| Title | : | Agents of the Apocalypse: A Riveting Look at the Key Players of the End Times |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1414399499 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781414399492 |
| Format Type | : | Audio CD |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2014 |
Are we living in the end times? Is it possible that the players depicted in the book of Revelation could be out in force today? And if they are, would you know how to recognize them?
In Agents of the Apocalypse, noted prophecy expert Dr. David Jeremiah does what no prophecy expert has done before. He explores the book of Revelation through the lens of its major players--the exiled, the martyrs, the elders, the victor, the king, the judge, the 144,000, the witnesses, the false prophet, and the beast.
One by one, Dr. Jeremiah delves into their individual personalities and motives, and the role that each plays in biblical prophecy. Then he provides readers with the critical clues and information needed to recognize their presence and power in the world today.
The stage is set, and the curtain is about to rise on Earth's final act. Will you be ready?
Complete and unabridged.
Agents of the Apocalypse: A Riveting Look at the Key Players of the End Times Reviews
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5 stars
Riveting with references and explanations that connect to each chapter and the bible, in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It rocked my world. -
I would have given this 5 stars for the chapters dealing with Heaven and Hell alone...but after reading Agents of Babylon which was even better, I have amended this rating to 4 stars.
The author has brought some possible end times scenarios to life with his fictional tales. He then explains each of the fictional stories using Scripture to back them up. He makes it clear that these are only possible scenarios and that there is much about the end times that we just don't know. He has the rapture of the church before the tribulation in his order of events.
This book is ideal for someone struggling to understand the prophecies in Daniel or the symbolism in Revelation. The stories help the reader to visualise end time events. Even though some details may not be entirely accurate due to there being many unknowns and some disputed facts, it is still effective in forcing the reader to acknowledge that these events will happen and that they are a reality for us now. It is easy to think of end time events almost as a fairy story like some think of the devil in a red costume with horns. It is also easy to live our distracted lives without paying any attention to what we should be preparing for. But the Bible tells us to be ready.
The style of this book is unusual but works well. The book is clean-there is no bad language or sexual content, there is some violence associated with the tribulation. The chapter on Hell, specifically certain passages, may disturb some readers, but the terrors and hopelessness of Hell are a reality and being reminded of it might spur people to greater evangelistic efforts.
I recommend this book highly as I believe it will get people thinking and hopefully preparing themselves for what is to come. -
Great combination of fiction and non-fiction. I was skeptical of this genre fusion, but kudos to Thomas Williams who wrote the story line for this book. He did an amazing job. I don't like fiction, but I was intrigued with this book's format and content. This book brilliantly quotes the Word of God and then uses the Word like a screenplay to write a modern illustration and story line.
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If you were sitting in the pews at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California in the fall of 2014, the material published here would be very familiar to you. Or, if not, if you know anything at all about chapters 6, 11, 12, 13 and 20 in the New Testament book of Revelation, you’ll be right at home with Doctor David Jeremiah and Tom Williams’ “riveting look at the key players of the end times.” This Jeremiah and Williams-penned, 273-page commentary is based on a seven-Sunday sermon series Jeremiah preached at Shadow Mountain.
Structurally, Jeremiah and Williams devote “one chapter to each of the most prominent players in Revelation---those who are the primary agents of the Apocalypse.” Each chapter in this unique book is divided into two sections. The first is the dramatized account, written by Williams. That’s followed by the second section explaining the scripture behind the dramatizations. In these ten chapters, you’ll witness the exile of the apostle John, (the writer of Revelation). You’ll also meet the Tribulation martyrs, the 144,000 Tribulation converts/evangelists, the two witnesses, as well as learn the identity of the dragon, the beasts from the sea and the earth. All of that is climaxed by the roles of the victor, the king and the judge.
For the biblical purists, Jeremiah advises, “nothing presented in the Bible has been altered. The dramatized elements are constructed firmly on the facts of Revelation. The stories merely fill in the gaps that Revelation does not address. They present possibilities about how the biblical events could play out. . . . These scenes cannot fill in the gaps with perfect accuracy, but they offer one possibility among many . . . “ Jeremiah’s hope is “that these stories will serve as a reminder that the book of Revelation isn’t just theoretical; it’s intended to depict real-life individuals and situations.”
