Interpretations of End Times in the Bible
| Interpretation | Description | Subcategories / Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Preterism | This belief holds that many or all prophecies concerning the end times have already been fulfilled. Full Preterists believe all end time prophecies were fulfilled with the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD, while Partial Preterists believe some prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. | Full Preterists, Partial Preterists |
| Historicism | This interpretation views the prophecies of Revelation and Daniel as unfolding throughout the course of history. | Dominant among Protestant reformers |
| Futurism | This posits that the majority of prophecies will be fulfilled in the future. | Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, Amillennialism |
| Idealism | Also known as spiritual or symbolic interpretation, this view holds that Revelation describes the ongoing cosmic conflict of spiritual realities, not specific historical or future events. | Spiritual or symbolic interpretation |
Notes on Futurism's Subcategories
- Premillennialism: Jesus' second coming will precede a literal thousand-year reign.
- Dispensational Premillennialism: Anticipates a pre-tribulation rapture.
- Historic Premillennialism: Expects the rapture to occur post-tribulation.
- Postmillennialism: Christ will return after a "golden age" of Christian dominance.
- Amillennialism: Interprets the millennium symbolically, seeing the reign of Christ as spiritual and ongoing.