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.” (The Great Controversy, p. 480, 1911). This work is as essential to our salvation as His death on the cross, for it is here that the cases of all who have ever professed the name of Christ are examined, and the destinies of souls are decided for eternity. The Bible also says, “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.” (Hebrews 9:7, KJV). And, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Hebrews 9:24, KJV). “The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross.” (The Great Controversy, p. 489, 1911). “As the priest entered the most holy once a year to cleanse the earthly sanctuary, so Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8, in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be benefited by His mediation, and thus to cleanse the sanctuary.” (Early Writings, p. 253, 1882). Christ’s ministry shifts, but how does fire trace the soul’s sacred path?

SOUL’S FIERY PATHWAY!

The layout of the sanctuary thus becomes a divine map of the soul’s journey toward God, a pilgrimage we can trace through the symbol of fire. The journey begins in the outer court, a type of this world where Christ was sacrificed. Here, the repentant sinner first approaches the Altar of Burnt Offering, the place of complete surrender. Next is the Laver, where cleansing from sin occurs, a symbol of baptism and purification. Only then can one enter the Holy Place, the realm of daily communion, fellowship, and spiritual illumination, represented by the Table of Shewbread, the Altar of Incense, and the Golden Candlestick. Finally, the journey culminates in the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant rests beneath the Mercy Seat, the very throne of God, the center of judgment and mercy. In the sections that follow, we will walk this sacred path, letting the light of divine fire illuminate each step, revealing the awesome and beautiful process of redemption. The Bible also says, “And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.” (Exodus 30:1, KJV). And, “And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.” (Exodus 25:17, KJV). “As in that typical service the priest looked by faith to the mercy seat which he could not see, so the people of God are now to direct their prayers to Christ, their great High Priest, who, unseen by human vision, is pleading in their behalf in the sanctuary above.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 353, 1890). “The sanctuary in heaven, in which Jesus ministers in our behalf, is the great original, of which the sanctuary built by Moses was a copy.” (The Great Controversy, p. 413, 1911). But what trials ignite at the altar of surrender?

AFFLICTION’S BLAZING TEST!

Our journey begins where every soul must begin: at the Altar of Sacrifice, a place of surrender, suffering, and loyalty tested by fire. In the story of Job, we find a living embodiment of this altar experience, not through a literal animal offering, but through the total consumption of his life by a trial of satanic origin. Imagine the scene. A servant, breathless and terrified, stumbles before Job with the news: “The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee” (Job 1:16). This was not a random lightning strike; it was a supernatural conflagration, a counterfeit fire designed by Satan to appear as a direct judgment from God. The adversary’s goal was to shatter Job’s faith, to make him believe God was his enemy. The sheep, the very animals Job would have used for sacrifices to maintain his connection with God, were now ashes. He was stripped bare, left with nothing but the raw material of his own trust. The Bible also says, “When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:2, KJV). And, “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.” (Malachi 3:2, KJV). “Satan obtained permission to try Job. Bereavement and poverty came upon him. One trouble succeeded another as wave upon wave, yet the faithful servant of God murmured not.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 529, 1876). “The fiery furnace is to burn up the dross, and the pure gold will be refined. Jesus is watching the process, and He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His divine love.” (The Youth’s Instructor, April 25, 1901, 1901). Faith transforms suffering into sacred offering.

CRUCIBLE OF WORSHIP!

In this crucible, Job’s response transformed his suffering into a sacred offering, demonstrating a faith that transcends circumstance. Instead of cursing God, Job “fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,” becoming a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, as the apostle Paul would later exhort: “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” (Romans 12:1). Job passed through the fire without murmuring, his loyalty unwavering. Sr. White vividly describes this profound act of worship: “Satan obtained permission to try Job. Bereavement and poverty came upon him. One trouble succeeded another as wave upon wave, yet the faithful servant of God murmured not. While he was receiving the most bitter of all tidings—that his children had been killed, he rose up and rent his mantle and fell upon the ground and worshiped, and said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 529, 1876). This was the essence of the altar experience—a complete surrender of self in the face of inexplicable loss. The Bible also says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12, KJV). And, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” (James 1:2, KJV). “Satan flattered himself that he could lead Job to murmur against God, and thus show that his service was prompted by motives of self-interest.” (The Review and Herald, September 17, 1903, 1903). “The fiery furnace is to burn up the dross, and the pure gold will be refined.” (The Youth’s Instructor, April 25, 1901, 1901). Trials refine, but how do they link to ultimate loyalty?

