This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire

Alicia Keys’ 2012 hit song, Girl On Fire, was a declaration of her power to overcome adversity and shine, and was a tribute to her marriage and motherhood, as well as her commercial success. Considering her immense vocal and musical talent, and success as an artist and wife/mom it certainly describes Alicia.

Of course we know "fire" is metaphorical – she’s not literally on fire. Why can reasonable people recognize a metaphor (a figure of speech using something like fire to describe someone who is powerful and successful) in normal everyday conversations (and songs), but immediately seek to make similar Bible passages literal?

For example, we’re talking about Obadiah and “the day of the Lord” (v15), and in the text he uses two metaphors to describe the coming day of judgment on the nations: drink and fire.

“Because just as you drank on My holy mountain, all the nations will drink continually. They will drink and swallow and become as if they never existed…Then the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame” Obadiah vv 16 & 18

Of course they were metaphors for the overwhelming destruction that would come on the enemies of God’s people. Initially on Edom and those who attacked Jerusalem during the days of King Jehoram (850 BC), and then by extension on all nations of all times who attack God’s people. Most admit they are figures of speech, though some go so far as to make them literal drinking and burnings, but almost all today turn the promise of the Lord’s Kingdom (v21) into a literal earthly kingdom.

But is it? NO and YES! Obadiah picks up on the language of restoration of a remnant that began with Moses (Deuteronomy 30:1-3) and was renewed by Solomon (2 Chronicles 6:36-39), which has a literal and figurative fulfillment. As the promise was explained by later prophets it was extended to all nations, not just Israel, and fulfilled by Jesus when He died on a cross in Jerusalem, rose from the dead three days later, and ascended to His heavenly, spiritual throne.

With the preaching of the gospel in Acts 2 the Kings reign was proclaimed and the remnant of Israel and the world came to the King. They became citizens in His kingdom. They were living on earth but under the rule and authority of a heavenly King – Jesus. Their citizenship was, and is, in heaven, just like every believer who comes to Jesus today. His word is the fire that believers continue to spread bringing destruction on the kingdoms of this world through truth – not with a literal flame or an earthly kingdom. Are you on fire for your King?