I have been a lurker here but Bob's last post needed a reply.
ReformedBob writes:
The fact is it was written in a different period of time in a different style in a formerly dead language in a different culture and you are interpreting it applying modern language and cultural standards.
Are you really trying to tell me you are ignorant of metaphors, similes, homilies poetic and figurative language is used in ancient biblical prophecies?
So the inaccurate or difficult parts are metaphors, hyperboles and similes.
Also, have you given us license to claim the creation story, the flood, condemnation of gays, hell, rapture, ordained rape and murder, etc. are metaphors, hyperboles and similes? Great I may now be able to approach Christianity with a little more ease.
Given that you take this prophecy is hyperbole indicates to me that we need a blue letter edition of the bible to highlight which sections are hyperbole and which are to be taken literal. And don't come back with you need to be a believer to truly understand. As then you will have to tell us which sect of Christianity has the true belief and faith as many different sects have their own opinions on such matters.
The idea embodied in the phases "thou shalt be built no more" or Egypt being "desolate forty years among ruined cities" are plain and probably come thru translation uncorrupted. But if you have a translation insights please share those with us.
One further note, take any period BC and make a prophecy of the destruction of a city or region and you have close to a 100% chance of being correct. This is especially true if you only have to part right about the conditions.
ReformedBob writes:
So Revelations is literal to the english? Wow that is groundbreaking news that no one seems to know. Frogs and demons will be coming up the river Euphrates to attack Jerusalem?
This is silly (hyperbole?) as Revelations even notifies the reader that what is to follow is a vision. You and other "intellectuals will spend a prodigious amount of effort trying to relate the metaphors of Revelations to current events, since your time in history is obviously the most important.