Which view of Revelation is correct?

[Sammy-San]

Most people think Futurism (end of the world) is what Revelation is about, but there are 3 other views-idealist (its symbolic)-preterist (its about early christian persecution) and historic (its about medieval times.) Do you think its possible futurism is false and the other views are correct?

I believe futurism is the true explanation of Revelation, since it describes Jesus's 2nd coming and futurism is the only explanation that makes sense with regards to Jesus coming back. Jesus coming back couldnt fit into the others views of Revelation.

 

[dayhiker]

I see Revelation as predicting history. So far I see the 7 churches being fulfilled and the 1st two seals.
I don't see a famine of the scale talked about in the 3rd seal yet.

 

[1watchman]

There will no doubt be various opinions on Revelation, as well as other Books of the Bible, for man often does not accept parts of the Bible when it speaks contrary to what they want to hold. I find the KJV to be he most honest ministry about the mind of God.

I have several papers about the end of this dispensation (age of God's administrations) which show what God teaches on the end of the end times.

 

[Shadow316]

I see Revelation as predicting history. So far I see the 7 churches being fulfilled and the 1st two seals.
I don't see a famine of the scale talked about in the 3rd seal yet.

the 7 churches are being fulfilled? the first 2 seals?

 

[thesunisout]

Most people think Futurism (end of the world) is what Revelation is about, but there are 3 other views-idealist (its symbolic)-preterist (its about early christian persecution) and historic (its about medieval times.) Do you think its possible futurism is false and the other views are correct?

I believe futurism is the true explanation of Revelation, since it describes Jesus's 2nd coming and futurism is the only explanation that makes sense with regards to Jesus coming back. Jesus coming back couldnt fit into the others views of Revelation.

I agree. Revelation is probably the book that separates Christians the most in terms of doctrine. Almost every believer I have met has a different view of it. There is simply a lack of knowledge about it in the body of Christ.

Contrary to popular belief, Revelation is not extremely difficult to understand. No one has it totally figured out but anyone can follow the general threads of the book. It is quite clear about much of what it is trying to communicate to us. A prayerful study will reveal much, and give us as Christians much to think about as we approach the times it is describing.

 

[miamited]

Hi SS,

I hold that the writings of John, now labeled the Revelation of Jesus Christ, covers pretty much the entire times of the Gentiles. It speaks of Jesus' birth and of God's final judgment and beyond. I find it difficult to understand how anyone can say that the writings, as a whole, are given to any more specific period.

Yes, there are some parts that certainly seem to portray the days during and shortly after Jesus' life and death. Yes, there are some parts that certainly seem to portray the days of God's final judgment on both men and angels.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[phydaux]

I'm firmly in the Futurism camp, as any other interpretation necessitates "spritualizing" large portions of both the Old and New Testaments.

 

[1watchman]

Amen, phydaux! That is, if "futurism" is the proper and best word for the Book, allowing that it also speaks of things past, which should be seen in the future as God's then dealing with it. Look up, for our "...redemption (calling up) draweth nigh!

 

[JLR1300]

I'm firmly in the Futurism camp, as any other interpretation necessitates "spritualizing" large portions of both the Old and New Testaments.

Sometimes we are supposed to spiritualize things. The Jews thought that Elijah would come again because the Old Testament said he would. Jesus said that John the Baptist fulfilled that prophesy. He spiritualized an OT prophecy. The Old Testament said that there would be a King in Israel forever. In 70 a.d. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and scattered the Jews. No King for 2000 years. However Jesus is the King over the true Israel and so the prophesy has not been broken but rather fulfilled by Jesus. If you don't take it that way then you have to say that the Old Test. prophesy was a lie. The Old Testament taught that the sacrificial system and the Priesthood would not cease. However they both have been gone for 2000 years. Of course, they were fulfilled in Christ who is our great high Priest and is the sacrifice for our sins. You see, sometimes we are SUPPOSED to spiritualize things. The Jews took all those prophesies literally and that caused them to reject Jesus. If taking prophesies too literally caused them to reject Christ then we need to be careful.

 

[phydaux]

Sometimes we are supposed to spiritualize things. The Jews thought that Elijah would come again because the Old Testament said he would.

And it is my view that he is one of the Two Witnesses, and thus the prophesy IS literally fulfilled.

 

[phydaux]

The Old Testament said that there would be a King in Israel forever. In 70 a.d. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and scattered the Jews. No King for 2000 years.

But in 1948 Israel was gathered again. Those prophesies are ready to be literally fulfilled.

 

[phydaux]

You see, sometimes we are SUPPOSED to spiritualize things.

When the Prophet Daniel read the Scroll of Jeremiah, in his old age, he saw that the Babylonian Captivity was to be 70 years. Daniel interpreted that was 70 literal years, not some "spiritual" time period of some other duration. That's why he knew the captivity was almost over.

 

[Inkfingers]

Do you think its possible futurism is false and the other views are correct?

It is difficult to say for certain, because Revelation is a complex text, but increasingly I do find myself drawn to wondering whether it is a prediction of the future (rather than my previous position, which was to generally avoid it and have no strong view on it).

The first 5 seals do appear to have been opened, or at least the 5th appears to be on the verge of opening. All of history has been filled with conquests, wars, famines and diseases, but the 20th century has taken that and poured steroids all over it.

