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Is the Bible's language about hell literal or metaphorical?
If it's metaphorical does it change the reality of its horrible reality?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tammy on
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I don't believe it's metaphorical so it being horrible is still the reality
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Permalink Reply by Colby on
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In my mind, there is no question that hell exists or whether it is for a time or for eternity. I believe the Bible is clear on these points.
My answer to the question you posed is, in a word, "no." Whether or not we interpret the unquenchable fire and other descriptive imagery in the Bible literally or metaphorically, the intent of the language is clear. Without a doubt, the Bible is conveying to us the idea that hell is an absolutely awful and utterly dreadful place, condition or state.
- Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not
bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:10) - His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his
wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12)
- Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not
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2 Thess 1:8, 9... In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power....
Rev 21:8... But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Numbers 26:10…“And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.”
Psalm 9:17…“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
Carefully notice that "hell" here cannot merely mean "the grave" as some foolishly teach. For if "hell" only means the grave, then where do the righteous go? The Bible plainly teaches that the righteous and the wicked do NOT go to the same place. The wicked are turned into Hell; but the righteous unto life eternal. (http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Hells_Truth/hell_in_the_scriptures.htm)Psalm 139:8…“If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.”
The comparison here is between Heaven and Hell. Note the phrase "If I make my bed in hell." Everyone who goes to Hell chooses to go there.
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Permalink Reply by Grazer #E2H on
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The only issue I have is what is it like and is it eternal since isn't Jesus set to return and establish a new heaven and a new earth?
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Does it matter, really, what hell is?
First of all, as a Christian, I will never see hell. The closest I am going to come is the hell that is created on earth, either by myself or some other person(s) who do not know God and don't want to know God.
I do think of what hell is for the unbeliever. Even though my children are trying to know and understand God, they aren't completely there yet, and I, in my probable inadequate way, am trying to encourage them to constantly be on the look out for the errors they do that might allow them a taste of hell while they are one this earth and help teach them to continue to grow to insure that the will never taste the second death.
Through His Word, God is showing me that no man wants to experience *the second death*.....something from which there is no return. I share as I see people who are trying to imagine physical death without completely understanding death in either in physical death or *second death* and there are plenty of people who don't have the true understanding of either.
I am trying to teach them that decisions that they make now will determine whether they will end up suffering the *second death*. Even though I believe they have made their decision for Christ, they still have a ways to go to completely understand what God requires of them in their everyday walk with Christ. Are they changing? I think so, but who am I to judge whether they have truly arrived? Therefore, I continue to remind them of who they need to strive to be in Christ.
Hell is not made for people but people are choosing it with ever move they make. Unbelievers have no true understanding of what hell is. In their own mind's eye, they are choosing hell where they will continue in the same selfishness that they have lived in life. Having never known God, and His goodness and mercies, they don't understand what won't be there....Who won't be there.....namely God and His infinite mercies. They don't understand the finality of hell, of the lake of fire. They don't understand that there isn't any relief from the agonies that they have endured here on earth...usually by their own choices. They don't understand that their choices now will determine where they will suffer eternally.
My hell is enduring without Christ. There is no way to escape. They need to understand it as literally as they can to be able to escape before their physical death, because there is no escape after.
Hell is a promise for unbelievers just as heaven is a promise to believers. Because a believer will not see the second death, we need to strengthen our belief in the promises of God, and to encourage those who are not saved to understand all the ramifications of hell along with the reality of it. If we can teach them about what is required by God to avoid hell and the second death, we are, at the same time, teaching them of God and all His mercies towards us.
Blessings.....
Rita
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I would say Yes. It absolutely matters. In my belief, if it's in the word, it's important even if it's only mentioned once. The small description that is in the word about hell is only a pinch of the suffering they will endure. Praise God, you're right - We'll never know.
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Tam,
I was actually thinking of the believer being concerned about the possibility of hell. However, I realize now that I didn't make myself very clear on that point. Anything in the Word is important and I didn't mean to lead any to believe it wasn't. Sometimes I don't speak very clearly which causes confusion for others. Sorry that I didn't pay more attention to what I was stating.
The thing I am concerned about is people understanding more clearly, their relationship to God, in light of their born again self. There are too many who think that they are on the verge of back sliding into hell but where does that leave the statement of Christ--no one can take you out of the Father's hand? Or God will never leave you or forsake you? I can see where a person could not be forsaken by the Father and still go to hell but not that one that is held in the Father's hand.
At any rate, have a great evening.
Blessings to you, Tam......
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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What is a metaphor? To answer your question it is necessary to understand the definition. Then it is necessary to read the Scriptures about Hell. I am the vine, you are the branches = metaphor. The Bible contains many metaphors. Metaphors contain one thing that represents another thing.
Matthew 13 contains parables of the Kingdom. The language is similes. Similes contain two things that resemble each other.
Matthew 13:51-52
New King James Version (NKJV)
51 Jesus said to them,[a] “Have you understood all these things?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”[b]
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning[c] the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
Some Scriptures in the Bible tell us what Hell is like in my POV, not what it is but others say things like furnace of fire and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth and their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. And then there are the Scriptures that speak of lake of fire. But Hell and the lake of fire are two different destinations, yet the same destiny. Pretty scary stuff. All of it. I don't want any of God's wrath.
David, you are like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old. Nice question.
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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:)
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Aside from our Lord and those languishing in hell now, who among us can truly grasp the scope and magnitude of its horrific nature? What did Jesus say about hell? We would do well to dig into the Gospels for insight.
By the same token, who can truly grasp the enormity of God's love for us and what awaits believers in heaven? The prophet John gives us a glimpse of its incredible glory, splendor and majesty in Revelation Chapter 21.
The bottom line, as I see it, is simply this: the Lord provides us with the way to escape hell and have eternal life. Not just "a way," but the only way.
- Jesus said, "I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved." (John 10:9).
- "God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)
- "The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
- "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
- "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on
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Hell is a real place and will eventually be thrown into the Lake of Fire (another real place). I believe that hell as described in Scripture is neither metaphorical (or allegorical) nor literal. I believe it is best to say that hell is presented in Scripture in a descriptive manner. By this I mean that God has revealed to us something that has never been seen before by man and is beyond our wildest imaginations. What human words could describe hell in a way that we would get a clear picture of its horrible nature? God has used words common to man to give us a glimpse, but I am sure a poor one due to the lack of proper words to describe its reality, its true existence. There are numerous references to hell, but the best view (IMO) is given in Luke 15 with the account of the richman and Lazarus.
I would like to reiterate, what was alluded to up above, that the final place of existence for the lost is the Lake of Fire and not hell (hades) itself. What will the Lake of Fire be like?
Rev 20:14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. (NIV)
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