599. So that he also maketh fire to come down from heaven upon earth before men, signifies attestations that their falsities are truths of heaven, and that they who receive them are saved, and that they who do not receive them perish. The reason why this is signified by these words, is, because the greatest signs were made by fire from heaven; whence it was a common expression among the ancients in confirmation of anything, when the attestation of truth was spoken of, that "they could bring down fire from heaven and testify it;" by which was signified that they could testify even to that extent. That the truth was also attested by "fire from heaven," appears from the following passages:
That the burnt-offering which was offered by Aaron was consumed by fire from heaven (Lev. 9:24).
In like manner the burnt-offering offered by Elijah (1 Kings 18:38).
[2] "Fire from heaven," in the opposite sense, was a sign testifying that they were in evils and thence in falsities and that they would perish; but this fire was a consuming fire; as:
The fire from heaven that consumed the two sons of Aaron (Lev. 10:1-6).
That which consumed two hundred and fifty men (Num. 26:10).
That which consumed the uttermost parts of the camp (Num. 11:1-4).
That which twice consumed fifty men sent by the king to Elijah (2 Kings 1:10, 12).
The fire and brimstone from heaven upon Sodom (Gen. 19:24-25).
The fire from heaven which consumed those who compassed the camp of the saints and the beloved city (concerning which see Rev. 20:9).
The disciples being angry with the impenitent, said to Jesus, Lord, wilt Thou that we call fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:54.)
These passages are adduced to show that "fire from heaven" signifies a testification, yea, an attestation, that truth is truth, and, in the opposite sense, that falsity is truth, as here. "Fire" also signifies celestial love, and thus zeal for the truth, and in the opposite sense, infernal love, and thence zeal for falsity (n. 468, 494).