REFINING LOYALTY’S FLAME!

Job’s trial reveals the deep theological connection between personal suffering and the Altar of Sacrifice, showing that God permits tests not to destroy us, but to refine us. The Bible promises, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). This was a test of faith reminiscent of Abraham’s, who was asked to go to Mount Moriah and “…offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2). In both cases, the fire was a test of ultimate loyalty. Satan’s strategy was clear, as Sr. White explains: “Satan flattered himself that he could lead Job to murmur against God, and thus show that his service was prompted by motives of self-interest. He brought trouble after trouble upon him. Messenger after messenger came to the suffering man with the most harrowing tidings, represented as special acts of God, when Satan himself was the mover and actor. But Job did not sin or charge God foolishly.” (The Review and Herald, September 17, 1903, par. 8). It is in these moments, when we are on the altar, that our faith is proven genuine. As Sr. White further states, “The fiery furnace is to burn up the dross, and the pure gold will be refined. Jesus is watching the process, and He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His divine love.” (The Youth’s Instructor, April 25, 1901, 1901). Job’s experience is our own; it is the first, indispensable step in the sanctuary journey, where self is laid upon the altar and consumed, leaving only a pure, worshipful trust in God. The Bible also says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” (1 Peter 4:12, KJV). And, “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.” (1 Peter 1:7, KJV). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 27, 1898). But what corporate cleansing follows personal surrender?

HEAVENS’ CLEANSING FURY!

While the fire at Job’s altar was a test of personal faith, the fire that fell on Sodom and Gomorrah represents a corporate cleansing, a judicial act that moves from the individual’s surrender to the removal of unrepentant sin from the earth. This event symbolizes the next station in our sanctuary journey: the Laver. The Laver, filled with water, represented the cleansing from sin necessary before one could enter God’s holy presence. Sodom and Gomorrah were offered countless opportunities for repentance, for a cleansing of the soul, but they refused. Because they rejected the merciful cleansing of water, they faced the final, purifying cleansing of fire. The biblical account is stark and terrifying: “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven” (Genesis 19:24). This was not an act of arbitrary wrath, but the solemn execution of justice upon a civilization that had become a moral cancer, threatening to corrupt the entire world. The Bible also says, “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.” (2 Peter 2:6, KJV). And, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7, KJV). “The same sins which brought judgment upon the cities of the plain exist today. The fear of God is banished from the hearts of men, and His law is treated with indifference and contempt. The licentiousness, pride, and indulgence condemned by God are practiced without a blush.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 167, 1890). “God made Sodom an example to the world of what would be the result of yielding to sin. Her crime was pride and fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. All who would shun the fate of Sodom must shun the course that brought God’s judgments upon her.” (The Adventist Home, p. 135, 1952). Refusal of mercy invites judgment’s blaze.

SODOM’S WARNING ECHO!

The destruction of these cities serves as a timeless and fearsome warning against the rejection of divine mercy. The sins that sealed their doom—pride, gluttony, idleness, and a callous disregard for the poor—are rampant in our own age. Sr. White draws a direct parallel: “The same sins which brought judgment upon the cities of the plain exist today. The fear of God is banished from the hearts of men, and His law is treated with indifference and contempt. The licentiousness, pride, and indulgence condemned by God are practiced without a blush.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 167, 1890). The destruction of Sodom was a judicial cleansing, removing a pocket of intense moral defilement from the earth so that God’s covenant purpose could advance. It stands as a permanent “ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6), a demonstration of what happens when the offer of purification is met with violent contempt. The Bible also says, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7, KJV). And, “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.” (2 Peter 2:6, KJV). “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 27, 1898). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). Sins demand separation, but how does fire enforce divine purity?

