How Do We Interpret The Book of Revelation?

The Book of Revelation is the most debated and disputed book in the Bible, in terms of decoding and understanding the book. There are three main interpretations of the book, all with vastly different views. Preterism claims that everything in the book was fulfilled in the ancient world, and that it culminated in 70 AD when Titus and his Roman army and defeated the Jews. Futurism claims that everything in the book will be fulfilled in the Great Tribulation period and will culminate at the 2nd coming of Jesus. Historicism claims that the prophecies in the book of Revelation are being fulfilled throughout history, and that it culminates at the 2nd coming of Jesus. There is a belief called Idealism, but it is not widely accepted. It is the belief that nothing in the book of Revelation is literal, and that it is symbolic of the battle between good and evil. (I will not speak on this view much, as it has no scriptural foundation whatsoever)

Which One Is Correct?

Though all three views have solid claims, I believe that the concept of Historicism is correct, as it aligns with the Word of God. I believe in the concept of Historicism, but do not follow any official doctrines. Historicism is based on the idea that the prophecies would unfold throughout history, and does not require an official doctrine. There are separate articles on Preterism and Futurism that explain the error in those doctrines.

Revelation 1:1 says “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:”

This verse says that these things must shortly come to pass, which contradicts both preterism and futurism. Preterism believes everything was fulfilled in 70 AD, which is 25 years before Revelation was written. Futurism suggests that nothing will be fulfilled until the Great Tribulation, which completely contradicts the fact that John said that it must shortly come to pass.

Many followers of the concept of Historicism, including myself, believe that the prophecies started being fulfilled quickly, with the release of the evil spirit of the 1st seal. There is a separate article that explains the seals and trumpets of Revelation, and how the traditional view that the 7 seals are opened, then the 7 trumpets are blown, then the 7 vials are opened is incorrect. The biggest piece of proof is how the 6th seal (Revelation 6:12-17) matches the description of the 2nd coming of Jesus in Matthew 24:29-30. There cannot be 7 more trumpets to be blown and 7 more vials to be poured out if the 6th seal is the 2nd coming. I believe that these three judgments overlap each other and that they all culminate at the 2nd coming of Jesus. (We agree with the futuristic view that the vials will all happen during the Great Tribulation, but the seals and trumpets started before)

Here are some of my views of the end times

• The Last Days started after the death of Jesus
• The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation will unfold throughout the Last Days
• The seals and trumpets are judgments of the world throughout the Last Days
• The beasts of Daniel 7 are current-day nations, not ancient world nations
• There will be a 7-year tribulation period
• The vials happen in the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation, as they are towards the kingdom of the beast
• The seals, trumpets and vials overlap each other, but culminate at the 2nd coming of Jesus
• There will be a physical man of sin (Antichrist) and the False Prophet
• There will be a beast system that administers a world government

God intended for this book to be understood, and as we approach closer to the Tribulation, more is revealed. The book of Revelation is the story of the Last Days, which began after the death of Jesus. It contains the nations and kings that would arise, along with the judgments God would send on the earth. Many of these judgments were major world events that silently fulfilled Biblical prophecy. Once understood, you will realize that the book of Revelation told us, in detail, many of the things that would happen in the Last Days.

Thank you for reading, and always remember to stay vigilant!