J.M. Smith, You Want to be Left Behind! Essays on the Bible and Popular End-Times Teachings

This is an e-book written by J.M. Smith, who runs the YouTube channel Disciple Dojo, which always recommends books on various biblical topics. The popular End-times teachings he refers to is basically the Pre-tribulation Dispensational Premillennialism. It is like this:

The world will be getting worse before the End comes, including wars, famines, and natural disasters.
The development of such chaos is mapped out in the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, including those of Daniel, Ezekiel, Matthew, and, of course, Revelation.
One can tell when Jesus comes by noticing the development of events in the Middle East.
One must stand with the modern state of Israel.
When Jesus comes, He will snatch away His believers from this earth to heaven.
Then there will be seven years of tribulation
Then Jeuse comes (3rd time?) and establishes the Millennial Kingdom
Then comes the final judgment

Smith addresses these concepts in his book, including the Rapture, natural disasters, and the role of Israel, among others. His writing is somewhat crisp, but he presents his case clearly.

The biblical truth isThe world has always been imperfect. Wars, famines, and disasters have always been a part of our world. Bad enough.
Prophecies are usually the prophet’s voice for his own age. Thus, the Olivet Discourse of Jesus was about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Revelation was about the downfall of the Roman Empire.
This book quotes Josephus at length, demonstrating that Jesus’ prophecy regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple was validated in Josephus’ writings.
That said, the images in prophecies were reused and adapted to new situations. Thus, Revelation draws heavily on images from Daniel. Such images should be interpreted as symbols, not taken literally.
When Jesus comes, the rapture will occur in the sense that Christians will welcome His coming as King, not to be taken away to escape tribulations.

I just don’t understand why people are caught up with the fancy modern day prophecies of speculating when Jesus will come. Such sensational YouTube videos will generate wealth, I suppose. But misinterpretation of the end-time events will lead to:
Biased opinion towards Israel
Unhealthy interest in world affairs and perhaps wrong policy decisions by misled politicians. Smith says, “This type of ‘spiritualizing’ of a current political situation is both ignorant and dangerous.”

The Pre-tribulation Dispensational Premillennialism has been around for some time. I have seen it applied during the Cold War. I am not surprised that people use the same theory in modern-day affairs. I am amazed, though, that people still believe in such teaching.

Ed Gallagher, The Book of Daniel: Explorations in Christian Scripture (Florence, AL: Heritage Christian University Press, 2024)

Although many view the book of Daniel as a blueprint for what will happen in the End Times, I don’t think Daniel intended to write it. He had something more pressing to attend to.

If we accept that Daniel was written by the real Daniel in the 6th century BCE, or that Daniel wrote Daniel in the 2nd century BCE, the difference is not that significant. In both cases, the prophet acts as a prophet, i.e., to speak on behalf of God. He wants to bring this message to the people:
Things are not going to get better immediately.
God is in control.
Human rulers are not in control.
God has a plan for bringing an end to sin.
It is “a book about conformity, and the resistance to it.” (chapter 1) The oppression is so great that people lose faith in God. They think God is not in control. The prophet admonishes the people to remain faithful to God, regardless of the circumstances.

The story in Daniel is about the Babylonian Empire. Jews were captured and exiled when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.

The background may be the Greek Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who oppressed the Jews so hard in the 2nd century BCE.

When Revelation employs the images and motifs from Daniel, it serves a similar purpose, namely, to offer hope and encouragement to those who are suffering. Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Matthew 24, and Revelation dealt with their only historical situation. They use the same kind of language and motifs, but they refer to different people and different times.

Therefore, people often miss the point when they seek a blueprint of God’s end-time timeline in these prophecies. Prophecies do not function thus in OT and NT. Apocalyptic language is used in these prophecies, and literal interpretation won’t work. Numbers are symbolic and figurative, be it Four or Seven, Ten, or Seventy. Dreams and visions might not have counterparts in real life. “The identity of the four kingdoms is irrelevant.” (chapter 1) “The characteristics of these kingdoms remain true for all kingdoms all over the world throughout time.” (chapter 7) “From the perspective of Daniel and Babylon, the kingdom of God is not only future but already present.” (chapter 1)

In short, “It is not the nature of biblical prophecy to give a literal account of events before they take place.”

St Therese of Lisieux by Those Who Knew Her: Testimonies from the Process of Beatification, ed. and trans. by Christopher O’Mahony O.C.D.(Hungington, IN: Our Sunday Vistor, 1975.)

This is the second book I have read on St Therese of Lisieux. I found her life appealing. Her simplicity and humility are my example. Having read her story told by herself, it would be good to read how others see her. We all know that our own perception is not necessarily what others perceive us to be.

I just highlighted several observations on the Life of St Therese of Lisieux by others.

“…she never permitted them [the novices] to criticise sermons or conferences. It was not that she thought all priests spoke equally well, but she could not bear for people to dwell on the shortcomings of their preaching.” (p. 38)

“It was in the ordinary details of community living that she sought, and found, these opportunities for acts of charity.” (p. 44)

“Though naturally very sensitive and affectionate, she was very reserved in external signs of affection and her manner imposed a certain respect.” (p. 51)

“Generally speaking, the Servant of God did not attract any attention during her lifetime. Her virtue consisted principally in doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well.” (p. 103)

“To become introverted is to sterilise the soul; one must turn hastily to works of charity.” (p. 129)

“She had great respect for God’s word, and would not allow herself even the slightest criticism of a mediocre sermon.” (p. 192）

“I don’t believe in eternal life; I think that after this life there is nothing. Everything has disappeared on me, and I am left with love alone.” She spoke of this state of soul as a temptation; yet she seemed always so calm and serene.” (p. 195)

“Be very careful; our ‘little way’ could be mistaken for quietism or illuminism if it is badly explained.” “People must not think that our ‘little way’ is a restful one, full of sweetness and consolation. It’s quite the opposite. To offer oneself as a victim to love is to offer oneself to suffering, because love lives only on sacrifice…” (p. 236)

“It is not Mother Prioress that you love; it is yourself. When one really loves, one rejoices to see the beloved person happy. If you loved Mother Prioress for her own sake, you would be glad to see her finding some pleasure at your expense. Since you think she found you less pleasant to talk to than someone else, then you should not be hurt when you appear to have been passed over.” (p. 239)

While in this predicament I was troubled one day about something to do with purity, and I decided to broach the matter to Sister Therese. “I’m afraid you won’t understand anything about my problems,” I said. She smiled and replied: “Do you think purity is a matter of being ignorant of evil? You needn’t be afraid to tell me anything you want to; nothing will surprise me.” After she had comforted me and restored my peace of soul, she made this admission: “There is only one thing that I have not experienced, and that is what is called pleasure in this matter.” And another time this person who was so pure said to me: “When I am alone, whether it is getting up or going to bed, I am always very careful to be as modest as if I were in the presence of others. After all, am I not always in the presence of God and of his angels? This modesty has become such a habit with me by now that I would be incapable of behaving otherwise.” (p. 247-48)