Left Behind Answered Verse by Verse Book Review
Introduction
Left Behind
series of books is a popular account of end times events told through fictional
characters. Although the books are fiction, their authors wrote the books with
the intent to influence the theological thinking of the Christian masses, as
suggested in their last novel:
"Jerry and I felt uniquely led of God to take on this challenging task of presenting what we believe is the truth of end times prophecy in fiction form. Our prayer was that it would take admittedly complex and often confusing elements of Scripture and help them come to life in your eyes. . . . we believe what we have portrayed here will happen someday."1
David A. Reed is concerned about the theology presented in the Left Behind books so much so that he has written a book, Left Behind Answered Verse by Verse, examining the theology from a biblical standpoint. Although Reed's books in the past have been concerned with the theology of the cults,2 his current book specifically examines the end times theology promulgated in the Left Behind series.
Left Behind theology
Left Behind theology presents a futurist interpretation of Revelation (all events will occur in the future), a complete distinction between Israel and the Church, a belief that Jesus Christ will return soon and perhaps imminently, a secret rapture in which the Church is taken to heaven before the tribulation begins, a two-stage return of Christ prior to the Millennium, an Antichrist-led tribulation period of three and-a-half to seven years, and a Millennium, in which Christ will reign on earth. Reed examines these ideas beginning in the Old Testament. Since many of the prophecies of the New Testament are first described in the Old Testament, an understanding of those passages are critical to a proper interpretation of the biblical end times prophecy. Reed begins in Genesis and continues through the prophetic books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, and Zachariah.
The second part of the book examines the New Testament prophecies, beginning with Jesus' descriptions and parables in the gospels. Reed examines what Jesus taught about His second coming and finds no evidence for any kind of third coming. In addition, Jesus' parables regarding His coming indicate that faithful followers would be rewarded, but those who are found unfaithful would be sent "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." So, Jesus didn't ever suggest that the unfaithful would get a second chance during the tribulation. Paul's teachings reveal that Jesus returns after the great rebellion and the revelation of the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3), in contrast to that taught by Left Behind theology.
Reed's concerns about Left Behind
David Reed has four main concerns about the theology of the Left Behind books. First, the series has convinced a large portion of the Christian population that Left Behind accurately presents what the Bible itself says, although it doesn't. Second, many Christians believe that Left Behind represents the traditional teachings of Christianity over the history of the Church, although it was first taught in the 19th century. Third, the teachings of Left Behind encourage its followers to not worry about the signs of the end, since God will rescue them before things get really bad. As a result, they are unlikely to follow Jesus' command to "be always on the watch." (Luke 21:36) Fourth, the nominal (read non-Christians) who follow the series believe that they will get a second chance to truly trust in Christ after the rapture of their friends. However, Jesus warned us that we should watch for his return to avoid severe punishment at that time.
Conclusion 
David Reed's book, Left Behind Answered Verse by Verse, examines pretribulation rapture theology from a biblical perspective. Being at 142 pages, the book is a relatively concise critique of Left Behind prophecy.
Related Pages
- Book Review: The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology
- Book Review: End Times Passover: Etymological Challenges to Millenarian Doctrines
- Book Review: Why Christians Will Suffer "Great Tribulation"
- Will Christians Go Through the Great Tribulation?
- Will Christians Suffer the Wrath of God?
References
- Kingdom Come: The Final Victory, pages 355-356.
-
Jehovahs Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse
Answering Jehovahs Witnesses Subject by Subject
Mormons Answered Verse by Verse
Reflections
We are what we think.
- 02/02/2012 10:19 AM
Quote of the Week: T. V. Morris
Ockham on the razor – ‘I would much rather have had a good after-shave named for me.’ – T. V. Morris, The Bluffer’s Guide to Philosophy (South Bend, Indiana: Diamond Communications, 1989), 45.
() - 01/31/2012 12:47 AM
Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 1: an Introduction to Blaise Pascal
How many seventeenth-century Christians have modern-day computer languages named after them? Only one—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662).1 Inventor of the first digital calculator, Pascal is described by many historians as one of the founding fathers of modern science. He is widely known … Continue reading
() - 01/26/2012 12:24 PM
Quote of the Week: Robert M. Bowman Jr.
To say that the Trinity cannot be understood likewise is imprecise, or at least open to misinterpretation. Trinitarian theologians do not mean to imply that the Trinity is unintelligible nonsense. Rather, the point they are making is that the Trinity … Continue reading
() - 01/24/2012 12:09 AM
My Daughter’s Brain-Mind
When my oldest child, Sarah (now 24 years old), was a toddler she loved to push the buttons on the keyboard of my very first computer. While I was working on the computer, she would come up to me and … Continue reading
() - 01/19/2012 12:14 PM
Quote of the Week: Anthony A. Hoekema, 3
The Scriptures teach that God saves us not as puppets but as persons, and that we must therefore be active in our salvation. The Bible, in a way which is deeply mysterious, combines God’s sovereignty with our responsibility in the … Continue reading
() - 01/17/2012 12:25 AM
An Inconvenient Duty
Christmas is by far my favorite time of year. I never tire of hearing the incredible message that the Son of God took a human nature and became the God-man at his Incarnation (Philippians 2:5–11). But this past December, just … Continue reading
() - 01/12/2012 09:16 AM
Quote of the Week: Kenneth Samples, 3
Courage is forged only through facing one’s fears. Steel must be refined by fire. For faith to grow, it often has to be tested by trial. –Kenneth Samples, church lecture entitled “Facing Life’s Challenges and God’s Reasons for Suffering”
() - 01/10/2012 11:43 AM
Are You a Renaissance Christian? 12 Tips for Pursuing Knowledge and Wisdom in Daily Life
I first heard the expression “renaissance Christian” from apologist and attorney John Warwick Montgomery in the early 1980s. Montgomery gave a lecture at the former Simon Greenleaf School of Law on the importance of developing the Christian mind. The lecture … Continue reading
() - 01/06/2012 11:36 AM
Quote of the Week: C. S. Lewis
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. – C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: HarperOne, 2001), 93.
() - 01/04/2012 10:07 AM
Reflections on the Passing of New Atheist Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011)
Christopher Hitchens, author, journalist, and one of the “four horsemen” of the New Atheist movement, died December 15, 2011, of esophageal cancer. In his 2007 book God is Not Great, Hitchens argued that religions in general—and theistic religion in particular … Continue reading
()
http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/left_hehind_answered.html
Last Modified May 28, 2010
Top of Page 
Back