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Library Nook… Book review by Pres Nowlin

A GOSPEL LOOK AT THE END OF THE WORLD

A review of THE KINGDOM OF THE BEAST and The End of the World

Author J. C. Alexander - 379 pages, published by ACW Press, 2005

 So often discussions and books about the end of the world seem to be free floating.  One person will choose Ezekiel 38 and 39 as the key to understanding God’s plan for the end times.  Others go to the seventy weeks of Daniel and all go the Revelation seeking a key to prophecy.  Then all is mixed up and each one seems to have his or her own interpretation of the end.  Because of that tendency I tend to avoid books on prophecy.  The Habels (it is a blessing to see John and Janet in the library after worship on Sunday, working to keep the library in shape) asked me to read “The Kingdom of the Beast” and give an opinion on its suitability for the library.  I find it very suitable.

The author, J. C. Alexander, has taken a reasonable approach to the end times by turning to the gospel of Matthew and the words of Jesus as the norm for interpreting the end times.  This approach takes the view that any teaching on the end from any source must agree with the words of Jesus.

Matthew 24 is the controlling outline for “The Kingdom…”  The disciples ask Jesus the question, “Tell us, when will these things be?  And what will be the sign of Your coming? And of the end of the age?”  Alexander proposes Jesus’ answer in verses 5-43 as the timetable of events of the end.  The timetable of Matthew 24 speaks of  eleven events or periods including the Church Age in which we live.  This age began with the Lord’s advent and will continue through the Battle of Gog of Magog, Daniel’s Seventieth Week, the Great Tribulation, and the General Resurrection.

The times that follow the Church Age (Matt. 24:8-21), according to Alexander’s interpretation of Matthew 24, will include the the Rapture of the Church, the Wrath of God on earth, the Battle of Armageddon, the Millennial Reign, the White Throne Judgment, and the descent of the Heavenly New Jerusalem.

I recommend the book as readable and reasonable for the student of prophecy and for the general reader who would like to dig in a bit more.  Since there is not much of a consensus concerning the end times there will be many who disagree with Alexander and the timetable he proposes.  The greatest value of the book, in my estimation, is the use of Jesus’ teachings as the norm for prophecy.

For questions or comments you may email the pastor at timbev2@yahoo.com or the webmaster at hffinc@i-c.net