Paul
writes to Timothy 'I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which
is in you' (2Tim 1:6)
so,
to help the church with this, Heavenfire offers this brief word, because
'“Is
not my word like fire,” declares the Lord' (Jeremiah 23:29)
Sea Mixed
with Fire
Long ago in the
land of Canaan, there existed a ‘god of the sea’. The people called him
Yamm. This is, in fact, the same Hebrew word that is used for ‘sea’ in
the Old Testament. Aside from many literal references to the sea, however,
it is quite probable that the Bible speaks about this false god1
. Let me give you a few examples, in which the Hebrew yam might
be speaking of the Canaanite sea god.
You rule over
the majesty of Yamm; when his body/ back rises up,
you still him. You crushed Rahab [here and below referring to a mythical
sea monster] like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered
your enemies. Psalm 89:9-10
It was you who
split open Yamm by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in
the waters. Psalm 74:13
Am I Yamm, or
the monster of the deep, that you put me under guard? Job 7:12
He alone stretches
out the heavens and treads on the body/ back of Yamm. Job 9:8
By his power he
divided [in the sense of ‘cut up’] or settled [in the sense of ‘subdued’]
Yamm; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. Job 26:12
In these verses,
the words in italics have been given their alternative interpretation,
found in bible dictionaries and concordances, according to the alternative
meaning of yam. They show God conquering and binding the false
god of the sea. These verses, and others like them, give us insight into
the manner in which ‘the sea’ is used in the bible as a metaphor for the
activities of false gods (and, by inference, of Satan).
The sea represents
trouble and wickedness in the bible. It is ‘a symbol of the seething nations
of the world and of the troubled lives of the unrighteous’2
. For these reasons in Revelation 21:1 John tells us there is no sea in
heaven!
On the other hand,
fire – as observers of this site and of Heavenfire Ministries will have
discovered – is the empowering, equipping, personal presence and passion
of God into which we are baptised3 by the original
‘man of fire’, Jesus Christ, and which comes through his Holy Spirit.
In Revelation 15:2
the sea is seen to be mixed with fire. John records:
And I saw what
looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the
sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and
over the number of his name.
The New Testament
Greek here implies thorough mixing of sea and fire, as when two ingredients
are so mixed together that they become another, not merely as when just
‘swirled’ together. The victorious martyrs have brought spiritual Fire
to the troubles of the world and the opposition of Satan and his false
gods (demons)! The saints have overcome! In John’s vision, the sea has
been changed, and has now become peaceful, perfectly undisturbed, a ‘sea
of glass’. We too, the saints on earth, are in the process of overcoming.
The waters of life4 and the flood of dissipation5
will inevitably and inexorably rise against us and against those around
us. Our defence is to build on the Rock6,
but our attack is to bring Fire to the world, to our witness,
and to our spiritual warfare! Not a mere mingling, as of raspberry sauce
and vanilla ice cream, or a swirl of cream in a bowl of soup. Not an occasional
exploration out into the world of sin and wickedness, but as witnesses
who are world-changers. But don't fear, saints! This witnessing to the
world will not change the believer who is truly on fire! The fire from
heaven is such a flame that even the sea cannot extinguish! Although in
the vision that Jesus gave John the sea has been changed to be 'like glass',
the fire is still distinctly fire!
Get your fire blazing
bright, brothers and sisters, take into your daily life the spiritual
fire that really changes the nature of the world and overcomes
false gods, sin, and wickedness. For our God is a consuming fire!
FOOTNOTES:
1. See Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament
Words, W Vine, M.F. Unger, & W. White; Nashville, © Thomas Nelson
2 Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary; Ronald F. Youngblood (ed),
© 1955, 1986 Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville
3 Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16
4. e.g. Psalm 32:6
5. 1 Peter 4:4
6. Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49
![Cover picture]() |
Read
more of what scripture tells us about the sea and the 'god' who
rules it. Click the picture or go to http://my.lulu.com/heavenfire
God of the Sea?
A Biblical exposition of
the Indian Ocean tsunami Dec 26, 2004, with a focus on Psalm 93.
In his ministry to affected Indian villages, the author found
himself faced with the need to provide answers. In so doing, he
unmasks the 'god of the sea' and directs listeners/ readers to
Jesus Christ. This short booklet (just over 30pp), soon to be
published, is essential reading for any Christian planning to
visit, or ministering in, the tsunami regions!
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