Question:  Dear Greg,

            Under the Salvation heading of questions you made this statement: “The period of time of 1000 years, or the millennium, is mentioned that specifically in one chapter of the Bible—Revelation 20—in a book that is full of symbolism, numerology, metaphor, typology, etc.  Revelation is written in apocalyptic genre, not intended to be interpreted literally.”

            My question is why, considering the nature of the language in which the book of Revelation was written, theologians continue to teach that the “lake of fire” and “the second death”, both only mentioned in the book of Revelation, are real and literal instead of metaphor?  We experience “the death of the old man” and being “buried with Christ in baptism”, neither a literal death nor a literal burial.  The Bible doesn’t state that “the second death” is literal, nor that it is the end of those who experience it. 

            Thanks for your comments,

            Eileen

Answer:  Dear Eileen,

            Perceptive question.  You correctly call into question a “pick and choose” method of interpreting one form or genre of biblical writing, as inspired by God.  Several thoughts about your specific question: 

1.      The use of a symbol or metaphor does not necessarily deny a literal reality. We may say that the sky is blue.  But the sky is not blue—it only appears to be blue.  But that does not mean that the sky is not real or literal.  We may say that the fog in London can be thick as pea soup.  That does not mean that the fog is not real or literal.

2.      The fact that Revelation speaks of final judgment in several ways, and that the Book of Revelation is filled with symbolism, does not mean that there will be a final judgment.  There are other passages in the Bible that speak of a time of judgment.

3.      We have a number of questions on this web site on the topic of hell you may wish to compare.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht