Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Four Views of the Book of Revelation


G.K. Chesterton once said, "Though St.John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creatures so wild as one of his own commentators"

This interesting commentary is actually four commentaries in one. Presented in four parallel columns are the commentaries of the text from four separate viewpoints: the historical viewpoint, the preterist viewpoint, the futurist viewpoint and the spiritual (or idealism or symbolic) viewpoint.

The historical viewpoint sees the Book of Revelation as a prewritten record of the history of the world from the apostles to the end of the world.

The preterist viewpoint sees that Revelation's prophecies has already been fulfilled but from St. John's viewpoint would be in the future.

The futurist viewpoint postulates that the majority of prophecies have not yet been fulfilled and await future fulfilment.

The spiritual viewpoint sees the Book as a great drama between good and evil with the final victory of Christ.

Really enjoyable read.

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