LAVER’S PURIFYING WRATH!

The story of Sodom is a profound illustration of the principle of the Laver: God must separate from sin. Just as the priests had to wash at the Laver before ministering, God separated the righteous Lot before the judgment fell. The fire and brimstone became the cleansing agent for a culture that had refused every other means. As Jude 1:7 states, they “are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Sr. White further clarifies the specific sins that led to this cleansing by destruction: “God made Sodom an example to the world of what would be the result of yielding to sin. Her crime was pride and fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. All who would shun the fate of Sodom must shun the course that brought God’s judgments upon her.” (The Adventist Home, p. 135, 1952). The lesson is clear and sobering. Sr. White warns, “Water cleanses from impurity. If men refuse to be washed in the water of life, they will be destroyed in the fires of God’s vengeance.” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, p. 154, 1990). The Laver offers life through cleansing; to reject it is to choose cleansing by annihilation. The Bible also says, “Thou shalt make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.” (Exodus 30:18, KJV). And, “For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat.” (Exodus 30:19, KJV). “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 27, 1898). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). But what fellowship blooms amid judgment’s flames?

FELLOWSHIP’S GRACEFUL GLOW!

Having passed through the fires of surrender at the Altar and the judicial cleansing typified by the Laver, the soul is now prepared for communion with God. This brings us into the Holy Place, to the Table of Shewbread, which symbolized God’s continual presence, provision, and covenant fellowship. The fire that fell on Ornan’s threshing floor perfectly illustrates this transition, shifting from a symbol of judgment to one of merciful acceptance. David, wracked with guilt over the sin of numbering Israel, a sin that had unleashed a devastating plague upon his people, stood on that threshing floor—a place of separation—and offered himself in their stead. His heart was broken. And in response to his repentance and sacrifice, the Scripture records a moment of breathtaking grace: “And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering” (1 Chronicles 21:26). The Bible also says, “And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 29:27, KJV). And, “And when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.” (2 Chronicles 7:1, KJV). “David humbled himself and confessed his sin before God. He entreated that the judgment might fall upon him, the shepherd of the people, and not upon the sheep. The Lord bade David build an altar unto Him, in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David obeyed the instruction, and as he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, the Lord gave evidence of His acceptance of the sacrifice: ‘He answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.’ 1 Chronicles 21:26. So the plague was stayed.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 748, 1890). “The spot upon which the altar was erected was Mount Moriah… Here God had proved His servant’s faith. And now the Lord again gave evidence that the place was accepted of Him. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the offering.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 385, 1870). Acceptance ignites renewed covenant.

PRESENCE’S DIVINE SIGN!

This divine fire was not for destruction, but for acceptance. The moment it consumed David’s offering, the plague was stayed. The place of judgment became a place of presence. It was as if God, having seen David’s contrite heart, set the table of fellowship once more, welcoming His humbled servant back into communion. This act of divine acceptance consecrated the ground, marking it as the future site of Solomon’s Temple, as noted in 2 Chronicles 3:1, “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.” The Shewbread, the “bread of presence,” represented God’s desire to sustain His people; this fire was the ultimate confirmation of that desire, a visible sign that fellowship was restored. The Bible also says, “And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.” (Exodus 25:30, KJV). And, “And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the Lord.” (Leviticus 24:6, KJV). “David humbled himself and confessed his sin before God. He entreated that the judgment might fall upon him, the shepherd of the people, and not upon the sheep.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 748, 1890). “The spot upon which the altar was erected was Mount Moriah… Here God had proved His servant’s faith.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 385, 1870). Broken hearts renew divine bonds.

REPENTANCE’S HOLY RENEWAL!

