Final Signs: Amazing Prophecies of the End Times

Rating:
Summary: More than just theology...
Review: A very interesting book. I enjoyed reading it. The author begins by giving you an overview of his version of pretribulationism. But the best parts of the book are his well-written historical accounts and interesting commentary on numerous events relating to the endtimes. I found the vast background material to be very informative and a big plus.

Mr. Hindson goes to great lengths to remind the reader to always distinguish between fact, assumption, and speculation, and he repeats this admonition often. He reacts to other writers' opinions in a professional manner, and offers practical advice for applying what you have learned.

Some noticeable departures from a more traditional pretribulationism include:

1) He sees the events of Matthew 24 as encompassing the entire church age. He states, "While some commentators limit the events of Matthew 24 to the tribulation period, it seems clear that they are occurring throughout the church age as the gospel is preached primarily to the Gentiles." This feature alone can seriously affect one's interpretation of endtime events.

2) He also views the antichrist not as a person, "but a political, material, economic, and religious world system in the last days which is in itself 'antichrist'." He does go on to say that, "there will emerge a powerful individual who will control that system and use it for evil against God's people."

Although it is not my main goal to overscrutinize minor inaccuracies, I feel it is necessary to mention two instances. First, because they do seem to play a major role in the author's thinking, and second, because the average reader may not perceive the discrepancies without them being pointed out.

In the introduction the author instructs the reader to distinguish between the rapture, which is signless and occurs before the events of the tribulation period, and the second coming (or "Glorious Appearing", as it is known in pretribulationism), which is preceded by "final signs" most of which take place after the rapture of the church. I accept this as the basic premise of pretribulationism.

However, when attempting to demonstrate this relationship, some scriptures are not used accurately.

1) On page 8, in the introduction, the author states, "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (LUKE 21:25-27). He goes on to say, "These warning signs clearly have to do with Christ's return in judgment on an unbelieving world. They will occur toward the END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION."

Having just said this, in the very next pararaph he says, "As we begin to see the potential of these final signs taking shape, we can safely assume that OUR LORD'S COMING FOR HIS CHURCH is drawing near." He then goes on to quote, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (LUKE 21:28). He then adds, "Keep looking up!" as a hopeful admonition to the church to look forward to the rapture.

The problem with this is that the verse he quotes admonishes believers to look up AFTER THE GLORIOUS APPEARING, which has just taken place in the VERSE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING IT, at the END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION. In fact, the author has just told you that verses 25 through 27 "occur toward the END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION."

Something that occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation can not also occur before the entire 7-year tribulation period starts! Therefore this verse cannot be used to admonish believers to look forward to a pretribulation rapture, which would occur before the tribulation period starts.

2) On page 177, when the author begins his section on the "blessed hope". He says, "The Bible refers to Christ's return as the 'BLESSED HOPE--THE GLORIOUS APPEARING of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13). The sheer joy of knowing that one day we will be RAPTURED into the presence of Christ causes all earthly concerns to fade into oblivion."

Again, the problem should now be obvious. Paul has just equated the "Blessed Hope" with the "Glorious Appearing." The author then uses this verse to show how the "Blessed Hope" is referring to a pretribulation rapture. However, the verse he uses to try to support a pretribulation rapture actually refers to the Glorious Appearing which occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation.

The book never claimed to be an exhaustive and completely accurate theological treatise. It is a good book, very imformative, practical, and enjoyable. The impression one gets is that the author genuinely loves the Lord and tries very hard to show love to his brothers even when they disagree with him, and he encourages others to do the same. This is very admirable. His excitement in relating these prophetic themes to you is obvious, and there is information here that you will not get in other books. The book is more than just theology.

Rating:
Summary: More than just theology...
Review: A very interesting book. I enjoyed reading it. The author begins by giving you an overview of his version of pretribulationism. But the best parts of the book are his well-written historical accounts and interesting commentary on numerous events relating to the endtimes. I found the vast background material to be very informative and a big plus.

Mr. Hindson goes to great lengths to remind the reader to always distinguish between fact, assumption, and speculation, and he repeats this admonition often. He reacts to other writers' opinions in a professional manner, and offers practical advice for applying what you have learned.

Some noticeable departures from a more traditional pretribulationism include:

1) He sees the events of Matthew 24 as encompassing the entire church age. He states, "While some commentators limit the events of Matthew 24 to the tribulation period, it seems clear that they are occurring throughout the church age as the gospel is preached primarily to the Gentiles." This feature alone can seriously affect one's interpretation of endtime events.

2) He also views the antichrist not as a person, "but a political, material, economic, and religious world system in the last days which is in itself 'antichrist'." He does go on to say that, "there will emerge a powerful individual who will control that system and use it for evil against God's people."

Although it is not my main goal to overscrutinize minor inaccuracies, I feel it is necessary to mention two instances. First, because they do seem to play a major role in the author's thinking, and second, because the average reader may not perceive the discrepancies without them being pointed out.

In the introduction the author instructs the reader to distinguish between the rapture, which is signless and occurs before the events of the tribulation period, and the second coming (or "Glorious Appearing", as it is known in pretribulationism), which is preceded by "final signs" most of which take place after the rapture of the church. I accept this as the basic premise of pretribulationism.

However, when attempting to demonstrate this relationship, some scriptures are not used accurately.

1) On page 8, in the introduction, the author states, "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (LUKE 21:25-27). He goes on to say, "These warning signs clearly have to do with Christ's return in judgment on an unbelieving world. They will occur toward the END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION."

Having just said this, in the very next pararaph he says, "As we begin to see the potential of these final signs taking shape, we can safely assume that OUR LORD'S COMING FOR HIS CHURCH is drawing near." He then goes on to quote, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (LUKE 21:28). He then adds, "Keep looking up!" as a hopeful admonition to the church to look forward to the rapture.

The problem with this is that the verse he quotes admonishes believers to look up AFTER THE GLORIOUS APPEARING, which has just taken place in the VERSE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING IT, at the END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION. In fact, the author has just told you that verses 25 through 27 "occur toward the END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION."

Something that occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation can not also occur before the entire 7-year tribulation period starts! Therefore this verse cannot be used to admonish believers to look forward to a pretribulation rapture, which would occur before the tribulation period starts.

2) On page 177, when the author begins his section on the "blessed hope". He says, "The Bible refers to Christ's return as the 'BLESSED HOPE--THE GLORIOUS APPEARING of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13). The sheer joy of knowing that one day we will be RAPTURED into the presence of Christ causes all earthly concerns to fade into oblivion."

Again, the problem should now be obvious. Paul has just equated the "Blessed Hope" with the "Glorious Appearing." The author then uses this verse to show how the "Blessed Hope" is referring to a pretribulation rapture. However, the verse he uses to try to support a pretribulation rapture actually refers to the Glorious Appearing which occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation.

The book never claimed to be an exhaustive and completely accurate theological treatise. It is a good book, very imformative, practical, and enjoyable. The impression one gets is that the author genuinely loves the Lord and tries very hard to show love to his brothers even when they disagree with him, and he encourages others to do the same. This is very admirable. His excitement in relating these prophetic themes to you is obvious, and there is information here that you will not get in other books. The book is more than just theology.