Who Will Be Left Behind and When? [Paperback]

Dave Bussard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2002

In this book, Who Will Be Left Behind and When? Dave Bussard takes us back to the Bible to examine what it teaches on the end times and the rapture of the Church. Written in an easy-to-read style, the title critically examines the teaching of the pretribulation theory of the rapture that is the foundation of the Left Behind series. Bussard explores the books of Daniel, Matthew, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation, and builds a solid case for the timing of the rapture. This is far from another dry book on eschatalogy. Rather, it is a wake-up call to believers to examine what they believe and to realize the vital importance of our understanding of Christ's return. A proper understanding of the return of Christ affects not only our present spiritual walk, but will have profound consequences for those who will face the final days of this age.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A terrific introduction to the prewrath view for beginning students of the rapture. -- H. L. Nigro, author, Before God's Wrath: The Bible's Answer to the Timing of the Rapture

I highly recommend Who Will Be Left Behind and When? for all who love the Word of God... -- Gary Vaterlaus, Sola Scriptura Ministries

Product Details

• Paperback: 161 pages
• Publisher: Strong Tower Publishing (September 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970433026
• ISBN-13: 978-0970433022
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Response to the Left Behind Series and PreTrib Doctrine, October 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Who Will Be Left Behind and When? (Paperback)

If you're a "Left Behind" reader, check out this (nonfiction) rapture book!

INSTEAD of your usual criminal-defense style pretrib writings, here is an objective, piece-by-piece solution to the rapture puzzle: PreWrath

The latest published by Strong Tower Publishing, Who Will Be Left Behind and When? provides the reader with definitive answers to the questions it poses in its title. The book is Dave Bussard's heartfelt response to pop prophecy's escapist claim (that of The Left Behind Series): a Bible study of the removal of the final (living) generation of the church. WHO is left behind is everyone on earth not a part of the church taken at the momentous arrival of Christ's Second Advent. Basically, this question is left to the reader: "I won't be among those left behind, will I?"

WHEN that will happen sadly comes more as a surprise (on account of pervading doctrinal unawareness promoted by pretrib) and is accordingly the consistent focus of the book. In a confident, honest style, Dave systematically approaches end-times passages one after the other in enough detail to derive truth and correlate progressive sections, but only in so much detail that the reader does not get bogged down. Although you may disagree with some of the minor points, the ones that count are compelling, and his conclusion is clear: Rapture BEFORE all judgments you read about in the book of Revelation, and (contrary to the Left Behind Series) AFTER the great tribulation of the church, which itself is in conjunction with identifiable signs. Hence, deceptive escapism (from the tribulation -- "we could be raptured any time, before the bad stuff happens") in pop prophecy -- a genuine concern of the author.

The only two views discussed at any length are that dominant pretrib view (he is opposed to) and prewrath (he is for). Other views are not considered, but the biblical evidence he gives for prewrath is compelling.

Dave's book features an overview of pretrib theory; critical scriptures written out; interesting, understandable discussions on occasional Greek words; footnotes; subheadings; and six charts. It's not just analysis; some sections are reflective in nature. In one section, Dave frames 12 questions to get us thinking about the pretrib effect.

Dave writes with a humble heart and love for God and the brethren. No, he doesn't make it confusing. You will discover that end-times doctrine isn't really as complicated as the various systems conjectured by pretrib theologians. Moreover, you'll find, in doing a study such as Dave's, that end-times study can be enjoyable and fulfilling: It is part of the Christian calling to learn and understand biblical truth -- not merely to "know" a doctrine you constantly hear preached. You will enjoy the confidence of knowing why doctrine is what it is -- or are you REALLY satisfied with someone's own off-the-wall theory to "prove" pretrib? If you are not familiar with prewrath (pre-wrath), try a web search. I hope you'll decide prewrath is worth looking in to. There are 3 other (older) books in print, also defending prewrath. This one would be the quickest read, yet covering all necessary passages.

Dave writes from the perspective of being a born-again, saved-by-grace, Bible-believing, blood-washed believer in Christ, holding to a natural, literal interpretation of the inerrant, authoritative scriptures, and, consequently, a premillenial, dispensational, evangelical faith. He avoids speculation and date-setting and is without a doubt a worthwhile read for the open-minded Christian inquirer. It is a book written by a common Christian for common Christians, but some scholars -- with all their pretrib devices and nebulous, nonintuitive theories to find a way around the ever so apparent pre-rapture signs of the Bible -- would benefit from the simplicity in Dave's book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to pre-wrath teachings, defies the "majority.", October 13, 2002

By 

No one of consequence (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Who Will Be Left Behind and When? (Paperback)

Thanks to Dave Bussard for adding to the slowly expanding literature on the pre-wrath interpretation of end time events. This book is intended as an introduction to its fundamental premises, not in the same degree of depth as Van Kampen or Rosenthal, but it definitely achieves its purpose.

Dave touches sufficiently on all of the key scriptures and doctrinal issues which underlie pre-wrath theology, while making sure that the main tenets of pretribulationism are exposed for the fallacies that they are. The author stands up boldly as one voice in the face of a large crowd of opposition, and presents bible truth on this subject without apology. And he does it all with a very humble, balanced demeanor which stands in striking contrast to the vitriol that characterized Tim LaHaye's pretrib "classic," Rapture Under Attack.

Dave's approach is to take the key passages of scripture which address the occurrence and timing of the rapture, and walk through them from the prophets to Revelation, paying as much attention to each as is warranted. I particularly liked chapter 8, "Putting It All Together," which links all of these essential verses into a single flowing narrative. I was impressed! I was also challenged to reconsider the scriptural basis for mainstream teachings on the so-called "one world government."

The best part, of course, was the final chapter that described what it will be like for those Christians who endure persecution under the Antichrist to look up and see the signs in the sun, moon and stars, and to know that their day of redemption has finally arrived. We hear much in pretrib teachings about so-called "tribulation saints." Well, if we turn out to be the generation that is raptured, WE will be the tribulation saints, because we will NOT be raptured out before the start of the 70th week. Dave does a great job of driving this point home, and I commend this book to the reading of every believer who wants a better understanding of bible prophecy.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Basic Book About the End Times, December 21, 2002

By 

Dawn (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Will Be Left Behind and When? (Paperback)

Dave Bussard's "Who Will Be Left Behind and When?" is a great book, especially for those beginning their study of end-times prophecy or those who are questioning the pre-trib rapture.

I have been studying end-times prophecy on my own, and have recently reached the point where I needed some opinions of other prophecy students. Dave's book explained end-times events (using lots of scripture for each step along the way) in a way that even the most inexperienced student could understand.

I highly recommend this book to any end-times prophecy student. Well worth the read!!