Isaiah 33:14,15
Author: Steve Amato
Keywords: bible study,bible, isaiah

Translations: 简体中文 繁體中文

## Dwelling with the Consuming Fire

Isaiah 33:14,15
The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: "Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil—

What if you were going looking for a place to live and there was a owner-occupied live-in situation available which was free of charge and had all kinds of amenities. It offers not only have free utilities, food and medical service and even more than that eternal happiness. Wouldn't you take such an offer? Certainly, except for one issue. The home owner was not human but rather a consuming fire and everytime you sinned you would get burned! What appeared first to be heaven may now appear to be hell.

How can sinners enjoy the presence of God? Only if we are saved from our sinfulness. For God burns against the presence of sinfulness. No matter how righteous we reckon our lifestyle, how can we maintain a perfect life of holiness in the presence of God? That along with the forgiveness of sins is the salvation which Jesus has made available freely through faith. He will make us perfectly righteous in his presence, and even now we are becoming. "We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." 1John 3:2,3

From the character qualities listed above and below meditate on what kind of person you will be when you stand in the presence of God.

Ps 24:3,4
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.

Ps 15
A psalm of David. LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury and
does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources