Why we wrote

“Connecting the Dots: A Handbook of Bible Prophecy”

There are so many ideas floating around about prophecy in these fascinating times. How does one know what is true and what is just speculation? Fourteen years ago Lambert Dolphin and I teamed up to write a thoroughly Biblical book on the subject. We called it “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done: The Prayer Offered Most Often is about to be Answered.” It was posted on the Internet, and during that time more than 340,000 people have downloaded it.  It was used by countless pastors and Bible teachers over the years and proved itself to be reliable.  In all that time there was nothing we had taught about Bible prophecy that we needed to change or retract.

We realized that the world has changed in many ways during those 14 years: including the 9/11 attacks and the war on terrorism,  the rise of Iran’s fanatical regime, and the financial meltdown of the past few years. These issues needed to be addressed. We also knew that many people would prefer to have a real book in their hands that they could mark up and return to as a trusted resource. That is why we updated the book, changed its name, and released it in two major formats: a large attractive paperback book, and an eBook for Kindle and other eReaders, tablets and smart phones.

Here is a note from co-author Lambert Dolphin:

The Bible is full of good news for all who wish to know the truth about the One, true God and the great future He has lanned for our race. Over 20% of Scripture concerns the future of mankind. But all the positive things God wants to do for us are thwarted by careless neglect of these prophetic Scriptures. Connecting the Dots has been written to help ordinary people understand the essentials of our future. Radio, television, movies, the media of every nation, the teachings of most churches and schools mislead, distort and warp the straightforward account of how our benevolent Creator will soon step back into history to bring about real peace on earth with justice for all.

We have had an excellent response so far from the readers of the book. It gives the “big picture” of prophecy and explains the major predictions about the End Times in a step-by-step way. There is also a free downloadable study guide that can be used for personal enrichment or for group study.  If you don’t have a copy of Connecting the Dots yet you may order it directly from Prophecy Central or from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your Christian bookstore.

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Free Download of Study Guide

Spiral-bound copy of Study Guide for $10

More information about the book

 Now Billy Graham is growing old, and the Rapture of the Church is obviously growing closer!  The Rapture won’t take place until the last person of the Church Age accepts Christ as Savior. Our omniscient (all-knowing) God knows when that last person will say “yes” to Jesus. And our omnipotent (all-powerful) God could extend Dr. Graham’s life a few more days or years.

 Of course, it doesn’t matter whether Billy Graham lives that long.  He will still go up in the Rapture, and like my sister reminded our saintly mother, Mab, who had longed to live until the Rapture, “The dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

 Here’s another thought.  What if you have not yet accepted Christ, but you are the last one who will do so before the Rapture?

 In the online “Who’s Who in Biblical Prophecy,” Camping is called a “bad apple,” because of previous failed predictions that Christ would return on September 6, 1994, and then again last May.

 Responsible prophecy teachers agree that we can not set a date for the Lord’s return.  He taught us that himself! 

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36 (read verses 32-44).

 At this time Family Radio’s home page is totally devoted to Camping’s online book, We Are Almost There!

 Right after his failed prediction in May, Camping suffered a stroke, and he is now bed-ridden. Hopefully, after the 21^st of this month, we will not hear from him again.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish spiritual New Year, begins at sundown today, Sept. 28, 2011, and lasts for two days.  We don’t believe in setting dates for the Lord’s return, but it has been our practice for many years to observe this festival by conducting our personal “Rapture Drill.” 

Rosh Hashanah is also known as “The Feast of Trumpets.” The sounding of the trumpet is a key element of the prophecy of the Rapture of the Church in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and 1 Corinthians 15:52. It is also noteworthy that the Feasts of Israel are symbolic of major future events in Christianity.

The first of the seven holidays prescribed in Leviticus is Passover, the observance of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The Last Supper was actually the observance of Passover, and Jesus’ death is associated with this event because He is our sacrificial lamb.

