How to tell what should be taken as figurative in whole or in part? First would be familiarity with the author's purpose in writing and style and then the context of the particular statement.
But no creationist of any persuasion has ever claimed that every single word of the Scriptures must be read in a totally, without exception, literal way. So why would they take this vision of John's as such?
“By you own words shal ye be revealed...”
You buried yourself. Deal with it.
(Your use of Alinsky’s rules is very unbecoming of a christian)
Only evolutionists demand that creationists behave in such a way and tell others they do. Lying about them is the only way they can find to try to discredit them.
I've never met such a literature and grammar challenged group of people in my life.