If you’ve read any of the sixteen Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye’s best-selling novels in the Left Behind series, Tom Williams’ portion of “Agents of the Apocalypse” will also feel very familiar. Here you’ll meet real characters confronted with a lot of action, fire and brimstone. A novel married back-to-back with non-fiction. You don’t see that every day. I found Williams’ dramatizations very believable. The only complaint I have is I wish Williams would’ve picked more plausible names for the Antichrist and his false prophet. Judas Christopher and Damon Detherow? Really? Think about it. We all know who betrayed Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. But to combine those two names into one satanic-controlled world dictator? We know that Satan’s minions are known as demons. But really? To call the head of the Tribulation period’s one world religion using a misspelling of “demon” coupled with a last name that looks like “death row?” Isn’t that a bit over the top? Isn’t that a bit obvious? In my view, Williams was trying too hard to get the names to paint the essence of the major evil players’ true character.
Most readers should find chapters nine and ten the most frightening to contemplate. Or the most exciting. Depending on your own point of view. Or more importantly, depending on your own spiritual condition. In “The King,” we meet Eva McLennon and her two year-old daughter, Sophie. Here we find out what life could be like for those courageous Christians who’ll refuse to accept Judas Christopher��s number or worship the Antichrist during the Tribulation. In the following chapter, Morgan Wilson finds out what his real life was like when, at the Great White Throne Judgment, Jesus opens Morgan’s personal books of law, works, secrets, words, conscience and life.
If nothing else, you should come away from “Agents of the Apocalypse” with a more realistic view of the brevity of life. You’ll gain a new understanding of the length of eternity. More importantly, you’ll come face-to-face with the fact that every soul spends eternity somewhere. One of two places. Only one of two places. You and I get to choose where. Only you and I get to choose. Both choices have no end. Choose wisely. -
With an odd mixture of a fictitious story and commentary on biblical passages relating to the end times, this book just didn't work as well for me as Jeremiah's books normally do. I really didn't enjoy the fictitious portion of the book, but I appreciate the author's insights into the Bible. While I realize he was trying to portray the passages in a way they could possibly play out in 21st century America, the book just didn't work. I'm not sure if it's because of the lapse of time between the book's authorship and the present day along with all that transpired in the intervening years or something else that caused the dislike of the fictitious story. I think I'd prefer to read the author's works on end times that do not include a fictitious element.
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The Book of Revelation has always been the scariest book in the Bible to me. Growing up, it was bad enough that my perception of God was flawed,now there is a book that talks about the impending disasters. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to reading any book that talked about the apocalypse or anything that related to the end times. However I am studying the book now with a couple of friends and this book really modified my views on the rapture, the Second coming, and the similarities of the Kingdom of dark and light.
As a Christian, most of what I been taught was tradition and not many spiritual leaders went into detail about the book of Revelation. In fact if they did, it was always centered about Jesus coming back, preparation stages, and so forth. Unlike any book I read in recent years, this book went into detail about the rapture, passages in the Bible that is hard to understand and used fiction people (based on real events), to paint a picture on what would occur.
For the first time, I was not scared to dive into the book and a lot of curiosity was satisfied. David Jeremiah book,
Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God is the best book I read in my entire life. That book summarized every line of the hymn,Amazing Grace with such vulnerability and clarity. On the other hand, with the same firm but gentle tone, this book leaves the reader intrigued to know what will happen when Jesus returns and dismisses myths that are taught in church.
Lastly this is the last book I will read for the year of 2015. I know I have read one other book ( I can't seem to stay away from books, it's the reader in me), but this is finally the last one.
Highly researched, details and recommended to all who wants a clearer and broader review of the end times! -
This is well worth the read, giving a fictionalized story at the beginning of each chapter and finishing with scripture to back up the story. There are 10 "agents" with much reference to scripture mainly in Revelation but Old and New Testament as well. We are using this along with the dvd for a 10 week study in our Journey home group and everyone has been excited with the format and the knowledge of end times.
