Customer Reviews

Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a priceless foundation for anyone interested in, or embarking upon a study of Biblical prophecy.

This book has correctly been described as being of encylopaedic proportions. Indeed, comprising of over 600 pages, it is as comprehensive a study in Biblical prophecy as there is currently available.

I was first drawn to the works of Dwight Pentecost through his excellent book entitled "Your Adversary The Devil". The manner of his approach to the latter subject and the provision of such a well written and in-depth discussion really impressed me.

Having studied Biblical prophecy for many years, I was thrilled to discover that Pentecost had also written a comprehensive study on Bible prophecy as well. Having now acquired this work, I have not been disappointed.

Other reviewers here have commendably outlined in detail the topics covered in this study so I will not go along that path. Suffice to say that the content is exemplary.

Pentecost approaches Biblical prophecy and the End Times' from the perspective of a Pre-Tribulation' Rapture of the Church. He eloquently presents his own interpretation of what many see as perhaps the controversial subject of the timing of the Rapture itself.

I have read a number of books where individual authors disagree about the latter aspect of prophecy. Taking everything into consideration, I personally feel that this controversial' issue should be approached and discussed prayerfully and in love, not allowing the matter to prove divisive and thus giving ground to the Adversary.

With the latter in mind, may I respectfully suggest that students of Biblical prophecy also make reference to another excellent, encyclopaedic study, (itself exceeding 500 pages) by Robert Van Kampen, entitled "The Sign". Van Kampen's study is also a thorough, in-depth study, yet approaches the Rapture with a slightly different interpretation which places it within the Tribulation itself. Anyone basing their studies on these two books will find an absolute wealth of information at their fingertips to assist them with their research.

In closing perhaps I could also suggest another extremely useful aid to study, in the book by John F. Walvoord entitled "Every Prophecy Of The Bible". Thank you.

As a whole, I did not find the book difficult or too technical for the average student of the Bible. Though some of the extensive input from other sources used archaic and technical language. I found reading the entire book enriching but it could also serve as a reference book on eschatological issues. Personally I prefer the writings of Thomas Ice on this subject but I do not believe Ice has ever written a book this exhaustive. Many consider Pentecost's work the definitive textbook on the subject. Among pre-mill, pre-trib student of the Bible, this book is a classic. I highly recommend it.

Pentecost begins with a thorough examination of the methods of interpretation to be employed in a study of eschatology. He then proceeds to discuss the four eschatological covenants and their implications on the end times from a premillennial pretribulational point of view. He cites several authors representing all views and defends his own preference quite well. He assumes some (but not much) prior knowledge of the amillennial, premillennial and postmillennial views, but no one interested in eschatology should allow that to stop them from reading this book. In fact, when I began this book I had no idea what eschatology was. I was confused for a while, but I soon caught on, and I have now benefitted greatly from reading this very biblically sound, informitive book on God's plan for bringing justice to the world. I would recommend it to any serious student of the Bible.

This may seem like a mouthful...but it is the viewpoint that Pentecost builds from and defends. The book has seven sections.
I. Interpetation of Prophecy
II. Covenants and Eschatology
III. Prophecies of the Present Age
VI. Prophecies of the Tribulation Period
V. Prophesies Related to the Second Advent
VI. Prophecies of the Millennium
VII. Prophecies of the Eternal State
Each section is detailed and presents all sides of Biblical interpretation. Pentecost moves systematically through the prophetic text from the Covenants to Eternity.
I highly recommend it for personal study and as a reference on the study of prophecy.

In this master work by J. Dwight Pentecost, the author analyzes the alternative interpretations and then presents the premillennialist perspective. This book is much more academic than the writings of Tim LaHaye and Hal Lindsey. I have read and heard amillennialists argue that the premil school of thought was a recent invention. Dr Pentecost demonstrates that premillennialism was the school of thought in the first and second century of Christianity and that is was not until the rise of St Augustine's allegorical interpretation of Scripture that brought the rise of amillennialism. The only draw back with this work is it's academic emphasis; this book is heavy reading. As an added bonus this book is available in Spanish as Eventos Del Porvenir (ISBN: 0-8297-1410-3) by Editorial Vida.