Another holiday, three days after Passover, is the Feast of Firstfruits, and Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day. He is the firstfruits of the Resurrection.

Then comes The Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot. It is also called “Pentecost.” The Holy Spirit was first given to the Church on this holiday.

Rosh Hashanah is the first of three annual fall holidays that remain. It is the beginning of 10 days of self examination. It features the blowing of the shofar, the trumpet made of a rams’ horn. Since the next big event in Christianity will be the Rapture of the Church, Pentecost is a good symbolic possibility for this great event.

Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement” comes at the end of the 10 days of self examination. It could very well be symbolic of the Tribulation Period that Christians expect after the Rapture of the Church.

Finally, Sukkot, The “Feast of Tabernacles” is observed. This event reminds people that God dwells with them. This would be especially appropriate as a symbol of Christ’s Return to the Earth as King of Kings at the end of the Tribulation Period.

So, will the Rapture take place on Rosh Hashanah? Jesus said plainly that we could not know exactly when He will return, and that it will be at a time that we don’t think it will happen. (Matthew 24:42-44, Matthew 25:13.)

Again, we simply do not set dates! But we should expect Jesus’ return every day, shouldn’t we? So what would be a better reminder than this Jewish holiday to consciously do the things we would want to be doing just before the Rapture?

What would we do during this exercise? We would be spiritually ready and active – living for the Lord instead of for our own selfish interests. We would share the Gospel with everyone in our family and close circle of friends, neighbors and associates. And we would leave behind some helpful information so that those who would be left behind would know how to accept Christ. If you decide to do your own “Rapture Drill,” you will surely think of other things that should be done before you suddenly leave this earth.

Sound Scriptural Teaching

and

Principles of Interpretation of Prophecy

Today we would like to conclude this brief consideration of this subject with two more aspects of Systematic Prophecy.

Teaching with Humility

Some prophecy teachers have a tendency to be dogmatic. Perhaps it is because they have devoted so much time to their research that they assume they know more than others about the subject.  Some of them become arrogant and stubborn.  Since they are explaining things that have not yet come to pass, their ideas have not yet been disproved. They may even think that they must “teach with authority” in order for people to believe them even though their concepts are contrary to other good teachers and therefore may be flawed.

It is better to share one’s insight with others in a spirit of humility, constantly encouraging listeners to be like the Bereans, about whom it was written:

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.        – Acts 17:11

In addition, teachers should realize that the best of our ideas about how current trends may fulfill Bible prophecy could be replaced later by even more reasonable explanations.  Those who have presented their thoughts in a spirit of humility will not be embarrassed by changes on the world scene that require them to adjust their own thinking and teaching.

 Denouncing Falsehood

While admitting that our own ideas may or may not be the ultimate fulfillment of Bible prophecy, we should recognize when other teachers have failed to base their ideas on the Bible itself or have used passages of Scripture taken out of context.  When we see that they have ignored good rules of interpretation to produce their theories, and, as in the case of setting dates for the Rapture, they are in the process of leading people astray, we need to point out their error.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. – 2 Timothy 3:16

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. – Hebrews 1:1-2

Sound Scriptural Teaching

Nearly 1/3 of the Bible is prophecy!   Pastors and Bible teachers dare not just ignore the subject.  First, we need to know and teach about the detailed predictions in the Old Testament that have already been literally fulfilled by the first coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  These prophecies form the greatest proof of the validity of the Bible and of the person and work of Christ. Then we need to be able to give basic answers to questions about those prophecies that have not yet come to pass.

Great theological writers have developed what is known as “Systematic Theology.” These major projects seek to draw together all the main biblical concepts on various aspects of theology. Some of these topics are Theology Proper (the study of God), Christology (the study of Jesus Christ), Pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit), Soteriology (the study of Salvation), Anthropology (the study of mankind), Angelology (the study of Angels – including fallen angels like Lucifer and the demons), Ecclesiology (the study of the Church), and other sub-topics of theology.

