The Book Corner
The Next. Move: Current Events in Bible Prophecy. By Rob Lindsted. Wichita, KS: Bible Truth, P.0 Box 8550, 1985. 187 pp. Paper, $5.00 (postage included).
What another book on Bible prophecy?!
The ten chapters of this book are transcribed from messages first delivered at Sunrise Bible Chapel where the author is in fellowship. They also form the backbone for his popular messages delivered at Bible conferences on prophecy.
The author, using 2 Peter 1:19-21 as a touchstone, properly emphasizes that the “real purpose of this book is not to provide more facts but to encourage changed lives” (p. 2). For the unsaved, he encourages them to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. For Christians, he encourages them to live in the light of the Word of God. Throughout the book he constantly asks the question, “Are you ready for the Lord’s return?”
In Chapter 8, he does an adequate job in presenting the “pretribulational” rapture position and is confident the church will not go through the Tribulation.
For Lindsted, the rapture of the church is a signless event and nothing has to be fulfilled before that event happens (p. 108). Moreover, he believes that signs (his understanding of current events) are a warning for the tribulation and “more Bible prophecy has been fulfilled in the last five years than in the entire history of man” (p. 4). Herein lies the weakness of the book.
This reviewer has lived in Jerusalem for several years, studying, leading field trips, and working on archaeological excavations and is well acquainted with the historical geography and archaeology of the region. A word of caution should be sounded on at least three of the “signs” showing the nearness of the Tribulation.
The first is his equation of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 with Russia (chapter 3). Dr. Edwin Yamauchi, a Christian historian, has seriously challenged this identification and his work should be consulted (Foes from the Northern Frontier, Baker).
The second is seeing the fulfilment of Deuteronomy 33:24, 25 in the search for petroleum oil in Asher’s territory (chapter 4). A careful study of the tribal territory of Asher places its southern border at the northern base of the Carmel range, thus putting the oil rigs described by Lindsted in Manasseh’s territory and not Asher’s! In the material context of the Bible, the oil referred to in these passages has to do with the olive oil industry and not petroleum oil!
A final caution should be noted on the search for the ashes of the red heifer (chapter 6). As an archaeologist, this reviewer is not convinced of the evidence for the existence of the Kalal containing the ashes of the red heifer.
The nature of this book tends toward “sensationalism” and contains a number of factual errors. Personally, this reviewer has problems recommending the book and suggests that if it is read, it should be with much discernment.
These cautions and opinions aside, the emphasis on the return of Christ is the same as the old Puritan hope, “Perhaps Today!” Are you ready?
—Gordon Franz