The End of Days: Essential Selections from Apocalyptic Texts Annotated & Explained(Skylight Illuminations)

Christian concepts of the end times involve complex beliefs that have developed over the centuries. They range from popular ideas about the rapture when believers will be swept up to meet Christ in the air, to suspicions about the Antichrist who will deceive and enslave the world, to teachings about the millennium when Christ himself will return victoriously to earth to reign in peace for a thousand years. And Christians have disagreed, sometimes violently, on exactly how and when these events will occur - or whether they will occur at all. With insightful and broad knowledge of the historical, religious and contemporary contexts of these writings, distinguished scholar Robert G. Clouse guides you through the fascinating and intricate world of apocalyptic literature. He examines key verses from Christian and Hebrew scriptures; visionary writings from Augustine and other Church Fathers; accounts of radical millennial movements of the 1600s; bold sermons from preachers such as Jonathan Edwards and Dwight L. Moody; and popular books circulating in our own day, including 1970s prophecy sensation The Late Great Planet Earth and the mega best-selling Left Behind novels. Accessible facing-page commentary explains the apocalyptic writings for you even if you have no previous knowledge of Christian teachings on the end times. Will Christ come on the clouds in power and in judgment? Or is it up to us to usher in the golden age of the millennium? Or is the millennium spiritual, made real only within believers' hearts? This book will help you understand the complex Christian visions of the end of the world.

About the Author :
Robert G. Clouse, considered the dean of Christian millennial historians, is the author or editor of more than thirty books, including The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views. He is professor emeritus of history at Indiana State University in Terre Haute. He is also an ordained minister and has served churches in Iowa and Indiana.

Review :
"Thorough, balanced.... A must-read for serious students of our world and of the Bible." --Donald K. Campbell, president emeritus, Dallas Theological Seminary "Masterful.... [Traces] the biblical texts and Christian literature from the earliest centuries to the present.... A fine resource for the careful student." --Dr. Homer A. Kent, president emeritus, Grace College and Theological Seminary "A fascinating anthology of texts from the second century to the present, which provides a panoramic view of the development of eschatological [teachings] against the background of historical circumstances. Helpful ... and illuminating." --Edwin Yamauchi, past president, Evangelical Theological Society and professor emeritus of history, Miami University (Ohio) The End of Days seeks to offer an explanation of Apocalyptic Biblical Scripture and historical and present day interpretations and reflections of them. It compares the beginnings and differences between pre-millennialism and post-millennium perspectives and how these beliefs have influenced society, denominations and theology over the centuries. It is comprised of a collection of commentaries which are annotated by Clouse. Each chapter represents each century, beginning with St Augustine onto present century. Each chapter is filled primarily with biblical scriptures or religious texts, with commentaries on the opposite pages to explain what it means. It appears the scriptures used in each chapter are to also reflect a time line of each century and interpret Biblical prophecy into worldly events century by century. The book claims to offer an explanation into the apocalyptic scriptures that even a newbie can understand. I don't agree. I would not describe the book as easy reading. The book appears to be widely researched and written with academic language only common to scholastic/academic communities. I found The End of Days did not bring me any understanding or ponderings on the apocalyptic scriptures, I found myself frustrated, confused and in need of a dictionary to accompany the book (and I have a university education). In fact, I only read half of the book, including the introduction. The academic vocabulary only made it a somewhat bumpy read. The book also includes details of works by the commenter, advertises other books that can be purchased from the publisher (including world religious text, Kabbalah, alternative spiritualities, folk law fiction, poetry, craft and others) and an order form stuck in the middle of the book. There was one diagram which was overly detailed and moving in both horizontal and vertical directions. This book offers one interpretation (of the many) of the apocalyptic passages. As with any persons who claim to accurately interpret the books of prophecy, I suggest critical analysis and thought when reading the book; take it with a grain of salt. The End of Days would suit scholarly types or theology students. Anybody else who is interested in studying the end-of-times topic, I suggest looking elsewhere. --B. A.Dorman "Journey " The End Of Days by Robert G. Clouse (Skylight Paths) The End of Days: Essential Selections from Apocalyptic Texts--Annotated & Explained --Jim Agnew "The Michael Dresser Show-Jim Agnew's Daily Picks "