Eschatology in The Books Store

Price traces the origin and scriptural basis, which is sometimes astonishingly skimpy, for such beliefs as the Rapture, the Second Coming, the Antichrist, and Messianic prophecy. He emphasizes that the writers of the New Testament consistently set a first-century deadline for the return of Jesus Christ, and yet the stubborn fact that the Second Coming obviously did not occur has not deterred fundamentalist Christians from blindly predicting the event throughout the centuries up to the present day.

Price then critiques the raft of previous apocalyptic novels before turning to the Left Behind series. He offers both literary and theological criticism, while explaining the psychological appeal of the books. Finally, he offers a parody chapter on the Left Behind series called "Tribulation Farce."

Almost 2700 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel detailed a massive end–times attack against Israel. The coalition he describes is still making headlines today. Bible scholar Ron Rhodes analyzes current events in the light of biblical prophecy and empowers readers to “interpret the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3).

This up–to–date assessment of the situation in the Middle East reveals vital information about...

• financial and political ties between the group of nations north of Israel
• Muslim leaders’ growing antagonism toward Israel and the United States
• Iran’s development of nuclear weapons and the resulting threat to global security
• the polarization of nations supporting extremist Islam and the rest of the world
• globalization and its role in setting the stage for a cataclysmic war

Readers will grow in their confidence in God, for to Him, “the nations are like a drop in a bucket” (Isaiah 40:15).

Craig Koester provides sound, informed commentary on each section of the book of Revelation, drawing on the best recent scholarship and contemporizing his discussion with references to events like the siege at Waco, the phenomenal sales of the Left Behind series, and the use of Revelation in hymnody and art. Based on two decades of teaching Revelation to seminary students, pastors, and lay groups, this finely tuned discussion strikes an ideal balance between taking the text’s first-century context seriously and making Revelation relevant to twenty-first-century readers.