Because Revelation was written to encourage Christians experiencing persecution, interest in Revelation has always increased whenever there have been times of danger, crisis, or great difficulty. The arrival of nuclear and biological warfare during the lifetimes of many of us has made apocalyptic themes seem far more relevant than is comfortable.

The study of Revelation and of apocalyptic literature in general is sometimes referred to as “eschatology,” or the study of Last Things. While there have always been sharp differences of understanding and opinion about these matters, such differences have never been a test of fellowship among Baptists. Baptists encourage one another to study hard and seek God’s guidance as we sort these things out for ourselves.

Whereas it is usually the best practice to take things in the Bible literally (i.e., at face value) unless there is good reason to take them figuratively, in Revelation, the opposite is true. That is, it is better to understand symbolic language in apocalyptic literature as figurative unless there is good reason for understanding it as literal (for example, a beast with seven heads and ten horns).

There are Four Main Approaches to Revelation PRETERIST View: Revelation refers only to events in the 1 st Century. PRETERIST View: Revelation refers only to events in the 1 st Century. FUTURIST View: Revelation refers primarily to “the terminal generation.” FUTURIST View: Revelation refers primarily to “the terminal generation.” HISTORICIST View: Revelation presents an outline of history from Jesus’ Ascension to His Return... and beyond. HISTORICIST View: Revelation presents an outline of history from Jesus’ Ascension to His Return... and beyond. IDEALIST View: Revelation presents the battle between good and evil in symbols that apply to every generation. IDEALIST View: Revelation presents the battle between good and evil in symbols that apply to every generation.

Dispensational Premillennialism

Views of “the millennium” or the 1,000 years in Revelation 20:1-7 POSTMILLENNIALISM: the world will get better and better until Jesus returns POSTMILLENNIALISM: the world will get better and better until Jesus returns PREMILLENNIALISM: the world will get worse and worse until Jesus returns PREMILLENNIALISM: the world will get worse and worse until Jesus returns Dispensational Premillennialism Dispensational Premillennialism Historic Premillennialism Historic Premillennialism AMILLENNIALISM: the 1,000 years are a symbol for the period between Jesus’ Ascension and His Return AMILLENNIALISM: the 1,000 years are a symbol for the period between Jesus’ Ascension and His Return “PANMILLENNIALISM”: everything will “pan out” in the end “PANMILLENNIALISM”: everything will “pan out” in the end

We do well to make our interpretations with humility, remembering that Jesus told us that He will return when we least expect it (Matthew 24:44; 2 Peter 3:10).

I see the general trajectory of Revelation as moving from “the things that are”—the first-century churches’ present situation (chapters 2–3)—to “the things that are to take place after this,” climaxing with the destruction of God’s enemies and the presentation of the church as the Lamb’s Bride in a New Heaven and New Earth (1:19; 4:1). Within this general movement, I think John’s visions “double back” to present complementary perspectives on the same event or phase of the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan, rather as turning a kaleidoscope rearranges the same pieces into different patterns.

Kaleidoscopic Recapitulation

George Beasley-Murray God the Creator in his glory and majesty, sovereignly works His will in the world—over against the beast from hell, the dragon who would bring the world down to hell with him; Jesus, the Christ of God, who alone is the Redeemer, giving Himself for the life of the world and coming again to rule it in righteousness and justice—over against the antichrist who seeks to enslave the world in wickedness and bring it to destruction; And the City of God, referred to as the Bride, beloved by the Lamb, wherein redeemed humankind finds the fulfillment of creation in a new existence provided by the eternal love of God—over against the city of this world, represented by a glittering prostitute, drunk with the blood of the righteous but destined to die at the hands of the very power it serves—the antichrist himself.

The Outcome of the Struggle is Never in Doubt From first to last (Alpha & Omega), JESUS IS LORD. From first to last (Alpha & Omega), JESUS IS LORD. Although repentance is invited, judgment is sure. Although repentance is invited, judgment is sure. The primary purpose of the letter is to encourage faithfulness under persecution. The primary purpose of the letter is to encourage faithfulness under persecution. The whole book is really a commentary on John 16:33: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” The whole book is really a commentary on John 16:33: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

The most important teaching of Revelation is one on which all agree: Christ alone is our Hope!