The connection between David’s experience and the Table of Shewbread is one of restored relationship through repentance. David’s sacrifice was not a transaction but an expression of a broken spirit, the very thing God desires: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Sr. White beautifully captures the significance of this moment: “David humbled himself and confessed his sin before God. He entreated that the judgment might fall upon him, the shepherd of the people, and not upon the sheep. The Lord bade David build an altar unto Him, in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David obeyed the instruction, and as he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, the Lord gave evidence of His acceptance of the sacrifice: ‘He answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.’ 1 Chronicles 21:26. So the plague was stayed.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 748, 1890). The fire signified that pardon was granted and the covenant was renewed. Mount Moriah, the site of Abraham’s test of faith, was now re-consecrated as a place where mercy triumphed over judgment, a place where God would dwell among His people, perpetually represented by the shewbread on the golden table. As Sr. White notes, “The spot upon which the altar was erected was Mount Moriah… Here God had proved His servant’s faith. And now the Lord again gave evidence that the place was accepted of Him. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the offering.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, p. 385, 1870). The Bible also says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17, KJV). And, “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.” (Psalm 51:16, KJV). “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 27, 1898). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). But what illumination bursts from temple’s dedication?

TEMPLE’S GLORIOUS BLAZE!

From the intimate, restored fellowship of the Table of Shewbread, we move to the glorious, public manifestation of God’s presence at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, an event that perfectly mirrors the purpose of the Golden Candlestick. The Candlestick, or Menorah, with its seven perpetually burning lamps, symbolized the light of God’s presence, the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and Israel’s mission to be a light to the world. At the temple’s dedication, this symbol burst into stunning reality. After years of construction and at the climax of Solomon’s heartfelt prayer of dedication, a breathtaking spectacle unfolded: “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house” (2 Chronicles 7:1). The Bible also says, “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.” (Exodus 25:31, KJV). And, “And the weight of the golden candlesticks, and the lamps of gold, by weight of every candlestick, and the lamps thereof.” (1 Kings 7:49, KJV). “When Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. The priests could not enter the temple because the glory of the Lord had filled it.” (Lift Him Up, p. 222, 1905). “As Solomon ended his prayer, ‘fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.’ The priests could not enter the temple because of the cloud; ‘for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.’” (Prophets and Kings, p. 45, 1917). Glory fills, but how does spirit empower mission?

SPIRIT’S ILLUMINATING SEAL!

This divine fire and visible glory were the ultimate fulfillment of the Candlestick’s function, confirming that the temple would now serve as the dwelling place of God’s Spirit and a beacon of truth for all nations. Just as the candlestick burned with pure, consecrated oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the temple was now ablaze with holy fire, signifying that the Spirit of God would illuminate the path of His people. The people’s reaction was one of overwhelming awe. 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” (2 Chronicles 7:3). Sr. White describes the scene with beautiful clarity: “When Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. The priests could not enter the temple because the glory of the Lord had filled it.” (Lift Him Up, p. 222, 1905). This was a public demonstration that God had heard and accepted, making His dwelling a source of light for all who would seek Him. The Bible also says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14, KJV). And, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, KJV). “As the lamps of the sanctuary were kept burning, sending their light into the darkness, so the children of God are to let their light shine forth to the world.” (The Review and Herald, May 29, 1900, 1900). “The glory of God had come to take possession of His temple, an assurance that He would be their defense and their shield.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 45, 1917). Light empowers, but how does intercession ignite heaven’s response?

INTERCESSION’S MOUNTAIN FIRE!

The divine light of the Candlestick illuminates the path to the next station in the Holy Place: the Altar of Incense. Here, we see the power of communion in action. The fire on Mount Carmel is a direct, explosive answer to prayer, perfectly demonstrating the function of the Altar of Incense, which stood directly before the veil. Its purpose was to carry the fragrant smoke of the incense, mingled with the prayers of the saints, into the very presence of God, signifying their acceptance through the merits of a divine Mediator. Elijah’s prayer on Carmel was the spiritual fulfillment of this service: an intercession for God’s name, a plea for truth, and a cry for national restoration. The dramatic answer is recorded in 1 Kings 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.” The Bible also says, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2, KJV). And, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” (Revelation 8:3, KJV). “The incense, ascending with the prayers of Israel, represents the merits and intercession of Christ, His perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to His people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to God.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 353, 1890). “The people of Israel, assembled upon Mount Carmel, witnessed with awe the wonderful display of Jehovah’s power… Not until they had done this [confessed that Jehovah is God] did the great reformer permit the false prophets to be seized and slain. Thus was Israel delivered from the grievous curse of idolatry.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 151, 1917). True worship triumphs, but how does showdown expose false fire?

