All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
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 Colby on
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Many Christians today doubt whether Hell really exists, according to polls. Rarely is Hell mentioned behind the pulpit so as not to offend cultural sensibilities or make people uncomfortable. Nevertheless, Jesus certainly believed in Hell/Hades. As LT shared, Hell is the subject of Jesus’ parable, called The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, in Luke's Gospel. The rich man, Jesus explains, dies and goes to hell. Luke 16:23 says, "and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side."
Turning to the "Lake of Fire," it's mentioned five times in the Bible -- all in the prophetic book of Revelation.
- Revelation 19:20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
- Revelation 20:10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
- Revelation 20:14 Then Death and Hades (hell) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
- Revelation 20:15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
- Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
The Bible does say that Hell/Hades is thrown into the Lake of Fire, so Hell is not the same as the Lake of Fire. Whether we choose to understand Hell and the Lake of Fire in literal or metaphorical (i.e., as symbolism, figure of speech, etc.) sense, the text is describing a real place that is more horrific than we can possibly imagine. A place to be avoided at all costs.
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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on
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Two things that I can not locate in the Bible.
The first would be not finding where a believer is sent to hell.
The second is where a nonbeliever escapes hell.
Having said this, I am not wrong to say that hell is the *second death* because once in hell, one cannot return. No amount of prayers or remorse will remove a person from hell. Once a person dies a physical death, the results are immediate. The believer is absent from the body and present with the Lord. The nonbeliever is headed for the second death, from which there is no return. Although the nonbeliever is not (per exact wording of the Bible) yet suffering the *second death*, his destination is sure.
So my question is to posters.....why are we splitting hairs on this? Why are we being ever so exact on the terminology *second death*? Are we hoping there is a way back from hell?
I am not trying to be argumentative about this, even if some readers thing that I am being. That is not my intention. What I am seeing is a group of people, or at least some of them, trying to be politically correct. This not necessarily a bad thing . However, when we develop this attitude, we are actually misleading listeners who are striving to understand the exact punishment for not believing in the Son of God.
This, unfortunately, not the only place in these forums, where this happens. We, as posters, need to strive to bring our thoughts together, to build our knowledge of all of God's Word....not attempt to tear apart what another knows of the Word of God. We get really concerned about context. Well, for me, the context of my understanding of hell is that once there one is entering the *second death*. The condition will never be reversed, therefore it is already accomplished.
Blessings to you as you try to understand my POV.....
Rita
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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on
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Rita,
I have read your reply and the replies of everyone else. I am struggling to see how you derived at the opinion that some of us are thinking that there is a way back or that once a lost person dies there is a future hope for them. I cannot speak for each, but I can assure you that I do not believe there is a second chance and I do believe that once they die there fate is sealed and are without hope. On this I am very dogmatic and unwaivering.
I also do not believe we are splitting hairs. We are addressing the question posted by David. Keep in mind that in the world and within some who call themselves a part of the church there are those who do not believe in hell. Some believe in annihilation and some belive that everyone will be saved. To establish biblically that hell s a real place is an important doctrine. There is also a misconception that God does not send anyone to hell. That is simply not the case. No one choses to go to hell on their own. They may choose their sin over God in this life, but when the day comes that they stand before Him in judgment it is His judgment and execution of their sentence that will send them to hell (but that is a little off topic).
Please understand that in studying Scripture that "context" is imparative. When Scripture is taken out of context we have two common results. 1) Everyone is left to their own interpretation. As discussed recently there is only one true interpretation of any Scripture verse(s), and that is simply what God meant it to say. There are many applications, but only one interpretation. 2) Cults that use the Bible as their base will take verses "out of context" to build their doctrine, false doctrine. Most do not like the fact that there are two basic approaches to Scripture. A) Simply reading Scripture and B) Being a student of Scripture. Both are profitable, but they are not the same. Both rely on the Holy Spirit, but one studies the Word examining context, culture, word usage, comparing Scripture with Scripture, etc ... There are two good reasons why Paul says, 2Ti 2:2 "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach"others." and Jas 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." The reasons are 1) Not all are called to be teachers (Ephesians 4). 2) Not all are students of the Word. They are readers of the Word. One who simply reads the Word without studying the Word should never be a teacher (Not saying this of you, please understand that in advance). All may have something good to say at times, but again that is a far cry from being a teacher who is called and equipped.
