Customer Reviews

The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events

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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.

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.

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!

Written by a Jewish Rabbi who came to realize that Yeshua (Jesus) was indeed the Promised Messiah of Israel. So much is taught here. Hebrew is the author's first language and enables him to open the Scriptures and shine the light of truth. My husband and I have read it together numerous times. I could not recommend more highly.

We recently discovered another book of similar value: "Our Father ABRAHAM," written by Marvin R. Wilson, who is a leading scholar on Christian-Jewish relations.

Shalom

The author gives one of the most detailed studies of End-Time events (Eschatology). He makes extensive use of consistent and literal interpretation of scripture and offers many helpful insights from the Jewish perspective. Once I began reading this book I could not put it down. If you have an interest in understanding Bible Prophecy as it relates to End-Time events this is the book for you!

Never has eschatalogical events been laid out so clearly. No guess work, no newspaper exegesis. Just biblical scholarship. Fruchtenbaum just gleans the prophets and uses the Book of Revelation like a road map. This is a book that I pick up time & time again.

Dr. Fruchtenbaum has created a classic. He clearly presents in chronological order the prophetic events through Jesus' second coming through the Eternal Order. If you could only buy one book on Revelation, this should be it.

Mr. Fruchtenbaum does not get caught up in sensationalizing the topic...instead he uses clearly defined rules of interpretation. Even though this work was published in the early 80's it is no less valuable today. Without question this is the best book on Biblical Prophecy I've ever read.

This book is not for the babe in Christ. Incredible compilation of events surrounding the return of Christ. Based out of Revelation, Mr. Fruchtenbaum takes you through the entire Word to look deeply into end times events. This book is heavy, both in physical weight and also spiritual studies. Allow for LOTS of "quite time" to dig into the Word and this book.

Like Israeology, Fruchtenbaum has added a stimulating and well outlined work. This book starts from the basic outline of eschatological events found in Revelation. Interestingly enough, Fruchtenbaum writes, "The majority of the things found in the first twenty chapters of Revelation are found elsewhere in the Old Testament... The value of the book of Revelation is not that it provides new information, but rather that it takes the scattered Old Testament prophecies and puts them in chronological order so that the sequence of events can be determined" (p. 9). Fruchtenbaum then hangs the detailed eschatological truths of the Old Testament on this inspired outline. Very interesting and effective approach.

As with Israelology, I must take one star off my rating for both the failure to put a topical index in the back of the book and for the extrabiblical assumptions he makes. Fruchtenbaum takes the controversial approach to the seven churches as being seven different time periods of churches. This requires too much bending of the rigid truth. His view that the Antichrist will be virgin born is both unsubstanciated and rediculous. Arnold... where did you come up with that?

The author sees much fulfillment of prophecy in the past 100 years of Israel's history. Not necissarily good or bad -- just risky for the undiscerning reader.

Fruchtenbaum cautions those who believe that unrepentant unbelievers spend eternity in hell and repentant sinners spend eternity in Heaven. "Neither point it biblically true" (p. 362). He then explains that the former spend eternity in the Lake of Fire and the latter in the New Earth. Interesting but doesn't prove the heaven/hell tradition is incorrect. He also holds to the view that Hades is divided into two -- a highly suspect doctrine which has been shot down a number of times including Brotzman (cf. BibSac Oct. 1988).

As a complete whole, this is a very interesting and recommendable book. On a humerous note, notice Ryrie's forward which concists of three paragraphs which are hardly a ringing endorsement for the book :) (Was Ryrie a former professor 'forced' to write this forward for a former student out of kindness?)

Get the book - its worth the money!