In the Bible, what does "FIRE" symbolize?

Question

Give as many as you know.

For example: In Revelation: "fire" would come out of their mouth and devour their enemies....

fire could mean----> God's Judgement; a start of a conflict; the Holy Spirit

the tongue also is capable of "fire"...."fire" here being interpreted as slander or gossip

and also God as a consuming Fire.

Answer 1

I think it means purification. When putting metal through the fire all the impurities rise to the top and the jeweler takes out the impurities.

Fire by trials, fire in judgment to remove all the impurities in us;.

Answer 2

I like your guesses. I'm fond of the Celtic idea of fire in the head — inspiration.
I'm also fond of the idea that when John ate the word of the Lord in The Revelation it was a mushroom.
The Revelation needs to be made into an animated movie. Sea monsters, that New Jerusalem cube coming down from outer space 1,500 miles X 1,500 miles X 1,500 miles.
Of course some read like there are no metaphors, just literal truth.

Answer 3

Figurative Usage. Fire or expressions having the thought of burning, or flaming, are figuratively associated with love (Song of Solomon 8:6.), passion (Romans 1:27; 1 Cor. 7:9), anger and judgment (Zephaniah 2:2; Malachi 4:1), or strong emotion (Lu 24:32; 2 Cor. 11:29). When Jeremiah wanted to refrain from speaking Jehovah’s word, he found this impossible, for it proved to be like a burning fire shut up in his bones. (Jer. 20:9) The Scriptures refer to Jehovah as a consuming fire because of his cleanness, purity, and insistence on exclusive devotion, as well as the fact that he annihilates those who set themselves in opposition to him. (Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3.) His ardor and rage burn like fire, and his “tongue” and word are like a fire. (Psalms 79:5; 89:46; Isaiah 30:27; Jer. 23:29)

Testing, refining, purging. “The messenger of the covenant” is compared to a refiner’s fire, a fire used in purifying gold and silver. Hence, Jehovah’s fiery testing of “the sons of Levi” by the messenger of the covenant brings about their cleansing. (Malachi 3:1-3.) A test by fire also reveals the quality of a material, as pointed out by the apostle Paul when emphasizing the importance of building on Jesus Christ with fire-resistant materials.—1 Cor. 3:10-15.

Fire and salt were associated with the sacrifices offered at the temple. (Leviticus 2:9, 13; Ezekiel 43:24) Salt represented freedom from corruption and was a symbol of enduring loyalty, as found in the expression “covenant of salt.” (2 Chron. 13:5) Of what, then, is the fire symbolic?

The apostle Peter refers to trials or sufferings as a “fire” that proves the quality of the Christian’s faith. (1 Peter 1:6, 7) Later, he likens suffering for righteousness to a burning when he tells his fellow Christians: “Do not be puzzled at the burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial, . . . you are sharers in the sufferings of the Christ, that you may rejoice and be overjoyed also during the revelation of his glory.” (1 Peter 4:12, 13.) That such suffering for righteousness has a beneficial effect is pointed out by the apostle Paul when he says: “Tribulation produces endurance.” (Romans 5:3.) A person who faithfully and successfully passes through a difficult “burning” trial is stronger and more solidly established as a result of his endurance.—Acts 14:22; Romans 12:12.

Hence Jesus at times used the term “fire” in an illustrative way to denote the complete destruction of the wicked. (Matthew 13:40-42, 49, 50; compare Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 25:41.)

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Answer 4

The holiness of God is seen as a fire.

Answer 5

to me it means,cleansing

Answer 6

intimidation