This verse sometimes is used to mean even if we live a sinful life we will still be saved by fire. In fact, the passage has been employed to prove everyone ultimately will be saved.

My own opinion is that it is referring to Christians whose works, particularly the works of ministry, have not been performed in conjunction with the Lord. Because the Lord did not know them, even though they have wrought miracles in His name, their works cannot stand the test. When God inspects the sacrifice the salt, the flavor of Christ, is missing.

What then? The Lord in His mercy may decide the individual should be brought into the Kingdom. But in what manner? He is rescued as "one escaping through the flames."

If Lot is an example of someone being saved through the flames, the loss may prove to be enormous.

Yes, the person was saved into the Kingdom. But without any of the rewards we associate with being a Christian. In addition, he may be exposed to fiery suffering for a very long time until the self-will and self-seeking are destroyed from his personality.

What kind of life he will have in the Kingdom, how he will be regarded, we do not know. There shall be no "well done, good and faithful servant." There shall be no glorious new body like that of the Lord Jesus. In addition, a significant part of his personality may have been burned away so he appears as a child, or an immature or naked spirit.

Lot lost his wife, his sons-in-law, his home, and his possessions. His daughters brought forth Moab and Ammon, the cursed of the Lord.

Because the issue of the Scriptures is the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth and our participation in that Kingdom, being saved through the flames of Divine judgment is not an enviable destiny. However, it is much better than being totally destroyed in the Lake of Fire.

Being saved through fire is an example, we believe, of suffering under the wrath of God, but not to full destruction of the personality.

Another example is as follows:

That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:47,48—NIV)

Since "blows" may be many or few, we do not think these are the same as the Lake of Fire, which is not, as far as we know, arranged in degrees of torment.

We need to keep in mind that the blows are given to the believers; for those who do not do their Lord's will are assigned an inheritance with the unbelievers.

The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. (Luke 12:46—NIV)

To be continued.