Dr. Jason Lisle
[Originally published as the third section of Untwisting Scripture: Refuting Flat Earth Falsehoods – Part 4, written by Jason Churchill]
In this installment of our series on refuting the so-called flat/stationary-earth prooftexts in the Bible, we’ll address the “high altitude perspective” passages that FSIPs (Flat Stationary Interpretation Proponents) frequently cite: Daniel 4. As we examine this passage within its context, we’ll once again find that the FSIPs’ interpretations are unwarranted and their claims unjustified.
Revelation 1:7
In his introduction to the book of Revelation, John writes,
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
This prophetic expectation of what will someday come to pass when Christ returns is also frequently cited by FSIPs. Their argument here is like that of Matthew 4. They reason that the only way it would be possible for every eye to see Jesus returning is if the earth is flat because someone cannot naturally see around a globe.
FSIPs face the same problem with this interpretation as they do with Matthew 4. Their argument presupposes a natural explanation for people being able to physically see Jesus, yet their own interpretation requires supernatural intervention in order to explain how all people are able to see Jesus.
After all, how can every eye visibly see Jesus when we can’t all visibly see the sun at the same time?
Further, how can someone naturally see something that small from a great distance?
Let’s assume Jesus is six feet tall. What does a 6-foot tall person look like from a mile away? What about 10 miles? 100 miles? Jesus would not be visible to the naked human eye from even 50 miles away, let alone 5000 miles.
Additionally, what about people dwelling in valleys where the surrounding mountains would impede their view? And what about people whose lands would be currently shrouded in the darkness of night? Or people who are indoors at that time? How could any of them naturally, visibly see Jesus descending on the clouds with their own eyes?
If we’re talking about the naked eye and natural vision, there would be very few people who would be able to naturally see it with their own eyes. But of course, John is not intending this at all. It’s obvious that means well beyond natural vision are at play.
Moreover, the passage says that “those who pierced him” would even see him. Well, those who pierced him were Jews and Romans who all died nearly 2000 years ago. So, we have dead and decayed people seeing him as well.
The fact that the FSIPs natural interpretation requires supernatural intervention once again undermines their entire argument. Since supernatural intervention is unquestionably in play for Jesus to be seen by every eye around the world, the natural shape of the earth is utterly inconsequential. Whether the earth is flat, spherical, or any other shape makes no difference whatsoever.
The FSIPs citations of these passages are yet another example of contextomy and quote-mining. Their mishandling and misappropriation of God’s Word is sinful and dangerous. And so, as I said above, I say again–we ought to call them to repent and turn from this sin.