CARMEL’S SPIRITUAL SHOWDOWN!

The scene on Carmel is one of the most intense spiritual showdowns in all of Scripture. For hours, the 450 prophets of Baal had leaped upon their altar, crying and cutting themselves in a frantic, demonic frenzy, but “there was no voice, nor any that answered” (1 Kings 18:29). Theirs was a “strange fire,” an unauthorized worship that heaven could not accept. Then came Elijah. Calmly, he repaired the broken altar of the Lord, prepared the sacrifice, and drenched it all with water. His prayer was not a wild shout but a simple, reverent, and powerful appeal: “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word” (1 Kings 18:36). His prayer, like the incense in the sanctuary, ascended to God, and the answer was immediate and undeniable. The fire that fell was so thorough, so supernatural, that it settled the question instantly. The people, terrified and convinced, “fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God” (1 Kings 18:39). The Bible also says, “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.” (Leviticus 10:1, KJV). And, “And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” (Numbers 16:35, KJV). “The incense, ascending with the prayers of Israel, represents the merits and intercession of Christ, His perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to His people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to God.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 353, 1890). “Elijah did not assume to act in this; he was but the humble instrument through whom God had wrought to vindicate His own name.” (Conflict and Courage, p. 215, 1903). True intercession seals, but what solemnity awaits beyond the veil?

THRONE OF FINAL RECKONING!

Our journey through the Holy Place is now complete. We have surrendered at the Altar, been cleansed at the Laver, fellowshipped at the Table, been illuminated by the Candlestick, and interceded at the Altar of Incense. Now, we pass through the veil into the awesome solemnity of the Most Holy Place, to the Mercy Seat. This sacred lid of the Ark of the Covenant was God’s throne on earth, the place where justice and mercy met through the atoning blood. For ages, it was a “throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). But in the final scenes of earth’s history, for those who have definitively rejected that grace, the throne of mercy becomes the throne of judgment. The fire described in Revelation 20 is the final, executive act of this judgment, proceeding from the very presence of God: “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” (Revelation 20:9). The Bible also says, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” (Revelation 20:11, KJV). And, “And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12, KJV). “Then fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has come that shall burn as an oven… The wicked are punished according to their deeds.” (The Great Controversy, p. 672, 1911). “Then Jesus and the holy retinue, as well as all the angels, left the city… The enemies of God rushed on, hoping to take the city. But fire from God out of heaven was rained upon them, and the great men, and mighty men, and noble men, were all consumed together.” (Early Writings, p. 294, 1882). Controversy culminates, but how does fire vindicate divine character?

CULMINATION’S CLEANSING SENTENCE!

This is the solemn culmination of the entire sanctuary service. The scene unfolds after the millennium. The wicked of all ages are resurrected and, under the command of Satan, make one last, desperate assault on the New Jerusalem. But their rebellion is cut short. Before the Great White Throne, the books are opened, and every life is reviewed. For those whose names are not found in the Book of Life, there is no more mercy, no more intercession. Christ, who once pleaded for them as High Priest, now presides as King and Judge. The fire that falls is not a test, a warning, or a call to repentance; it is the final, cleansing sentence upon sin and sinners. Sr. White describes this terrifying moment: “Then fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has come that shall burn as an oven… The wicked are punished according to their deeds.” (The Great Controversy, p. 672, 1911). The Bible also says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14, KJV). And, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15, KJV). “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation.” (The Great Controversy, p. 678, 1911). “Then Jesus and the holy retinue, as well as all the angels, left the city… The enemies of God rushed on, hoping to take the city. But fire from God out of heaven was rained upon them, and the great men, and mighty men, and noble men, were all consumed together.” (Early Writings, p. 294, 1882). Vengeance vindicates, but what law undergirds divine authority?

AUTHORITY’S BLAZING DEFENSE!

