There are 4 major views of Revelation:

Futurists

Futurists perceive much of Revelation (specifically chapters 4-22) as still unfulfilled, predicting events connected to the 'end times,' the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, the second coming of Christ, and a new heaven and earth.

One example illustrating this view is Revelation 21:1, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away." Futurists believe this is yet to happen, marking the conclusion of human history and the initiation of an eternal state.

Idealist

The idealist perspective, also known as 'the Spiritual view,' interprets Revelation as a timeless allegory of the struggle between good and evil, without needing to link the symbols with specific past or future events.

Take the brutal monster in Revelation 13:1, "And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads." Idealists propose this beast isn't a distinct historical entity, but rather an allegorical representation of worldly kingdoms opposing God's rule throughout all ages.

Preterist

The title "preterist" comes from the Latin word "praeter" meaning "past." This viewpoint asserts that most of the prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled in the past, particularly in the devastating events that befell Jerusalem in A.D. 70 under Roman siege.

A key biblical example supporting this view can be found in Revelation 1:1, which states; “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.” Preterists would argue that if John was talking about events thousands of years in the future, he wouldn't have used the term "soon."

Historicist

Historicists see Revelation not as a record of past events or a prophecy for the distant future but as a symbolic panorama of church history from the apostolic age to the end of time. They view the book of Revelation as a prophetic tapestry illustrating the significant events over two millennia of Christian history.

Revelation 12:6, for instance, remarks about the woman, generally interpreted as the Church, fleeing into the desert for '1260 days.' Historicists see this as symbolizing the 1260 years of Papal dominance (538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.) during the Middle Ages.

3 Views of the Millennium:

Amillennialism: the millennium is a current reality

Amillennialism interprets the millennium not as a literal thousand years, but a symbolic representation of the period initiated by Christ’s resurrection and to be fulfilled at His second coming. During this period, the view suggests Christ reigns spiritually, and this era overlaps with the current age of the church.

Support for this view arises from Jesus' parables, such as the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. Here, Jesus depicts the concurrent growth of good (the Kingdom of God) and evil (the age we live in), which is allegorical to how amillennialists understand the spiritual reign of Christ in the present age.

Premillennialism: there will be a literal, future 1000 year reign of Christ on earth

Premillennialism posits that Christ will return physically before the millennium, inaugurating a literal thousand-year reign on earth. This view highlights the future fulfillment of prophecies concerning God's Kingdom, which is seen as a time of peace and righteousness.

A key biblical backing for this perspective comes from Revelation 20:1-4. Here, it mentions Satan being bound for a thousand years, during which time those who were martyred during the tribulation period will be resurrected to reign with Christ.

Postmillennialism: the millennium will be accomplished through evangelism

Postmillennialism proposes that Christ will return after the millennium, a period where Christian ethics, peace, and prosperity will progressively pervade the world. This view fosters an optimistic projection for the world as the influence of the Church grows.

A biblical verse bolstering this view is Matthew 13:31-33, where the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a mustard seed and yeast. Both start small but eventually expand into something substantial, symbolizing the progressive growth of God’s Kingdom as believed by postmillennialists.