4 APPROACHES TO END TIMES LITERATURE
There are 4 main approaches to interpreting apocalyptic
end times literature like the book of Revelation.
Historicist.
The “historicist” approach to the end times interprets the text as giving an account of what is happening from God’s perspective throughout church history from the beginning of the Christian church to the end times. Most of the end time events are prophecy that was fulfilled in the first century AD, while the rest is being fulfilled as history progresses. The purpose of studying the text is to understand God’s perspective on the events of human history. Think of a history textbook for the past, present, and future.
Preterist.
The “preterist” approach to the end times interprets the text as descriptions of the events that happened near or soon after the time when the text was written. Most of the end time events and fulfilled prophecy occurred during the first century AD. However, the final chapters of Revelation describe future events that will occur near or at the end of time. “Full preterists” contend that the return of Jesus in Revelation 19 was spiritual and occurred at the time of the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple in AD 70. Some preterists believe the antichrist refers to the Roman Emperor Nero and or that the tribulation refers to the First Jewish-Roman War from AD 66 to AD 73. The purpose of studying the text is to understand God’s perspective on the events that happened around the time that the text was written. Think of an ancient newspaper.
Futurist.
The “futurist” approach to the end times interprets the text as predictive prophecy primarily about the future, with an emphasis on events that will happen near the end of time, as revealed in Revelation chapters 4 to 22. Nearly all of the end times events have not occurred yet. The purpose of studying the text is to understand the events that will occur before and during the end times. Think of a roadmap for the future.
Idealist.
The “idealist” approach to the end times interprets the text as a non-historical and non-prophetic drama with symbolic and picturesque language about the spiritual reality of the conflict that is always happening between Jesus Christ and Satan, Christians and antichristian world powers, and good and evil in every age. Fulfilled prophecy is seen either as entirely spiritual or as recurrent, as represented in various historical events throughout the age, instead of in one-time, specific fulfillments. Therefore, prophecy applies to Christians in any age. The purpose of studying the text is to understand God’s perspective on the conflict between the reign of God and the powers of evil. Think of a spiritual allegory for all times and places.
Timothy Paul Jones, Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy (Peabody, MS: Rose Publishing, 2011), 64-66; Steve Gregg, Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated, a Parallel Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2013), 12-13. 46-48.