In The Eschatology of the Christian Era, L. D. Swift explains the order of things in the Christian era as espoused in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and the book of Revelation in the Bible. Swift first recognizes that it is difficult to explain the Christian eschatology because there are so many pieces to it that are spread across the entire Scripture. In the first chapter, the author describes the existing doctrines of the Christian eschatology, with premillennialism and preterism being the predominant ones. There is partial and full preterism, where full or radical preterism is premised on the belief that the end of time occurred during the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Partial preterism holds that the Great Tribulation and the destruction of Jerusalem occurred in AD 70 but Jesus’ second coming and the final judgment are events yet to come. The Parousia is defined in the first chapter as the coming of the Lord in glory at the end of time. Chapter 2 describes the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 when the Roman army invaded Israel, murdered the Jews who had crucified Christ, and destroyed the city of Jerusalem. The Olivet Discourse is divided into three parts, with Part I marking the Great Tribulation and the Destruction of Jerusalem; Part II, the Anteparousia Period, that is, the period preceding the coming of the Lord; and Part III, the Parousia and the Final Judgment. The next chapter of the book discusses the Anteparousia Period in which we live in while waiting for the second coming of Christ. Chapter 4 describes the Parousia and the Final Judgment when the Lord will come in glory to judge the living and the dead and destroy heaven and earth with fire. The next chapter discusses the New Testament passages concerning the second advent of Christ as written by Apostles Paul, Peter, and John among others. Chapter 6 discusses the parables that reveal that the end of time is near. The next chapter reviews the prophecies of Daniel in the Old Testament that were fulfilled during the Great Tribulation period and the fall of Jerusalem. Chapters 8 and 9 describe the essentials of the apocalypse as they appear in the book of Revelation in regard to Parousia. Lastly, the author presents God’s template for the eschatology of the Christian era by summarizing the Olivet Discourse.
One of the things I liked about the book is that the author seeks to cure the unwarranted speculation that some Christians may have regarding when Parousia would happen by collating different passages from the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. Swift has remarkably selected credible verses and passages from the Bible to make a logical conclusion that Parousia is yet to come. Another interesting thing is that the book is rich with details from the Bible, commentaries from scholars in the field as well as the author’s interpretations. Swift truly has an inquisitive mind that enables him to relate biblical passages to Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and describe the order of events in the Christian era. I also liked how his arguments defeat those of the radical preterists who believe that the end of time took place in AD 70. That cannot be true because, as Swift puts it, Jesus did not come the second time merely 40 years after his death and resurrection in c. AD 30. The book also made me feel proud as a Christian by using parables to confirm that we are currently living in the Anteparousia period awaiting the second coming of Christ. That fact alone strengthens my faith in God. Lastly, the book reveals the author’s astuteness and mastery of the subject of Christian eschatology, and hence it adds new knowledge to the field.
Perhaps the only shortcoming is the presence of a few grammar errors that can easily be edited by the author. Otherwise, the book seems to be professionally edited in most areas.
I would give the book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars because first, there are about five strengths against one weakness. Secondly, the book has a few grammar mistakes, and that justifies the deduction of one star from the rating. Lastly, the high rating is justified because the author has used a clear organization of content that is easy to follow for readers.
I would recommend the book to students, professors, and researchers in the field of religious studies, particularly the subject of Christianity. The book will help them learn how to interpret the Scripture in regard to the second coming of Christ at the end of time. Another group of audience includes Christians, pastors, theologians, and other members of the clergy who would be interested in learning about the order of events in the Christian era.
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