burned – Ministry of Grace Church

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a great noise and having burned up, the elements will be destroyed, and the earth and the works in it will be burned up.

Truth to Learn

God’s judgment day will be catastrophic and final.

Behind the Words

The word translated “elements” is the word stoicheia, which means “fundamental or elemental things.” Hence, the term “elements” is an excellent translation of it, referring to the atomic elements of which the entire universe is made.

The word translated “will be destroyed” is a form of luō, meaning “to let loose” or “to release.”

“Burned up” is translated from katakaiō, a compound word made up of kata, meaning “down” and kaiō, meaning “to burn.” Hence, this word means “to completely consume by fire.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has just told us that the reason that God has delayed His judgment of the unrighteous. It is because He is holding His wrath in check waiting for any who will believe and accept His offer of eternal life. God is not desirous that any should perish, but he has determined that He will “drop the hammer” someday and then the unbelievers will receive the judgment which is due them.

That Day of Judgment is referred to as “the day of the Lord.” Actually, it is not a single 24 hour day; it is a period of time in which God executes His judgment against the wickedness of mankind. There are numerous references to the day of the Lord in the Bible. Here are a few of them: Jeremiah 46:10; Acts 2:20; 1Thessalonians 5:2.

So, is this a reference to the rapture of the church? No! The rapture comes with a trumpet blast and a loud shout. The day of the Lord comes like a thief, by surprise and stealth, when no one expects it. And nearly every reference to the day of the Lord in the Bible identifies it as a day of God’s wrath and vengeance. Even in today’s verse, Peter describes it as a day when cataclysmic things will occur.

One of the most fascinating statements in the entire Bible is found in today’s verse. It says that, “the elements will be let loose with fire.” One of the things that scientists have never figured out is how the positively charged protons at the center of all atoms remain together, since like charges repel each other. Yet, these like charges are actually so tightly bound together that when they are finally separated, it produces a tremendous release of energy in the form of intense heat (nuclear fission). The explanation that scientists give for this tremendous force holding the protons together is “cosmic glue” or “dark matter.”

Peter says that these elements will “be let loose.” Notice what this means. God is suddenly going to release every proton from its place, which will produce a roar and fire the likes of which has never been witnessed. “. . .and the earth and everything in it will be completely consumed by fire.”

Application

When all material things have been destroyed, only our works, which we have done either for ourselves or for God, will be left for God to judge. What kind of works are you doing? Are they for you or for God?

In God's service, for His glory,

If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Truth to Learn

We need to build with enduring works, not flammable works.

Behind the Words

Katakaiō is the Greek word translated “burned.” It is made up of kata, meaning “down,” used here as an intensifier and kaiō, meaning “to set on fire” or “to burn.” Thus, katakaiō means “to burn down” or “to burn up completely.” It is expressed here in the future tense, indicating action that will take place in the future.

The words “will suffer loss” are from the Greek verb dzēmioō, meaning “to bring loss upon someone” to “to suffer damage or loss.” This verb is also expressed in the future tense, indicating action that will take place in the future.

“Will be saved” is the translation of the verb sōdzō, meaning “to preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction,” or “to keep alive.” Like the previous two verbs, this is expressed in the future tense.

Pur is the word translated “fire.” Although it is occasionally used metaphorically, here it is used as a reference to literal fire.

Meaning Explained

As we have pointed out previously, Paul has been scolding the Christians in Corinth about the divisions which had sprung up in the church. By direct application, the teachings of this third chapter refer to the teachers and preachers in the church who had either directly or indirectly caused such divisions. However, by indirect application we can see that Paul is writing about every member of the church, since each one of us has a responsibility to build up the body of Christ. Preachers and teachers need to be especially careful that what they say is based on the truth of the Word. James, in speaking directly to those who teach in the church declared this warning:

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1)

Keep in mind that we are all responsible for building on the foundation that has been laid. The work we do in building up the church will undergo the fire test. That which we do in humble submission to God, for His praise and glory, will endure the flames. Those acts of service that we do carelessly or for our own glory will all go up in flames and we will lose any profit we may have expected from them.

Nonetheless, we will not be consumed by the fire. Remember that this is referring to the judgment of our works, not the judgment of our souls. This is not a reference to the fire of Hell. Christians will not experience such tormenting flame. This is a judgment of our works. Notice that Paul says, “if anyone’s work is completely burned up.”

Also notice that Paul says that as our worthless works are burned up, we will be saved. Again, this is not a reference to our eternal salvation, but to the fact that we will not be harmed by the flames that consume our worthless works.

Application

Let’s take a few minutes to evaluate our own works in building up the body. Are they being done in the proper spirit and in submission to God and to the leaders He has placed us under? We need to be doing enduring works, not flammable works.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: burned

2 Peter 3:10 – Fission Judgment

1 Corinthians 3:15 – Enduring or Flammable?

Truth to Learn

Behind the Words

Meaning Explained

Application