Problem: Preterist interpreters argue that the “huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each” (Rev. 16:21) were actually the rocks were catapulted over the walls of Jerusalem in AD 70. Preterist Kenneth Gentry writes,

John is presenting the dramatic covenant lawsuit against Israel for her adultery. The punishment in God’s law for adultery is death (Lev. 20:10), which in biblical law is by stoning. Thus, we witness enormous hailstones raining down on Jerusalem in Revelation 16:21: ‘From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds [Gk. talantiaia, talent, kjv] each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.’ Josephus records its historical fulfillment in the Roman catapulting of Jerusalem.[1]
Gentry goes on to cite Josephus Jewish Wars, which states:

Now the stones that were cast were of the weight of a talent, and were carried two furlongs and further. The blow they gave was no way to be sustained, not only by those that stood first in the way, but by those that were beyond them for a great space. As for the Jews, they at first watched the coming of the stone, for it was of a white color. (Jewish Wars 5.6.3)
Does this citation from Josephus support a Preterist reading of Revelation?
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Problem: According to this verse, heaven is a place in which the saints “rest from their labors.” However, earlier in the Book of Revelation heaven is described as a place of constant praise and singing (Rev. 4–5). Which is it?
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Problem: Some interpreters believe that God sent the angel merely to preach judgment—not forgiveness. The angel screams, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters” (v.7).
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Various explanations have been offered for the meaning of the number “666.” We will consider several below:
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Problem: Many interpretations have been offered for this passage. Modern, end-times fanatics have identified this fatal wound with Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, and even JFK![1]These wild speculations should be avoided. Instead, let’s consider some of the more common interpretations held by commentators:
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Problem: In Revelation 12, some of the symbols are very clear, while others are not.

The “red dragon” is no doubt Satan. John explicitly tells us that “the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan” (v.9; c.f. v.12). In addition, he wages war with Michael—the archangel—in heaven (v.7). Moreover, he is colored red, because he is drenched in the blood of believers (similar to the red horse of Revelation 6:4). He has a crown on his head (Rev. 12:3), as the current prince or ruler of the Earth (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4).
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Problem: Interpreters who hold to a more literal perspective argue that this is literal fire coming out of the mouths of the two witnesses. Of course, Elijah’s original ministry was protected by fires from heaven (1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:11-12). For instance, in the Left Behind films, there is a scene of the two witnesses literally shooting flames out of their mouths, as though they were flame throwers!
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