What Should I Read to Learn More About the End Times?

Since I write and often lecture in the field of eschatology, I am often asked "what should I read to learn more about the end times?"  In answering this question, I do not recommend books which predict the future in light of current events.  I am not a fan of the "prophecy pundit" genre. 

The resources which follow are primarily biblical-exegetical volumes, which present and defend "Reformed" amillennialism--a view which is biblical, simple and straight-forward.  Reformed amillennialism affirms that the central eschatological event predicted in the New Testament is that Jesus Christ will return bodily at the end of the age to raise the dead, judge the world, and usher in the new heaven and earth.

"Reformed" amillennialism is unique from other varieties of amillennialism, in that an effort is made to understand eschatology in the light of classical Reformed covenant (or federal) theology. 

Comprehensive Studies of Amillennial Eschatology:

Anthony Hoekema's The Bible and the Future is the best place to begin.  Hoekema's book is well-organized and covers the subject thoroughly, including a study of the nature of biblical eschatology (the very essence of biblical revelation), the events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ, the intermediate state ("where did grandma go when she died?"), to comparative eschatology--stating and defending Reformed amillennialism in dialogue with opposing views.  Hoekema's book was important in my journey out of dispensationalism.  It is highly recommended.

Cornel Venema's The Promise of the Future is similar in content and layout to Hoekema's volume (the full range of eschatology is covered).  It too is outstanding, and quite useful in making the biblical/historical case for Reformed amillennialism.

Presentations of Reformed Amillennialism

This is my effort to make the best (and simplest) possible case for the biblical basis for Reformed amillennialism.  Narrower in focus than Hoekema's and Venema's volumes, this book was written in light of my own journey to amillennialism.  My main argument is the "two-age model."  By the way, if you are reading it with proper spiritual understanding, you should get the second blessing by the time you get to chapter three.

A Case for Amillennialism

This book is must reading for anyone who was trained (say, in a Bible college or seminary setting) in dispensational eschatology.  Dr. Storms is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, and studied under the landmark dispensationalist theologians (including Walvoord and Pentecost), and knows first-hand the weaknesses and biblical problems with the dispensational system.

I do have a couple of caveats in recommending this book.  Storms does not embrace classical Reformed covenant theology, which I think weakens his case (although overall Storms' case is compelling).  My second caveat is that Dr. Storms holds a rather quirky view of Daniel's fourth kingdom (seeing it as Greece, not Rome).  This undercuts important background to the way New Testament writers view the Roman empire as the beast of Revelation.

Despite the caveats, if you were trained as a dispensationalist, this is must reading.  Kingdom Come

One of the most fascinating sub-plots throughout redemptive history is Christ (the Messiah) versus Antichrist.  This volume is an attempt to apply amillennial eschatology to one of the most controversial (and misunderstood) areas of biblical eschatology.

Will there be an end-times Antichrist?  I say "Yes."  The Man of Sin

Previous Posts in this Series:

What Should I Read to Learn About the Refomed Confessions?

What Should I Read to Learn More About the Reformed Confession? Part One -- The Westminster Confession of Faith

 What Should I Read to Learn More About the Lord's Supper?

What Should I Read to Learn More About Infant Baptism?

What Should I Read to Learn More About Covenant Theology?

Premillennialism on the Decline -- The Evangelical Free Church Drops "Premillennial" from Their Doctrinal Statement

A generation ago, this was not even thinkable.  Most evangelicals truly thought amillennarians were closet anti-Semites who really did not take the Bible seriously.  Times have changed!  Apparently, the case has been made, as someone has put it.

On June 19, 2019, the Evangelical Free Church (EFCA) approved the following change (which passed with 79% of the vote) to their doctrinal statement:

The EFCA Board of Directors has introduced a motion to amend Paragraph 9, Article III of the Articles of Incorporation of the EFCA, the Statement of Faith, as follows:

We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.

The EFCA drops "premillennial" from its doctrinal statement

Bridge Radio: A Case for Amillennialism

I was recently a guest on Bridge Radio with Julio Rodriguez.  We discussed my book, and related topics such as the biding of Satan, the 144,000, etc. 

