“Maybe it’s all those Scriptural references to the second death and the lake of fire. Why should they not be considered literally?”
Because our God is a merciful God. I don’t believe eternal burning in physical fire is his MO. I do believe we are punished for breaking his laws.
There's no denying what's written in the Bible, and I would be very leery of any allegorical or metaphorical interpretations when it comes to this issue.
As mentioned earlier, the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus illustrates this. The message to the rich man - "you had plenty of warnings!"
“Because our God is a merciful God. I don’t believe eternal burning in physical fire is his MO. I do believe we are punished for breaking his laws.”
Jesus Christ says in Mark 9:43-47
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: