Quatro escolas ou abordagens interpretativas têm tentado explicar a visão de João. A mais comum, adotada quase que instintivamente (ou por falta de outra) por intérpretes leigos é a abordagem idealista.

Historicamente, essa interpretação surgiu de uma reação alegórica e formas extremas de pré-milenismo literal no terceiro e quarto séculos. Pode ter mais ênfase histórica (Deus X Satanás na história da igreja) ou mais cíclica (Bem X Mal na história em geral).

A abordagem preterista atribui a Apocalipse um sentido puramente contemporâneo (do ponto de vista de seu autor) com apenas aplicações para o presente. Esse ponto de vista virtualmente nega o caráter profético do livro e ignora a íntima relação temática entre Apocalipse e muitas passagens proféticas do Antigo Testamento.

Uma terceira abordagem é a historicista, que vê o livro como uma crônica da história da Igreja entre a Cruz e a Segunda Vinda. Essa abordagem, em que qualquer interpretação de qualquer pessoa é possível, é derrotada pelo seu próprio sucesso, pois obviamente nem todas as interpretações que pareciam tão lógicas num determinado século serão assim entendidas no século seguinte. Nos tempos da Reforma, o papa era a escolha lógica para o Anticristo (pelo menos, para intérpretes protestantes); no século XIX, essa identificação não era mais tão popular à luz de um contexto histórico diferente. No esforço para tornar o livro relevante para a sua geração, o intérprete historicista corre o risco de despir o livro de eu significado original.

A quarta abordagem, adotada por este autor, é a futurista, que entende a maioria dos eventos relacionados no livro como ainda futuros, embora espelhados na situação histórica em que o escritor e os leitores originais viveram.

Uma crítica comum a essa posição é que ele rouba à audiência original qualquer conforto, já que os eventos descritos não eram contemporâneos aos seus sofrimentos. Embora válida à primeira vista, essa crítica não é necessária, porque não leva em conta a natureza da profecia do Antigo Testamento, que é parâmetro de João.

Os escritos dos profetas eram frequentemente derivados de eventos contemporâneos que partilhavam características de promessas ou ameaças escatológicas. O mesmo é verdade com respeito a Apocalipse.

Fonte: PINTO, Carlos Osvaldo. Foco e Desenvolvimento no Novo Testamento. Ed. Hagnos, p.592-93

Adendo

Ao estudar o livro de Apocalipse, é importante que o leitor de comentários e publicações sobre o livro esteja a par da abordagem interpretativa que o autor do conteúdo tem. Para isso disponibilizamos aqui uma lista de autores e suas escolhas interpretativas:

Futuristas

• Archer, Gleason
• Barnhouse, Donald Grey. Revelation: An Expository Commentary Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1971
• Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. Revelation. Life application Bible commentary Tyndale House 2000
• Chafer, Lewis Sperry.
• DeHaan, M. R. (Our Daily Bread. Radio Bible Class).
• Duck, Daymond R., Revelation God’s Word for the Biblically-Inept Series. Lancaster: Starburst Publishers, 1998.
• Feinberg, Charles.
• Garland, Anthony: A Testimony of Jesus Christ.
• Gaebelein, Arno C., The Revelation: An Analysis and Exposition of the Last Book of the Bible: Loizeaux Brothers, 1915
• Geisler, Norman.
• Guzik, David. Verse by Verse Commentary: Revelation.
• Ironside, H. A. Lectures on the Revelation: Neptune, N.J.: Loizeaux Brothers, 1920
• Johnson, Alan. Revelation in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
• Kaiser, Walter
• Keathley III, J Hampton
• Lindsey, Hal. There’s a New World Coming: A Prophetic Odyssey: Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 1973
• MacArthur, J. Revelation 1-11 and 12-22. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.
• J. Vernon McGee. Thru the Bible With J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson December, 1988.
• Morris, Henry M. The Revelation Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Revelation: Tyndale House, 1983 (Note that this is not Leon Morris who is categorized below!)
• NET Bible Notes
• Newell, William R. The Book of the Revelation: Chicago: Moody Press,1935 (devotional flavor)
• Pentecost, J. Dwight.
• Phillips, John. Exploring Revelation. Chicago: Moody Press. 1874
• Pinto, Carlos Osvaldo.
• Ribeira (1537-91) Jesuit scholar held almost all events are future and apply to the end times
• Richison, Grant – Revelation Commentary Notes
• Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. Revelation: Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press, 1968
• Seiss, J. A. The Apocalypse: Lectures on the Book of Revelation: Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1957
• Smith, J. B. A Revelation of Jesus Christ . Scottdale, Pa.: Herald, 1961. (also dispensationalist)
• Stedman, Ray C. God’s Final Word: Understanding Revelation: Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 1991
• Strauss, Lehman. The Book of the Revelation: Neptune, NJ.: Loizeaux Brothers, 1964
• Tenney, Merrill C. Interpreting Revelation . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1957. (also dispensationalist)
• Thomas, Robert L. Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody, 1992.
• Thomas, Robert L. Revelation 8–22: An Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody, 1995.
• Walvoord, John F. The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Chicago: Moody, 1966. (also dispensationalist) Recommended
• Wiersbe, Warren. Be Victorious. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985.

