Introduction

Interpretive Approaches

When it comes to interpreting Revelation, there have been four main approaches throughout church history:

The Preterist Approach

The Historicist Approach

The Idealist Approach

The Futurist Approach

I will give an overview of each approach, and then try to point out strengths and weaknesses of them.

The Preterist Approach

The term “preterist” is derived from the Latin word ‘preter’ which means, “past.”

Preterists believe that most, and in its most rigid form (all), of the events written about in Revelation were fulfilled in the first century (there are a few different versions of preterism).

Ultimately, this view holds to the belief that Revelation is about the fall of Jerusalem, which happened in AD 70.

Preterist View - Strength

(1) Historical Context

Preterists take the historical context of Revelation seriously (which we should all do). Revelation was written to a real people, at a real time, about real issues.

Preterist View - Weaknesses

Date Written

Since the Preterists believe that Revelation is about the destruction of Jerusalem, the view demands that the letter have been written before 70AD.

For reasons that we spoke about in an earlier session, most scholars believe that Revelation was not written until some time after AD 70— most likely in the 90’s during the rule of the emperor, Domitian.

Israel Only View

Preterists view God’s judgment being against Israel (rather than Rome and the pagan nations), because Israel persecuted the church in the first century. So, God’s judgment was poured out on the Jews (according to this view), resulting in the destruction of the temple and the fall of Jerusalem.

Revelation 1:7 says that all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of Jesus when He comes.

Ultimately, the prophecies in Revelation—in one way or another— impact all the nations of the world— not just Israel.

No Value to Modern Readers

If Revelation was only about events that would be fulfilled in the first century, then the book would have no relevance for us today.

This begs the questions, “Why would it be included in the Canon of Scripture?”

Historicist Approach

This approach to the interpretation of Revelation has been around at least since the the 14th century, and dominated views about Revelation in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The view suggests that the letters to the seven churches (in chapters 2 and 3) represent seven stages of church history.

Some who held to this position also saw the seals, trumpets, and bowls illustrating the successive stages throughout church history.

Commentator GK Beale says this about the historicist approach:

Revelation: A Shorter Commentary 5. The Four Ways of Interpreting Revelation

It sees the symbolism of Revelation as referring to a series of specific historical events (always in the history of the western or European church), such as the collapse of the Roman Empire, the corruption of the papacy, the Reformation, and various events since. Christ’s return is always seen as imminent by the person interpreting the book.

- GK Beale

Historicist Approach: Strengths - NONE

This view has essentially been abandoned; in my estimation, it is the only view that offers no help to interpreting Revelation.

Historicist Approach: Weakness

Ambiguity

Each historicist interpreter deciphers Revelation differently, attempting to make it fit into the realities of their own age; many historicists (if not all) have seen their stage of church history as the final one before the Lord’s return.

Consequently, the suggested stages of church history have consistently changed under this view.

Relevance

Beale points out that the view appears to have no relevance for Christians outside of the western church.

Furthermore, Revelation would have had little significance to the original audience to whom it was written.

Idealist Approach

The idealist approach sees Revelation as espousing timeless principles that relate to every generation. This view suggests that, in its entirety, the book symbolically presents the ongoing battle of good and evil.

For instance: the seals, the bowls, and the trumpets describe the events of human history that occur in every generation, and it gives believers of all ages the encouragement to press on and remain faithful in suffering and persecution.

Idealist Approach - Strength

Relevance

Most who preach this book would agree with the general conviction that the book holds relevance and encouragement to Christians throughout every age.

This approach seems to have much truth. However, there is a weakness.

Idealist Approach - Weakness

Historical Context

This interpretive view suggests that Revelation just teaches timeless, general principles, with no consideration for the specific issues that the seven churches in Asia Minor were facing.

Futurist Approach

The Preterist approach sees prophecies in Revelation as being in the first century, where the futurist approach sees most of Revelation as yet to occur.

This is the dominant view today, but futurism was not popular in many periods in church history (Kenner).

This view takes two forms:

(1) Historical Premillennial View

The historical view does NOT see the church being raptured before a time of tribulation. It does see the majority of Revelation happening in the future, though.

(2) Dispensational View

In this view, Israel and the church are sharply distinguished from each other and Revelation 4-22 takes place after the church is Raptured.

In this view, most of Revelation describes events that will happen during a seven year tribulation, before the second coming of Christ, His 1000 Year Reign, and the establishment of the New Heavens and New Earth.

This view has become especially popular since Tim LaHay’s ‘Left Behind’ series.

Futurist Approach - Strengths

The Reminder of Future Events

The futurist approach rightly claims that some events in Revelation are yet to be fulfilled. This is certainly the case, such as Christ’s return, final judgment, and the New Heavens and New earth.

Futurist Approach - Weaknesses

Lack of Historical Context

This approach seems to forget that John was writing to real people, at a real time, who were experiencing real issues. John tells the seven church in Asia minor that the book is meant to be a blessing to them, yet (according to this view), most of the book didn’t even pertain to them.

Relevance

This approach suggests that chapters 4-19 only have relevance to the final generation of Christians preceding Christs return.

Under the dispensational view (the view of the Assemblies of God and most Pentecostal churches), those chapters don’t have relevance to any believers at all, because the church will be raptured beforehand.

