DID JOHN SEE LITERAL VISIONS OF THE FUTURE? HOW SHOULD WE READ REVELATION?
The Book of Revelation is arguably the most misunderstood book in the Bible, with the latter half of Daniel and parts of Ezekiel close behind. John’s visions were real, but that does not mean every image should be interpreted in a woodenly literal way. Revelation communicates through a kind of writing that uses symbols, images, and Old Testament language.
A full treatment would require a Bible study of its own. What follows is a broad overview rather than an exhaustive defense of any position.
REVELATION IS A LETTER FILLED WITH APOCALYPTIC SYMBOLISM
Revelation is a letter written to seven real churches. It is also apocalyptic literature, meaning that it communicates through vivid symbols. In addition, Revelation contains an extraordinary number of Old Testament allusions.
When we do not understand apocalyptic literature, we can make symbolic and metaphorical images literal. When we do not know the Old Testament, we can turn an ancient biblical image into a modern helicopter, weapon, or political figure and completely miss the scriptural background John expected his first readers to recognize.
FOUR MAJOR EVANGELICAL APPROACHES
Within conservative evangelical Christianity, four major approaches are commonly discussed.
#1: THE PARTIAL PRETERIST VIEW
The partial preterist view holds that much of Revelation was fulfilled in the first century, especially in connection with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. It does not teach that every prophecy is past. It still looks forward to the bodily return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection, final victory, and the renewed heavens and earth.
Teachers associated with this approach include R.C. Sproul, Hank Hanegraaff, and Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.
#2: THE HISTORICIST VIEW
The historicist view reads Revelation as a panorama of church and world history across the centuries. Different sections are connected with periods such as the medieval era, the Reformation, or other historical developments. This view was widespread among many Reformers and later Protestant teachers, who sometimes identified the papacy with the Antichrist.
#3: THE FUTURIST VIEW
The futurist view places most of Revelation—often the material after chapter 4—in events still future. An influential stream of this interpretation developed through Francisco Ribera and was later advanced in a more literal and dispensational form by John Nelson Darby in the nineteenth century.
As the modern world experienced the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and other crises, futurism became especially influential in North American conservative evangelical circles. John MacArthur is one respected modern teacher who represents a futurist approach.
#4: THE IDEALIST OR SPIRITUAL VIEW
The idealist view understands Revelation as portraying spiritual realities that recur throughout the church age. The book spoke to believers in the first century and continues to speak in every century. Evil and good are in conflict, but the final message is that God wins.
WHY I HOLD A PARTIAL PRETERIST VIEW
At different points in my life, I have held the futurist, idealist, and partial preterist views. I have never held the historicist view. After many hours of studying Revelation, I have landed with the partial preterist approach.
First, it takes seriously that Revelation was written to seven real first-century churches. The book was written directly to them and preserved for us. If its original audience could not understand the great majority of the letter, we should ask why it was addressed to them.
Second, partial preterism still affirms the future, victorious return of Jesus Christ. He will restore all things, defeat evil and Satan, reverse the devastation of Adam’s fall, raise His people, and bring the new heavens and new earth.
Good Christians can study these questions and reach different conclusions. If you want to compare the positions, I recommend Four Views on the Book of Revelation, edited by C. Marvin Pate, and Revelation: Four Views, Revised and Updated, edited by Steve Gregg. These resources lay out competing interpretations so you can examine the arguments and study deeply.
Bible References: Revelation 1:1-4, 9-11 (ESV); Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV); Revelation 22:20 (ESV)
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