Customer Reviews

End-Time Prophecies of the Bible

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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."

Simply stated, DAVID HAGGITH has written the most exhaustive and spiritually mature book on eschatology that I have encountered. About five years ago, a gentleman who owned a mobile bookstore expressed his appreciation for me by insisting that I select any item from his stock. I had not heard of David Haggith, but because of my deep interest in Bible study, his tome, 'END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE' caught my eye. I can tell you without hesitation that I would have been every bit as pleased with my choice even if I had paid full price.

The first question that will be raised by people Biblically aware, but a bit naive is : Why study the Last Days when Jesus said that they will arrive like a thief in the night; no one knows the day or the hour of their coming, and they could be far into the future? There are several ideas to take into consideration here. First -- Jesus said, "Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven." (Matt. 24:36) Note that He spoke specifically of days and hours, not necessarily decades or years. HAGGITH says on page 121 that looking at it this way is "being hyperliteral." I don't think so. Jesus chose His words carefully. Furthermore, what might have been unforeseeable two thousand years ago, may be quite perceivable now. Also, if it was still going to be unpredictable even when the age was nearly upon us, why did Jesus bother giving His closest apostles clues to watch for? In Matthew 24 & Mark 13, The Master tells Peter, James, John and Andrew the signs (situations) that will be prevalent on the Earth and related to the end of the world (AS WE KNOW IT!) and His imminent return. Why did He go to the trouble to elucidate the scenario if NO ONE would be capable of discerning the time? And He even concluded with the admonition, "What I say to you, I say to all : Watch!"

Significantly, the Old Testament book of Daniel (also concerned with eschatology) closes with another indication that as the time draws near, at least some of God's people will have foreknowledge of the timing of Tribulation events : And the angel said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified...and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." (Dan. 12:9,10 - NKJV) It makes sense then to study this subject, especially since several Biblical prophecies concerned with the timing of these momentous events indicate that we are about to enter into the age in question. (Even if Mr. Haggith does not overtly make such a bold statement.)

There are many books on the market that address this subject; most all of them in a more sensationalistic manner. But HAGGITH's approach is very sensible and evinces a highly developed spiritual understanding. His respect for God's Word, and his humility is evident throughout the book. For example, on page 408 he states, "Judgment, as St. John's Gospel emphasizes, is going on all the time throughout our earthly existence." That would appear to be a basic premise, but one you will find eluding many of the more well-known Christian commentators! On page 450, Haggith observes that, "Humility comes from confidence in the goodness and justice and love of God." There is much wisdom in his writing that goes beyond a strict adherence to the book's primary theme. His equating the patterns of Biblical truth and prophecies with fractals, and his observation that, "Jesus never did a miracle that wasn't a metaphor for spiritual truth" are just two more examples of his great insight, no doubt derived from a warm association with The Holy Spirit. END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE also has a wonderfully extensive index that will make it easy for the reader to refer back to certain topics at a later date.

DAVID HAGGITH also understands the necessity to refrain from inflexible positions when exploring the nature of Biblical prophecy. This idea, and his personal humility shine through in this excerpt from page 459 :

"Simply linking passages as I've done in this book can distort meaning if the wrong links are forged. If the reader sees a more natural fit for any prophecy than where it has been placed, he or she should explore that connection...It's best to keep one's opinions about God's revelation fluid and allow the God who makes all things new to shape one's opinions over time and to reshape oneself in the process. A dogmatic stance on words the Bible, itself, describes as ultimate mysteries belittles the greatness of God. It presumptuously assumes that the human mind can fully comprehend God's mysteries."

END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE is a very thorough, thought-provoking, open-minded, and scholarly study. I am normally stingy with my 5-Star rating, but I am awarding the top grade to Haggith's study because, as far as I know, it is the best book of its kind. If you are very serious about exploring the Bible, and seek publications that will help you to develop the capacity to examine theological concepts from a variety of perspectives, this book will surely be a welcome addition to your personal library. Other than Salvation, it's the best thing that I ever got for free!

I can highly reccommend this book to anyone who is serious about end-time prophecies. I am not a scholar and never will be, but I also do not expect this to be page-turning, quick thrills, easy nor shallow. Go find a novel if that's what you want. What this book has done for me is to completely cover the end-time prophecies of the Bible in order without telling me to believe someone else's interpretation. I don't want someone to cram their opinions down my mind. I also appreciate someone taking the monumental time to pull all of these scriptures together in one place so that I don't have to and therefore leaving me with a book that will take me as deeply as I choose to go with it. A snappy, quick read it is not. But if you truly love end-times and want to know much more than you get spoon fed from church, Sunday School or any one of the MANY end-times Bible study books out there-------THIS is the one.

Mr. Haggith's book may at first seem overwhelming in length, but the reader is quickly pulled into the chronology of Jewish history and how it pertains to prophecy and end times. Although I'm sure Mr. Haggith has a stand on pre, mid, or post tribulation, I appreciate the fact that he lets the facts speak for themselves. Readers who tend towards writers who follow a particular thought may shy away due to the fact that Haggith has compiled Biblical information (in his enjoyable style of writing) and leaves the reader to do some serious thinking for himself. Definately a must read for any student of prophecy.

