The term “saved” refers to being saved from something.
In the Bible, the concept refers to being “saved” from God’s wrath, Rm 1:18.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (KJV)
God’s wrath can be called a fire, Deut 32:22.
De 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
God’s grace teaches sinful people to deny ungodliness and avoid this fire, Titus 2:11-12.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
God makes sure that all people can see His grace, Titus 2:11.
There is a difference, however, between “seeing” something and “receiving it”.
When a person humbles themselves before God they put themselves in a position to receive “Grace from God”, James 4:6.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
He then begins to teach them to deny ungodliness and be “saved” from the fire He has kindled in His anger.
In order to teach people to deny “ungodly” behavior their correction may necessarily involve discipline, 12 Cor 11:32.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
The more stubborn an ungodly Christian is the more discipline will be necessary for their correction, Heb 10:26-27.
They may think they are doing things correctly, but when God evaluates their behavior at a point referred to as a Day of the Lord, He may not approve of their behavior and send them into correction.
In order to prevent their “condemnation with the world” they may require forceful discipline.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
The term Devour in Heb 10:27 refers to consuming the “adversaries”.
The concept of adversaries is literally defined by the Strong’s Greek word #5227 which literally means “opposition”.
Combining the truths from 1 Cor 11:32 regarding discipline to prevent condemnation, and the truth from Heb 10:27 regarding devouring “that which opposes, we see an additional insight.
This insight can be likened to the purifying of metal through the application of heat or fire, which causes the dross to separate from the metal.
Eze 22:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 20 As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. 21 Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof. 22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.
In these verses, we gain insight into the “elements” melting.
2 Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
In allegorical terms, it can be seen that if a Christian remains in this purifying fire forever they would be consumed.
Mt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (KJV)
Fallen angels are everlasting just as the fire is, so they cannot leave Hell.
The fire, however, can be entered and exited during this lifetime by mankind according to Matt 5:26.
Mt 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
In Matt 5:26 it can be seen that casting into prison and casting into Hellfire may correspond to one another.
If this were not the case the intermingling of the natural and spiritual within this explanation would make no sense.
In these verses, the intermingling of the two concepts spiritual and natural is designed to illustrate a similarity between the two things being discussed.
The time that a Christian spends in the fire of God’s judgment on the Day of the Lord is not permanent, but limited or shortened so that the person is not consumed along with the elements of their carnality.
Mt 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened.
This is what is referred to as “being saved through fire”.