Preterism

I was just listening to an interview of Steven Gregg author of, Revelation: Four Views, a commentary on the four eschatological views of the Book of Revelations. I did recall these from college, but I thought I might summarize them here for you now:

1. Preterist - The Book of Revelation is about the time of John; forecasting the fall of Jerusalem, the end of the Roman Empire and the conversion of Emperor Constatine.
2. Historicist - The Book of Revelation is the store of the Christian Church through all time, chronicling events that had, were and would happen.
3. Idealist - The Book of Revelation is not intended to be an account real events but rather to communicate principles and truths which are universally valid in Christian experience.
4. Futurist - The Book of Revelation is a foretelling of events yet to occur; is is largely a prophecy of events still to come, especially just prior to the return of Christ.

The Futurist view, which is popularly held by most evangelicals was once uncommon. Tim Lehaye, author of the Left Behind books holds this view. Historic reformationists typically held the Historicist position.