The Last Days According to Jesus: When Did Jesus Say He Would Return?

In this book Sproul takes up the subject of eschatology that is the events leading up to the return of Christ. He focuses on the Olivet Discourse and Jesus' teaching in the gospels and argues for a partial preterist interpretation. The focus of this view is that the prophecies Jesus gave where realized by way of judgement in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed the Temple and burnt down Jerusalem. From this perspective then Sproul proceeds to harmonies the remainder of the New Testament evidence as we have that from the Apostles and he quite winsomely shows in my opinion that it fits the biblical evidence. The book of Revelation is also considered and two Appendices are also provided to show how the Olivet Discourse is consistent in the synoptic gospels. While many in today's church hold to a futurist interpretation this is a welcoming and more persuasive alternative for the better in my estimation.

I thought that this book is very well written. \\nFor me, preterism is a new idea. Though I'd heard about it, I'd never looked indepth into the reasoning and thinking especially in terms of Bible passages. In this regard, this book does an excellent job in explaining the preterist position (both full and partial as Sproul defines them). \\n\\nI feel that Sproul was very fair in his presentation of the different positions within preterism without being pushy or imposing with his views to those who do not hold it. His book I believe achieved it purpose in showing and explaining the benefits and """"consistency"""" of holding such a view. \\n\\nFor me, it was an interesting and engaging read. I never felt bored or felt like he was being long-winded or providing unnecessary comments. Highly recommend to those who are looking for an entry level book about Preterism.

In this thought-provoking book, Sproul looks at and discusses the subject of eschatology, answering questions such as """"What 'generation' will witness the end?"""" """"What 'age' was about to end?"""" """"Was the destruction of Jerusalem in A. D. 70 the return of Jesus Christ?"""" """"When is the resurrection?"""" """"Who is the Antichrist?"""" and """"When is the Millennium?"""" Re-looking at the time-frame references of the Olivet Discourse using James Stuart Russell's Parousia (first published in 1878 and with a second edition in 1887), Sproul argues for a moderate preterist understanding of the Olivet Discourse, i. e. most of the prophecies were fulfilled within the lifetime of at least some of Jesus's disciples. Thus understood, many passages in Paul's and John's writings appear to make sense and require the understanding that Paul, John and the recipients of their writings did indeed expect the Lord Jesus to return within their lifetime, specifically in A. D. 70. For Christians who have been taught that the Early Church was mistaken in their expectation of the imminence of Christ's return and hence had to revise their eschatology, Sproul's book deserves a careful study. Highly recommended.