February 16
METAPHORS IN SCRIPTURE
-According to Webster, a "metaphor" is: the application of a word or phrase to an object or concept IT DOES NOT LITERALLY
DENOTE, suggesting comparison to that object or concept, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” A metaphor is a
comparison to a literal object or concept, but it is actually not the literal thing that it is being compared to. We must
realize that the Bible is full of metaphors, symbols, parables, types, and shadows. The most deadly thing you can do is to
try to interpret the Bible with your intellect, which is the natural ( carnal ) mind. God uses metaphors to speak to us, because
the ways of the Spirit are so much higher than the ways of man. His use of metaphors helps us to understand the higher ways
of the Spirit. A problem arises though, when we take the metaphor or parable literally. It is to be seen as a comparison of
something literal, to convey a spiritual concept of God, but not to be taken literally. Here are a few metaphors to consider:
-A mighty FORTRESS is our God …
-God is a consuming FIRE …
-The LAMB of God that takes away the sin of the world …
-I am the DOOR …
-If your hand offends you CUT IT OFF …
-If your eye offends you PLUCK IT OUT …
-My SHEEP hear my voice …
-I am the good SHEPHERD …
-Behold, He comes with CLOUDS …
-Caught up in the CLOUDS to meet the Lord in the AIR …
-His eyes were as a FLAME OF FIRE …
-His feet like BRASS … His voice as the sound of many WATERS …
-THE LAKE OF FIRE …
-From your belly shall flow RIVERS OF LIVING WATER …
-A Lamb having SEVEN HORNS, SEVEN EYES …THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD …
-As well, the entire book of revelation is a metaphor, which gives to us the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
-There are obviously many other metaphors in the Bible, many of which are not understood by the casual reader of scripture.
If a person is willing to HUMBLE HIMSELF, diligently read, study, and pray, the mysterious metaphors of the Bible will become
very simple, and easy to understand. Understanding metaphors in the Bible, and God’s use of them, will enable you to
grasp the SPIRIT OF THE WORD, rather than just the letter of the Word. Remember … The letter kills, …
-BUT THE SPIRIT BRINGS LIFE!-