Having witnessed the final outcome at the Mercy Seat, we now step back to examine the very foundation of God’s government upon which that judgment rests: His holy law and divine authority, represented by the Ark of the Covenant. The incident where Elijah calls down fire upon the soldiers of King Ahaziah serves as a powerful microcosm of the final judgment, a swift, judicial response to blatant rebellion against God’s ordained authority. When the wicked king sent captains and their fifty men to arrest the prophet, their approach was one of contemptuous command, not reverence. In response to their insolence, Elijah declared, “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty” (2 Kings 1:10, 12). This happened twice. These men approached God’s representative with flagrant disrespect, and they met the same fate as Uzzah, who was struck down for irreverently touching the Ark itself (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Bible also says, “And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.” (Exodus 25:21, KJV). And, “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.” (Exodus 25:22, KJV). “Twice, under the command of the wicked king, bands of soldiers had been sent to bring Elijah into the king’s presence. Twice the power of God had been revealed in judgment, and the bands of soldiers had been destroyed.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 208, 1917). “Elijah did not assume to act in this; he was but the humble instrument through whom God had wrought to vindicate His own name.” (Conflict and Courage, p. 215, 1903). Justice defends holiness, but how does humility spare from wrath?

REVERENCE’S SAVING MERCY!

This judicial fire was a direct defense of the divine authority vested in God’s prophet and, by extension, the law he represented. The Ark housed the Ten Commandments, the transcript of God’s character and the standard of righteousness. King Ahaziah and his soldiers were in open defiance of this standard, treating God’s messenger with contempt. Their fate serves as a terrifying reminder that God’s authority is not to be trifled with. The fire that consumed them was the same fire that came forth “from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense” in Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16:35). It is the fire of divine justice defending the holiness of God’s government. Sr. White observes, “Twice, under the command of the wicked king, bands of soldiers had been sent to bring Elijah into the king’s presence. Twice the power of God had been revealed in judgment, and the bands of soldiers had been destroyed.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 208, 1917). The Bible also says, “And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.” (2 Kings 1:13, KJV). And, “Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.” (2 Kings 1:14, KJV). “The third company was awed by the fate of their companions, [and] approached the prophet with reverence, and their lives were spared.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 208, 1917). “Elijah did not assume to act in this; he was but the humble instrument through whom God had wrought to vindicate His own name.” (Conflict and Courage, p. 215, 1903). Reverence spares, but what counterfeit challenges true authority?

DECEPTION’S ULTIMATE BLAZE!

From the awesome defense of true divine authority, our journey through the sanctuary brings us to its ultimate counterfeit, the final test for the people of God. Inside the Ark of the Covenant lay Aaron’s rod that budded, a symbol of God’s divinely chosen leadership, confirmed by a miracle to silence the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 17). This rod stands in stark contrast to the deceptive power wielded by the second beast of Revelation 13, the false prophet. This power performs great wonders in a final, desperate attempt to usurp God’s authority and deceive the world. The prophecy is explicit: “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast” (Revelation 13:13–14). The Bible also says, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24, KJV). And, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, KJV). “As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ… Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation… he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed.” (The Great Controversy, p. 624, 1911). “Satan will bring fire down from heaven in the sight of men, to prove that he is God.” (The Review and Herald, June 5, 1900, 1900). Deception mimics, but how does satanic blaze counterfeit Elijah’s miracle?

LYING WONDERS EXPOSED!

This is not the fire of God; it is the fire of Satan, a masterful deception designed to mimic Elijah’s miracle on Mount Carmel and authenticate a false system of worship. Just as Aaron’s rod was God’s sign to confirm true spiritual authority, this satanic fire is a “lying wonder” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) used to establish a false spiritual authority that directly contradicts God’s law. This power commands the world to worship the first beast and its image, a system built on rebellion against the commandments of God. The test for the last generation will be this: Will we follow the spectacular, supernatural signs that lead to disobedience, or will we adhere to the plain “thus saith the Lord,” even when it seems less sensational? Christ Himself warned, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). The Bible also says, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14, KJV). And, “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:15, KJV). “Satan will work miracles to deceive those who dwell upon the earth.” (The Review and Herald, June 5, 1900, 1900). “The counterfeit will so closely resemble the true that they will be indistinguishable except by the Holy Scriptures.” (The Great Controversy, p. 593, 1911). Final delusion tests, but how does fire express holy love?

