Revelation: Four Interpretation Methods

It may come as a surprise to some people to find that there are several interpretive methods for the Book of Revelation.  Most probably think there is just one, the futurist view.  But there are four basic interpretation methods.

First there is the futurist method.  It is the most popular among modern day evangelicals.  It is most likely the interpretation most people are familiar with.  Futurism see the events in Revelation taking place primarily in the future.  Chapters 1-3 are dealing with the first century churches while 4-22 is seen as still in the future.  This view expects to see a period of great tribulation followed by the millennium and then the new heaven and new earth.  

Next there is the historicist method.  This view sees Revelation as using symbolism to describe chronological, historical events.  They see the Book of Revelation taking the reader from the early church to the modern church to the return of Christ and then the new heaven and new earth.  

Another view is the preterist method.  Those who hold this view think that most of the events in Revelation took place with the early church.  They see it as symbolic of the persecution and trials endured under the Roman Empire.  In this view only the final chapters of the book are still future.  

Finally there is the idealist method.  They see Revelation as symbolic of the conflict between Christ and Satan.  Idealist also see the events of the book as symbolic of the first century, the church through history, a future time of persecution, and the return of Christ followed by a new heaven and new earth.  

I prefer a combination of two views. I hold to the preterist/futurist interpretation.  In this view Revelation has a first century application as well as dealing with future events.   For example the beast is Rome and a future antichrist figure.  Also the tribulation would be persecution during the first century as well as an end time persecution.  I believe this view makes the most sense and is the best interpretation of the Book of Revelation.