Fire: A secret of Affliction

Ever wondered, how come some people have ‘escaped’ their ‘affliction’ (especially demonically rooted ones)?

An answer lies in this verse (below):

“If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” (Psalm 119:92)

Which means,

Only the ones —> who —> have God’s Law —> as their ‘delight’ (or happiness) —> will “not” perish —> in their “affliction*” (especially demonic).

P/S:

*Afflictions are ‘personal’ physical/spiritual/mental/emotional disturbances which has its “roots of evil” originating from the ‘spirit’ realm (of ‘darkness’) but can be *executed* via human beings who are ‘led by the evil one’.

Also, “afflictions” can also be used for ‘good purposes’ (correction, repentance, afterlife-rewards, purification in a fiery-furnace etc.) as these verses highlight:

(i) Afterlife Rewards

“for the momentary light matter of our afflictions (tribulations), more and more exceedingly an age-during weight of glory doth work out for us –” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

(ii) Afflictions can be on earth too (usually for the righteous’ correction – ‘rod’)

“I am the man who has seen affliction Because of the rod of His wrath.” (Lamentations 3:1)

(iii) Afflictions on the righteous —> causes them to ‘learn’ —> His Statutes —> “good”

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)

(iv) The righteous will face *many* (not few) afflictions —> but “no” righteous continues his afflictions into the ‘afterlife’ beyond death —> for the LORD will deliver him

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)

(v) The wicked who afflict the righteous —> will be “repaid” —> with “affliction” (maybe ‘here’ but definitely after the wicked’s death into the ‘afterlife’):

“For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,” (2 Thessalonians 1:6)

(vi) Affliction —> “furnace” –> Good Purpose in the ‘end’ —> to “Refine” you —>

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10)

Interestingly, note that in the verse above,

but “not” as silver —> may refer to ‘the wicked’ —> because verse 8 explains who the “you” are in this case —> namely, “rebels from birth” (wicked, treacherous ones):

“You have not heard, you have not known. Even from long ago your ear has not been open, because I knew that you would deal very treacherously; And you have been called a rebel from birth.” (Isaiah 48:8)

(vii) Also, usually the righteous —> are “refined in fire” —> come out —> (metaphorically) as ‘silver or gold’ —> or ‘beyond it’ —> as these verses explain:

“He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:3)

“For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.” (Psalm 66:10)

“that the proof of your faith — much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved — may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 1:7)

(viii) All will go through —> His Fire –> but only the righteous —> come out with ‘rewards’

“each man’s work will become evident; for the Day will show it because it is to be revealed with Fire, and the Fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.” (1 Corinthians 3:13 – 14)

(ix) The “Fire” will “not” destroy —> the ‘life’ —> of ‘anyone’ (even the wicked) —> –> (it may be ‘painful’ for the wicked, his works of evil will be destroyed and it is definitely ‘not’ immediate but for its appointed time —> long time of age/ages? —> he will “be saved” (‘through fire’) —-> for God is Good)

“If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15)