Epistle for September 1, 2006
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E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation September 1, 2006
When Fire Falls From Heaven
(Leviticus 9:24; I Chronicles 21:26; II Chronicles 7:1; I Kings 18:38)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
In 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted a very dangerous experiment. He made
a silk kite, fastened a piece of wire near its top, attached a long string to the kite, and
tied an iron key to the free end of the string. He sent the kite into a heavy thunderstorm
and watched the loose ends of the string stiffen as lightning flashed. He put his hand
near the key and instantly felt a shock as a spark traveled from the key to his finger.
Dangerous? Scientists have found that one stroke of lightning measures more
than 15 million volts. In the U.S. also, lightning kills one person and injures four others
every day. And, it's not true that lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
Lightning strikes the Empire State Building 30 to 48 times a year.
The Bible speaks a number of times about fire falling from heaven. Only four
times, however, does God's fire fall on man's sacrifices. Let's examine those occasions
to discover what they signify, remembering that Paul says Old Testament writing are for
our learning . . . examples for our admonitions and instruction.
(Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11)
I. Fire Fell on Aaron's Sacrifice (Leviticus 9:24)
Here Aaron and his sons have just been set apart for service in the priestly
worship. They have carefully followed God's instructions for preparing themselves
and the sacrifice.
"Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from
offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron
went into the tabernacle of meeting and came out and blessed the people. Then the
glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord
and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it,
they shouted and fell on their faces." (Leviticus 9:22-24)
The purpose of the first "Falling Fire" was to exhibit God's glory upon the
presentation of an acceptable sacrificial offering.
God's glory will be exhibited in us when we come to know the efficacy of
Christ's atonement (Hebrews 9:13, 14; 10:12-14), and present ourselves as acceptable
sacrifices (Romans 12:2). In Matthew 12:19, Jesus reminds us the altar sanctifies the
gift. In New Testament terms, the cross is the altar where the sacrifice is offered . . .
we are to be "crucified with Christ," Galatians 2:20.
You may recall the hymn, "Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? Your
heart, does the Spirit control? You can only be blest, and have peace and sweet
rest: As you yield Him your body and soul."
II. Fire Fell on David's Sacrifice (I Chronicles 21:26)
This passage speaks of David's second major sin. Apparently out of pride
or to demonstrate his own military strength, he conducted a census. A prophet of
God confronted him about his sin and pronounces judgment.
Gad, the seer, gave David a choice of punishments: three years of famine,
three months of defeat in warfare, or three days of plague. David chose the 3-day
penalty.
In repentance and confession, David asked God for mercy on the people
perishing because of his sin. He bought a place, erected an altar, offered a sacrifice,
and called on the Lord.
God answered from heaven with fire on the burnt offering and withdrew his
death angel and the plague ceased.
The second "Falling Fire" was to signify God's mercy, an end to punishment,
forgiveness, and restoration.
God's mercy (forgiveness and restoration) will be operative in us when we
truly repent of our willful sin against God. See I John 1:7, 9; Acts 2:23; 3:19; 19:4.
III. Fire Fell on Solomon's Sacrifice (II Chronicles 7:1)
In the early chapters of II Chronicles, we read of Solomon's construction of
the Temple. The building is furnished, the Ark of the Covenant is brought into the
Temple, and King Solomon offers a dedicatory prayer.
"When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed
the offering and sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple." All the people
bowed their faces to the ground and worshipped and praised the Lord saying, "He
is good, His mercy endures forever." (II Chronicles 7:1-3)
The third "Falling of Fire" was to confirm God's sovereign choice of a place
where His presence would dwell. God's sovereign choice to confirm His presence will
be manifested when we invite Him to fully occupy His temple . . . our body. See
I Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20; Luke 11:13; and Galatians 5:18. It is in this same
seventh chapter of II Chronicles that we discover God's plan of revival.
IV. Fire Fell on Elijah's Sacrifice (I Kings 18:38)
This is the dramatic account of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of
Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah prayed that the nation would recognize Jehovah
as God and return to the true God.
"Then the fire of God consumed the sacrifice." All the people saw it,
fell on their faces, and said, "The Lord, He is God!" (II Chronicles 18:36-39)
The fourth "Falling Fire" demonstrated God's power and superiority over
false gods.
God's power will be demonstrated in us when we boldly take our stand
against the enemy, Satan (Ephesians 6:10-18; Revelation 12:10, 11; and Acts 4:29-31)
Pastor, do you desire the fire of God to fall upon you and your congregation?
Then meditate on these Old Testament examples, allow God's Spirit to illuminate
the eyes of your understanding, Ephesians 1:18.
Like Aaron, present! Like David, repent! Like Solomon, invite! Like Elijah, fight!
Mere Bible Study
Dr. Curt Scarborough
Do you spend at least 10 hours each week in private devotions?
Not in sermon preparation . . . not in studying to teach a Bible class . . . not in
planning to lead a seminar or workshop . . . not in outlining an agenda for a committee
meeting!
I mean, do you spend this much intimate time with the Lord: abiding and
communing . . . reading the Bible and meditating . . . praying and listening . . . hearing
and journaling?
A number of ministers have chosen to join me in the Spiritual Mentoring program
of the Pillsbury College & Seminary. They have covenanted with me to engage in MERE
Bible study, under my personal tutoring. Here's how this program works:
1. A minister enrolls in the Spiritual Mentoring track, agreeing to
spend a minimum of 10 hours a week in disciplined private
devotions under my guidance.
2. The goal is to develop personal and practical outlines and notes
on a selected portion of Scripture; for example, many have chosen
to focus on the 260 chapters of the New Testament within a twelve
month period. The mentoring partner will write on at least five
chapters each week, selecting a few verses in each chapter and
using a suggested simply outline.
3. Every four to six weeks, the mentoring partner will meet with me to
review the work, to compare spiritual insights, to discuss revealed
truths, and to sharpen each other's ministry skills. (Romans 1:11-12)
4. At the end of one year, the mentoring partner in this example will
have produced a 260 page personal and practical devotional
commentary on the New Testament to use in his preaching and
teaching, to publish as a book, to preserve and pass along to his
family, and to serve as a resource for mentoring others.
Contact Dr. Curt Scarborough for more information on this Bible study program or
concerning more studies available at Pillsbury College & Seminary.
You can email drcurt@pillsburycs.org or you can call 888-737-3392.
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