Although good expositors differ on the details of the book of revelation, when it comes to the broad interpretation, there are four major systems. This point would not be emphasized by any of the four major interpretations, neither would it be dogmatically debated. The four major schools of prophetic interpretation if we are to have any success in being free of the inertia of preconceived ideas, if we hope to be aware of our. The four parallel columns allow the reader to compare the views and hopefully identify the strengths and weaknesses of each. Few biblical topics have captured the imagination of contemporary evangelicals like the book of revelation. The revelation of jesus christ about the time of the end the end of the age and what was to come after the christian dispensation. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. Revelation has a wide variety of interpretations, ranging from the simple historical interpretation, to a prophetic view on what will happen in the future by way of the will of god and the womans victory on satan symbolic interpretation, to different end time scenarios futurist interpretation, to the views of critics who deny any spiritual value to revelation at all, ascribing it to a humaninherited archetype. The first key in understanding literature of any type is to determine the kind genre of literature it is. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The plethora of views, however, can be distilled into essentially four main categories. The revelation of the holy trinity and hypostatic union in daniels seventy weeks prophecy. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian. Many evangelicals dont realize that the futuristic interpretation of revelation.
The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Broadus lists seven theories of interpretation and tregelles lists three. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189. The different approaches that various people or groups use to understand the book of revelation called interpretive horizons are generally grouped under four major categories, with some subgroups see the kingdom of god. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Four views on the book of revelation focuses specifically on the book of revelation and the primary ways in which it is read and understood today. The 333page book, titled the apocalypseletter by letter. Revelation speaks of things that are already history. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. One of the most significant criticisms brought against this view is the fact.
The historicist view teaches that the book of revelation is a symbolic. Answers to a variety of questions on the book of revelation including, the meaning of the first horseman, the timing of the bowl judgments, the application of the churches of laodicea and thyatira to history, and the meaning of nation against nation. The futurist school believes revelation should be interpreted literally. Johns apocalypse chapter 9 major christological crisis in the church. In it, john1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. Futurist occurs in the future the futurist school holds that everything after chapter 4 is yet to happen in the future. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. Under this view, the book of revelation is mostly a book of future prophecy. Different schools of interpreting revelation evidence unseen.
Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. The historicist system of interpretation understands the book of revelation as setting forth the major events of christian history spanning the time of john until the present. It has been put together by pauls brotherinlaw, steve bowler, of hudson, mass. In this sense the word apocalyptic has a slightly broader meaning, and it. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand.
It looks at four interpretations of revelation, and why those particular interpretations are held. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The imagery of the cosmic battle in heaven and on earth makes. The following interpretation, offered here, is by special request. The dramatic arrangement of the biblical text and concise interpretations of it appear on facing page of the book. It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation. The other mode of interpretation is what we might call a literalist mode, where it is assumed that at least some events in the book of revelation are literal historical events that have played. The revelation of john is the one book in the new testament that claims john as its author. Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of. Seven bowls, each containing a plague representing a divine judgment to be poured out on.
This mode of interpretation, which sees later events in christian history as fulfilling predictions in the book of revelation, is known as the continuous history view. Features a simple sectionbysection overview of the entire book covering the author, date, major themes, major symbols, and 4 major interpretations of the book o f revelation. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. According to some, and i am relieved that it has only been a few, covid19 is proof that the plagues of the book of revelation, in particular the seven seals of revelation 6. The preterist view the term preterist comes from the latin word praeteritus. That there are differing views on the interpretation of the apocalyptic writings in the book of revelation is no secret. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Despite our various views, there are some common threads upon which christians agree. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Different culture we can gain some insight into how different the authors culture was from our own by considering a major problem addressed in the letters in scene one. The idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation.
The four major schools of prophetic interpretation if we are to have any success in being free of the inertia of preconceived ideas, if we hope to be aware of our own hidden biases, we must first try to identify them. Second, an interpreting angel is sent from jesus to help john understand what he is seeing. Unless we are able to imagine such a twotiered world, we will never grasp the meaning of much of what is portrayed in the book of revelation. Interpretations of revelation by mike mazzalongo posted. This view regards the book as a book on church history.
Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. The second method of interpretation is known as the idealist method. Since the book of revelation is not only the last book of the bible but also the conclusion of the entire holy book, we can surely see how each of these three categories will consummate. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. What this school said was too idealistic to be accepted by orthodox bible interpreters. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings. There are four major schools of interpretation for the book of revelation. Hope you will be addressing the meaning of these images in revelation. One of the most intriguing books of the bible is the book of revelation. In a comment, posted on february 16, 2019, a reader asked me to offer a bahai interpretation of chapter 20 of the book of revelation. This literal interpretation of the highly symbolic book of revelation ignores the style of writing god inspired john to use. Are the seven seals of the book of revelation unfolding. Seven trumpets, the last three of which introduce three woes revelation 8.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Revelation is prophecy, letter and apocalyptic with. These interpretations are futuristic in other words, they assume that the book of revelation depicts events that will occur in our lifetimes. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The recent unprecedented success of the left behind series is evidence of this popular fascination. This book is a tremendous tool for anyone wishing to understand how different schools of interpretation approach the book of revelation. Here are brief definitions of the four major interpretive approaches. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. This series explains in simple terms the relationship between these two books of the bible. The book of revelation is a fascinating book, and the debate regarding its interpretation will continue.
Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The preterist interpretation is that all of revelation has been fulfilled in the past. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. See key information at a glance with multiple sidebyside charts as well as a fullcolor map showing the location of the 7 churches. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. To read the word of god in this apocalyptic book without letting our imagination give us misguided interpretations, we need to understand the symbolism the same way the first readers did. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. The book of revelation is difficult to understand and inspires a wide range of questions, especially since there are many competing interpretations. The idealist approach doesnt interpret revelation in terms of any particular. However, much debate surrounds the proper interpretation of this.