that sounds fair for 50 years or so of sin on earth. if someone deserves that then so be it. we all do. could it be a metaphor because we can't desribe the pain and level of suffering that just being seperated from God would feel like ? i suspect fire is not a strong enough word. taking The Bible literal is what we are to do. Thank God for Jesus Christ:jump:
The bible often is written in a parable without giving any indication that it is parabolic.
Numbers 12:8
With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
Psalm 49:4
I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:
Proverbs 1:6
for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Daniel 5:12
He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”
Ezekiel 20:49
Then I said, “Sovereign LORD, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?’”
Hosea 12:10
I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.”
Matthew 13:3
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
Matthew 13:10
The disciples came to him and asked,
“Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
Matthew 13:13
This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
Matthew 13:34
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables;
he did not say anything to them without using a parable.
Matthew 13:35
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
Psalm 78
2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old...
