Historicism Eschatology

Historicism eschatology finds a literal earthly fulfillment throughout history in the apocalyptic writings of Daniel and John in Revelation. It primarily focused on the Prostestant-Catholic conflicts during the Reformation began by Luther in 1517.

The controversy arises particularly over the identification of the Antichrist, (1 and 2 John), the Beast of Revelation 13, the Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2) and the Whore of Babylon (Revelation 17) with the Roman Catholic church.

In 1530, Luther began to draw on medieval historicisizing resources reinventing them to his viewpoint. He believed the Papacy's rejection of his views were examples of the conflict between God and the devil.

Luther adapted a method popularized by the Franciscan Nicholas of Lyra. The common method in historicist eschatology is that of identifying contemporary ecclesiastical figures with the Antichrist.

Actual historical figures of Luther's day were used by him to represent characters in the book of Revelation. He saw in every evil angel someone in his time that opposed the Reformation principle.

There appears to be an inherent danger in the historical method of applying historical figures of current times to apocalyptic personalities in the scriptures.

Luther's approach of identifying the papacy as the Antichrist proved fateful. Many futurists today imperil their own and the lives of others by ascribing the Antichrist or man of sin to some living, political personality.

Historicism eschatology prevailed among Protestants during the Reformation until the rise of dispensationalism. Few futurist views if any are immune to the influence of the historical interpretation method.

Overlooking the past fulfillment of the Apocalypse in the first century relating to apostate Jerusalem, -- Mystery Babylon, the great city where our Lord was crucified, (Revelation 11:8) futurist potentially run the risk of provoking powerful world leaders.