I have now written two books about the biblical End Times – one a general introduction to the subject, and more recently a book about the church in the End Times: Radiant and Resolute. It has been encouraging to have many great reactions to what I have written, as though people want to understand what is going on in the world and what is coming down the line, from a biblical perspective. Yet I have also had some muted or negative reactions. Some people consider the End Times a controversial topic with many view points, that they would rather avoid. A few others, especially some church leaders, have treated me with a reserved respect – as though they assume I will be a little extreme in my theology. Both of these attitudes I think come from a lack of confidence in handling biblical future prophecy. Leaders in the UK generally don’t know how to teach these things from the pulpit, other Christians feel it to be a minefield they would rather skirt around.

Eschatology, or in other worlds the theology of the End Times, is arguably the most relevant topic to consider when our world is in its current crisis. As I say at the start of my book, the End Times is not a pet doctrine for the niche few, but is fast becoming an unavoidable context of living for the human race. It is not about whether you are ‘into’ such things, but how you navigate life as Jesus’ return gets closer.

Has the church not always been in the End Times? Yes in the sense that the early church was the start of the Old Testament prophecy about the pouring out of the Spirit in the last days. Jesus inaugurated a kingdom that was partially here and approaching its final fulfilment; we have been living in the last days for 2000 years. Yet there is a portion of biblical prophecy which focuses on a limited future time frame – what you could say is the end of the End Times. That time in future history involves an intensification of global shaking, trouble, revival and hopes for Jesus’ return. In my book I argue that this time is almost upon us. There are many current bible teachers much better than I who are suggesting the same thing.

So why should you read a book on the End Times? Because you might find that it opens up scripture to you, and that biblical prophecy becomes a road map for the times and years ahead. I will say more in future posts. Thanks for reading, God bless you, William