Interpreting Revelation

[Greektim]

In which camp do you basically fall?

Here is a brief summary of the 4 views. I don't know this website enough to endorse it, but it is simple enough. For the full article, go here: http://www.ptm.org/03PT/MarApr/4ViewsRev.htm

Preterist. Most prophecies in the book of Revelation were fulfilled during the time of the Roman empire [and probably 70 CE w/ the temple destruction].
Historicist. The prophecies have been fulfilled throughout history and are still being fulfilled today.
Futurist. Most prophecies beyond Revelation 3 are yet to be fulfilled.
Idealist. Most prophecies portray the ongoing cosmic conflict of spiritual realities and may have many fulfillments throughout history.

See Four Views on the Book of Revelation to get an overview of the basic 4 views.

I personally am a form of idealism understanding that it relates heavily on its 1st century context of the Roman Empire. But the Roman Empire is the exemplar for the "ongoing struggle" that continues today.

I think you will find that this is the most popular academic view, especially in the broader category of the genre of apocalyptic. That doesn't make it right, of course. But it does give it weight. Gorman's Reading Revelation Responsibly is by far one of the best books in addressing this issue. Many here would profit greatly in reading it.

If you go to my blog (click this link or my name in my siggie), you'll see I have been reading books on Rev out the wazoo! I am writing my thesis on this book. So I have dedicated a lot of research to it.

 

[kyredneck]

You forced my hand with only one pick for Revelation, which has to be Historicist.

At the time it was written (66-68 A.D.) the book was more futurist, at this point in time it's more historical.

 

[Greektim]

You forced my hand with only one pick for Revelation, which has to be Historicist.

At the time it was written (66-68 A.D.) the book was more futurist, at this point in time it's more historical.

I would have put you as a preterist.

 

[kyredneck]

You asked concerning Revelation. When it comes to the gospels I am Preterist.

 

[Greektim]

You asked concerning Revelation. When it comes to the gospels I am Preterist.

Fair enough...

But if you see it as future before 70, then aren't you saying that it is about the Roman Empire and the destruction of the temple in 70? That would make you a preterist then.

Historicist sees Rev as spanning church history.

 

[kyredneck]

Lol, again, you forced me to choose my 'framework view' for Rev which is Historicist.

 

[go2church]

Historicist with preterits leanings, which is pretty standard fair for amillennial eschatology

 

[Revmitchell]

Futurist. The symbolic language represents something literal which will be fulfilled in the future.

 

[kyredneck]

....But if you see it as future before 70, then aren't you saying that it is about the Roman Empire and the destruction of the temple in 70? That would make you a preterist then......

Yes, that would be my 'Preterist' side to Rev.

18 And if ye will not yet for these things hearken unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins.
21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
24 then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins.
28 then I will walk contrary unto you in wrath; and I also will chastise you seven times for your sins. Lev 26

Seven seals, seven trumpets, seven angels, seven bowls, read the curses of Lev 26/Dt 28 (and others) from the OT; the wrath poured out upon 'the land', the judgment of the great Harlot.

 

[preachinjesus]

The book is, imho, a historicist-futurist presentation of apocalyptic events from the past and into the future.

However, once you get into the bulk of the text, chps 4-19, the text is primarily historicist. Frankly, you can lump chapters 1-3 in here too since they are historical narrative, but I usually leave them out.

The presentation of events from Rev. 4-19 is speaking about the drama of salvation history that has unfolded across creation. Though not inherently linear, the events speak to the victory over death and sin through the redemption of the lamb.

The futurist position comes about in chapters 20-22. I just can't reconcile that Satan is currently bound and we're in the, really long, 1,000 year reign.

I grew up in a exclusively futurist interpretation, but in my own study came to this position.

 

[OldRegular]

The purpose of the Book of Revelation, I believe, is primarily to show that the Saints win! The Book of Revelation is best understood, in my opinion, as picturing, frequently in apocalyptic language, the conflict between good and evil in this dispensation. The imagery of the book is not specific to any historical events. There is no Biblical justification for believing in a pre-trib removal of the Church or a millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the present earth!

 

[Crabtownboy]

No one really understands Revelation.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Futurist. The symbolic language represents something literal which will be fulfilled in the future.

Make that a double. :thumbsup:

 

[kyredneck]

Futurist. The symbolic language represents something literal which will be fulfilled in the future.

Make that a double. :thumbsup:

Never mind 'Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.'

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Never mind 'Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.'

Bad translation. It says "the time is near." The Greek is eggus, which means "near, of place and position," not time. In other words, the events that had transpired to that point put the place and position of the end "near" -- little else had to happen before the end. Essentially, as we stand today, all prophecies of the Old Testament necessary to the return of Christ for His church and the beginning of the Tribulation have been fulfilled. We, I believe, must still fulfill the requirements laid before us in the Great Commission: "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations," but we are very near to that time.

Nope, KRN, not time. Position. Christ's fulfillment of His earthly ministry brought us to that point.

 

[Greektim]

No one really understands Revelation.

Darn you, perspicuity!

 

[Greektim]

Bad translation. It says "the time is near." The Greek is eggus, which means "near, of place and position," not time. In other words, the events that had transpired to that point put the place and position of the end "near" -- little else had to happen before the end. Essentially, as we stand today, all prophecies of the Old Testament necessary to the return of Christ for His church and the beginning of the Tribulation have been fulfilled. We, I believe, must still fulfill the requirements laid before us in the Great Commission: "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations," but we are very near to that time.

Nope, KRN, not time. Position. Christ's fulfillment of His earthly ministry brought us to that point.

I like how you listed definition 1 but left out Thayer's second definition: "near... of time". BTW... those are not listed in order of importance, like definition 1 supersedes 2 if it will help your theology. And in this case, since the context, the subject (!), is about time, then your interpretation needs to line up w/ the second definition: near in time. And time can be something that is positionally close if used in a metaphoric sense.

So again, there is an issue w/ the futurist interpretation when "near" is the description of much of the book.

 

[Aaron]

Amillennialism. Past, Present and Future. Basically three views of the church in earth since her inception, like four Gospels are four views of Christ on earth.

 

[Greektim]

Amillennialism. Past, Present and Future. Basically three views of the church in earth since her inception, like four Gospels are four views of Christ on earth.

Can you explain more what makes your view "other"? Cause it sounds like historicism.

 

[OldRegular]

One thing is certain! The Book is written to the Church for the benefit and comfort of the Church, not to describe some seven year tribulation period dispensationalists call "Jacob's trouble". If the Church is not on earth during the period described in Revelation 4-19 why have John write it.

Revelation 1:10-6
1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.