The novels of Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins are runaway best sellers. Millions of copies have been sold and a movie has been produced. Throughout history people have been fascinated with stories, predictions, and forecasts of the end times.

It is important to recognize that the Left Behind series is fiction. The author's stated intent was "to write a novel that would wake people up to the fact that Jesus is coming again and the need to be prepared." Many of the events in these novels are speculative and imaginative, designed to capture the attention of the reader.

What does the Bible say about the future?

The books of Daniel and Revelation contain Biblical prophecies and visions of the end times. The Biblical authors, who lived thousands of years ago, described pictures and events in their own words, often using symbolic language. This makes the stories not only hard to imagine, but also difficult to understand. The messages of both of these books affirm the sovereignty of God and the fact that in the midst of unsettling times, we as Christ's followers live in hope because Christ won the victory over evil and its forces. As we look at the first part of Revelation we see worship of Christ for what he has done and we hear words to the churches of overcome, endure, remain faithful.

Historic Christian teachings....

• don't presume to describe what heaven or hell will be like.
• don't pretend to know when Christ will return in judgement.
• don't presume that human beings can judge who will go to heaven and who will not.
• focus on Jesus Christ and the doctrines of sin and salvation.

 

There are no concrete answers to many of the questions surrounding the end times. The actual events will likely be vastly different from what we can expect or even imagine. "Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face." (I Corinthians 13:12)
What we believe to be true about the end times:

• Jesus, the Son of God, will come again to the Earth. (Revelation 22:7, 12, 20; Acts 1:11)
• There will be a resurrection of the dead and a judgment. (2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 20:12-15)
• Those who trust in Jesus as their savior will live forever. (John 3:16; Revelation 21:3,4)
• Those who love Jesus look forward to and will rejoice in His coming. (2 Peter 3:13, 14; Revelation 19:7)