The recent wildfire in Los Angeles has prompted Pastor David Zhai (翟大衞) to reflect deeply on five significant instances of fire in the Bible.
Pastor Zhai, a frequent speaker and preacher at churches in the Vancouver area, often interprets current events and news from a biblical and faith-based perspective. Regarding the Los Angeles wildfire, he detailed five instances where fire is mentioned in Scripture, highlighting how these events reveal God’s judgment on sin and offer cautionary lessons for believers.
Here are the key points of his reflection:
The Los Angeles wildfire has been described as one of the most severe and devastating in U.S. history. Unusually, this fire occurred during the seasonal transition into winter, rather than in the typical summer months. Additionally, powerful Santa Ana winds, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h), intensified the flames, allowing the fire to spread rapidly and destroy homes, including both luxurious mansions and modest residences. Many residents were forced to flee the area.
From a Christian perspective, Pastor Zhai emphasized that God allows disasters for a purpose, even if the reasons may not always be immediately clear. Without delving into political critiques or specific causes, he urged believers to understand such events through God’s sovereign will, asserting that every occurrence is under His providence.
What Can We Learn from the Los Angeles Wildfire?
This fire serves as a vivid reminder of the transient nature of earthly possessions. Luxurious homes and prestigious neighborhoods can be reduced to ashes in an instant. The fire challenges us not to set our hearts on fleeting material pleasures but to focus on spiritual blessings from God. Scripture repeatedly reminds us of the impermanence of worldly things. Rather than investing our hopes in temporary treasures, we are called to cherish the eternal grace of God.
In reflecting on this event, Pastor Zhai referenced five moments in Scripture where God used fire to carry out His will.
The Fire of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25)
The first instance of divine fire is found in Genesis 19. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire from heaven because of their wickedness, particularly the prevalence of homosexual practices. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, chose to live in the prosperous city of Sodom but found himself in a sinful environment. Despite Abraham’s intercession, there were not even ten righteous people in the city, leading to its fiery destruction. Lot’s wife, looking back longingly, became a pillar of salt.
This judgment demonstrates God’s righteous wrath against sin. Witnessing disasters like the Los Angeles wildfire should prompt us to examine our spiritual state and heed God’s warnings. Though complex causes contribute to natural disasters, believers must recognize them as reminders of God’s power and our human frailty. Such events call us to repentance, spiritual vigilance, and the pursuit of lasting treasures in heaven.
Fire Among the Israelites (Numbers 11:1-3)
The second mention of divine fire occurs in Numbers 11. After their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites repeatedly complained against God despite His miraculous provision. In response to their grumbling, God sent fire that consumed the outskirts of the camp. Only after Moses interceded did the fire subside. This event illustrates God’s anger and judgment, even upon His chosen people, reminding us of the importance of genuine trust and obedience.
The Fire of the Last Days (2 Peter 3:10-13)
The New Testament warns of an ultimate fire at the end of the age. In 2 Peter 3, the apostle Peter describes the final judgment, when the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the earth and its works will be burned up. All material things, from mansions to medals, will be consumed by fire. Only heavenly treasures will endure. Peter urges believers to set their hopes on the new heavens and new earth rather than earthly riches.
Jesus taught that we must store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys. The Los Angeles wildfire serves as a stark reminder of this truth: no earthly possession is immune to destruction. We are called to live for God’s eternal kingdom.
The Fire of Hell (Revelation 20:9-10)
The fourth mention of fire comes in Revelation 20. After the final battle, Satan, his servants, and false prophets will be cast into the lake of fire. This eternal fire symbolizes God’s ultimate judgment. Pastor Zhai connected this image to the current wildfire as a somber reminder of the coming judgment and the need for vigilance and reverence before God.
Fire Testing Believers’ Works (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
The final instance involves the testing of believers’ works. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul likens the Christian life to a building project. Good works, represented by gold, silver, and precious stones, will survive God’s refining fire. In contrast, worthless deeds, symbolized by wood, hay, and straw, will be burned away. Though true believers are assured salvation, those whose lives lack eternal value will experience loss.
Paul’s teaching calls believers to live according to God’s will, building lives of enduring faithfulness. The wildfire reminds us that only spiritual riches, not earthly wealth, can withstand God’s judgment.
A Call to Action
The Los Angeles wildfire illustrates biblical truths about fire and judgment. If you have not accepted Christ, now is the time to believe and be baptized. For those already in Christ, this event serves as a wake-up call to live according to His will, building spiritual legacies of gold, silver, and precious stones rather than fleeting worldly pursuits.
Finally, God’s word offers a universal warning. Let this fire be a final call to repentance and a renewed commitment to storing up eternal treasures. May all hear God’s call, awaken, and obey.
