Revelation 4

“The History of Modern Interpretation”

Futurist- Origin: 1800’s. Marked by: Literalism Popularized by: Darby Supporters: Scofield, Ryrie, Lindsey Status: Most Popular (as evidenced by Left Behind Series)

Historicist- Origin: 1100’s. Marked by: Anti-Catholicism Popularized by: Luther/Reformers Supporters: Wycliffe, Calvin, Wesley Status: Little Support

Preterist- Origin: 1500’s. Marked by: Relevance to original readers Popularized by: Alcazar Supporters: Sproul, Gentry, Demar Status: Recent Resurgence

Spiritualist- Origin: 1900’s. Marked by: Non-specificity Popularized by: Hendrikson Supporters: Most Modern Commentators Status: Popular in higher education

How is the invitation to John significant?
Why isn’t the term ‘church’ used from this point forward?
Who/what do the 24 elders represent?
Who/what do the 4 living creatures represent?

Futurist- Prophecy yet to be fulfilled
1.Chapter 4 begins section 3 and occurs ‘after’ the church age (1:19 & 4:1)
2.Some believe the invitation to John to ‘come up here’ represents the rapture
3.The word ‘church’ does not appear again until the final chapter of the Bible
4.The twenty four elders may represent angels or, more likely, raptured saints
5.The four living creatures represent qualities of Christ/nature or may be angels

Historicist- Prophecy fulfilled throughout the church age
1.Chapter 4 begins section 3 and gives a glimpse of Rome’s empire from 100-400
2.The invitation to John was unique, not symbolic of the church being raptured
3.This section deals with secular/political history, not the church
4.The twenty four elders may represent the church uniting with heaven in praise
5.The four living creatures represent the whole of creation or divine government

Preterist- Prophecy fulfilled in distant past
1.Chapter 4 is a heavenly courtroom scene, Jerusalem is about to be condemned
2.John was shown, in a vision, what was soon going to happen (A.D. 66-70)
3.No specific church is mentioned, but the ‘saints’ and ‘redeemed’ are
4.The twenty four elders may represent the church/angels or may be mere props
5.The four living creatures may be angels or similar to the cherubim of Ezekiel

Spiritualist- Prophecy fulfilled repeatedly throughout history
1.Chapter 4 begins a description of the entire church age from God’s view
2.John’s vision assured the 7 churches that God was still in control
3.Specific churches are mentioned because God views them as a unity
4.The twenty four elders are celestial representatives of the entirety of the redeemed
5.The four living creatures may symbolize all of nature or celestial beings praising