LOVE’S HOLY EXPRESSIONS!

How, then, can a God who sends consuming fire be a God of love? It is a question that echoes through the ages, a seeming paradox that troubles the human heart. Yet, a deeper journey through the sanctuary reveals that these displays of divine fire, far from contradicting God’s love, are in fact its most profound and holy expressions. This fire reveals a love that is too pure to tolerate sin, too just to ignore rebellion, and too merciful to abandon the universe to eternal chaos. The fire that God permitted to test Job was an act of loving trust, designed to refine his character and prove to the universe that true faith is not a transaction based on blessings, but a relationship based on love. The fire that cleansed Sodom was a “strange act” of radical mercy, a divine surgery to remove a terminal moral cancer that threatened to infect all of humanity. The fire of acceptance on the altars of David and Solomon was a visible embrace from a loving Father, a warm welcome back into fellowship for His penitent children. And the fire that proceeds from the final throne is the ultimate act of love for the universe, eradicating the disease of sin forever so that peace, harmony, and joy can reign eternally. Sr. White explains this principle with perfect clarity: “God’s love is represented in His justice as well as in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love. It had been Satan’s purpose to divorce mercy from justice. He sought to prove that the righteousness of God’s law is an enemy to peace. But Christ shows that in God’s plan they are indissolubly joined; the one cannot exist without the other.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 762, 1898). God’s love is not mere sentimentality that indulges evil; it is a principle of holy order and eternal well-being. A loving parent disciplines a child to save them from self-destruction; a loving surgeon cuts away a deadly tumor to save a life. God’s judicial fire is His final, necessary, and loving act to save His creation from the eternal consequences of sin. Therefore, we see in the consuming fire not the absence of love, but its awesome, holy, and ultimate triumph. The Bible also says, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Hebrews 12:6, KJV). And, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19, KJV). “The fiery furnace is to burn up the dross, and the pure gold will be refined. Jesus is watching the process, and He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His divine love.” (The Youth’s Instructor, April 25, 1901, 1901). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). But how does sanctuary faith demand active response?

FAITH’S ACTIVE COOPERATION!

The sanctuary journey makes it plain that our faith cannot be passive; it must be an active, moment-by-moment cooperation with Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Our solemn responsibility is to respond to each phase of this sacred journey with the appropriate spiritual posture. We must come to the Altar daily, presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice and surrendering our will completely, just as Job worshiped in the midst of his loss. We must seek daily cleansing from defilement at the Laver, understanding that holiness is a prerequisite for communion with God. We must faithfully come to the Table of Shewbread, feeding on the Word of God and cherishing the restored fellowship made possible by a contrite heart like David’s. We must allow the oil of the Holy Spirit to burn brightly in our lives, making us a light to others as symbolized by the Candlestick. Our prayers must ascend like incense from the golden altar, filled with faith and earnest intercession for the cause of truth, like Elijah’s prayer on Carmel. And above all, we must live with reverent awe in light of the solemn work of judgment taking place right now at the heavenly Mercy Seat, preparing our own hearts to stand when our names are called. This is the great work of preparation for Christ’s return. Sr. White outlines this duty with unmistakable clarity: “While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent [of us] are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth…. When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing.” (The Great Controversy, p. 425, 1911). This requires deep, faithful searching of our own hearts, a putting away of the light, frivolous spirit so prevalent today, and an earnest warfare against the evil tendencies that strive for mastery. Our ultimate responsibility to God is to so unite our lives with His work that our characters are found in harmony with His holy law, cleansed and sealed for eternity. The Bible also says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV). And, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, KJV). “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 27, 1898). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). But how does solemn truth compel neighborly duty?

NEIGHBOR’S SOULS AT STAKE!