A brief summary of the committee's report used to select Mr. Haggith's publication, as a reference book to support Smith Chapel Bible College's biblical studies program.

Book Author: Mr. Haggith has contributed articles, mostly on contemporary religious topics and matters of faith. Whereas, End-Time prophecies of the Bible are a challenge even for bible scholars, Mr. Haggith approach is quite refreshing. Though Mr. Haggith may not command national recognition as an authority on bible prophecy, his integrity in handling matters of faith qualifies him as an exceptional author.

Book Purpose: Mr. Haggith stated purpose for this publication is quite clear: "To the fullest extent possible, the goal of this book is to collect all that the Bible has to say about the ultimate destiny of earth." This publication is highly recommended as a reference solely on the credibility of its purpose.

Book Content: 1. Desolation: The Destruction of Israel and Diaspora of the Jews 2. Abomination: The Signature of Evil Times 3. Covenants: Who are the Chosen People? 4. Conflict: the Rise of Jesus and the Fall of Jerusalem 5. Restoration: A Land and People Reunited in Modern Times 6. Signs: Is the End Near? 7. Apocalypse: The Messiah Revealed 8. Persecution: Seven Letters for Seven Churches 9. Vision: Mystical Encounters of God and Heaven 10. Sorrow: The Seven Seals and The Beginning of the End 11. Salvation: Triumph Over Tribulation 12. Tribulation: the Seventh Seal and the Seven Trumpets 13. Mystery: The Seventh Trumpet and The Great Revelation 14. Satan: The Lady and the Dragon 15. Antichrist: A New World Order 16. Return: The Second Coming, Resurrection, and the Rapture 17. Wrath: Seven Bowls of God' Judgment Poured Out Upon the Earth 18. Babylon: Babylon the Great and the Beast 19. Holocaust: The Destruction of Babylon the Great 20. Consummation: The wedding of the Lamb 21. Armageddon: The War to End All Wars 22. Millennium: The fulfillment of Utopia 23. Judgment: The Twilight of an Age 24. Paradise: When Time Shall Be No More 25. Fulfillment: Living in the Light of Revelation 26. Afterward: The End is Near

Appendix A: More End-Time Prophecies Appendix B: Ezekiel's Temple

Committee's Summary: The committee appreciates Mr. Haggith's disclaimer on page 458 and adds only the following exception. Without the Holy Spirit, the illumination of prophetic literature, for all that attempts its interpretation is merely academic. The use of chapter captions married to scripture reference denotes a level of interpretation whether intended or not. The committee cautions students to sort out end-time prophecies in at least three categories: God's plan and purpose for Israel, the World and the Church. The committee also appreciates Mr. Haggith's spicy commentary. It's both refreshing and thought provoking. Committee's Recommendation:

[ ]Excellent [X ] Good [ ] Adequate [ ] Poor [ ] Not-Recommended

This book is a very well written work on prophecy in general and in specific on those prophetic writings dealing with the end of the world. While it is written from a Judeo-Christian point of view, and the historical facts are interpreted accordingly, the author allows his readers to draw their own conclusions from the information given. The author begins with an overview of the history of the Jewish people as it relates to Biblical prophecy, then moves on to deal with the book of Revelation in detail and how it relates to the new covenant laid down by Jesus Christ. It is not exactly "light" reading, but will be of use to anyone interested in an exhaustive study of the Biblical book of Revelation.

This book is fun to read, which must have been difficult to write, considering the subject matter. David Haggith is REFRESHING to read in that he doesn't have some preconceived dogma to shove down your throat, nor does he seem manipulated by some denominational hierarchy. He expresses a lot of understanding without beating you with his knowledge or lofty verbage. In other words, he seems like a real person talking to real people about written prophecies and what they could mean. Do you realize how hard it is to find end-times books that come from that perspective?

Read it. You'll be rewarded. Some things you'll agree with, some things, maybe not. Either way, you'll sense a man writing with far more humility than you'll find in those, "The world is going to end tomorrow, don't miss the rapture" books. The issues he grapples with are far too spiritual and complex to be sorted by snippets and sound bites. It takes a lot of work and study. Start with this book. Don't rush. Don't read it in front of the TV.

As for the fact that he used the King James text, I think it adds to the quaintness of the book. Prophecies are ancient, and the Authorized Text gives them that feel. Anyway, you can check the text in any of the myriad of newer translations out there.

We discriminating readers need to reward this kind of writing by buying it.

David Haggith's gift to us is a scholarly compendium of end time prophecies of the Bible. The book is basically a history book, alternating between history and references from the Bible that contain some type of apocalyptic message. On occasions one gets the feeling that Haggith is stretching history to fit the prophecy, but generally speaking he avoids this trap.

This book is very very good. To have made it excellent, I would have liked some discussion of the end time genesis itself. Why was there so much obsession with end time philosophies? How did the Jews compare with other cultures in this regard? How did the philosophies change over time? etc.

This book is written so well that almost anyone will enjoy the contents. Familiarity with the Old Testament and Jewish culture in general will make it even more valuable.