The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events [Paperback]

Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (Author), Kim Bachman (Illustrator), Charles C. Ryrie (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1983

DR. Fruchtenbaum gathers the many pieces of the prophetic puzzle and places them in sequential order with the result summed up by Dr. Charles Ryrie in his foreword: "Those who read this book cannot help but be instructed and stimulated by his work." Footsteps is detailed, thorough, and scholarly, yet written in a style that the average reader can easily understand. With a wealth of wisdom drawn from his Jewish background and extensive research, the author even tackles the "problem passages" to provide a comprehensive overview of the entire range of prophetic truth

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This...is the finest summation of the overall future development of world events as set forth in the entire Word of God..." -- James O. Combs, Baptist Bible Tribune, March 1993

About the Author

Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum was Born September 26, 1943 in Russia, after his father was released from a Communist prison. Even though he is Jewish, his father was accused of being a Nazi spy when he fled Poland from Hitler. The Fruchtenbaums escaped from behind the Iron Curtain with help from the Israeli underground. They resided in Germany from 1946 to 1951, where Arnold received orthodox Jewish training. The Fruchtenbaums immigrated to Brooklyn in 1951, where they first came in contact with the American Board of Missions to the Jews (now Chosen People Ministries). At age 13, Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum became a believer in the Messiahship of Jesus. Arnold's father strongly opposed his beliefs, however; he allowed Arnold to continue associating with and learning from other Jewish believers until the family moved to Los Angeles in 1958. Once in Los Angeles, Arnold was forbidden to read the Bible, attend Christian meetings, or have anything to do with Messianic Jewish groups. Arnold, however; continued to maintain contact with Jewish believers and to walk with the Lord as best he could. Upon his graduation from High School, he was informed by his father that he would have to leave home because of his beliefs. In 1962, Arnold began undergraduate education at Shelton College. In 1966 He transferred to and graduated from Cedarville University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hebrew and Greek. He moved to Israel that July, and studied archaeology, ancient history, historical geography, and Hebrew at the American Institute of Holy Land Studies and at the Hebrew University. In September 1967, Arnold enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also began working as a missionary with the American Board of Missions to the Jews. He graduated in 1971 with a Master of Theology degree. In June 1968, he married Mary Ann Morrow. In 1971, they moved to Israel, settling in Jerusalem. They worked with the local messianic congregation training young Israeli believers for service. His activities for Messiah drew the anger of the religious authorities in Jerusalem, finally forcing them to leave Israel in 1973. For the next two years he was a minister for the American Board of Missions to the Jews, and editor of The Chosen People. In 1976, he joined the staff of The Christian Jew Foundation as Associate Director of the largest Messianic Jewish broadcasting ministry in the world. In the summer of 1976, Arnold, along with others in Jewish missions, discussed the lack of discipleship and intensive biblical and theological training of Jewish believers. The early concepts of Ariel Ministries were born at that time. In December 1977 Ariel Ministries became a reality based on the principles of evangelism and discipleship. Arnold now serves as the director of the ministry. In 1989, Arnold completed his Ph.D. at New York University. He is the author of several books and has contributed articles in a number of books and journals. Frequently in demand as a conference speaker and teacher, he has traveled throughout Europe, Asia, Israel, and the United States, becoming intimately acquainted with the Messianic Jewish movement.

Product Details

• Paperback: 471 pages
• Publisher: Ariel Ministries (1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914863029
• ISBN-13: 978-0914863021
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monumental study in Biblical prophecy., August 18, 2003

By 

M. D Roberts (Gwent, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events (Paperback)

This is a monumental study in the field of Biblical prophecy. As the title declares the book is essentially a study of the "sequence of prophetic events". Research which has taken six years to complete.

The author bases his interpretation of such events in the context of a "pre-Tribulation Rapture" and proceeds to describe the events leading up to and through the "Tribulation". Those conversant with Bible prophecy will understand the Tribulation to be a latter day period of seven years preceding the physical return of Jesus Christ. A period of turmoil, conflict and suffering which this book describes as actually beginning with the "signing" of a seven year "peace treaty" with Israel.

