Metaphors in the Book of Revelation: a Study of Selected Seventh-day Adventist (S.d.a.) Lay Leaders’ Interpretations

Abstract

Metaphors are among language universal elements freely used in normal conversation and writing. It is on that note that it can be said that metaphors are the fabric or basic structure of language. This is why the study was carried out to establish why these metaphors are understood and interpreted differently by different groups of people, in order to ascertain the possible causes of varying interpretations and their remedies. Subsequently, some metaphors from the Bible were identified and described using relevance theory. A few of these metaphors were taken to randomly chosen S.D.A. lay leaders for interpretation. After the interpretations of the metaphors by the S.D.A. lay leaders, they were analyzed using the same theory. The outcome of the investigation showed that the lay leaders‟ interpretations of metaphors were very different from one another. It was established from the data analyzed that the Respondents‟ level of education, religious or theological background, source of materials and years of experience were the main causes of varying interpretations. The study also recommended refresher courses, workshops, seminars and adult literacy programmes for the lay leaders as remedies to reduce the varying interpretations of the Bible.