Historicistas

• Barnes, Albert. Revelation in Notes on the New Testament; Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1884–85
• Calvin, John
• Clarke, Adam. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible: Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1967
• Edwards, Jonathan
• Elliott, E. B. Horae Apocalypticae . 4 vols. Eng. tr. 3d ed. London: Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley, 1828
• Gill, John. Commentary of the Whole Bible.
• Henry, Matthew. Acts to Revelation, vol. 6 in Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Old Tappan, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell
• Knox, John.
• Ladd, George E. A Commentary on the Revelation of John . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972. (Historical premillennial, some classify as more futurist, others as preterist-futurist! He is difficult to categorize – in his book on “Last Things: An Eschatology for Laymen” [not recommended to those who seek to interpret Scripture literally] he says he “feels that he must adopt a spiritualizing hermeneutic”! He replaces Israel with the church. He believes the rapture is post-tribulation. )
• Luther, Martin
• Newton, Sir Isaac: The Prophecies of Daniel & the Apocalypse. 1733.
• Torrey, R. A. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: Old Tappan, NJ.: Fleming H. Revell (Historical premillennialist)
• Spurgeon, C H is classified as a Historicist: Keep this in mind when reading his sermons on the Revelation
• Utley, Bob – Bible Lessons International, Marshall, Texas
• Wesley, John
• Whitefield, George

Idealistas

• Alford, Henry. The Revelation in The Greek Testament, revised by Everett R Harrison (Chicago: Moody Press) 1958.
• Calkins, Raymond. The Social Message of the Book of Revelation. New York: Woman’s, 1920.
• Carrington, Philip. The Meaning of the Revelation . New York: Macmillan, 1931.
• Cleveland: Corpus Books, 1968. Rissi, Mathias. Time and History. Richmond: John Knox, 1966.
• Hendriksen, W. More Than Conquerors . Grand Rapids: Baker, 1940.
• A. Hoekema
• Phillip Hughes
• Kiddle, Martin. The Revelation of St. John . MNT. New York: Harper, 1940.
• Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. New Testament commentary: Exposition of the Book of Revelation. Baker House. 1953-2001.
• Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Revelation: Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1943
• Milligan, William. The Book of Revelation . ExB. Hodder & Stoughton, 1909.
• Minear, Paul S. I Saw a New Earth: An Introduction to the Visions of the Apocalypse. Cleveland: Corpus Books, 1968
• Morey, Earl. Notes on Revelation in The Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Jack W. Hayford, Gen. ed: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991
• Rissi, Mathias. Time and History . Richmond: John Knox, 1966.
• Vincent, Marvin. Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament. Hendrickson Publishers, 1985
• Wilcock, Michael. I Saw Heaven Opened: The Message of Revelation: Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1975
• Wilson, Geoffrey B. Revelation: Durham, England: Evangelical Press, 1985

Preteristas

• Adams, Jay. The Time is at Hand: Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co, 1966.
• Ashcraft, Morris. Hebrews—Revelation The Broadman Bible Commentary v12: Clifton J. Alien, Gen. ed, Nashville: Broadman Press, 1972
• Barclay, William. The Revelation of John. Philadelphia: Westminister Press, 1976.
• Beasley-Murray, G.R. “The Revelation.” NBC rev. Edited by D. Guthrie, et al. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970.
• Beckwith, Isbon T. The Apocalypse of John . New York: Macmillan, 1922.
• Berkouwer, G. C. The Return of Christ. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972.
• Bruce, F. F. “The Revelation to John.” In A New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1969.
• Byrum, C. S., Parvin S. Unlocking the Mysteries 150 FAQs About Revelation and the End of the World. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.
• Caird, G.B. The Revelation of St. John the Divine. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries . New York: Harper, 1966.
• Charles, R.H. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John . 2 vols. Edinburgh: 1920.
• Chilton, David. The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation: Ft. Worth, Tex.: Dominion Press, 1987
• Ford, J. Massyngberde. Revelation . AB. New York: Doubleday, 1975.
• Gentry, Kenneth. The Beast of Revelation (2002), Before Jerusalem Fell (1998).
• Glasson, T. F. The Revelation of John. The Cambridge Bible Commentary on the New English Bible . 1965.
• Hanegraaff, Hank The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible REALLY Says About the End Times (Note: Unfortunately this author is well known and this book will propagate a teaching which is distinctly opposed to literal, natural, normal interpretation of the Scriptures. E.g., Hanegraaff teaches that Nero was the Beast of Revelation! This book is definitely NOT RECOMMENDED if you REALLY want to understand what God said in the Revelation of Jesus Christ! – See Well Done Review of this Book by Thomas Ice) (As an aside if you listen to his program “The Bible Answer Man” – there is good material on the cults but highly questionable material on eschatological matters. Be a Berean!)
• Harrington, Wilfred J. The Apocalypse of St. John: A Commentary . London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1969.
• Heidt, William G. The Book of the Apocalypse. New Testament Reading Guide . Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical, 1962.
• Morris, Leon. The Revelation of St. John . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1969 (Also categorized as “Spiritual”)
• Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation: New International Commentary on the NT: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977 (Note: also categorized as preterist-futurist)
• Metzger, Bruce. Breaking the Code Understanding the Book of Revelation. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993.
• Pieters, Albertus. Studies in the Revelation of St. John . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1954.
• Sproul, R. C.: Sproul, R. The last days according to Jesus. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. 1998
• Summers, Ray. Worthy Is the Lamb. Nashville: Broadman, 1951.
• Sweet, J.P.M. Revelation. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1979.
• Swete, Henry Barclay. The Apocalypse of St. John. New York: Macmillan, 1906.

Fonte desta lista: Precept Austin