Tag: Eschatology (The Study of Last Things)
Booklet Review: Four Views of the End Times by Timothy Paul Jones
Comprehensive and Concise Primer on End Time Events
There are so many differing views and interpretations related to Biblical prophecy and the end times. Dr. Jones has provided a great service to the church by providing a clear, short, and very complete guide to the key Bible passages, definition of terms, key views, and the strengths and insights on four of the most popular views on the end times: Dispensational Premillennialism, Historical Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism and objectively gives the answers the following questions for each view:
What does this view emphasize?
What does this view teach according to the main proponents (historically and modern) of the view?
What Scriptures are used to support this view?
When has this particular view been popular in church history?
Who are the most prominent Biblical Scholars (past and current) who hold to this particular view?
How does this particular view interpret the book of Revelation?
There is also a printable PDF available that charts each particular view, as well as a concluding section that answers how each of the four views answer the following crucial questions related to the end times:
Will Jesus return physically?
When will Jesus return?
Do the rapture and second coming occur at the same time?
Will there be a great tribulation?
Will Christians suffer during the tribulation?
Will there be a literal 1,000-year millennium?
Who is saved during the millennial period?
When was this particular view most held historically?
If you are looking for an objective, concise, and comprehensive overview of the end time views – this is a great place to start. I especially recommend this little booklet for people who have never studied “eschatology” (the study of the end times) before. It will be a good objective guide for you to see the “big picture” and then be able to hone in on more specific studies related to eschatology when you see the major players (scholars) that hole to the particular views, so you can do more study on your own.
Book Review: I Never Thought I’d See The Day by David Jeremiah
What to Believe and Do As We Wait For Our King To Return
This is the fourth book written by Dr. Jeremiah based on a prophetic series given at his church in San Diego over the past several years. The author (who has been in ministry for five decades and counting) writes about what he never thought he’d see happening in America and in the World by way of cultural ramifications that impact Christians and the world.
He bases the book on two specific Bible passages. Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. And 1 Chronicles 12:32, “Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” In other words, Dr. Jeremiah is concerned that we as Christians are not overwhelmed by the times we find ourselves living in – that we are knowledgeable about what is going on; and encouraged in the truth, so that we can effectively apply the Scriptures and make an impact on an ever increasing attack on God and His people around the globe.
Dr. Jeremiah tackles the following 9 specific developments in these times we are living in:
1) The rise of angry atheists and how they seek to intimidate believers in God at every level of society.
2) The intensification of spiritual warfare – the more the gospel spreads – the more the enemy attacks.
3) The dethroning of Jesus Christ as God come in the flesh and King of Kings and Lord of Lords in whom is salvation and the only hope for the world.
4) The redefining of marriage as articulated by God’s definition in the Bible.
5) The moral deterioration of society both privately and publicly – especially among our so-called leaders.
6) Dr. Jeremiah writes, “Intertwined with this free fall in morality is the growing marginalization of the Bible, which has moved from the center of political and cultural discourse to the far edges—from providing the founding principles of our nation to becoming a resource for token verses as ornamental platitudes. Sadly, many Christians and a growing number of churches have followed the lead of the culture and pushed the Word of God away at the center of their lives.”
7) The growing irrelevance of the Body of Christ in our society.
8) The growing influence of rogue nations.
9) The decline of America’s loyalty and allegiance to Israel.
This book is very relevant, and provides historical and biblical ways to be prepared to know what we believe, why we believe it, and how to stand firm in God’s truth and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we as Christians may be faithful in serving our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ – until He returns. I highly recommend this book as informative, alarming, but also full of biblically helpful solutions and encouragement from a brilliant communicator of God’s Word and how it applies to the times in which we are living.
Book Review: Preaching and Teaching the Last Things by Walter Kaiser
Walter Kaiser is a gifted Old Testament scholar who has the keen ability to be able to communicate well among lay people and scholars alike. In this new offering Dr. Kaiser does not disappoint. This book is especially geared toward pastors, but is also extremely helpful for all those who teach and desire to understand the Old Testament and it’s connections to the New Testament and the ultimate promise plan of God.
Dr. Kaiser lands somewhere between a “covenant” and “dispensational” theologian – in my opinion he is very balanced and makes an excellent case for each passage he exegetes. He definitely leans dispensational – taking passages and promises to Israel literally unless there is a textual indicator deeming otherwise.
The book is composed of six parts – covering different aspects of the end times. Each of these parts contains two or three passages of Scripture, and is broken down in this way:
1) A discussion of the topic.
2) Specific exegetical and sermonic helps for the specific passage being taught including: the text; title; focal point; homiletical key word; interrogative question; and teaching aim.
3) A teaching outline for the passage.
4) An exegetical discussion of the passage.
5) Practical conclusions based on a thorough exegesis of the passage.
Here are the topics that Kaiser addresses in the book with thorough exegetical and insightful precision:
Part 1: The Individual and General Eschatology of the Old Testament
- Life and Death in the Old Testament (Psalm 49:1-20)
- The resurrection of Mortals in the Old Testament (Job 19:21-27)
Part 2: The Nation of Israel in Old Testament Eschatology
- The Everlasting Promises made to Israel (Jeremiah 32:27-44)
- The Future Resurrection and Reunification of the Nation (Ezekiel 37:1-28)
- The Future Return of Israel to the Land of Promise (Zechariah 10:2-12)
Part 3: The New Davidic King and the City of the great King in the Old Testament
- The Branch of the Lord and the New Zion (Isaiah 2:2-5; 4:2-6)
- The Extent of Messiah’s Rule and Reign (Psalm 72:1-17)
Part 4: The Day of the Lord and the Beginning of the Nations’ Struggle with Israel
- The Arrival of the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:28-3:21)
- God and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39)
Part 5: The Events of the Last Seven Years and the Arrival of the Western Confederacy
10. The Seventy Weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27)
11. The New Coming Third Temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40:1-41:26; 43:1-11)
12. The Coming Antichrist (Daniel 11:36-45)
13. The Battle of Armageddon (Zechariah 14:1-21)
Part 6: The Coming Millennial Rule of Christ and the Arrival of the Eternal State
14. The Millennial Rule and Reign of God (Isaiah 24:1-23)
15. The New Creation (Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:18-24)
I think this book is a welcome addition to any Bible student’s collection – especially due to the neglect of roughly 20-25% of the Bible being of a prophetic nature. Those of us who teach and preach God’s Word are required to teach the “whole counsel of God.” My only complaint is that I would have liked to have seen him draw more parallels in the passages to Christ and how the gospel applies to believers in the here and now – and not solely in the past or future (read Tim Keller or Paul Tripp for excellence in this matter). Overall, I think it’s an excellent resource with wise insights into God’s Word and how His promise plan will ultimately be fulfilled.
*Walter C. Kaiser Jr. (PhD, Brandeis University) is the distinguished professor emeritus of Old Testament and president emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Dr. Kaiser has written over 40 books, including Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching; A History of Israel; The Messiah in the Old Testament; Recovering the Unity of the Bible; The Promise-Plan of God; Preaching and Teaching The Last Things; and coauthored (with Moises Silva) An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. Dr. Kaiser and his wife, Marge, currently reside at Kerith Farm in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. Dr. Kaiser’s website: www.walterckaiserjr.com