Books

Left Behind?
What the Bible Really Says About the End Times

Introduction

The first edition of this book was conceived, written, and published in anticipation of the expected fervor (even hysteria) over the coming of the year 1988 and subsequently the turn of the millennium, which came to be known as the Y2K phenomenon. The fervor happened, but the “end times” as some expected did not occur.

In the time between 1988 and the present, other phenomena relating to end times have appeared, but the one causing the most commotion and generating the most controversy is the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The twelve volumes of this series have sold more than 62 million copies worldwide. A “prequel” and “sequel” to the series are planned, as well as additional books by LaHaye. At least two movies have been made from the early volumes, and different approaches teaching the basic concepts of the books have been devised for children, teenagers, and others.

Since this series has been and continues to be pervasive in our culture, it was determined that my original book needed an update with special reference to the newer movement pertaining to end times. When I wrote the first edition, the most prominent group advocating that the biblical “code” had been broken and that the “end times” were about to begin was the “Darbyists,” followers of the system of interpretation set forth in 1829 by a young Irishman named John Nelson Darby. His theological system of interpreting Scripture is not our concern; instead, we will focus on his eschatological system—dispensationalism. Recently, adherents of this system have espoused many new ideas, known as “progressive dispensationalism.”

It is not the purpose of this short volume to enter into an analysis of the entire system. Rather, the focus is on the end-times eschatology espoused and advocated by the Darbyists. Even to this day, the basic “end-times grid” of the Darbyists and their fellow travelers remains the same.

Perhaps no single issue or topic strikes more fear into the hearts of church people, engenders more heated debate, or brings out a bigger and more interested crowd than that of the end times, popularly known as “the Second Coming.” This concept centers on the early church belief that Jesus would return soon, within the people’s lifetimes, to fulfill the work of the kingdom of God that was inaugurated during Jesus’ earthly ministry. This belief is known in scholarly circles as the Parousia, the “presence” or “coming” of Jesus. Even though the timing of this belief turned out to be erroneous, the idea has persisted throughout the centuries of church history and has occupied a considerable amount of attention.

Many people through the years held to the belief that Jesus was to return and espoused many different theories in an attempt to explain exactly what would happen when he did. A large number of these theories began in the nineteenth century, and they are still prevalent in some circles today. The most well known of these systems is popularly called “Bible prophecy” and centers on “end-of-the-word” speculation. The more sophisticated system from which this theology derives is technically known as dispensationalism.

As with any theological system, the adherents of dispensationalism argue many different ideas. It is difficult to find two dispensational schemes with regard to the end times that agree at all points. However, several basic key concepts frequently appear in the writings of this particular school of interpretation. They can be loosely assigned to three general categories: rapture, antichrist, and millennium. This book examines these three areas and certain attendant ideas to ascertain whether dispensationalism has been true to the biblical text.

The best approach to this task appears to be to introduce the reader to a brief history of the origins and development of the system. Sometimes knowing the origins and presuppositions of a theology can assist one in evaluating the teachings and components of the system. After this brief examination of the history and background of the dispensational system, the three key elements of the end-times teaching will be discussed. As mentioned already, these are rapture, antichrist, and millennium. The key passages used for support of the dispensational teachings will be examined within their contexts in the biblical writings to ascertain whether they have been properly understood and correctly interpreted.

It must be pointed out that only the most basic of the passages will be analyzed here. Space does not allow for a full examination of every text used in support of the system. The proponents of dispensationalism attempt to support their interpretation of certain passages by appealing to many other verses or pieces of verses drawn out of context from various places in the biblical accounts. All of these cannot be examined, partly because different Scripture texts appeal to different groups, and the groups do not always agree on certain aspects of the system. The key elements are essentially the same, however, and we will examine them in this book.

It must be noted that while the discussion will focus on the dispensational system, especially as it relates to end-times teaching, the reader may recognize certain familiar ideas and teachings. This is because the dispensational system of interpretation has enjoyed wide coverage, and its teachings have influenced other groups such as those involved in the “Left Behind” phenomenon and other systems of interpretation. In short, members of other systems either knowingly or unknowingly have appropriated certain parts of the dispensational system without being devotees of the entire system. We will focus on the dispensational system and on its elements that have become part of other ideologies.

A bibliography is provided at the conclusion of the analysis to encourage further investigation of the various approaches and ideas. Some critics of the system have argued that it is wrong because it is relatively new, having been around for only about 175 years. Others argue against it because they believe it has been a divisive factor in the church since its inception, and still others question the background and leadership of the movement. The more responsible advocates of the dispensational system argue that one should not reject a teaching simply because it is new, because it has been a divisive force in the church, or because it has come from questionable backgrounds. In this contention they are absolutely correct, and it is not fair to the proponents of dispensationalism (or any other theological system) to judge it on the basis of any criterion other than that the teaching is true to the biblical texts. No theology, system, or individual teaching should be called biblical if it does not reflect the proper meaning the original inspired authors intended. Further, no teaching should be understood as biblical unless it is first understood as it was by the original hearers/readers. The purpose of this book is to examine the key teachings of dispensationalism against the biblical passages its advocates use as support. We will try to ascertain if the ideas of rapture, antichrist, and millennium are indeed presented in the biblical texts as the dispensationalists argue.