The term that explains why FP screws up so badly on identifying things in the bible is called "Abstract Nouns". They are infamous in jewish writings. And can admit multiple meanings, depending on one's perspective.
Jean Cooke: The scriptures do not deal with historical chronology. That was not their forte. They use multiple types to explain what is best described as an abstract noun – a description of the quality of characteristics in life.
The writers delineated history to show the spiritual application with qualities being best described as abstract nouns. The Jerusalem that the Romans destroyed had rejected the antitypical lamb. Jerusalem had long abnegated the Oracles of God. The tenets of Judaism were literalised by the Pharisees and implemented by the Sadducees, persecuting the Messianic Body. The significance of the tenets had lapsed. They were described as having become diverse and stranged doctrines. The writers to the Hebrews said, “Be not carried about with divers and strong doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Heb. 13:9.
It is difficult to grasp that qualities are expressed by abstract nouns, that Biblical history is not chronological history. Antitypes using types point always to the elevated. Later the types recur, and again these qualities are abstract, perceived and just as real as former applications. These applications are seen working towards archetypes.
The Hebraic writings are directed at the height, breadth and, depth of the Spirit. The world that came to an end in the scriptural picture in the days of the Messianic Body was the world of the tenets of Judaism. The keeping of the Levitical laws, “a figure for the time then present” could not “save” anyone. The keeping of the strict laws and rituals disabled the creative element of society.
The form of spiritual antitypes are abstract but very real, they are genuine qualities of character. You see, spiritual things are intangible, you cannot put your finger on them literally. It is up to you to enliven them. The biblical writers did not pin any of their tutorial to a single historical chronological event, and each event pictured, portrayed the spiritual, through time – ever present. It can therefore be said that chronological history pertains to the flesh, and it is also very real in each age.
The narratives spelling out the success of transcendence and the downfall of mediocrity fill the pages of the Bible. An important point is that the Hebraic scripture is based on the days of the Jewish sacred year and do not align with the calendars. The Hebraic scripture pointed to the divine being played out alongside the secular. It is important to keep this methodology in mind when following the pathway bequeathed to us. Scriptural writers appealed to all sides of society as they sought genuine improvement.
For example, the Book of Daniel is full of numbers of days. They are all based on sanctuary or ceremonial in the sacred year over a seven-year-period. Many have erroneously calculated these days and endeavored to terminate them on a current calendar or an historical record. This is to miss the point.
Spiritual things are spiritually discerned – see 1 Cor. 2:14. And what are spiritual things you may well ask? It is a question each of us individually must strive to answer. It is like trying to interpret the statement, “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fufil the lust of the flesh…” see Gal. 5:13-26. Here you see liberty versus license, reflective of duality in the great controversy. Rom. 8 is an excellent chapter on the Spirit and the flesh and is a good starting point.
http://debunkingchristianitysydney.blogspot.com/2007/10/q.html
http://preteristheresy.blogspot.com/2008/01/jean-cooke-abstract-noun.html
