The Second Coming: Signs of Christ's Return and the End of the Age by John F. MacArthur Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Second Coming: Signs of Christ's Return and the End of the Age
Book Review: A "must study" work on the Second Coming
Summary: 5 Stars
MacArthur's book is an excellent defender of premillenialism, and a primer on the pretribulation rapture view. The fallacies of the preterist position become obvious from the careful exposition of scripture.In this reviewer's opinion, however, MacArthur does not provide sufficient scriptural evidence for claiming that the 70th Week of Daniel is synonymous with a 7-year "Tribulation Period", nor does he successfully support from scripture the assertion that the Tribulation Period is a time of God's judgment. These are two fundamental points that the Pre-Wrath view has called into question, and which continue to fuel the supposition that pre-tribulationism has some major flaws regarding the timing of the rapture.
Also of interest is the text devoted to imminency. The claim for imminence has been a third component of the Pre-Wrath attack, and MacArthur does provide a good explanation of imminence. However, he avoids the question of "When did Christ's return become imminent?" Since there are specific prophecies which we have seen fulfilled, it can be argued that Christ's return was not imminent until those certain prophecies were fulfilled. For example, Christ Himself prophesied that the Holy Spirit must come. Therefore, His return was not imminent immediately upon His ascension. The same might be said for the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. Since scripture specifically states that God has fixed the time of Christ's coming by His own authority (Acts 1:7), Christ's return is not at "any moment". It will occur at the appointed time, which arguably could be any moment *from our perspective*. This, therefore, is the crux of the problem with imminence: *our perspective* is irrelevant. We must simply, and obediently, be prepared.
Also missing (unless I missed it!) is the classic Rev. 3:10 argument. But then, this is not a "rapture" book as much as it is a premillenial book.
Excellent material, as usual, from one of our generation's greatest expositors.
Book Review: This is a good book
Summary: 5 Stars
Well let's just say that this book along with many other credible authors of the end times philosophy are right on the ball. Right on the money. This book is clear, easy to read, and well worth the time. It began with WWI's end where the major powers wanted to form globalization (which will later be used by the AntiChrist), to the return of the Jewish state (and yes Israel belongs to the Jews, not the Muslims), to the antiChristian movements and the "liberal" Christian movements (both aiming at taking away the truth of the Bible), to what is happening right now in Iraq and with Iraq's liberation will bring forth the physical construction of Babylon (and yes S. H. has already started building of Babylon so its only time now). And about that question toward "this generation won't pass..." was talking about not the generation of Jesus's time, but the generation of the Israelits during the end time. Any intelligent reader and believer of the Bible would see this.
I would also highly suggest you reading anything by Mark Hitchcock who is a wonderful Christian and prophet teacher.
Book Review: Coming Around Again...
Summary: 2 Stars
If this book were written by Tim LaHaye, Jack Van Impe, etc., it would probably get one star with no problem. I have given it two because MacArthur doesn't lard his work with sensationalistic drivel. Despite that, he, like all dispensationalists, fails to deal accurately with the text. It is a constant source of amazement to me that the dispensationalist prides him/herself on "taking the text literally," but then stumbles at so clear a verse as Matthew 24:34: "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place." (NKJV) Did Jesus mean what he said, or not? If he did, then MacArthur's premise is faulty. If "this generation" means something other than the generation to whom Jesus was speaking, how can one claim to take the text literally? Unfortunately, MacArthur (whom I respect as a fine Bible teacher in most areas) follows the dispensational party line here, giving the phrase "this generation" an artificial twist, so that it means "the generation that will see all these things take place." Hint: it was the same generation that Jesus spoke to; that's why he said "THIS generation" and not "THAT generation." So, when one starts with an erroneous premise, it is hard to make any laudatory statement about the rest of the book. I wish the dispensationalists would get together and agree to write just one book that adequately addresses Gary DeMar's "Last Days Madness"...Book Review: Puts the focus on Christ
Summary: 4 Stars
John MacArthur has done a pretty good job in this book. It's light reading- nothing too heavy here. The one thing I appreciate about this book is that he puts the focus on Christ (contra the focus on signs like Van Impe, Lindsey and other sensationalistic writers). MacArthur's writings will make you have a more humble attitude toward the Second Coming of Christ. I recommend this book for beginners and even for a few folks who are already familiar with premillennial eschatology. I'd like to see MacArthur expand further on this topic.
Book Review: Excellent First Reference For Biblical End Times Theology
Summary: 4 Stars
This book gives an excellent overview of God's eternal plan for Israel and the Church. It does not provide a whole lot of nuts and bolts eschatology, but I don't think that was the author's intent. I strongly recommend it for the reader who wants to seek and embrace God's eternal plan for his children. After reading this book, I would recommend "End Times" by Walvoord for a more detailed eschatological account.