Customer Reviews

Christianity and Islam: The Final Clash

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Probably the most inflamatory aspect of this book is the title. The rest of the book - although dealing with a very sensitive and controversial subject matter - is done with a commendabley measured and gracious tone. It is clear that this is not your typical sensational end-time, knee-jerk type of book. The author's passion for the field of missions work and his obvious love for Muslims tends to shine through far more than any desire to be the next Hal Lindsey as is so often seen in this genre. Nonetheless, he may just be the next Hal Lindsey. His research, analysis and conclusions are quite fascinating and rather compelling. The author does not exude any stereotypical American right-wing Evangelical Christian/Patriotic rah-rah-rah triumphalism at all. Indeed, the author is part David Wilkerson, part Middle Easterner, part scholar, part preacher. In these days of Islamic Terror, Robert Livingstone has given us all a lot to very prayerfully chew on. A highly recommended work!

Excellent book. If you have any notions about the growing conflict between Islam and the rest of the world, this book will settle them. Not a book of horrors, or a survival kit, this book gives a clear presentation of the reasonable unfolding of Revelation in the coming years. A wake up call to Christians everywhere!

Robert Livingstone is a true forerunner! This book promises to be the first to come in what is THE new emerging End Time paradigm. Discerning teachers and students of Biblical eschatology will all soon be falling in line with Livingstone's perspective. Livingstone brings the rare combination of a seasoned and passionate missionary to Muslims and a clear and accurate understanding of the Biblical template of the Last Days. If you have an interest in Islam or the End times, you will find ample information to satisfy your questions. Among the many strengths of this book is that it is not merely a dry study of End Time events, but is instead a vibrant call to respond with a life of holiness, sacrifice and urgency after the example of the Apostles and the first century Christians. This book will mess you up - in a good way! I have already read it twice. Whenever I find something good, books or music, I like to share it. Buy two and pass one around.

This is the first book on End Time prophecy that I believe has made the events prophesied in the Bible truly come alive right before us. Now the Antichrist system has a face - Islam. And suddenly it makes so much sense! Now everywhere I look, I see the signs approaching. I agree that this book is cutting edge in its analysis and it also challenges the reader to actually change their life. As a student and teacher of prophecy , I highly recommend this book!

Author Robert Livingston clearly shares Christ's love for people trapped in the bondage of Islam. The last part of his book does present the Gospel and offers many resources for Christians who will answer the Lord's call to bring to Muslims the good news of eternal life through faith in Jesus. Livingston is also not deceived by the claim that Islam is peaceful or that "moderate" Muslims can restrain those who follow what Koran and Hadith truly teach.

That said, serious Bible students - regardless of their eschatological beliefs - will find Final Clash fatally flawed. The first 270 pages are basically a rant arguing for a late Trib Rapture. Livingston supports his argument with verses cherry-picked from Scripture. Many verses with great significance to the end times, such as the feet and toes of iron and clay in Daniel 2:40-43 or the miraculous second Exodus of the Jews in Jeremiah 23:7-8 are simply ignored. Other verses are twisted, so in 2Thes.2:4 the anti-Christ does not stand in the temple showing himself as God but a Muslim terrorist turned politician who claims to be Jesus returned from the dead (in accordance with Islamic prophecy) stands in the Dome of the Rock telling people to worship Allah.

In Livingston's defense, he admits he originally held a post-millenial or preterist view and believed major portions of prophecy had already been fulfilled. Evidently, he got on the mission field and discovered that Koran and Hadith present a description of the end times that coincides remarkably well with Bible prophecy but from the point of view of those who reject Jesus and follow the anti-Christ. Since, by his background, Livingston disavowed the idea that God will rapture the Church before the Tribulation and shift His focus back to Israel for the last seven years, he was left to come up with the novel interpretation of prophecy he presents in Final Clash.

And that interpretation is truly novel. In Final Clash, the woman astride the beast is the Statue of Liberty and the anti-Christ's Babylon is New York City, or the U.S., or maybe Jerusalem. The first 3.5 years of the Tribulation took place from A.D. 66 to 70 and there will be no rebuilt third Temple and the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy of no stone left upon another awaits the destruction of the Wailing Wall.

Livingston's reasons for viewing the U.S. as the Babylon of Revelation seem to come as much from ignorance as to how the Reformation impacted political, legal, and economic thought - particularly in the founding of the U.S. - as from a misreading of Scripture. He presents without comment a document that claims the Declaration of Independence rests on Libertarianism - the idea that consent is the basis of morality. Like many Christians today, he appears unable to explain that the U.S. was founded on Biblical principles or that institutions like capitalism and democracy derive directly from Biblical moral rules like don't steal and don't murder.

