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Hi, I’m introducing my first guest blogger, Steven F. Gilbert. Steve attended Florida Baptist Theological College, was a beach preacher in Destin, Florida and Pastor of Beaver Creek Baptist Church. Steve is an avid bible student and likes to describe himself as “a voice crying in the wilderness.” I hope you enjoy his post which you may find controversial,  and as always comments or questions are welcomed!

Biblical Fire

About six years ago I noticed an increased fascination in the church over fire. Let me explain to you what I saw and how it moved my spirit. I was attending a mega church in Houston and it was a special service to announce a move the church was making. This being a special service some very anointed Christian artists were performing. This climaxed when Phil Driscoll came onstage began to blow a shofar. All I could do was sit down and enjoy the Holy Spirit. The louder Phil blew the shofar the thicker the Spirit was upon everyone present. Chill bumps broke out on my arms and tears ran down my face. It was amazing. After Phil’s performance the choir came back and the worship leader ramped it up, the crowd began to build steam. I noticed the still quiet Holy Spirit atmosphere begin to change as momentum was building. The worship leader sensed the euphoria and brought the fire. She started begging God to let His fire fall on us all and bless us with His presence. The congregation began to yell and jump up and down. She fanned this flame to the point where a Holy Spirit filled moment turned into 25,000 people minus one begging God to set them on fire. It was at this moment I felt the Holy Spirit bolt out the door so fast I literally heard the rushing mighty wind of Pentacost hit the exit door. I thought, “what just happened?”

What happened that day was that God opened my eyes to false bible teaching that is setting up the emotional church goers, who are not saved, up for an unprecedented end time deception. Here’s the verse:

Revelation 13: 12 …and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. v:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. v 14: And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth.

With worship leaders and singers begging God to set them on fire, those who do not know the scriptures are ready and eager to be deceived as pictured here in vs. 13. Time and space will not permit me to expound as needed so let’s hit the top’s.

In the bible a rule stands out, it is called the “rule of first usage”. If you believe that God is the same today, yesterday and forever and He never changes, how is fire used first in His word?

Genesis 19:20 Then the Lord rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of Heaven.

God used fire as a punishment or judgement 14,000 years ago and He still uses it the same way today. Unfortunately, two verses in the bible have deceived pastors and parishioners alike. Have you ever heard a preacher call for the “fire of Pentecost” Well, it never existed. Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of a fire…Notice the word “like”, Luke was trying to describe what was seen. He was using “like fire” as I would use the word “chicken” to describe the taste of gator tail.

There is no such thing as “Holy Ghost Fire” Matthew 3:11. Before I get into this verse, I will admit I had a hard time discerning it. The Holy Spirit told me to get into the water with John the Baptist. Once I did this, the scene itself explained what John was saying. The point is two types of people are attending this baptism, believers and unbelievers. The misunderstanding of this verse has started denominations and has flames burning up the cross. The Holy Ghost is for those who will be receiving Christ, the fire is for the unbelievers. John points out in vs. 7 calling the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees a “generation of vipers”, in vs. 10 he calls these unfruitful believers “that are cast into the fire” and in vs. 12 the chaff “will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

The Lord does the burning. The first usage of fire is exactly like the last:

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerer’s and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death.

God the same yesterday, today and forever…

Conclusion: Fire from God on a person, is not a blessing, never has been, never will be.