A Metaphorical Example - Revelations 12
Revelations is a book full of metaphorical language.
An example is in Revelations 12:12-14
12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
My question: Can it be that the apostle John, who wrote Revelations, would suddenly used literal language, after their people had been using prophetic, apocalyptic, and metaphorical language for thousands of years? Would John suddenly change their ancient and cultural way of writing and thinking?
My 2nd question: Can it be that Jesus, also coming from the same historical and cultural background as John, suddenly used literal language instead of metaphorical language? Thereby causing miscommunication and confusion to His listeners and disciples?
My answer to these questions: Of course, definitely and conclusively NOT!
The book of Revelation was spoken to the Jews to THEIR generation, to THEIR culture, with THEIR understanding. This book has more than 400 references to Hebrew scriptures to prove that it was about the Jews.
There is plenty of evidence to show that the book of Revelations was written before the fall of Jerusalem in AD70. It was written to predict its coming catastrophe. And the purpose of this book, was to warn them before the Great Fall of Jerusalem.
In that Day of Judgement on Jerusalem, their earthly Israel kingdom (the Mosaic and Law system) will be removed, and Jesus will usher in the eternal spiritual kingdom as was promised by Daniel to the Jews.
Revelations was a book about warning them to flee from the destruction that is coming from the Roman invasion on Jerusalem in AD70. Jesus told them not to be caught in the fires of Gehenna (literally the Valley of Hinnom) where the fires will burn their bodies for months after the city of Jerusalem is burnt to the ground.
That was the end of the Old Covenant, the end of the Age of the Mosaic Law system, and the end of the city of Jerusalem as the central place of worship of God. This was exactly what happened according to history.
The writings of the New Testament reveals the same apocalyptic and metaphorical language that is meant to turn the hearts of the Jewish audience from the coming destruction of Jerusalem that the Roman empire will bring to their nation.
It was meant to show the foolishness of their sins and ways, the futility of their religious system, and to point them to the certainty of God's kingdom through Jesus Christ as their Messiah.
If you can understand this from a metaphorical perspective / viewpoint, then literally hundred of bible verses will open up to you and you will see God wasn't in the business of destroying the heavens and earth, but leading us to change our minds and trust in the spiritual kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.