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An Outstanding work that ministers to the body of Christ while perhaps simultaneously evangelizing to seekers of truth. May God continue to prosper the Turning Point Ministry and its faithful witness.
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Anyone interested in end times prophecy should read this well-written and insightful book.
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I want to encourage everyone to read this book!!
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One of the best books regarding the topic of Revelation I have read. Jeremiah really breaks the end times down in a way that helped me to understand the Scriptures even more.
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The best book on the book of Revelation that I've ever read. It made it much easier to understand. He has become one of my favorite christian authors.
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Dr. David Jeremiah uses dramatization and scriptural interpretation combine to explain the End Times of Revelation. Excellent!
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Excellent read!
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Was a good read & gives a good look at the end times.
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“Who Will Usher in Earth’s Final Days? Are we living in the end times? Is it possible that the players depicted in the book of Revelation could be out in force today? And if they are, would you know how to recognize them?
In Agents of the Apocalypse, noted prophecy expert Dr. David Jeremiah does what no prophecy expert has done before. He explores the book of Revelation through the lens of its major players—the exiled, the martyrs, the elders, the victor, the king, the judge, the 144,000, the witnesses, the false prophet, and the beast.
One by one, Dr. Jeremiah delves into their individual personalities and motives, and the role that each plays in biblical prophecy. Then he provides readers with the critical clues and information needed to recognize their presence and power in the world today.
The stage is set, and the curtain is about to rise on Earth’s final act. Will you be ready?”
Dr. Jeremiah has taken an interesting approach to writing this book. He tackles the 10 key “players” of the end times in a unique format for each chapter. Each chapter starts with a fictional story that brings about a dramatization to make the Scriptures come to life. He then brings the reader the Scriptures from the Book of Revelation, as well as other Scriptures, to explain and teach us about those key players. In my opinion, with the interesting use of dramatization and Scripture teaching together, the reader can most assuredly see how the end time events will come into place.
I especially enjoy the conclusion of this book: “As we conclude this study of the key players in the book of Revelation, only one question remains: Where do you fit into the story? Have you accepted the living water that God offers in the person of Christ? If so, you can be assured that no matter what you may encounter in the days ahead, your earthly life and your eternity are in His hands. As a result, you are an overcomer. Let this book of Revelation be a glorious confirmation of the fact that you will never thirst again. If you have not taken a drink of that water, I encourage you to do so today. The Bibles says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Call upon Him and quench your thirst, both now and forever.“ (Page 273)
More about the book and read samples from the chapters:
http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/age...
About the Author: Dr. David Jeremiah is the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, and chancellor of San Diego Christian College. He is also the founder of Turning Point, a ministry committed to providing sound Bible teaching through national radio and television broadcasting. Dr. Jeremiah has authored numerous books, including the best-selling "Captured by Grace," "Life Wide Open," "My Heart's Desire," and "Sanctuary."
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publisher, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Christian Book, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at
http://titus3.wordpress.com -
Agents of the Apocalypse is a fascinating book about the end times described in scripture. Each of the ten chapters begins with a gripping fictional account in today’s world. This “story” is followed with an explanation from the scriptures tying it into the account and what will happen regarding the martyrs, the 144,000 witnesses, etc.
For example, in the chapter titled The Victor, a stunning account of Christ’s return is given. Then the author presents the scripture behind the story and gives much information. He says, “People are often surprised to learn that references to the Second Coming outnumber references to the first by a factor of eight to one. Scholars have identified 1,845 biblical references to the Second Coming. In the Old Testament, Christ’s return is emphasized in no less than seventeen books. Seven out of every ten chapters in the New Testament mention his return. In other words, one out of every thirty verses in the New Testament teach us about the return of Christ to this earth. In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, the first two books written for the church, the return of Christ is taught in every single chapter.” Pg. 197
This is a book that illuminates the End Times scripture in clear detail. The description of the millennial kingdom is thrilling. The final chapter on the judgment of sinners is sobering. Agents of the Apocalypse is a book that is worth reading over again. -
***If you entertain questions about current events in relation to prophecy,
"Agents of the Apocalypse" belongs on your bookshelf.
