Fire comes from thier mouths

[Dirt Eaters]

I was ploughing through Revelations last night, when i started reading about the Two Witnesses. When i read, fire will come from thier mouths. I laughed (fire breathing dragons, i thought) 

What is that supposed to mean? Anyone?

[Omegaman 3.0]

9 minutes ago, Dirt Eaters said:

When i read, fire will come from thier mouths. I laughed

never really gave it much thought, I just sort of assumed it meant that fire comes from their mouths!

Still, I grant that visions, and apokalyptic language, does not necesarilly mean something is literally true, so I will offer a quote from Barnes' Notes:

"As there is no reason to believe that there would be literal fire, so it is not necessary to suppose that their enemies would be literally devoured or consumed. The meaning is fulfilled if their words should in any way produce an effect on their enemies similar to what is produced by fire: that is, if it should destroy their influence; if it should overcome and subdue them; if it should annihilate their domination in the world."

[Dirt Eaters]

6 minutes ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

never really gave it much thought, I just sort of assumed it meant that fire comes from their mouths!

Still, I grant that visions, and apokalyptic language, does not necesarilly mean something is literally true, so I will offer a quote from Barnes' Notes:

"As there is no reason to believe that there would be literal fire, so it is not necessary to suppose that their enemies would be literally devoured or consumed. The meaning is fulfilled if their words should in any way produce an effect on their enemies similar to what is produced by fire: that is, if it should destroy their influence; if it should overcome and subdue them; if it should annihilate their domination in the world."

There was something that came to my mind after posting that. 

I remember reading in the scripture, love is the fire of God, or something like that.

[Justin Adams]

45 minutes ago, Dirt Eaters said:

I was ploughing through Revelations last night, when i started reading about the Two Witnesses. When i read, fire will come from thier mouths. I laughed (fire breathing dragons, i thought) 

What is that supposed to mean? Anyone?

Listen to Dr Heiser's latest series of how John uses the Tanakh when he writes Revelation. It is well worth the time.

[Selah7]

God's "consuming fire" is the power of the Holy Spirit; it is His two witnesses’ protection.

"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

- Revelation 11:3-6

Selah

[Marathoner]

Indeed, fire is often used allegorically in the scriptures. For example, 

For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 4:24 NASB)

When the Son of God sent the Spirit of the living God into this world, He was likened to fire:

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. (Acts 2:1-4 NASB)

As I wrote to another member elsewhere on the forum, the scriptures express how we are refined and tested by God: like silver in the furnace fire. 

I agree with @Selah7. In that passage from Revelation, the fire is an allegory for the Spirit of God and His power.  

[Jedi4Yahweh]

10 hours ago, Dirt Eaters said:

I was ploughing through Revelations last night, when i started reading about the Two Witnesses. When i read, fire will come from thier mouths. I laughed (fire breathing dragons, i thought) 

What is that supposed to mean? Anyone?

Regarding the fire that comes out of the mouth of the two witnesses.  So, I lean toward it being literal speaking when Rev. says fire will come out their mouth and devours their enemies.  Either way, they have power to punish evil doers using the words of their mouth, similar to the prophet Elijah and Moses.  Remember how Elijah the Prophet called down fire from heaven and it killed the prophets of Baal, also had the power to cause sever drought and famine.  Also, Moses had the power to cause many plagues and turn water into blood.  Many believe the two witness in last days will be the Prophet Elijah and Moses, because the same miracles performed by Elijah and Moses are being performed by the two witnesses.  

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. - Rev 11:5-6 KJV

 

[Dirt Eaters]

7 minutes ago, Jedi4Yahweh said:

Regarding the fire that comes out of the mouth of the two witnesses.  So, I lean toward it being literal speaking when Rev. says fire will come out their mouth and devours their enemies.  Either way, they have power to punish evil doers using the words of their mouth, similar to the prophet Elijah and Moses.  Remember how Elijah the Prophet called down fire from heaven and it killed the prophets of Baal, also had the power to cause sever drought and famine.  Also, Moses had the power to cause many plagues and turn water into blood.  Many believe the two witness in last days will be the Prophet Elijah and Moses, because the same miracles performed by Elijah and Moses are being performed by the two witnesses.  

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. - Rev 11:5-6 KJV

 

We know that our God is not into reincarnation.

I think if you say a person has the same spirit ( not talking Holy Spirit, although both will be filled by the Holy Spirit)  but like John the Baptism, Jesus said he was Elijah, and that Elijah would come again. 

I believe John the Baptist and Elijah are two separate people, but cut from the same cloth.

Its how i see the 2 Witnesses (in the likeness of Elijah and Moses)

We know Moses died.

I really believe the fire being spoken of is God's Word.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

2 hours ago, Dirt Eaters said:

We know that our God is not into reincarnation.

I think if you say a person has the same spirit ( not talking Holy Spirit, although both will be filled by the Holy Spirit)  but like John the Baptism, Jesus said he was Elijah, and that Elijah would come again. 

I believe John the Baptist and Elijah are two separate people, but cut from the same cloth.

Its how i see the 2 Witnesses (in the likeness of Elijah and Moses)

We know Moses died.

I really believe the fire being spoken of is God's Word.

Reincarnation is when someone dies and comes back as someone or something different.  This does not apply in either cases.   The bible does speak of Elijah returning in last days before God's judgement.  As to who the other person is, is up to speculation such as Moses or Enoch.  Enoch never died like Elijah.   As regarding the fire out their mouth and plagues, it specifically says it is used to harm those who try to harm them.  

And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. ... And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. - Rev 11:3, 5-6 

Edited September 29, 2022 by Jedi4Yahweh

[Dirt Eaters]

15 hours ago, Justin Adams said:

Listen to Dr Heiser's latest series of how John uses the Tanakh when he writes Revelation. It is well worth the time.

Thank you. That sounds like an interesting read