Pete, promoter of naturalistic worldview offered three lines of evidence supporting idea of moral corruption in Rev 11:18.
1 "First, the Greek for "ruin" is diaphtheirai it is defined as "morally corrupt, defile, destroy" and is used numerous times in the NT and in the Greek translations of OT." Reply from Christian standpoint is:diaphtheirai is used six (maybe, big maybe seven)times in entire NT.Even anti theists must admit that at least four times it refers to physical corruption! So, statistically, physical corruption is the most probable choice.
2 So the Greek can mean "destroy those who are corrupting the earth" which would be perfectly consistent with the general message of the authors of the Bible... Reply from Christian standpoint is:Yes, it could be antanaclasis, but statistics again is not on your side. ( unless you are claiming than antanaclasis is used in more than 50% cases throughout the Bible or NT, so every time we find repeated verb or noun in the same sentence or verse, we should assume it is antanaclasis? )
The entire book of revelation directs the writer's anger at religious and political enemies for their moral/religious corruption. Never once does it mention environmental crimes...
Reply:Every biblical prophet was concerned about moral corruption, but they were worried about physical corruption too! Murder was and is a great sin.Even unnecessary chopping of a tree was rebuked in the Bible! Was/were Johnny(s) an exception? Look at Rev 9:21; 21:8 and 22:15. It is interesting (my view) to consider the meaning of the wrath (orgizō) in Rev 12:17. Context associate it with killing intensions. The same noun is found, supvise, supvise, in Rev 11:18! Yes, environmental crimes are not mentioned, shrewd choice of words, but I think it is ok to add physical corruption of flora and fauna on the list of the environmental crimes!
Secondly, does the context help? Yes, rev 19:1,2 says:He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication...
Here in the context of Revelation the word clearly supports the meaning of people morally ruining or corrupting the earth...
Reply:Rev 19:2 has two variants. 1 ἔφθειρεν the best choice, supported by most manuscripts.The word is not the same, but is related to διαφθείρω, because moral and physical corruption goes hand in hand! It occurs 8 times, and at least 6 times it refers to moral corruption 2 διεφθειρε less probable original verb, but it does not help you either, cause verb is in aorist, past tense, which means job is done!...Like I said time is coming when moral corruption will reach its peak. i do not say that every person on this planet will be evil, but sharp distinction between good and bad persons will exist. All good men will be immune to moral corruption. Everyone prone to the corruption will be corrupt, this is the meaning of ripe harvest and grapes. (rev 14:14-20) On the other hand, rev 11:18 informs us that physical corruption will not reach its peak, because good men are also prone to it! it will be scary, like Luke 21:25,26 mention, but chosen ones, the ones immune to moral corruption will survive. https://clicknupload.org/8j872gadrw6f So, context does not support naturalistic worldview, it creates problem, notable contradiction. It is better without antanaclasis.
3 Third, are there parallels outside Revelation? Yes, many. In those usages a variety of shades of meaning is meant, consistent with the definition above. For example 1 Tim 6:5
Reply:Moral corruption occurs in 1 Tim 6: 5 and this is the only indisputable place in NT!
A notable parallel in application among them is Gen 6:11 (LXX) which gives as justification for killing everyone in a flood:
11 But the earth was corrupted before God, and the earth was filled with iniquity.
Reply:The word is καταφθείρω not diaphtheirai.I wonder why καταφθείρω appears invariably through Genesis? In all five places, flood is associated with καταφθείρω, not diaphtheirai, not even once! In all five places, moral and physical corruption reach its peak. Earth is/will be filled with violence or water, there is no space for additional flooding or corruption! Unlike the flood, there is space for additional corruption in Rev 11:18, and God will stop it before it reaches its peak! Again, this corruption can not be moral, cause Rev 19:2 and 14:15-18 reveal that there will be no space for additional moral corruption! So, the best and only candidate should be physical corruption!