How Should We Interpret Revelation?

The Book of Revelation (or Apocalypse) is 'the revelation of Jesus Christ' (Revelation 1:1) — its central figure is Christ, not the Antichrist. Four main interpretive approaches exist. The preterist view sees most events as fulfilled in the first century (the fall of Jerusalem and Rome). The historicist view reads Revelation as a timeline of church history. The idealist view sees it as timeless symbolism of the battle between good and evil. The futurist view interprets chapters 4-22 as largely describing future events surrounding Christ's return. Most evangelicals hold some form of futurism. Key themes are clear in every approach: Christ wins, Satan loses, God judges evil, and the redeemed live forever in God's presence. Revelation promises a blessing to those who read it (1:3), and its closing vision of the New Jerusalem (chapters 21-22) provides breathtaking hope. The book ends with Christ's promise: 'Surely I come quickly,' and the church's response: 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus' (Revelation 22:20).