The Furnace of your Choice
Dr. Russell K. Tardo
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. [1 Pe. 4:12-13]
Trials ... everyone has them and if not right now, one possibly is just shutting down for you. Then there’s always the one to come.
Peter certainly had his share of trials and was well equipped to leave instructions to all who would follow. Trials are a certainty in the believer’s life so we need to educate ourselves regarding them.
I. Description of the Two Types of Furnaces
Trials or furnaces as we’ll call them for our purposes in this study, are assured and come in two major types, i.e., the furnace of trials and the furnace of hell. While both are furnaces that burn red hot, they do have different designs or purposes.
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [Rev. 20:14-15]
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.... 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. [Mat. 25:41, 46]
II. Comparison of the Two Types of Furnaces
A. Saved versus Lost:
One type of furnace, the furnace of trials, is for the saved while the other, i.e., the furnace of hell, is for the lost. All who live godly lives will suffer. While the ungodly will avoid the first type of furnace, there is no way they will be able to avoid the second.
2...to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5For this cause, when I could no longer forbear; I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and labor be in vain. [1 Thes. 3:2-5]
Paul is saying here that the trials are appointed by divine appointment.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. [1 Cor. 10:13]
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. [Acts 14:23]
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. [John 16:33]
All trials come in one size -- SMALLER THAN GOD!
23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. [Mark 11:23-24]
B. Test versus Torment:
One type of furnace is to test, while the other is to torment.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. [2 Tim. 3:12]
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. [1 Pe. 1:7]
The furnace of hell can be avoided by running from it, i.e., by avoiding the way that leads to it. To run from trials, however, ensures the receiving of the furnace of hell.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. [Rev. 20:10]
C. Purify versus Punish:
One type of furnace is to purify and purge, while the other is to punish.
10For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 11Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. [Ps. 66:10-12]
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. [Job 23:10]
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. [Prov. 17:3]
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. [Isa. 48:10]
1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. 2But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: 3And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. [Mal. 3:1-3]
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [Rom. 8:28]
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. [2 Cor. 12:9-10]
D. Friend versus Foe:
One type of furnace is the believer’s friend, while the other is the believer’s foe. One is working all things together for our good.
12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. [Jas. 1:12-17]
E. Forged versus Forsaken:
To be in the furnace of trial is to be forged. To be in the furnace of hell is to be forsaken.
F. Deliverance versus Destruction:
The furnace of trial brings deliverance, while the furnace of hell brings destruction.
18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.... 20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? 22What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.
[Rom. 9:18, 20-23]
And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. [Dan. 3:27]
He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. [Dan. 6:27]
G. Divine Presence versus Abandonment:
In the furnace of trial, God’s divine presence is with the believer to deliver him. The furnace of hell brings abandonment as not even the devil, who gave enticement, will give aid or support there.
H. A Season versus Eternity:
The furnace of trial is only for a season while the furnace of hell is for eternity.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. [1 Pe. 1:7]