My Approach - An Eclectic View

The approach that resonates most with me, is best described as an eclectic view. It affirms that three of the four approaches— namely, the preterist view, the idealist view, and the futurist view—each offer ideas that can help us interpret Revelation in the most natural way.

All three of those view are helpful, until they become so rigid that Revelation is forced to say what it doesn’t actually say.

Revelation was written to seven church in the first century, who were edified, encouraged, and challenged by the book’s message (the preterist view is helpful here).

Revelation includes prophecies about patterns that relate to both the first century and future generations until Christ returns (the idealist perspective is helpful here).

Finally, Revelation forecasts God’s ultimate judgment and justice coming to the earth and the future consummation of His Kingdom.

Holding rigidly to one of the four interpretive views, I think runs the risk of forcing certain passages into saying things that they were never mean to say. Consequently, I believe the eclectic view is most beneficial, because it helps us read the text naturally.

Humility

Revelation is a difficult book. There are scholars—whom I greatly respect and who are much smarter than me— who hold to each of three three interpretive views (I don’t know of any modern theologian who holds to a historicist view) and there are many who hold to the eclectic view.

Consequently, we should be able to have civil discussions and disagreements about the book. We should respect those who hold opposing views, inasmuch as they fit in the framework of church orthodoxy. If you hold to a different approach than your pastor, I don’t think it merits leaving the church. I say that—not just to those from our church who might differ than me— but also those watching or listening online who might agree with me. If you church believes something different, that is NOT a reason to leave them and come to our church.

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Listen to Learn

I have learned that the wisest people approach almost every conversation, assuming that they can learn something.

This is not how the masses approach conversation.

Most of the time, we go into a conversation, assuming we can’t learn from someone with a differing position.

Furthermore, most people don’t go into a conversation, with the idea that they might be wrong.

For instance… let’s take the vaccine. There are two polarizing views. And in our research and in our conversation, we don’t look to find the truth— we look for information to prove that our position is correct. That is NOT wisdom.

We often apply this same way of interacting when approaching the Bible: We approach the Bible with certain theological assumptions, and we don’t think there is any way those assumptions could be wrong. When someone disagrees, we are often tempted to prove our position, without giving thought to the fact that their view might hold some merit.

Take Rapture Theology

Growing up, this is what I was taught.

When I read the Left Behind Series, this view was strengthened even more.

When I got my credentials with the Assemblies of God, the roots of my rapture theology went down even deeper.

Consequently, I just assumed that the Rapture was a Biblical and Historic idea.

However, in graduate school (and even before), I noticed that many faithful Christians did not believe in a Rapture.

In my class discussions, we had to listen to what others believed and why they believed it.

I started listening to some of my classmates with differing views… and I started assuming that they might be right. They were faithful Christians who had much zeal for the Lord.

I took the ideas that resonated with me and I researched them for myself.

I came to believe that their view on the Rapture was much more true to what the church has historically believed than what I was taught. After considering the “Rapture passages” I also learned that their view was more true to the Bible, when read in context.

So, here is the question: Do you want the truth, or do you want to be right?

I hope you want the truth. If so, try to lay down your presuppositions, and—as we move through Revelation— let the text speak for itself. Pray, and ask God to give you wisdom. Take what I teach and study it for yourself.

Numbers in Revelation

Remember, Revelation falls under the genre of apocalyptic literature, which is highly symbolic.

We don’t want to read Revelation literally or figuratively, but we want to read it naturally.

In ancient, apocalyptic literature, numbers were often symbolic; it is no different in the book of Revelation.

This would not have been a foreign concept to the original readers.

7: A Number of Completeness

Revelation 1:4 (ESV)

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne...

*The seven representing the seven church is both literal and symbolic. We know this because the particular churches are named. However, we know that seven also represents completeness, which means the message of Revelation applies to every church throughout the ages.

Revelation 1:20 (ESV)

As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Then you have the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls (three groups of seven)… representing the completeness of God’s judgment.

3: Triune God, divine fullness, accomplishment, & unity -

Three is the Number of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is also the number of the counterfeit trinity (or the unholy trinity)— Dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.

The number three is repeated over and over in chapter 1 alone. You won’t find the literal number, but it is there if you look closely. Pastor Voddie Bauchman suggests that much of Revelation is written like a waltz… 123, 123, 123, 123...

Revelation 1:3 (ESV)

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:4 (ESV)

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

Revelation 1:5 (ESV)

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Revelation 1:5–6 (ESV)

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:17–18 (ESV)

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

4: The Earth (God’s Creation)

Revelation 5:13 (ESV)

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

In this verse, we see a fourfold doxology (or praise) being lifted from heaven, earth, under the earth, and the sea… from the completeness of God’s creation.

Revelation 7:1 (ESV)

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.

12: The Completeness of God’s People

In the Bible, you have the twelve tribes of Israel and then—in the NT, the 12 Apostles:

Revelation 21:9–14 (ESV)

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Then you have the 144,000 which is the 12 tribes of Israel, times the 12 apostles, x 1000 - the completeness of God’s people…

1000 is another important number represents “many.”

Psalm 50:10 (ESV)

For every beast of the forest is mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.

Does God only own the cattle on exactly 1,000 hills? No! It is a number that expresses a multitude.

Tree of life Revelation 22:1-2

Revelation 22:1–2 ESV

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Twelve is an important number

Sing, The Revelation Song