The fire is not a rival god
Hebrews connects divine holiness with reverence, grace, and the warning not to refuse God. Fire imagery alone is not a complete description of hell.
Scripture
- Hebrews 12:22-29 — Reverence, grace, and the warning not to refuse God.
Primary sources
After the appeal to serve with reverence and awe, Hebrews says:
Hebrews concludes its appeal to reverent worship with the image of God as consuming fire.
for our God is a consuming fire.
Passage context and translation
The warning concludes an exhortation about listening to God and worshiping with reverence. It is not an exhaustive description of hell.
Before the excerpt
Context summary: The readers are urged to receive an unshakable kingdom and serve God with reverence and awe.
After the excerpt
Context summary: This is the closing verse of chapter 12; practical exhortations follow in chapter 13.