Why God Used Metaphors

Unlike similes, metaphors are sometimes harder to understand. We can grasp that a cowardly person could be called a chicken because we know that chickens aren't brave birds. But the Bible often uses metaphors to express inexpressible concepts.

The subject of hell is one which deals with unimaginable pain and anguish. Words fail to describe the utter horror and hopelessness of that eternal destination. Therefore, the writers of Holy Scripture had to use examples of terrifying situations which they knew from their own experiences.

Darkness is one which we all understand. Referring  to wicked teachers, Jude 1:13 (BBE) describes their fate as, "Violent waves of the sea, streaming with their shame, wandering stars for whom the darkest night is kept in store for ever."

Fire is another metaphor used to express the extreme pain which a soul in hell feels. John the Baptist spoke of Christ's final judgement on the wicked, using an agricultural example. He said of Jesus in Matthew 3:12 (BBE), "In whose hand is the instrument with which he will make clean his grain; he will put the good grain in his store, but the waste will be burned up in the fire which will never be put out."

Jesus also spoke often of hell and warned his hearers about it. Mark 9:42 and 43 (BBE) says, "And whoever is a cause of trouble to one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him if a great stone was put round his neck and he was dropped into the sea. And if your hand is a cause of trouble to you, let it be cut off; it is better for you to go into life with one hand than to have two hands and go into hell, into the eternal fire."

Hell is such a frightening place that even demons feared being consigned there forever. Matthew 8:28 and 29 (BBE) shows just how panicked they were at the Lord's presence. "And when he had come to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, there came out to him from the place of the dead, two who had evil spirits, so violent that no man was able to go that way. And they gave a loud cry, saying, 'What have we to do with you, you Son of God? Have you come here to give us punishment before the time?'"

Metaphors are why non Christians stumble when they try to understand our valid and legitimate concern about people headed for eternal conscious torment. That too is why I'm writing my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? So many individuals risk an excruciating eternity because they suppose they'll go to heaven. May this book steer them to the only one who can save them.

On Thursday, I hope to post about why hell glorifies God.