“it is a metaphor people” funny how for the first 1,500 years of Christianity, no one believed it was a metaphor. I would think St John understood whether it was a metaphor or not, do you agree? St John taught St Ignatius who was martyred in Rome for his faith in Jesus. St Ignatius taught the Real Presence. Everywhere the Apostles spread the Faith, they believed in the Real Presence. But you know it is a metaphor, makes sense to me!!
Of course it was a metaphor...That's why your religion labled Christians as heretics and murdered as many as they could, who would not bow to your pope and your religion...
And during the process, your religion stole the name, The One True Church...
The 'church' in the scriptures in no way resembles your religion...It does however closely resemble those your religion called heretics and murdered...