This document discusses four approaches to interpreting biblical prophecy: 1) Preterist - focuses on prophecies fulfilled in the 1st century church. It references Matthew 24:21-22 about great distress coming upon the world. 2) Historicist - sees prophecy as a road map of world history. It lists biblical references paired with their historical fulfillments. 3) Futurist - views prophecy as a blueprint for end times events yet to come. It references Revelation 1:19 about writing what will happen later. 4) Idealist - interprets prophecy as conveying timeless spiritual principles, not literal events. It references 2 Peter 3:13 about a new heaven and earth.

4. John 21:21-23 (NIV)
21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what
about him?"
22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive
until I return, what is that to you? You must
follow me."
23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the
brothers that this disciple would not die. But
Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only
said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return,
what is that to you?"

5. 1. Preterist
The First Century Church
2. Historicist
Road Map to World History
3. Futurist
Blueprint for the End Times
4. Idealist
Timeless Principles

6. 1. Preterist
The First Century Church
Matthew 24:21-22 (NIV)
21 For then there will be great distress,
unequaled from the beginning of the
world until now--and never to be equaled
again.
22 If those days had not been cut short, no
one would survive, but for the sake of the
elect those days will be shortened.

7. Revelation 3:10 (NIV)
10 Since you have kept my
command to endure patiently,
I will also keep you from the
hour of trial that is going to
come upon the whole world to
test those who live on the
earth
.

8. 2. Historicist
4. Idealist
Road Map to World History
Timeless Principles

9. 1:22 Virgin
2:15 Out of Egypt
2:17 Weeping for Children
3:3 One Crying in the Wilderness
4:14 Zebulun and Naphtali
8:17 Infirmities and Diseases
12: 21 In His Name Gentiles Hope
13:35 Parables
27: 9 Thirty Pieces
21:4-5 Donkey
27: 35 Cast Lots

10. 2 Peter 3:13 (NIV)
13 But in keeping with his
promise we are looking
forward to a new heaven and a
new earth, the home of
righteousness.

11. 3. Futurist
Blueprint for the End Times
Revelation 1:19 (NIV)
19 "Write, therefore, what you
have seen, what is now and
what will take place later.

12. Luke 21:24 (NIV)
24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as
prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be
trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the
Gentiles are fulfilled.
Romans 11:25 (NIV)
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery,
brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel
has experienced a hardening in part until the full
number of the Gentiles has come in.

13. Acts 1:6-7 (NIV)
6 So when they met together, they
asked him, "Lord, are you at this time
going to restore the kingdom to
Israel?"
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to
know the times or dates the Father has
set by his own authority.