28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quite simply the best end-times book Ive ever read., February 13, 2000
For those of you who are interested in the end-times prophecies of the Bible, here is a book that you need to put immediately on the top of your list. This is simply the best treatment of end-times prophecies I've ever come across, and anyone who wishes to understand these prophecies better, especially those in the books of Revelation, needs to buy and study this book.
And I do mean study. This is not one of those light little paperback affairs that spin a neat little tale of end-times events that can be read in just a couple of evenings. This book, at 546 pages, is exactly what it says it is: "a complete collection of visions and revelations of the end times from the Bible." You don't so much read this book as you enter a commitment with it. This is one of these rare gems that grows even more precious as the reader takes time to let all that is said sink in. A page-turner it is not, nor does it try to be; and as far as I'm concerned, it shouldn't be. The more time spent reading and contemplating everything that is said in this book, the better understanding one will come away with of end-times events.
I love reading books that attempt to explain end-times prophecy. Unfortunately, a majority of the books are woefully inadequate. Most are just pure garbage. The authors of many of these books are not so much attempting to commentate on the many aspects of end-times prophecy as they are attempting to sell you on their own personal interpretations and theology. And if they can throw in a few scripture passages in to support their position, all the better.
Here we have the inverse of that strategy. Rather than giving us his personal interpretation of end-times events, Mr. Haggith takes those scriptures speaking of end times events and lets them speak for themselves. He then brings them into focus by showing how some may have been fulfilled through events in the past, and those that can't be explained in this way, he tells us in a straight forward fashion why we must wait for future fulfillment. All the while he does not insist on his explanations or illuminations, they are simply put out for the readers own benefit. This is the polar opposite of what so many so-called end-times "experts" attempt with there own works.
I greatly enjoyed the commentary like way in which the book is written. Mr. Haggith takes us from Revelation 1:1 to the very end of Revelation, verse by verse, in a very patient, deliberate fashion. Where appropriate, he calls upon other similar verses speaking about the topic at hand, and quotes them in their entirety. To give you a quick example of just how through he is; Mr. Haggith cites no less eight other passages from the Old and New Testaments to help in his explanation of the significance of Revelation 14:1-5; where John the Apostle writes about the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth. (For those of you who are wondering what passages he cites, they are Psalm 49:7-15, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:34-36; 1 Cor. 15:35-44, 49-55; Luke 24:13, 1 Cor. 15:20-24; Phillipians3:10,11,20,21; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.) Mr. Haggith definitely believes in the principal that the best way to illuminate troubling passages in the bible is through cross-referencing other similar passages. This rather conservative method works surprisingly well to give the reader a better understanding of all that is being said.
That which I enjoyed most about this book is the fact that Mr. Haggith has no agenda to sell us other than a more thorough understanding of the Word of God. So many books start from a position of being pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation or pre-wrath, then go from there. In his book, Mr. Haggith simply lays out the end-times scriptures in a way where the reader can come to his own conclusion, rather than being force fed a particular theological spin. However, do be warned that not all of the fore mentioned theories hold up well when the light of Word of God is shined upon them, and don't be surprised if your particular theological bent comes off looking rather silly.
There are two groups of people who would benefit tremendously from this book. The first group are those who don't really have any allegiance to any of the particular schools of end-times theology, but want a better understanding of end-times events. The second group are those who have bought the latest tale of end-times theology being sold in the marketplace, and are convinced that it is the only interpretation that makes sense. Those in the second group need to take their store bought theology to the all consuming alter that is the Word of God, and see if it can withstand the flames of Truth. Please don't be surprised if it doesn't.
The timing of this book is impeccable. More so than ever, the church needs to hear what God is saying concerning the events of the last days. Here we have an author who is willing to put aside all the pet theories concerning end-times teaching and go straight to the word of God for the answers. Those of you who think it more important to find out what God has to say about His return rather than what end-times experts have to say will be greatly blessed by this book.
Now go buy yourself a copy. You won't regret it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truth made available, March 20, 2003
Before I checked this book out from the library, I thought I was going to have to actually enroll in a theological program to study Revelation without the overwhelming biases of today's popular Christian culture. After rechecking it 3 times over a period of 2 months, I finally broke down and decided to buy it.
It is the singular best book I have found on end-times prophecy. Haggith strikes a balance I have rarely found in any Christian book, much less one on end-times. There is enough bible history and cross-referencing to give each passage a full context without turning it in a dry, scholarly "reference" book that never gets read. Contrary to an earlier reviewer, I did find it to be a "page-turner" as Haggith managed to draw me, in an intelligent, unemotional way, into the *story* of John's vision in a way no other book ever has.
More importantly, Haggith offers the Truth in a simple, unassuming way. There is no agenda, and hardly any "eschatological" jargon. He simply presents the passages, some possible conclusions, and makes sure to throw in the constant reminder that we can never really know for sure, lest we defeat the whole point of prophecy.
A wonderful book for anyone looking for something more than the end-times "soundbites" we tend to get in church. I would recommend this to readers from all denominations, and seekers looking for an intelligent discussion of one of the most visible Christian doctrines.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a monumental work...worthy of serious consideration, June 6, 2001
David Haggith must have spent a lot of time birthing this baby...it is massive in its size and scope. It has taken me some serious time to read and digest--and every moment was worth it.
"End-Time Prophecies of the Bible" has renewed my faith in the study of as yet unfulfilled prophecy. In recent years, the mention of "end-times" have sold a lot of books--most of them incredibly poor, bigoted, and shallow. This is not the case with Haggith's work.
In "End-Time Prophecies of the Bible" David Haggith has collected all of the passages which can possibly be thought to spoken of as "end-times" related, and has meditated on them in a serious, sober manner. There is no sensationalism to be had here...only a longing to grow closer to the God revealed in the Bible.
I had difficulty in several places. My biggest problem being that I prefer to use a more modern translation of the Bible. Yet, this book is rewarding. One need only keep at it.
Which brings me to another point--Haggith should receive a medal of some sort for the length of his book. Many publishers discourage so called "Christian" authors from writing books much longer than two hundred pages--it seems they think the average Christian reader too simple to handle much more than that...needless to say, I take issue with this position. I do not believe Haggith could have done as complete of a job with a shorter book. I applaud him for not trying to insult the reader's intelligence with any less.
I appreciate this book deeply. I therefore recommend it highly. I leave you with one of the closing passages of the book:
"Prophetic images go beyond doctrine. They are for meditating upon. They work in the domain of the subconscious. The mind that meditates on these images meditates on the indefinable God. Do not expect this God to come into perfect resolution. If you understand him completely, you do not understand him at all, for you have made him much too small."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
