{"id":97,"date":"2025-10-12T00:36:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T12:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookreports.cc\/?p=97"},"modified":"2025-10-12T00:36:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T12:36:08","slug":"left-behind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookreports.cc\/?p=97","title":{"rendered":"Left Behind!"},"content":{"rendered":"

J.M. Smith, You Want to be Left Behind! Essays on the Bible and Popular End-Times Teachings<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an e-book written by J.M. Smith, who runs the YouTube channel Disciple Dojo, which always recommends books on various biblical topics. The popular End-times teachings he refers to is basically the Pre-tribulation Dispensational Premillennialism. It is like this:<\/p>\n

The world will be getting worse before the End comes, including wars, famines, and natural disasters.
\nThe development of such chaos is mapped out in the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, including those of Daniel, Ezekiel, Matthew, and, of course, Revelation.
\nOne can tell when Jesus comes by noticing the development of events in the Middle East.
\nOne must stand with the modern state of Israel.
\nWhen Jesus comes, He will snatch away His believers from this earth to heaven.
\nThen there will be seven years of tribulation
\nThen Jeuse comes (3rd time?) and establishes the Millennial Kingdom
\nThen comes the final judgment<\/p>\n

Smith addresses these concepts in his book, including the Rapture, natural disasters, and the role of Israel, among others. His writing is somewhat crisp, but he presents his case clearly.<\/p>\n

The biblical truth isThe world has always been imperfect. Wars, famines, and disasters have always been a part of our world. Bad enough.
\nProphecies are usually the prophet’s voice for his own age. Thus, the Olivet Discourse of Jesus was about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Revelation was about the downfall of the Roman Empire.
\nThis book quotes Josephus at length, demonstrating that Jesus\u2019 prophecy regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple was validated in Josephus’ writings.
\nThat said, the images in prophecies were reused and adapted to new situations. Thus, Revelation draws heavily on images from Daniel. Such images should be interpreted as symbols, not taken literally.
\nWhen Jesus comes, the rapture will occur in the sense that Christians will welcome His coming as King, not to be taken away to escape tribulations.<\/p>\n

I just don\u2019t understand why people are caught up with the fancy modern day prophecies of speculating when Jesus will come. Such sensational YouTube videos will generate wealth, I suppose. But misinterpretation of the end-time events will lead to:
\nBiased opinion towards Israel
\nUnhealthy interest in world affairs and perhaps wrong policy decisions by misled politicians. Smith says, \u201cThis type of \u2018spiritualizing\u2019 of a current political situation is both ignorant and dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pre-tribulation Dispensational Premillennialism has been around for some time. I have seen it applied during the Cold War. I am not surprised that people use the same theory in modern-day affairs. I am amazed, though, that people still believe in such teaching.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

J.M. Smith, You Want to be Left Behind! Essays on the Bible and Popular End-Times Teachings This is an e-book written by J.M. Smith, who runs the YouTube channel Disciple Dojo, which always recommends books on various biblical topics. The popular End-times teachings he refers to is basically the Pre-tribulation Dispensational Premillennialism. It is like … <\/p>\n

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