Understanding these solemn truths of the sanctuary and the final judgment places a heavy and inescapable burden of responsibility upon us for the souls of our neighbors. This knowledge is not given for our salvation alone; it is a sacred trust, a light that must be shared with a world stumbling in darkness. As we in this final message, our responsibility is to act as modern-day Elijahs—to faithfully, courageously, and lovingly present these truths to a world deceived by modern Babylon. We are called to repair the broken altar of God’s law, to call people to forsake the false worship systems of the world, and to clearly distinguish between the true worship of God and the deceptive, fire-calling counterfeits of the enemy. Our mission is not one of condemnation, but of desperate rescue. Like Elijah, our motive must be to turn the hearts of the people back to the true God before it is too late. Like the angel of Revelation 18, our cry must be, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4). This is the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth. To accomplish this, our own lives must be a testament to the power of the truth we profess. Sr. White issues a powerful charge that defines our duty to our neighbor: “The world can only be warned by seeing those who believe the truth sanctified through the truth, acting upon high and holy principles, showing in a high, elevated sense, the line of demarcation between those who keep the commandments of God and those who trample them under their feet.” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p. 240, 1990). This means we cannot be silent. We must, like Lot pleading with his family in Sodom, warn of the coming judgment. We must, with the humility of the third captain, show reverence for God’s authority while boldly proclaiming His message. Our duty to our neighbor, therefore, is to be a clear, steady, and unmistakable beacon of truth, reflecting the light of the heavenly sanctuary in a world darkening with deception, so that others may see the path to safety before the final fire falls. The Bible also says, “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19, KJV). And, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, KJV). “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 27, 1898). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). But where do we stand in this fiery saga?

FINAL FLAME’S URGENT CALL!

We have journeyed through the sanctuary, guided by the symbol of fire, from the personal surrender of Job at the Altar of Sacrifice to the universal cleansing of the final judgment at the Mercy Seat. We have seen that fire in God’s hand is a tool of refinement, acceptance, and perfect justice, while in Satan’s hand, it is the ultimate tool of deception and destruction. These are not merely ancient stories; they are present truth. We are living in the great antitypical Day of Atonement, the time of the Investigative Judgment. The final test, involving deceptive miracles and a universal call to worship the beast and its image, is right before us. The need to understand these sanctuary truths has never been more critical. The Bible also says, “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29, KJV). And, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” (Revelation 22:3, KJV). “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation.” (The Great Controversy, p. 678, 1911). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). But as watchmen, where do we stand personally?

WATCHMEN’S SOLEMN DUTY!

As watchmen on the walls of Zion, this places a solemn responsibility upon us. We must first ask ourselves: Where do I stand in this sanctuary journey? Is my life a living sacrifice on the altar? Am I seeking daily cleansing at the laver? Are my prayers, mingled with the righteousness of Christ, ascending like incense before God? Is my life a light, or am I hiding it under a bushel? This is the personal work of preparation. Then, we must go forth and teach these truths with a clarity and power that comes only from a deep, personal experience. We must use the sanctuary as the divine framework to explain the beautiful, complete plan of salvation. We must warn the world of the coming deceptions, upholding the sanctity of God’s holy law as the great, unchanging standard in the judgment. The Bible also says, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5, KJV). And, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.” (Hebrews 12:12, KJV). “The Lord had made the Israelites the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 27, 1898). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890). But who will stand loyal when Christ appears?

LOYALTY’S REFINING FIRE!

The same God who answered by fire on Mount Carmel is our God today. The same Christ who is ministering for us in the Most Holy Place is our High Priest. He is looking now for a people who will stand for Him with unwavering loyalty, whose lives are fully surrendered, and who will reflect the light of His character in the final, closing moments of earth’s history. Let us be that people. Let us allow the refining fire of the Holy Spirit to do its work in us, burning away the dross of sin and self, so that when our Lord appears in the clouds of heaven, we may be found ready—not to be consumed by the fire of His glorious coming, but to be welcomed into His eternal kingdom. The Bible also says, “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30, KJV). And, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7, KJV). “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation.” (The Great Controversy, p. 678, 1911). “God had chosen Israel as His peculiar people, to preserve His truth in the earth.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314, 1890).

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