Over the past centuries theologians have
held, or been influenced by four interpretative views of Revelation.
These views have gone through modification and development as theologians
have studied scripture. Let us briefly look at those views.
1. Preterist
The first is what is called the preterist view.
It places the events of Revelation in the past. This view holds that John
was addressing his world and his times. So this view holds that the literal
aspects of Revelation have been fulfilled. Therefore the relevance
to today's reader is held to be that of encouragement. God does intervene
in the affairs of man.
2. Symbolic
The second view is the symbolic view.
Revelation is seen to portray the continuing conflict between the forces
of good and the forces of evil. What John sees and describes is symbolic
of that conflict. Here, like the preterist view, the purpose of the book
is to give encouragement. That encouragement is found in the fact that
in the end good will triumph.
3.Futuristic
The third view is the futuristic view.
This is a view that was popularized by the rise of dispensational theology.
This view places the events of Revelation, particularly chapters 4 and
following, into the future. It is held that John describes what Jesus referred
to as the tribulation. (Matt. 24) That tribulation is held to be
seven years long, and divided into three and a half year segments.
4. Historicist
The fourth view is called the historicist
view. This is the view held by the reformers. They saw the book of Revelation
as giving a panorama of history from the first century until the return
of Christ. Since it was difficult to correlate the events of history with
the things that John described, this view was eclipsed with the popularization
of dispensational theology.
In these studies I support the historical
view. Revelation is a New Testament book. It is the “revelation
of Jesus Christ” given to John and sent to the Church. She is expected
to use Revelation to fulfill her calling and purpose.
I trust that these studies will cause you
to look at the book of Revelation in a different light. Studies will be
added about every month, until the book of Revelation is completed. Your
observations and comments are welcomed. Enjoy!
Study
One Historical
or Futuristic / Literal or Figurative
Study
Two Revelation
5: The Throne and The Sealed Book
Study
Three Revelation 6: The Lamb
Breaks the Seven Seals
Study
Four The 144,000 of Revelation
7
Study
Five Revelation 8: The Seven
Trumpets of the Opened Book
Study
Six Three Woes
Study
Seven
A Mighty Angel, A Little Book and Seven Thunders
Study
Eight Two Witneses
Study
Nine The Seventh
Trumpet
Study
Ten That Which
Is: A Woman in Heaven; The Church
Study Eleven
That Which Was: The Two Beasts of Revelation 13
Study Twelve
God's Wrath is Good News
Study Thirteen
Back to the Future: The Church
Study Fourteen
Seven Last Plaques
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