Fiery Trials

Gehenna does not represent what the later romish church portrayed as hell. Rather, it represents the fire of trials in this life, as described in 1 Peter chapter 1 and 2 Peter chapter 3, and also to some extent by Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 3.

Entering Trial

Matthew 6:9 Therefore thusly are you to pray: ‘Our Father who is in the heavens: Your name must be sanctified; 10 Your kingdom must come; Your will must be done, as in heaven also upon the earth! 11 Give to us our bread sufficient for today, 12 and remit for us our debts, as we also have remitted for our debtors. 13 And do not bring us into trial, but deliver us from the Evil One.’

Yahweh tries no man, as the apostle James tells us. Yet Yahweh allowed Job to be tried by the Adversary. Yahweh tempts no man, but allows us to be tempted by the world. This seems to be a paradox, yet it is rather simple.

James 4:1-7: “1 From where are battles, and from where are fights among you? Is it not from this: from your pleasures making war among your members? 2 You desire, and you have not. You murder and strive and are not able to succeed. You fight and battle. You do not have for reason that you do not request. 3 You request and do not receive for reason that you request evil, in order that you may be consumed in your pleasures! 4 Adulterers! Do you not know that the love of Society is hatred for Yahweh? He therefore who would desire to be a friend of Society establishes himself as an enemy of Yahweh! 5 Or do you suppose that vainly the Scripture says: “With envy yearns the spirit which dwells in us”? 6 But more greatly He gives favor, on which account it says: “Yahweh opposes the arrogant, but He gives favor to the humble.” 7 Therefore subject yourselves to Yahweh, but stand against the False Accuser and he shall flee from you. 8 Draw near to Yahweh and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners! And purify your hearts, double-minded! 9 Endure hardship and lament and weep! Your laughter must turn into grief and joy into sorrow! 10 Humble yourself before the Prince and He shall exalt you.”

1 John 2:15-17: “15 Do not love Society nor the things in Society. If one should love the Society, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 Because all which is in Society, the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the pretense of life, is not from of the Father but is from of Society, 17 and the Society passes on, and its desire, but he doing the will of Yahweh abides forever.”

James 1:12-15: “12 Blessed is a man who endures trial, because being approved he shall receive the crown of life which He promised to those who love Him. 13 No one being tried must say that “From Yahweh I am tried”! For Yahweh is not able to be tempted by evil, and He tries no one, 14 but each is tried by his own desires being drawn out and enticed. 15 Then the desire conceiving gives birth to error, and the error being accomplished brings forth death.”

While it may not have been the case with Job, most often when men are tempted it is due to their own lusts which they give in to, and this leads us to trial. Obeying the will of God, we would not give in to such worldly desires, and we would have a far less chance of being subjected to the trials of this world.

From the Septuagint, Psalm 18:30: “As for my God, his way is perfect: the oracles of the Lord are tried in the fire; he is a protector of all them that hope in him.”