Dr Paul Allen

An angel prevents the sacrifice of Isaac. Abraham and Isaac, Rembrandt, 1634 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) By faith Abraham , when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son ( Hebrew 11:17). Hebrews 11 is a chronicle of people who lived by faith. In each case, we find that faith was not a mere intellectual exercise or mystical feeling, but faith meant loyalty and humble submission to God. Faith issued in fruitful service to God, even in the midst of pain and crisis. One example is that of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac , recorded for us in Genesis 22. God determined to test Abraham’s faith in terms of his obedience. God told Abraham, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah . Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (v. 2). We read that Abraham arose “early the next morning” (v. 3). I imagine Abraham could not s...

Image via Wikipedia "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." ( Leviticus 6:13 )   The continual burnt offering was ordained by God in Israel 's ancient tabernacle sacrifices .  The continual sacrifices for sin were of no more avail, once God's own sacrifice had been slain. "Every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; . . . For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" ( Hebrews 10:11-12 ,  14 ).   There is one flame, however, which is truly eternal. Jesus spoke of it several times. For example: "It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched" ( Mark 9:43 ). "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the de...