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Literal fire or Figurative Fire?
Sodom was punished with "eternal fire" (Jude v. 7) it was totally destroyed due to the wickedness of the inhabitants. Today that city is in ruins, submerged beneath the waters of the Dead Sea; in no way is it now on fire. Likewise Jerusalem was threatened with the eternal fire of God's anger, due to the sins of Israel: "Then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched" (Jer. 17:27). The great houses of Jerusalem were burnt down with fire (2 Kings 25:9), but that fire did not continue eternally.
Therefor is the fire literal or figurative?
I think most of you are missing the question or do not understand the difference between Literal and Figurative. It can not be both.
A literal eternal fire would be a fire that still is burning now and for all eternity a figurative fire would be one that burnt and the effects of it are still now in place and will be for all eternity.
5 Answers
- CaritasLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
I think the phrase "eternal fire" from Jude was just a figure of speech on the author's part. The fire was real, but he used this particular phrase to make a point and stress how irrevocably the city was damned. As for the the quote from Jeremiah, I think it just means that no one will be able to put the fire out; it will burn everything in its path and only then when there's nothing left to burn, will it die. 2 Kings just says that all the houses and such are burnt, it doesn't say the fire will never go out.
- 1 decade ago
Wow. Good question. I'd like to say that I have the answer...but I'm not sure...
The "eternal fire" of Sodom and Gomorrah might refer to the fact that they were destroyed with fire and brimstone; the same stuff that is in hell...but I'm not sure of that...
Thanks for agreeing that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah...that makes it easier to respond when I know that you can be nice about it.
- LP SLv 61 decade ago
The internal fire, the consuming fire; this is God. He will warm you and comfort you if you love and follow God, but will consume and destroy those that go against God.
Deu 4:24 For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God.
Deu 9:3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God [is] he which goeth over before thee; [as] a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.
Source(s): King James Bible - Anonymous1 decade ago
The fire was real. "They could not put it out." The fire did its job.
Sodom's eternal fire meant that Sodom would be destroyed-it is still destroyed. What do you not understand-its plain.
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