This is an excellent book on Bible prophecy. Although my copy has a publication date of 1958, I first read it in 1988, and loved it. Since then, I have attended numerous prophecy conferences and read many books on the subject. In 2009, I made a second pass through this book, and I am amazed at how solid a piece of work it is. It filled in a lot of pieces of the prophetic puzzle for me ... and has clearly stood the test of time! I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the study of Bible prophecy. It helps to have some basic Bible understanding to gain full value from this work ... or at least have a Bible handy and be prepared to look up Scriptures for those topics that you are exploring.

The table of contents and the indexes (by topic, and by Scripture verse) are very good.

The book takes the traditional viewpoint of eschatology, i.e., classical dispensationalism: the historical-grammatical (literal) approach to the study of the Bible, taking symbols/metaphors into account, where appropriate. It references many authors, and quotes much Scripture.

I applaud Pentecost for his clear treatment of topics such as the nature of hell; the characteristics of Heaven, the Millennium, and the New Jerusalem; the major covenants in the Bible; the topic of sin; Ezekiel's description of the Millennial temple; the tribulation (Daniel's 70th week) and the rise of Antichrist; the relationship between Israel and the Church; the Rapture; the judgments; and many dozens of other prophetic topics.

I will continue to use this book as a reference for many years to come.

In his ground-breaking 1948 work on Systematic Theology, Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer (then President of Dallas Theological Seminary) wrote concerning Eschatology, "It is assuredly the desire of God that His own who are in the world shall know what He is going to do." Ten years later, Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost (also of Dallas Theological Seminary) carried forward Chafer's passion for illuminating biblical prophecy by writing Things To Come, the book that is still accepted by many conservative, evangelical scholars as the most comprehensive, systematically detailed, doctrinally sound study of Eschatology available today.

As did Chafer, Pentecost bases his teachings on a literal (grammatical-historical) interpretation of Bible Scriptures. Preceding the body of his work with an entire section explaining the "allegorical" and "literal" methods of interpretation, Chafer then covers the entire field of prophecy from the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis to the "new heavens and new earth" in Revelation. The strength of his work lies in his ability to clarify the differences in God's plans for Israel and her future kingdom on earth and His plans for the Church, which will reside in Heaven.

Although not a book for lazy-minded prophecy faddists, any serious student of Eschatology should have this book in his or her personal library.

Edwin Scroggins is the author of Bible Prophecy in a Nutshell: A Mini-Survey of God's Great Plan of the Ages

This is not a book I'd reccommend someone just read from cover to cover as you would a novel but it sure is an excellent reference book for your library. I'm not saying "don't" read it in this way - if you are relatively new to eschatology you sure will learn a ton if you do but seasoned students will find this book more useful as a reference.

I read this book as a requirement to ordination back in the late 1980's. It was not an easy work to read through. It is encyclopedic in nature and very academic and dry in terms of it's approach although no doubt, one could find it exciting if you are passionate about dispensational eschatology. (I'm not sure I want meet someone like that, but I'm sure there must be a few out there!) ;)

The value of the book is as a reference and means to study for the student or pastor who wishes to thoroughly work through the Biblical references.

Don't expect very much ambiguity on the part of Dwight Pentecost. You will get dogmatic and definitive answers to the different minute elements of prophesy and eschatology (study of the end times) with little or no room for differing approaches and understandings. It is not a work to go to if you are looking for a spectrum of differing opinions. You will get dispensational, premillennial, pre-trib doctrine and it will be presented to you as unassailably true.

The issue in rating the value of the book is not whether you agree or disagree with the positions espoused. The value is that you will get what the book advertises itself to be and know what the foundation is for the teaching presented.

If you want a broader view you must look elsewhere or supplement your reading with other sources. Indeed, any serious student should do that, even those in primary agreement with Pentecost's exhaustive and dogmatic positions.

4 stars given instead of 5, not because of the qualities of the book, but because even an academic tome of this nature could have been written to read easier and smoother. Sympathies are extended to any who are required to read it from cover to cover. As a reference it is an important and valuable work for any student of the eschaton to have in their reference library, which is where it rightfully belongs.

This was a textbook for a class I took on eschatology. Most of the book was assigned reading, and I chose to read the remaining chapters that were unassigned. I was impressed with how thorough the book treated every single aspect of end times. Many views are given to the various issues, but the traditional dispensational views are almost always defended. The book is somewhat outdated with the new schools of thought on eschatology. I would recommend the book to any student of prophecy.