There are 3 main schools of thought that people fall into when they interpret end time prophecy. I’m going to try to present this without bias, but I definitely know which of these I believe in, so bias might creep in. Nonetheless I think it’s important when you study prophecy to know that there are frameworks for which popular interpretations come from. Not only does it make studying prophecy easier, it also teaches us a lot about how the interpretation of scripture varies.

Preterists believe that every prophecy made in the Bible has already been fulfilled. The main crux of this view can be found in Matthew 24:34, where Messiah tells the disciples their generation will see the fulfillment of “these things.” As such, Preterists believe the fulfillment of the prophecies describing the end were fulfilled in 70 AD when Rome sacked the city and destroyed the second Temple. This was only 40ish years from Messiah’s ministry which means many from His generation were still alive to see it come to pass.

There are two major questions to be asked when studying prophecy from a Preterist view:

Historicism is kind of a blend between Preterism and Futurism. This framework acknowledges that some—maybe even most—of the prophecy given in the Bible has already come to pass. They also admit that some of it has not yet happened and will happen at some unknown time in the future. Historicism views the end of time as an era that began essentially with Messiah’s ministry and lasts until Judgment Day. The point of contention between historicists and futurists is in Daniel 9:24-27, also known as the 70 weeks prophecy.

According to historicists the final week discussed in verse 27 immediately follows the 69 weeks spoken of in the preceding verses. This beens the 70 weeks for Israel to “finish the transgression” and “anoint the most Holy” have already passed and judgment already begun.

The important question when studying from the Historicist view is how do you know if a historical event fits the prophecy? Many people propose different events for the same prophecies, who is right?

Futurism is the most common belief among the average Christian today—I personally believe that was heavily influenced by The Left Behind series as I was never taught this view in church and most churches don’t talk or teach about the end times. This is the belief that there will be a 7 year period at some point in the future and this is the time designated as the end when all of these prophecies will come true. Many (though not all) who subscribe to futurism also believe in a pre-tribulation rapture (meaning before the 7 year period begins God’s people will be taken from the Earth, thus avoiding the end times all together).

Futurists disagree with Historicists about the placement of the final week in Daniel 9:24-27. They believe that week is detached from the preceding 69 weeks. The seventh week, described in verse 27, is the basis for the 7 year tribulation they believe will occur in the future.

There are two important questions when studying the Futurist point of view:

While I’ve encountered people that are clearly Preterist, Historicist or Furturist, I have never met anyone who believes in the Idealist school of throught. Nonetheless, I see it discussed in some sources when I look for information on this topic. Idealist believe its not literal. The others will also tell you that much of Revelation is not literal and argue that most elements are symbolic of other things (some of which are actually defined in Revelation). However, Idealists take it a step further believe there is no end of the world. Instead, the prophecies are symbolic of our own personal journey.