Hi Mike,

We have a bible study once a month in my house, and last month I showed your video titled Rev 19-20/Eze 38-39. After the video a question came up about fire coming down out of heaven to destroy all flesh. The question was: since Revelation is a book of symbology, is this fire symbolic or literal (Or both)? I have been surfing your web site for an expanded explanation but cannot find one. Since I am an impatient soul, I would greatly appreciate hearing your inspired explanation. I did find the following paragraph from one of your answers on an email question. You mention the fire “symbolizes the destruction of all flesh”.

That “fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them” symbolizes the destruction of all flesh. And just as we all must be experiencing the destruction of our flesh inwardly, so too, must we see this accomplished outwardly? This climactic event will bring all flesh to an end. At that time there will be a general resurrection of every eon [the life of every person] of all eons. All who have ever lived, except for those who are in that blessed and holy… first resurrection,” will be brought up as spiritual bodies to face a judgment called the great white throne judgment.” Now what happens at any judgment?”

Thanks, Mike.

In Christ,
G____

Hi G____,

I appreciate your question. It is a question I have myself, but as I think you probably are aware I go to great lengths to explain that I never “think above what is written” (1Co 4:6).

So please do not think I am in any way being flippant about your question, but what you found below is as much as I can say. I will reiterate that the book of Revelation is a “signified” book (Rev 1:1). So the “fire from heaven” could be symbolic of something that will “devour” all the nations “in the four quarters of the earth”, but the destruction of all flesh is essential for the death of, and the destruction of, death. That is why it is the very last thing mentioned here in Revelation 20.

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9 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.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:11 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.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

I feel certain you have already learned that the phrase ‘the earth’ refers to our bodies of flesh, and the phrase ‘the heavens’ refers to our hearts and minds, where Christ should be dwelling within us.

Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The earth and the heavens fled away, and there was no place found for them. Death and hades are cast into the lake of fire where they are both destroyed. Exactly how that is done I cannot answer simply because the details are not provided.

I simply rejoice in knowing that it is through the destruction of my own earth and heaven, that “a new heavens and a new earth” will be formed and birthed, and I am willing to let the secret things belong to God.

Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

I hope I have not disappointed you, but this is the best I can answer this question.

Your brother in His service,

Mike