What Do Pastors Believe About the Book of Revelation?
Revelation Fast Facts
Pastors often recognize people within their congregation have different perspectives on Revelation, but pastors also embrace varying views among themselves.
Here’s what U.S. Protestant pastors say they believe about the last book of the Bible and how they interpret it.
For more information on the research, read the Lifeway Research release or view the complete report.
Of the 86% of pastors who attended Bible college or seminary, how many took a course on eschatology?
Overall, around 60% of pastors have taken a course on eschatology.
Which perspective on the millennium in Revelation 20 best describes your view?
Amillennialism
Postmillennialism
Premillennialism
5% say none of these, 5% not sure
What views do U.S. Protestant pastors hold on the millennium described in Revelation 20? 60% premillennialism, 21% amillennialism and 9% postmillennialism Click To Tweet
How strongly do you hold your beliefs about the millennium?
Very strongly
Somewhat strongly
Somewhat loosely
Very loosely
Which perspective on the millennium in Revelation 20 best describes what you were taught in seminary or Bible college?
Amillennialism
Postmillennialism
Premillennialism
Multiple views fairly equally
Courses didn’t go into this detail
*Among those who attended seminary or Bible college
What method of interpreting the prophecies in Revelation best describes your own?
Idealist
Preterist
Historicist
Futurist
A mixture
2% say none of these, 3% not sure
What method of interpreting the prophecies in Revelation do U.S. Protestant pastors use? 8% idealist, 5% preterist, 3% historicist, 28% futurist, 51% a mixture Click To Tweet
How have your views on end times prophecy changed since finishing school?
Not changed
Changed a little
Changed a lot
1% are not sure
How much do your views on the end times match your church’s view or the majority of your congregation?
Complete agreement
A little different
Very different
No consensus view in the church
How much agreement do U.S. Protestant pastors see between their views on the end times and their church? 57% complete agreement, 14% a little different, 1% very different, 24% no consensus in the church Click To Tweet
For tips on preaching through the book of Revelation, read “Making the Apocalypse Understandable: 7 Keys to Preaching Revelation.”
The Heart of Revelation:
Understanding the 10 Essential Themes of the Bible’s Final Book
J. Scott Duvall
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