Noted prophecy expert, Dr. David Jeremiah asks, "Are we living in the end times?" in his October 7 release, Agents of the Apocalypse where he looks at prophecy through chapter length treatments that include fictionalized accounts of Revelation's cast of characters and events as well as "the Scripture behind the story."
He believes his unusual approach brings prophesy "to life in a new way," while maintaining the integrity of Scripture. The "dramatized elements," he writes, are only used to "fill in the gaps that Revelation does not address," while "...the overarching truths of Revelation" remain.
Each of ten chapters begins with a dramatized short story and concludes with "the Scripture behind the story" from the book of Revelation. Jeremiah begins with "The Exile," an account of the Apostle John's exile to the Isle of Patmos where he was given several visions and told, "What you see, write in a book..." Full Review:
http://www.examiner.com/review/agents... -
Jeremiah structures the book with first a fictional description of one of the key players in Revelation followed by the biblical background to the story. These fictional accounts of, for example, the martyrs, the 144,000, the two witnesses, the dragon, etc. make very interesting reading. The problem I have with the book are the presuppositions that undergird the content. Jeremiah assumes that you subscribe to his pre-trib, rapture, millennial timetable. In the section after each story in which he gives the biblical material undergirding these stories there is nothing from the book of Revelation to show either that there will be a pre-tribulation rapture of all Christians, that only Jews will be the evangelists in the tribulation, etc. He also assumes that the middle wall of partition separating Jews from Christians was not broken down, so that Jewish believers and Gentile believers are separate as the end times develop. He also assumes that the temple will be rebuilt. Symbolic pictures are taken as literal. While the book is well-written, I broke off part way through due to these unproven assumptions.
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I thought this book was very well written. Because of the way it was written I was better able to understand so many things I was previously confused about. It was a tremendous help to me to have the chapters presented the way they were- first as a fictional story, then the scripture to compare with it and explain it. The use of the fictional story also helped to hold my interest in the book, and make it more real to me. Let's face it, the book of Revelation is complicated one and many books on the subject can leave me more confused and frustrated than when I started. Not so with this one. I learned a great deal from this book, and look forward to reading more on the subject by Dr. Jeremiah. If you're seeking a better understanding of the end times and the sequence of events, I'd highly recommend reading this.
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Very much enjoyed this book. In fact, it convinced me (although it was not written to do this) of per-millinialism approach. This book was written in such a way that you can visualize an actual event of the End Times, see what the Scripture says/means about it, and understand the events that are going on. It is written in chapters and each chapter is a different player in the End Times. This new way of looking at the End Times really reveals a different outlook and changes the way you view the events. Very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed. It sparked many conversations in my household.
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I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable, and easy to read. The beginning of each chapter was a fictional account of a future event, followed by an scriptural explanation by Dr. David Jeremiah. The fictional stories all connected together for a complete story of what Christians believe are end time events, and the explanations by Dr. Jeremiah completed the story. So from the time of the Rapture, to the rise of the anti-christ, to the battle of Armageddon and through the millennium, this book is a great resource for end times scholars of all degrees.
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A fascinating and easy to read study of the Book of Revelation. The author begins each chapter with a sub-section containing a fictional account of what the scripture states, then follows up with a sub-section about the scripture behind the story. This technique makes it very interesting and easy to understand. I have studied many books on prophecy and Dr. David Jeremiah’s books are the easiest to understand. Although no one knows when the ‘end times’ will come, this book can help us understand as they occur.
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Wow!!! If you haven't read this book you really should find the time. This is an eye opener for Christians and non-Christians alike. David Jeremiah certainly puts things in a clear perspective as far as The Book of Revelation goes. If you think you have things sorted out .... check again. You might not be as prepared to meet your Maker as you think you are and at least by becoming aware of it now you still have time to make some changes..... just saying.....
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David Jeremiah is a well know Bible teacher and I am always struck anew with the way he writes. Biblically sound, and yet dramatic and makes you think in a new way. We are closer to Christ's second coming than ever before. This book is an easy to follow, understandable view of the Book of Revelation. If you wonder what the future holds, I highly recommend this.
