A Brief Defense of Amillennialism

Four Views of Revelation

A PDF version of this article is avaiable here

Historicism

is the view that Revelation describes the whole church age. This view is almost completely defunct. Historicist interpreters tend to assume that Jesus is coming back within their lifetimes which affects how various symbols are interpreted.

Futurism

is the view that Revelation describes events in our future. Today, this is most commonly found among dispensationalists.

Preterism

is the view that Revelation was largely fulfilled either in the fall of Jerusalem or the fall of Rome. In other words, most of the events described in Revelation are understood to be in our past, but John’s future. Of course, certain events are understood to be future, such as the final return of Christ.