Approaches to Interpreting the Book of Revelation Name Period of Manner of Fulfillment Strengths Weakness Time past The events in the book were all fulfilled in the first Takes seriously the original audience and ex- Can devalue the application of the book because century. Describes the destruction of Jerusalem in plains the many passages that emphasize the everything has already happened and does not Preterism A.D. 70 or the fall of Rome in A.D. 476. urgency for the readers to respond quickly, apply to believers living today. Can miss out on the because it would happen in their lifetime. potential benefits of prophecy, and denies the future application of prophecy.

present Describes major events of Christian history It attempts to apply the message of the Can make the entire book irrelevant and deny the spanning from John’s time to the Second Coming seven churches to history. historical situation. This view has very few contem- Historicism of Christ. A chronological outline of the course of porary proponents and artificially forces a grid on church history from the first century to the present. all history, leads to endless speculation and subjectivity in its interpretation and is very difficult to arrive at a consensus.

future Describes a future period prior to the Second Com- Takes seriously the prophetic voice of the OT. Can ignore the historical setting, devalue practical ing of Christ. Some would limit the scope to the Focuses on the critical importance of the application to believers for the last 200o years, be- Futurism seven year period of the “Great Tribulation”. second coming, attempts to interpret the come a cryptic code understood by the elite, make scripture literally, and is actively looking for the book unnecessarily difficult for unbelievers and contemporary events that characterize the place too much emphasis on current events. end. timeless Describes big picture truths and focuses on major Provides practical encouragement and Can place too much emphasis on symbolism, themes and principles. Good will eventually prevail application to believers for every generation, oversimplify complicated concepts and deny the Idealism over evil. Readers are encouraged to understand a provides practical strategies to defeat our future fulfilment of prophecy. repeated pattern that makes a difference in their real enemy and offers hope in the midst of current trials, because God wins in the end and very difficult circumstances. perseverance will be rewarded.

mixed This view combines the strengths of Preterism, Takes serious the prophetic voice of the OT, Can be difficult to empl0y consistent principles of Futurism and Idealism by anchoring the meaning to values the historical context of the original interpretation. Eclectic or the historical situation of the first century, by look- audience, appreciates the apocalyptic genre ing for future fulfilment, and by looking for timeless including symbols, focuses on the second Hybrid principles and applying them to our situation. coming, provides practical application to be- lievers of all ages and offers hope.