Monday, January 31, 2011

‘Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock – What Does the Bible Say?’ by John Claeys – Book Review and Giveaway

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I am, by nature, skeptical when someone tries to guess when the Apocalypse will happen. In his book, ‘Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock – What Does the Bible Say?,’ John Claeys provides a compelling argument using biblical and extra biblical evidence to help to explain the future of planet Earth.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

“Thousands of People Worldwide Seem to Be Preparing…For the End of Days in 2012.” Did Nostradamus, the Mayans, and others have a glimpse of God’s plan for the end of the earth? If so, will anyone survive 2012, or will that be the end of humanity? Is there a link between these two ancient prophecies and what the Bible presents about the End Times?
Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock reveals incredible and shocking information about the future of this world.

Here is the biography of this author:

John Claeys is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa (B.A, English) and Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., New Testament Greek) and has pursued doctoral work at Phoenix Seminary. For the past 17 years, John has been an instructor of Bible with LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas and for the past 13 years has been on staff at Cypress Valley Bible Church in Marshall, Texas. He lives in Marshall with his beautiful wife, Connie, and his two handsome and phenomenal sons (of course, John is not biased!), Scott and Jason.

Here is the book trailer for this fascinating book:



And here is John talking about the reports of what could happen in 2012:




Many Christians are unaware that Jesus is returning. Mr. Claeys explains why:

It is understandable that non-Christians do not realize that the day of the Lord is approaching, but what is disturbing is that most Christians do not seem to realize it is coming. Why is that? It seems that the vast majority of teaching from pastors and church leaders today is centered on the here and now – how to deal with day-to-day issues and how to have a better life now. Unfortunately, this focus comes at the exclusion of teaching about the future, as indicated by the focus of books and articles written and sermons preached. Thus, Christians as a whole do not seem to be educated about future events. (p. 15)

I would have to concur with that assessment. I don’t remember ever having sat through a sermon series on Christ’s return.

There is debate about whether Christians will have to endure the wrath of the Lord; Mr. Claeys is of the opinion (Pre-Millennial) that Jesus will return before those events:

This deliverance is for all believers alive at that time, whether we wake or sleep. Since this phrase refers to a believer’s spiritual health, it [1 Thessalonians 5:9-11] is saying to us that whether a believer is awake to the soon return of Christ and demonstrating that alertness by faithfully serving Christ, or is asleep and showing spiritual lethargy by not being faithful to Christ, Paul promoted that all believers who are alive at the time Christ comes in the air will be taken up to be with him. In other words, all Christians, whether they are faithful or unfaithful, will be delivered from the coming wrath by the rapture. (p. 23)

I was intrigued by the question, ‘Who Really Is the Antichrist?’ That topic has been a main subject for speculation for millennia. Here is Mr. Claey’s opinion:

The biggest clue for the meaning of the term can be found in 1 John 4:1-3, where the apostle John is warning of false prophets – those who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. According to these verses, false prophets in the world are a preview of the ultimate false prophet, who is the Antichrist. This would indicate that the Antichrist is the false prophet. Therefore, the Antichrist is not the world ruler, but is instead the false prophet. (p. 138)

I was always under the impression that the Antichrist would be a world leader; it is interesting to learn that Mr. Claeys does not think that will be the case.

Another interesting topic is the Mark of the Beast. When credit cards first came into use, many people interpreted them as being the Mark of the Beast. There are so many ways that things can be interpreted! Here Mr. Claeys explains what taking the Mark means:

The connection between taking the mark of the beast and worshiping him (his image) is also made in [Revelation] 16:2: “So the first [angel] went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” This verse describes a specific judgment of God during the last half of the future tribulation period upon those who possess the mark of the beast and who worship his image. (p. 142)

The end of this book includes a Glossary, Selected Bibliography, and End Notes.

I have never read a book that is more comprehensive about the Second Coming of Jesus. Mr. Claeys provides great detail and evidence to show his readers that the Lord is coming back for His people! It is not clear when this will happen, but regardless of when it happens, it will be glorious!

You can order this book here.

This book was published by VMI Publishers and provided by Bring It On! Communications for review and giveaway purposes.
____________________________________

I have one copy of this book to pass along; thanks to Arielle at Bring It On! Communications for generously providing this copy! 

