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What Do Pastors Believe About the Book of Revelation?

Insights| Bible & Theology | Feb 17, 2021

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?

70%

Overall, around 60% of pastors have taken a course on eschatology.

Which perspective on the millennium in Revelation 20 best describes your view?

21%

Amillennialism

9%

Postmillennialism

60%

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?

57%

Very strongly

26%

Somewhat strongly

12%

Somewhat loosely

3%

Very loosely

Which perspective on the millennium in Revelation 20 best describes what you were taught in seminary or Bible college?

18%

Amillennialism

6%

Postmillennialism

47%

Premillennialism

14%

Multiple views fairly equally

10%

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?

8%

Idealist

5%

Preterist

3%

Historicist

28%

Futurist

51%

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?

59%

Not changed

31%

Changed a little

8%

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?

57%

Complete agreement

14%

A little different

1%

Very different

24%

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.”

Dig Deeper at Lifeway.com

The Heart of Revelation:
Understanding the 10 Essential Themes of the Bible’s Final Book

J. Scott Duvall

FIND OUT MORE

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