Literal fire or Figurative Fire?
Sodom was punished with "eternal fire" (Jude v. 7) it was totally destroyed due to the wickedness of the inhabitants. Today that city is in ruins, submerged beneath the waters of the Dead Sea; in no way is it now on fire. Likewise Jerusalem was threatened with the eternal fire of God's anger, due to the sins of Israel: "Then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched" (Jer. 17:27). The great houses of Jerusalem were burnt down with fire (2 Kings 25:9), but that fire did not continue eternally.
Therefor is the fire literal or figurative?
2006-08-21 14:14:41 · 18 answers · asked by malisimo 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is actually a reading test to see if you can read the question and the information and come up with an answer. It is not all that complicated and is at a 3rd grade level, good luck.
2006-08-21 14:24:01 · update #1
Basically most of you have told me hell is literal. So you read that and came to the conclusion that although the other eternal fires were figuartive that would make hell literal, am I missing something?
2006-08-21 14:37:15 · update #2
well I only made to the 2nd.grade.but, here goes " o" wise one.
there is no literal eternal burning in a "hell" the 'lake of fire' in the book of revelation refers to complete distruction,for which there is no hope of resurrection.As GOD is a loving creator he would
never subject his human children to such a thing.
2006-08-21 14:43:33 · answer #1 · answered by OldGeezer 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the situation.
The fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was literal. The cities were completely blown off the map. As for its residents? That is up to Jesus Christ to decide if they go to hell or not.
The second instance, against Jerusalem, was more of a threat. God did this many times throughout their history. It was how He kept His people on the straight and narrow. He also threatened Ninevah in the Book of Jonah. Same type of situation.
The great houses of Jerusalem were burnt down with fire... That was literally speaking. It burning eternally was figurative.
2006-08-21 14:24:37 · answer #2 · answered by Oklahoman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is figurative. It describes the complete anguish of soul and spirit that comes when, after having sinned, one dies and is has a perfect knowledge of all their wrongs restored to them, as well as a perfect knowledge of the heaven that they deprived themselves of. The knowledge that by one's own choice they acted in a way that has disqualified them from living with Heavenly Father again is what hell fire is.
2006-08-21 14:25:13 · answer #3 · answered by Kate 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's a literal place.
I have fought fires for 20 years and I can tell you they are HOT.
Hell is forever and you don't want to go there !
2006-08-21 14:27:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
was the flood real? or figurative? Fire will be real and forever is equated with "until whatever is being consumed is totally consumed" just like Sodom and Gomorrah
2006-08-21 14:24:09 · answer #5 · answered by I-o-d-tiger 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well you can't really prove any of that biblical stuff actually happened so I'd be inclined to believe that there is no literal Hell Fire.
2006-08-21 14:21:53 · answer #6 · answered by Geist 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since this is all just religious mythology, it's not really a valid question - You might as well ask how many angels dance on the head of a pin.
2006-08-21 14:21:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
How about an analogy? That's not meant to be literal, nor is it a figure of speech. It is used descriptively there.
2006-08-21 14:21:11 · answer #8 · answered by swarr2001 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I hope it is a figure of speech. I know when some people get mad they say, "Hell Fire!!"
2006-08-21 14:22:44 · answer #9 · answered by papricka w 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aparently hell fire is real along with Valhalla and the underworld.
2006-08-21 14:21:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