Introduction to Revelation

We are all excited to begin teaching Revelation this September. God has promised that both those who read the book and those who hear it will be blessed.

If you would like to get a jump-start on our study, you can begin by examining the four major interpretational approaches that people have used to answer the question: "What is the Book of Revelation about?"

The "Preterist" position states that all the prophecies in the book (and elsewhere in Scripture) were fulfilled in the first century AD. Christ's return and the Kingdom are already accomplished.

The "Historicist" position believes that the prophecies in Revelation began to be fulfilled immediately and are in the process of being fulfilled right now. In other words, some of the prophecies are already accomplished, while others are still future.

The "Idealist" or "Spiritual" position basically believes that the prophecies are not to be taken as literal events, but rather are to be interpreted metaphorically as illustrative of the conflict between good and evil.

Finally, the "Futurist" position states that Revelation and other New Testament prophecies deal with a future phenomenon known as the Day of the Lord, and that the Rapture of the Church, the 7 year Tribulation, the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ, the Millennial Kingdom, and the Final Judgement are all imminent, future events.

We will be teaching from the Futurist viewpoint, but we believe it's necessary to understand a little about other viewpoints as well. You can look up these other positions on the Internet or in a good Bible study aid. Feel free to post your questions and comments on this site!