There are several ways to gain entry:           

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, giving me your thoughts on 2012 and the Second Coming in general. Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com. 

2) Follow me on Twitter; if you are already a follower, that counts, too!  Please leave a separate comment to that effect.

3) Tweet the following on Twitter:

Enter to win a copy of ‘Apocalypse 2012’ from @BringItOnComm & @andrealschultz. http://goo.gl/qnP42 #giveaway Please RT!

Please leave a comment with the link to your tweet. You can tweet up to once per day. Please add a new comment for each tweet.

4) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too! Please leave a separate comment to that effect.

5) Become my Facebook friend. Please leave a separate comment to that effect.

6) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend. Please leave a separate comment to that effect.

So there are numerous chances to enter and therefore win! Please limit one entry per option (except for the Twitter option), and don’t forget to include your email address, or, sad to say, the Random Number Generator will have to choose a different winner.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only. The deadline for entry is Monday, February 14, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. One winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 and will be contacted via email. The best to all of you!

18 comments:

Linda said...

I've read the novel, but not this book. Would love to read it!

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I follow on Twitter.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

Tweeted via onedesertrose.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a GFC follower.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a FB friend.

desertrose5173 at gmail dto com

Linda said...

I follow via NWB.

desertrose5173 at gmail dto com

karenk said...

this subject fascinates me...thanks for the chance to read this book.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

apple blossom said...

The Bible says He'll come as a thief in the night. which a thief comes when you least expect it. If everyone is expecting Jesus to come Dec. 21 2012 I guess He won't be coming then.

I've vaguely heard about the end of the world in 2012. Well also the the end of the world as we know it won't happen till 7 years after the Second coming so we'll at least have until 2017.

OK so I like books and reading what others think anyway. I'd love to be included in this giveaway.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I'm already a follower

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

debijackson said...

I would love to read this. Thanks for the great giveaway. I would love to read this. Thanks for the great giveaway. djackson1958@hotmail.com

Meredith said...

I don't think next year will be the end of the world, but I love reading the theories!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

http://twitter.com/#!/tessaa99/status/33600664202387456

Tweeted!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Facebook friend

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Anne Payne said...

I think if anyone says they know exactly when the Second Coming is, they haven't read their Bible. Obviously it talks about signs, but it very plainly states, NO man knows the day or the hour when the Son of man comes. It also never uses the word "rapture", but that's a whole other discussion :) The book sounds fascinating. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I'm a blog follower :)

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I'm also a FB friend.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Rudy ... said...

I'M sorry to ruin your expectations of the world ending...the world will never end...it is a world without end...it goes on forever..the Bible Categorically states the world will Never End...its may come into ruination but it will emerge again into a fruitful place once more only ruled by God...if you read your Bible it will tell all of you That God and 10 of thousands of angels will decend upon the earth...so relax it wont ever end...the rapture is omitted in the Bible because they didnt know the Greek word for the taking away...which is rapitore or something to that effect...it simply means the taking away..it is in the Greek version of the Greek Bible i believe, tho, i could be wrong...by the way Mr.Claey is wrong about all christians going to Heaven...you better believe you better have just more than believing you are a christian to enter Heaven ...Jesus tells you exactly how to get into Heaven in the book of Matthew...he expounds further on how to get in, in Mark and Luke...we dont know the day nor the hour but we sure know when the time is near in fact in Matthews Jesus almost demands that you know when it nears...and just to think, it all started when Isreal became a nation back in 1948...and that is the beginning of fig tree that Jesus used as a parable in Matthews...all you have to do is read your Bible and ask God to give you the interpertations...btw...The Book of Daniel is ideal for reading...he gives you the exact clues as what to look for so you will know what to look for..i just gave you several of them...one other thing i would like to point out to you is the Middle East...look for a 7 year contract to come from there soon...

Anonymous said...

no one knows the date nor the hour.

just repent of your sins and get right with God and

SPREAD THE GOSPEL!!!

thats what it matters

forget about 2012 and other non-sense

i hope people are not like Harold Camping.


people get your heart right

and just answer God

ARE YOU PURE IN HEART?


peace out

 
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