Most importantly, Livingston fails to emphasize the point that the greatest threat from Islam in the immediate future - and the threat that seems to coincide most closely with Bible prophecy - is not terrorism but "peaceful Jihad." Peaceful Jihad is the steady growth in the political influence of Islam that results naturally as Muslims make up an increasing share of the population. We see this playing out around the world today but particularly in Europe, a location to which Bible scholars have traditionally attached much greater prophetic significance than does Livingston. History shows that the light of Christianity is extinguished in lands that fall subject to Islam. The key characteristic of the modern age is that Islamic domination can come about through the ballot box today much more easily than it could in the past by violent conquest.

Final Clash IS worth reading for its explanation of Islamic eschatology and - especially - for Chapter 15 "What will America Do?" that is a chilling account of how easily an Islamic anti-Christ could conquer the world with the twin threats of nuclear war or internal revolution for nations that fail to submit. "Who can wage war against him?"

Bible students wanting to search the Scripture to be sure of what they believe will also find the book useful, if a little tedious, but don't look for an exegesis of prophecy that includes all the relevant portions of Scripture in Livingston's Final Clash.

Other titles available at amazon that relate to subjects touched on in Final Clash include:

1. Paul Sperry's Infiltration - the growth of Islam's influence in the U.S. today.

2. Bill Musk's The Unseen Face of Islam - an eye-opening, heart-rending description of the spiritual bondage of Islam and how missionaries wage spiritual warfare

3. George Otis, Jr.'s The Last of the Giants - on the spiritual warfare underlying the Church's efforts to complete the Great Commission

4. Andrew C. McLaughlin's The Foundations of American Constitutionalism - on the role of religion in the American founding

5. William Wagner's How Islam Plans to Change the World - also only three stars, but noteworthy for how God is intervening directly on the mission field.

Robert Livingston is among the growing authors who are "crying in the wilderness" and sounding the alarm of the threat of Islam to traditional Christians and their faith. In his book, he takes off the veil of Islam to reveal its underpinnings, and does so with a great deal of compassion, tact, and understanding, as well as love for the Muslim people. Unlike what another reviewer stated, he doesn't spend the first half of the book on showing off his post-tribulation theory, although he is quick to point out that the Biblical support for a "snatching away" before the outpouring of God's wrath just isn't there. On the contrary, though, he points out that prior to the Great Tribulation occurring, the Church of Jesus Christ must follow their Master's teaching and bring the Gospel to every creature before the end comes. He speaks with a great deal of passion on missions and our responsibility to it. And then he digs deep into Scripture to reveal what he believes the "Beast" system is, as well as the players. He doesn't set down timelines, but he does suggest that the Christian who is devoted to Christ should be making an effort at getting their houses in order and living a holy life devoted to God. This is an amazing book, and towards the end of the book, he gives numerous resources to assist the believer in not only Missions, but other helps to reach out to the Muslim people. A fantastic book!!! Beyond 5 Stars.

Robert Livingston has done tremendous research along with years of actual experience among the Muslim world. A must read for the student of end-time eschatology. This book along with Joel Richardson's AntiChrist - Islam's Awaited Messiah bring a crucial perspective of the window of time in which we live. Jesus, Our Bridegroom King is at the threshold about to return for His beautiful bride. This book causes my heart to burn with desire and to cry out Come Quickly Lord Jesus - Come !!!

JP

Mr. Livingston Provides solid evidence concering the end times and Islam.He write graiciously and without judging.Thanks so much for being bold enough to write such an excellent book!

A must read for all Christians, Muslims, Agnostics, and even Atheists. End of days? Considering the attitude of "peace at all cost" prevalent in our society, and the treatment of Islam as a sacred cow you must to read this book. All you who have an ear, and a mind, hear and believe. Prophesy aside, this is the most plausible outcome I have ever seen to today's half measures and effeminate actions regarding radical Islam. Can you say Allah U' Akbar? Allah = "God", U = "and", Akbar = "pagan Arab god of fire." Read and be afraid!!

I happen to agree with the belief that the beast of Revelation is based in Islam, but I disagree with his details. I disagree with his interpretation of the first four seals, the two horned beast, the mark of the beast, all of it. Not very well researched, or well written or insightful. I tried to edit this after I posted it and give it only one star, but I was not able to reduce the stars.