Quote:
Originally Posted by soontobepro
Ok...so why should I believe you over Megenoita's version of Gehenna which is also a metaphor, but for Hell? They're both metaphors for a supernatural end point. I don't understand how the Gehenna argument counters the Hell/Eternal torment argument? Aren't you both just claiming to have the right metaphor?
I'm not sure I entirely follow your argument here. A few points though which may clear things up.
Gehenna is not a metaphor for hell. Gehenna
is hell. The second word is merely the English translation of the first in the original text.
As to Gehenna being a metaphor, it clearly has to be for the verses containing it to have any sort of broad application, which, in context, they are evidently intended to.
However, the events set in Gehenna are also literal:
Mark 9:43-44 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into
hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
"hell" = Gehenna
The above passage quotes the following:
Isaiah 66:23-24 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.