Several views of the end of time clamor for our allegiance. Which one, if any, is the closest to Scripture?

This book was the official annual doctrine book for Southern Baptists to study in their churches during the year 1994. That endorsement does not make it official; hopefully, it indicates a wide acceptance of the book's approach.

After an introduction in which I state the basis for the book, Chapter 1 presents the basic issues involved in the debate, such as what millennium means. Then the chapter overviews the four views most prevalent today: amillennialism, postmillennialism, historical premillennialism, and dispensational premillennialism, the latter being the view making most of the pronouncements and proclaimed most by television personalities. In this chapter, you'll learn the basics.

Chapter 2, "Jesus and the Second Coming," discusses some Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Messiah and the end times and discusses how prophets rarely separated the two matters. It continues with Jesus' teachings about His first and second comings and deals with the meaning of "kingdom."

Chapter 3 considers the place of the church in both the "present end time" and what that term means. Is the church the New Israel? How do the chapters of Revelation 5--7 and 12 relate to the present and/or to the future in regard to the church? What is God's plan for the church in the end times?

Chapter 4 continues with the church's role in end times and then deals with Israel's role in prophecy, the Antichrist, and the Great Tribulation. Will Christians go through it or not? (How true are the series of books by Tim LeHaye and Jerry Jenkins?)

Chapter 5 considers the final judgments described in Revelation and other places: the "day of the Lord," the battle of Armageddon, and God's judgment on Babylon.

Chapter 6, "When Christ Shall Come With Trumpet Sound," celebrates the literal return of the Lord and discusses issues related to it. Can we know the time or approximate time? Why should there be a millennial kingdom? What purpose could it serve? What about the great judgments at the end of time such as the Great White Throne Judgment?

Chapter 7 deals with eternal destiny, heaven and hell, and what God expects of Christians now in this time.

Convention Press, paperback, 157 pages. Learning activities are interspersed throughout the book and a teaching guide is at the end, making the book useful for individual study or group study.

Also available at major book stores and online at www.amazon.com and www.bn.com.

Distributor: Baker and Taylor

In addition to online ordering, you can order 3 other ways: To order by email, send your order information to authorsbooknook@bellsouth.net. Provide your name, address, phone number, and a good time to call. We will contact you for payment information. To order by fax, use fax number (615) 377-1033. To order by mail, send your order to Authors Book Nook, P.O. Box 513, Brentwood, TN 37024-0513; include a check, money order, or credit card information.

Books by Shirley Stephens: Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Women, My Daughter Susan Smith, Breaking Crime's Vicious Cycle, A New Testament View of Women, Under the S.S. Shadow.
Books by William Stephens: Build Your Own Low-Cost Timber and Beam House, The New Testament World in Pictures, The Bible Speaks to End Times, Prophet of Fire (Elijah novel).