Fire in Heaven??

Fire in Heaven? Where did that come from? What does that mean? Well, uh, it came to me out of the blue – or should I say red. The phrase was initially prompted a couple of years ago by a glorious sunset that filled the sky, which was covered by smoke like clouds. This is the photograph I took, a portion of which forms the main background for the blog’s title banner at the top of the page.

The sunset looked like the sky was on fire and, as I watched it, I was reminded of this passage from the Book of Revelations:

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world -- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"

Revelations 12:7-12

The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized there was more there than met the eye – excuse the pun.

The Book of Revelations also tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is illuminated not by the sun or the moon, but that Jesus Christ is it’s light. But Jesus is known not only as the eternal and uncreated Son of God, but also the presence of God’s Love among men and the embodiment of Truth. Therefore, it is Love that illuminates the Kingdom of Heaven (or the Kingdom of God) and a major ingredient of love is truth. Thus, the fire of God’s love and truth fills the heavens.

But wait! There is yet a second fire in heaven that, while much smaller and dimmer, merges with God’s love. This is the fire of love for God that is held by the good angels and the saints. And sadly, the third fire is one that is opposed to both of the others. This is the fire of hatred, anger, jealousy and pride held by Satan and his cohorts.

These fires in heaven have spilled over onto the earth for God has poured out His love on us and those loyal to Him not only love Him, but all that He loves. And, as Revelations says, Satan and his angels are cast down and make war not only against the citizens of heaven, but against us as well. And until Jesus comes again, the fire of war between good and evil, love and hatred, pride and humility, selflessness and selfishness, obedience and rebellion rages in heaven and on earth.

So, in my mind, the blog’s title is apropos because here we will talk of God’s Love and Truth and of what our loving response should be and how we can and must fight against evil with every action of every moment of our lives. For, as Christians - that is, as disciples of Christ, we should want to please Him in all that we think, say and do.