And although martyrdom has been with Christianity since its very beginning, today's society gives such a voice and presence to atheism (and to a profusion of churches that are such in name-claim only), that I do wonder if the seals are prophetic and number 5 is just around the corner (or being opened now). But then many points in history have believed this as well.

Its a complex matter.

 

[Andy S. Wright]

After decades of study, debate, argument, and more study, debate, and argument over the book of Revelation (and the 2nd half of Daniel, among many other OT prophetic texts), I have changed my beliefs concerning the subject of eschatology.

Where I was once a staunch pre-tribulationalist believer, I now confess my new eschatological beliefs fall under what is referred to as pan-tribulational.

I believe everything God intends to do in the 'end times' will pan out exactly how God wants it to and I will waste no more energy engaging in 'doubtful disputations' with my fellow believers over this or any other Biblical subject matter (Romans 14:1).

Just my .50. Do with them what you will.

ASW

 

[parsley]

Which view of Revelation is correct?

The right one!

John had an experience that was so compelling he knew he needed to write it down for others to gain from. If he had been sure of the proper interpretation, he probably would have written it.

If the person going through the visionary experience wasn't even sure, I don't think we are expected to know for sure.Most dreams and prophecies bring out the highlights, often clarifying motivations of the players, sometimes confirming the victims' lack of guilt in a future crisis, and often revealing a way of walking through the trauma more calmly.

We are use it for understanding and guidance, and not put it on a gilded pedestal of permanence. If someone is enduring persecution in Pakistan, it might be useful in understanding dynamics-- in a different way than someone living in the rising temperatures in Georgia.

Not that it's completely relative, but it has already comforted and inspired people over centuries of trial and trouble.

Now as we watch more unfold, we can grasp onto hope that there is order and logic behind the drastic changes we see in the world. That God is still involved in the process, and standing with us.

 

[timberwallace]

Andy S. Wright I'm increasingly finding myself in your camp on this one. I've heard smart people who are at the top of the theological food chain make great cases for multiple positions, and it's hard for me to sort all that out.
I'm very confident that I get the big point of the book and I'm content with that. God isn't finished with the world or the church and he has a game plan for how he'll be glorified and complete his redemptive plan. I think the main application for me as a reader is that I need to know that he's still at work and wins.

 

[The Fundamentalist]

Most people think Futurism (end of the world) is what Revelation is about, but there are 3 other views-idealist (its symbolic)-preterist (its about early christian persecution) and historic (its about medieval times.) Do you think its possible futurism is false and the other views are correct?

I believe futurism is the true explanation of Revelation, since it describes Jesus's 2nd coming and futurism is the only explanation that makes sense with regards to Jesus coming back. Jesus coming back couldnt fit into the others views of Revelation.

Preterism, and Futurism, along with Amillenialism and Idealism, in their present forms, are Jesuit formulated doctrines of the Counter reformation - The Catholic Origins of Futurism and Preterism

Historicism is how the Revelation and Scripture works, and this may be demonstrated, line upon line.

The only way to understand Revelation is to have an understanding of the following:

Psalms 77:13 KJB - Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a God as [our] God?
​

Understand the plan of salvation/redemption in the Sanctuary of God, who gave it as the "pattern" [Exodus 25:9,40; Number 8:4; 1 Chronicles 28:12,19; Hebrews 8:5], and it will be the key to unlock those things in Revelation. Also, understanding how type and antitype work in Scripture is also helpful, as well as knowing the Scriptures from Genesis to Jude. Also considering the very structure of the text of Revelation in its Chiastic structure [in language, citation of text] is also useful, and knowing where to look for the symbols there in the previous Scriptures, etc. One book especially to understand or use in conjunction with Revelation is the Book of Daniel even as Jesus in Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14 spoke about.

For those that like video, see Browse Media - Total Onslaught/ - Amazing Discoveries TV

This may help understand the overall:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPTtslMKZVg

If any have questions, or would like to know where we are in the stream of Revelation [in its several locations throughout], please ask, or PM me. I do not mind open study of the word of God either.

 

[JLR1300]

When the Prophet Daniel read the Scroll of Jeremiah, in his old age, he saw that the Babylonian Captivity was to be 70 years. Daniel interpreted that was 70 literal years, not some "spiritual" time period of some other duration. That's why he knew the captivity was almost over.

I never said that NONE of the Old Testament prophesies were meant literally. Where in the world did you get that? I have always said that it was 70 literal years in Daniel. I believe I said that SOMETIMES we are supposed to take a thing symbolically instead of literally.

 

[kristina411]

I am not too familiar on the different ideas and know little of what it says in the bible. I have read revelation through more than once but still dont understand much lol.

I have not had the chance yet to study it but I have noticed in Matthew Jesus kept saying "the second coming of man" but by reading that I assumed he meant his resurection, that the first coming was his birth and the second would be His redirection? Again not too familiar. I did notice he said this also in reference to the end of times but at the same time told his disciples that it would be during their lifetime, if I'm not mistaken.
So, since I only started actually dissecting the bible and not skimming, the small idea i have gathered is that possibly He was referencing the disciples and their hardships after his death and at the rebirth of the church and that he does not teach on the end of times worldly until he says only the Father knows the time.
I may be mistaken though and if i am please feel free to explain how with references (i will look them up). This is something i find interesting.

 

[kristina411]

Oops