how does one tell if any given text is symbolic or literal?
for example, the book of revelation also refers to the 'tree of life' in a manner similar to the genesis account:
Revelation 22:2 (New International Version)
down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:14 (New International Version)
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:19 (New International Version)
And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
if we thus assume that the 'tree of life' is fictional, shall we then assume that the genesis creation account is also fictional, since it too depicts the 'tree of life'? is the genesis creation account also fictional?
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how does one interpret the following scripture units? are these conscious souls in the afterlife? or are these references merely symbolic?
Isaiah 14
9 "Sheol from beneath is excited over you to meet you when you come; It arouses for you the spirits of the dead, all the leaders of the earth; It raises all the kings of the nations from their thrones.
10 "They will all respond and say to you, 'Even you have been made weak as we, You have become like us.
11 'Your pomp and the music of your harps Have been brought down to Sheol; Maggots are spread out as your bed beneath you And worms are your covering.'
(NAS95)
1 Samuel 28
13 The king said to her, "Do not be afraid; but what do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a divine being coming up out of the earth."
14 He said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped with a robe." And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage.
15 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has departed from me and no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do."
(NAS95)
for example, the book of revelation also refers to the 'tree of life' in a manner similar to the genesis account:
Revelation 22:2 (New International Version)
down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:14 (New International Version)
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:19 (New International Version)
And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
if we thus assume that the 'tree of life' is fictional, shall we then assume that the genesis creation account is also fictional, since it too depicts the 'tree of life'? is the genesis creation account also fictional?
-
how does one interpret the following scripture units? are these conscious souls in the afterlife? or are these references merely symbolic?
Isaiah 14
9 "Sheol from beneath is excited over you to meet you when you come; It arouses for you the spirits of the dead, all the leaders of the earth; It raises all the kings of the nations from their thrones.
10 "They will all respond and say to you, 'Even you have been made weak as we, You have become like us.
11 'Your pomp and the music of your harps Have been brought down to Sheol; Maggots are spread out as your bed beneath you And worms are your covering.'
(NAS95)
1 Samuel 28
13 The king said to her, "Do not be afraid; but what do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a divine being coming up out of the earth."
14 He said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped with a robe." And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage.
15 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has departed from me and no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do."
(NAS95)