A Brief Book Notice from Books At a Glance
by Fred G. Zaspel
This new book on biblical eschatology stands out as exceptionally helpful. It deserves a fuller review, which we will try to provide here soon, but meanwhile I thought a brief mention was needed.
Piper approaches the subject of our Lord’s return as a seasoned pastor-scholar who has spent years thinking through the various questions surrounding the second coming of Christ. Some may infer from “Meditations” in the subtitle that this is a devotional book. Theology ought always to be devotional, and as a pastor-theologian Piper’s devotional tone remains evident throughout. But this is not a “devotional” work, merely, but a biblical and theological investigation of prominent dimensions of this area of biblical teaching. So, as you can see from the Table of Contents below, topics range from love for Christ’s appearing to preterism and other eschatological systems to life implications of the doctrine.
Piper’s discussions are warm, charitable, and very well-informed. Marked by careful biblical insight and pastoral wisdom. I expected the book to be a good read, but I found it surprisingly good. Thoroughly delightful. I predict this will be one of your favorite and most useful books on eschatology. Very highly recommended.
Table of Contents
PART 1: REASONS TO LOVE CHRIST’S APPEARING
Prelude to Part 1: The Miracle We Seek: Love
1 All Who Have Loved His Appearing
2 How Can a Book Awaken Love for Christ’s Appearing?
3 The Glory of Christ as the Primary Reality of His Coming: The Heart of the Matter, Part 1
4 Experiencing the Glory of Christ with Joyful Amazement: The Heart of the Matter, Part 2
5 The Grace Being Brought to You at the Revelation of Christ
6 Will We Be Blameless at the Coming of Christ?
7 We Will Be Perfected Mind, Heart, and Body
8 Jesus Will Deliver Us from the Wrath of Jesus
9 In Flaming Fire, with Vengeance and Relief
10 Repaying Each for What He Has Done
11 Rejoicing in the Hope of Receiving Different Rewards
12 The Joy of Personal Fellowship with the Sovereign Servant
PART 2: THE TIME OF HIS APPEARING
Prelude to Part 2: The Time and the Love of Christ’s Appearing
13 Did Jesus Teach That He Would Return within One Generation?
14 What Does the New Testament Mean That Jesus Will Come Soon?
15 Is There an Any-Moment Rapture before the Second Coming?
16 Jesus and Paul: A Common Vision of Christ’s Coming
17 What Must Happen before the Lord’s Appearing?
PART 3: HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?
Prelude to Part 3: Living between the Two Appearings of Christ
18 End-Time Alertness and Love for Christ’s Appearing
19 Patient, Joyful, Not Deceived, Not Alarmed
20 Coming Justice, Present Gentleness
21 Go to Work, Go to Church
22 End-Time Praying, for Yourself and the Mission
O Come, Lord Jesus, Come: A Hymn to Christ
General Index
Scripture Index