The Second Death is not hell as seen in Scripture. The Second Death takes place after those who died in Christ have been raised (John 5:28-29), for all will be raised. Once they have been raised and brought before the throne of God the execution of their sentence will take place and they, including hell/hades, will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. Rev 20:5-6 "(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." and Rev 21:8 "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." This is not parsing words, but keeping Scripture in its proper order and context. Thus, a lost person dies and goes to hell/hades and awaits the end of the 1000 years. At the end of the 1000 years they will be raised to life and brought before the throne of God. God, at this time, will execute the sentence and send them to the Lake of Fire for eternity. No where in the process after physical death is there a second chance or is there any hope. This is the action of a holy and just God, one who loved us so much that He died for us, but one must come to Him in this life in order to be saved. Again, there is no second chance, no escape from hell or eventually the Lake of Fire.
Lord Bless,
LT
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Permalink Reply by RoyW on
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How is it possible to accept the rest of what Jesus has taught us and reject what He said on hell. It is not a desirable discussion but if the book of life is real (and I believe it is a real registry of all that have received Him), then the lake of fire and hell are also real. If the One that told us about salvation is real, then the things He taught us are also real. He gives the right to all those Who will receive Him to become His children. That is real. It is not something that is symbolic or something that represents something else. God wrote this Book to simple people. He did not intend that one had to have special understanding to be able to read it. He warned us of hell because it is real. He is much different than those who threaten punishment but never bring it about. These are real teachings of real consequences. Jesus spoke of a real impending doom of the city of Jerusalem and it happened. That was not a symbolical teaching. Those people that died in that Roman slaughter of Jerusalem were real people with real lives and real families. They should have not rejected the teachings of Jesus and neither should we. We can be born again. We can be completely forgiven of our sins. Salvation is a free gift to all who would receive.
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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Amen brother!
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Amen. I could not make it a day if I did not believe that His Word was not real. I have given my life as many of you also have based on what this Book says. I know it was not in vain.
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Dare I say, if you believe these things, you may be a fundamentalist!
* Truth actually exists!
* You approach the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God!
* You take the Bible seriously!
* You really believe Jesus is the only way!
* You're convinced that Hell and the Lake of Fire are real!
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Looks to me like that we have a bunch of Bible believers on this site. I agree with you all that hell is real. Yet, as Rita says, I will never go there. Our goal is to let all know that Jesus saves us from our sin. I am so grateful for His forgiveness. No one has to go to hell. What a shame that so many reject this wonderful free gift of salvation. Salvation is free to all who would receive. Some reading, here, might find fright within. That is just not necessary. The purpose Jesus came is to give us all forgiveness of our sin. That is not the final place for anyone who calls upon His Name. His Name is so powerful that just calling on Him for salvation will grant us a heavenly home for all eternity.
Hell is real but it was not intended for us. We do not need to fear. Jesus has gained victory over sin, death and hell and will freely grant that victory to all who will ask Him.
I pray that not one person that reads AAG goes to this horrible place as David has described it.
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Awesome responses. Hell is a real place, a place of torment. Whether the fire in that place is fire as we know it or a fire burning inside the soul, it makes little difference, the fact remains, it is a horrible place. Hell will be cast into the lake of fire and whatever that entails, whatever that truly means, I don't wish that on any human.
Revelation 22:17
17 “Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride.
Whoever hears, echo, “Come!”
Is anyone thirsty? Come!
All who will, come and drink,
Drink freely of the Water of Life!Revelation 22:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
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Indeed! That's the long and short of it; the bottom line. Whether the words describing Hell and the Lake of Fire in Scripture are taken literally or metaphorically, no amount of "spin" can lead us to doubt or deny that they're 1) real places and 2) incredibly horrible.
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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We can get wisdom from the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
When Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches, it is a metaphor but it doesn't mean that Jesus and you are not real. The vine represents Jesus and the branches represent you. Metaphors are figures of speech, as are similes. Similes only make a resemblance. We are not like branches, according to the words of Jesus in that statement. We are branches. Being like branches would mean there is a resemblance and yet a difference. Being a branch differs from being like a branch. Metaphors can help us see, hear, taste, smell and feel what is being described.
1 Corinthians 12:27
New International Version (©1984)
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Metaphor but absolutely true. You represent the Body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.
The problem is that some people will arrive at the conclusion that Hell itself is a metaphor for something else. Although metaphors are used to describe Hell, we must take into account all of the ways that Hell is described in Scripture and then, in putting all of it together, we will get a pretty good glimpse of what Hell feels like, looks like, smells like, sounds like, etc ... In my POV. Enough anyway to have a healthy fear of the One who created Hell.
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