JSS wrote:
Metaphors and symbolism are used in prophecy, some examples
Trees refer to people
Water means nations
Woman is a church
Dragon/serpent refers to Satan
Not forgetting days mean years
Genesis is very clear in its meaning and literal concerning the “tree”.
Genesis
6 Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it.+ Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it.
It reverts to symbolism when referring to prophecy
Genesis 3:15King James Version (KJV)
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
“I am the vine, you are the branches, and my father is the gardener.” The metaphor of the vine.
But the numbers are on your side James. According to a Barna Group study, (The Barna Group is an evangelical Christian polling firm based in Ventura, California) 55% of American pastors do not believe in the Bible anymore as the unerring Word of God and they say, it is not to be taken too literally.
The sad truth is, however, that rarely does a congregation question the pastor or it’s leadership. Most people simply accept without checking its accuracy in the Scriptures.
Letting the Bible explain itself allows for no other private interpretation.
The Bible calls itself a double-edged sword:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).