Historicists view the prophecies of the Bible as symbolic, with fulfillments corresponding to specific historical events or periods of time. Historicist interpretations of biblical prophecies often seek to identify and explain how various historical figures, empires, and events align with the descriptions given in scripture. They often examine the book of Daniel, but advocates focus mainly on the Book of Revelation. They say it provides a blueprint for understanding the course of history and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity. Overall, historicism in Christianity serves as a framework for believers to make sense of the past, present, and future in light of their faith and understanding of biblical prophecy.
“historicism An approach to history seeking explanations solely on the basis of the historical-critical method. The assumption is that humans are exclusively historical beings. All human ideals, ideas, and institutions have significance only in relation to the positions they occupy in place and time.” (McKim, Donald K.. The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition: Revised and Expanded (p. 148). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.)
Historicism’s main approach
- Prophetic imagery is metaphorical and corresponds to historical periods.
- Prophecies are continuously unfolding throughout history.
- Symbolic figures in Scripture correspond to actual people, events, and periods.
- Symbols differ, such as a day is not a literal 24-hour period. Heavenly bodies (Sun, Moon, etc.) and phenomena (storms, earthquakes) represent governments, powers, and authority figures.
This type of interpretive method within Christianity has legitimacy. After all, understanding biblical prophecy can be daunting. Undoubtedly, there are specific prophecies that are easy to understand (Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, Micah 5:2, and the crucifixion spoken of in Psalm 22). However, other events can be difficult to interpret, such as Revelation 20 speaking of Satan being bound or the letters to the seven churches in Revelations chapters 1 through 3. What are the seven seals, and is the whore of Babylon a false future church? Is the antichrist a literal person, or is it, as some think, Roman Catholicism? These and other topics have been debated and interpreted differently throughout church history. Historicism tries to make sense of it all.
Adherents of Historicism
Martin Luther and John Calvin held to historicism. They both viewed the Roman Catholic Church as the spirit of the antichrist. Other adherents are…
“John Wycliffe, John Huss, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Foxe, Thomas Newton, John Bunyan, Sir Isaac Newton (yes, the scientist), Matthew Henry, Jonathan Edwards, John Gill, John Wesley, George Whitefield, Charles Finney, the whole translation committee of the King James Bible (read the epistle dedicatory), Albert Barnes, H. Grattan Guinness, Charles Spurgeon and many, many others.”
(https://theomegapath.com/principles-of-prophecy/introduction-to-historicism)