The book making reference to the "seventieth week" outlined in the book of Daniel chapter 9 which is still to take place and which precedes the second coming of Jesus Christ. Again those familiar with this area of prophecy will recognize the relevance and significance of the underlying precision in God's Word here. Even the very time of Jesus Christ's first coming being prophesied to the very day.

Amongst the many subjects dealt with are the appearance and identity of the Anti-christ, the "Abomination of Desolation", the "Mark of the Beast", the "Battle of Armageddon" and the Millennium. Latter day conflict in and around Israel is also examined, together with the make-up of the latter day nations & their roles in end times events.

Not least is a disturbing analysis of a latter day persecution of the Jewish people which the author describes as even bigger than the Holocaust. A satanically inspired and organised campaign to wipe out the Jews once and for all. A process which has been pursued from time immemorial to remove the source and channel through which God Himself has chosen to reveal His purpose and Person of redemption/salvation. (Something which I think is fundamental to any understanding of anti-Semitism.) The ultimate Salvation of the House of Israel is also covered in considerable detail. Despite all the turmoil and conflict researched here, the Sovereignty of God always shines through.

To be perfectly honest, I am unable to find a single aspect of prophecy relating to the latter days that is not covered. Pre-Tribulation events and those occurring within the Tribulation/Great Tribulation period itself are shown in what the author believes is their chronological order and each is thoroughly scrutinised. Indeed, the contribution this book makes to the study of eschatology cannot be overstated. The author treats the subject with the respect that it deserves, avoiding the sensationalism of a few who have perhaps brought the subject into disrepute in some areas.

The approach taken in this study towards prophetic interpretation is that where the "plain sense" of Scripture makes common sense to the reader, no other interpretation is to be sought. Therefore every word is taken at it's primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning, unless the facts of the immediate context studied in the light of related passages & fundamental truths, clearly indicate otherwise. In other words, all Biblical passages are interpreted exactly as read, unless there is something in the text that indicates that such should be taken some other way other than literally.

This is a sometimes complex book, which I feel is better suited to those with a basic knowledge of the subject. However, much of the content is very detailed so novices prepared to take on this subject/book would do well to engage in a study based on this work, with their Bibles open at the same time.

The Scriptural references are too many to mention. They are used at virtually every opportunity. An index is also provided at the back of the book which even relates New Testament Scriptures to their Old Testament references, especially pertaining to the book of Revelation. Numerous charts are also used to clarify/collate certain aspects of this study.

Whether or not the individual reader agrees with certain aspects of the author's interpretations, I am sure that readers will return to this work time and time again as a reference & will be both instructed and stimulated. There are some areas where I am not sure if I totally agree with the author's interpretations, but these are matters which I need to prayerfully approach and not allow to become issues of contention.

At the time of writing I understand that the author is presently releasing a new, updated version of this work. So perhaps those interested in this study may prefer to obtain the newer version. Either way, such an acquisition will not fail to provide the reader with many a hour of absorbing study. Recommended.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsurpassed, December 5, 1999

By 

CS. Skinner (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events (Paperback)

A Bible Scholars Delight. Written from a Jewish Perspective on the end times. In all of "Christendoms history" there has not been a book this precise and thorough. Written by an extremely gifted Hebrew Christian, Dr. Fruchtenbaum's work took over 25 years to write...many of those spent in Israel. It is a true schorlary gem of a book and will make all the hard to understand portions of the word fit exactly into place. Forward by Dr. Charles Ryrie.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The End Times Unlocked, March 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events (Paperback)

I have read and tried to understand Revelation and eschatological works since I was a teenager - this book absolutely "unlocked" eschatology for me! It is not "milk", however, and should not be approached as such. First I borrowed a copy, but soon decided I had to have a copy of my own so I could mark it up with a highlighter and make notes in the margin. The book is so deep spiritually, one reading is not adequate. In fact, I try to reread it once a year. Any true student of eschatology should not consider himself well read without this work in his library. Even though I don't really read Christian fiction, I read the Left Behind series in the light of Footsteps of the Messiah and enjoyed them even more because I didn't have to question their eschatological validity. I found them to be in line with Fruchtenbaum's writings. This book is a must read!