Here's the link:  Bridge Radio: A Case for Amillennialism

Luther and Calvin on the End Times (Part Two)

Here's the audio from my concluding Friday night Academy Lecture, "Luther and Calvin on the End Times" (Part Two)

My lectures are based upon my chapter "The Eschatology of the Reformers" from Reformation Theology:  A Systematic Summary.  You Can Purchase Reformation Theology here

Luther and Calvin on the End Times (Part One)

 

Here's the audio from my Friday night Academy Lecture, "Luther and Calvin on the End Times," Part One

My lectures are based upon my chapter "The Eschatology of the Reformers" from Reformation Theology:  A Systematic Summary.  You Can Purchase Reformation Theology here

The "Seventy Weeks" of Daniel 9:24-27 -- An Interpretation

Sermon # 1:  Daniel 9:1-19 "To the Lord Our God Belong Mercy and Forgiveness"

Sermon # 2:  Daniel 9:20-27 "Seventy Weeks"

Sermon # 3:  Daniel 9:24-27 "A Strong Covenant"

Chart # 1:  Daniel's Seventy Weeks

Chart # 2:  Daniel's Seventy Weeks Fulfilled

Is the "Pre-Trib" Rapture on the Decline?

There was a time in my life when I thought belief in premillennialism and a "pre-trib" rapture were signs of allegiance to biblical inerrancy and theological orthodoxy.  Anyone who rejected this view, in my mind, was suspect and probably did not take the Bible very seriously.

As many of you know, my journey to amillennialism was a slow and painful slog.  Apparently, I am not the only one who has grown disenchanted with the "Pre-Trib" rapture view, once held by the vast majority of American evangelicals.

In a recent poll conducted by CT of 1000 Protestant senior pastors, only 36% affirmed the "Pre-Trib" doctrine as true--although nearly half remain premillennial (48%).  The shock is that 31% are now amillennial.  A near majority of pastors asked (49%), affirmed a future Antichrist (as do most amillennarians and premillennarians).

While there's nothing earth-shattering in these numbers, they do reveal significant reduction of the influence of dispensationalism among evangelicals, along with a steady rise in those affirming amillennialism.

You can see the poll here:  CT Poll on End Times Views

Know Anyone in the Cincinnati Area? I'm Speaking on the End Times, Saturday, April 16

Here's the info from the conference brochure, sponsored by three local Reformed churches:

Join us as we learn what the Bible teaches about The End Times.  Our speaker is Rev. Dr. Kim Riddlebarger, pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim and co-host of the White Horse Inn, a radio program that brings the theology of the Reformation to the public, in order that Christians "know what they believe and why they believe it".  Dr. Riddlebarger is also a specialist in the field of eschatology, or "the end times", having written A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times and The Man of Sin: Uncovering the Truth about the Antichrist.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

• 9:00am - "What's a Thousand Years Among Friends?"
• 10:15 - Refreshments
• 10:45 - "The Signs of the End"
• 11:45 - Lunch - a catered lunch may be purchased for $10
• 1:00 - "What does the Future Hold for Israel?"
• 2:15 - Q&A with Dr. Riddlebarger

Childcare is provided for pre-school-aged children.

You are also invited to attend our joint worship service on Sunday, April 17 (11am), when Dr. Riddlebarger will preach on "The Antichrist".

Good Shepherd OPC, Westside Reformed Church, and Redeemer Community Church are congregations that are devoted to the Bible as it is understood within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.  We believe that this teaching is not only true but also helpful to the Christian life.

When

Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (EDT) - Add to Calendar

Where

Good Shepherd OPC - 11688 Mill Road, Cincinnati, OH - View Map

Sponsoring churches:

Good Shepherd OPC, Westside Reformed Church, and Redeemer Community Church are congregations that are devoted to the Bible as it is understood within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.  We believe that this teaching is not only true but also helpful to the Christian life.

Understanding the End Times --This Coming Saturday

Here's the place to go for Conference Information

Hope to see you there!

I Had Issues Today . . .

I was on Issues, Etc., today with host Todd Wilken, discussing Chris McCann of eBible fellowship's end-times prediction, and his refusal to backtrack when the Lord did not return on October 7, as McCann predicted.

You can listen here:  McCann's failed prediction