There is a final category of Systematic Theology known as Eschatology (the study of last things). This subject deals with biblical teaching about future events. Qualified theologians have collected and harmonized Old and New Testament prophecies about the future and have presented the material in an orderly way to show the “big picture” of coming developments. Those who are grounded in the basics of Eschatology will be better prepared to understand what is happening in the world. They can then share their findings with others with confidence and caution.  Some worthy examples of “Systematic Prophecy” are Lewis Sperry Chafer’s volume on Eschatology and Dwight Pentecost’s classic book, Things to Come.   Bible students and teachers may use these books to provide a basic foundation of what God’s Word says about the future.

Our own new book, Connecting the Dots: A Handbook of Bible Prophecy, was written in this same systematic way.  It follows the prophetic Scriptures about Israel, God’s Chosen People, the Church, future believers of the Tribulation Period, the Millennium, and beyond.

In the next few blogs, we will continue this topic by addressing three other vital aspects of this great subject:

Principles of Interpretation

Teaching with Humility

Denouncing Falsehood

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Here is an example from last week’s newsletter, related to the prediction by Harold Camping that the Rapture will take place on May 21.

More about Harold Camping
Here are some disturbing facts we uncovered from our investigation into Camping’s background and beliefs:

He falsely predicted that the Lord would return on Sept. 6, 1994, and that the Church age ended in that year.
 

He says that the Great Tribulation has been going on for 23 years. (This period began on May 21, 1988).
 

He teaches that every church is apostate, and that people must leave their churches to be saved.

 
He believes that Jesus is Michael the Archangel.
 

He doesn’t stress belief in Jesus for salvation, just repentance for sin.
He believes in annihilation of non-believers – No Hell.

Battling Billboards – Beware of false teaching on the websites advertised!

The billboard campaign from Family Radio proclaims:

The Bible Guarantees it
Judgment Day May 21, 3011
Cry mightily unto God – Jonah 3:8

and

He is Coming Again May 21, 2011
The Wise Men Knew
WeCanKNOW.com
Learn the Truth at our Rapture party – May 21-22

Their campaign has given rise to some competing billboards, including one from the American Atheists group, that says:

“The Rapture: You KNOW it’s Nonsense.
2000 Years of “Any Day Now.”
Learn the Truth at our Rapture Party, May 21-22
Atheists.org/oakland

And another New Age eclectic site has erected this billboard:

“Conservatives Cringe, Liberals and Humanists Rejoice
Hear the True Jesus talk about Dec. 12, 2012
Jesus is Here Now and Actively Seeks the 144,000
Hear Jesus Sing the 144,000’s Awakening Song
Hear Jesus Sing on His Own Website www.Merkaba.com

Someone sent this Email to Lambert:
I’ve been reading your book “Thy Kingdom Come” and really appreciate the hard work you put into this. It seems that with only some updating for current events (I remember asking my self if this was pre-9/11) many would benefit from your explanation of Revelation.

Lambert wrote back:
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Last November Ron Graff and I released a completed updated and revised version of this book. You should find many major changes and updates.
The new book is “Connecting the Dots: A Handbook of Bible Prophecy.” So far it has had an excellent reception. It is available online at our Prophecy Central store (It is the only product there), or any of the major booksellers. But it takes time to get the word out without a huge advertising budget. Please visit our Facebook page, where we post news about the book’s progress. While you are there, please click “Like.” That helps let other people know about the book.

Connecting the Dots: A Handbook of Bible Prophecy

Order the Book – Paypal

Image via Wikipedia

Perhaps you have heard that Harold Camping, General Manager and President of Family Radio, says he has calculated the exact date of the Rapture, based on a complicated formula that stretches 7000 years from Noah’s flood.  The proposed date is May 21 at 6 p.m.  As we reported in Prophecy Central, his listeners have supported the theory, buying billboards and driving scores of Family Radio vehicles in many parts of the country warning people to be ready.

Camping has been wrong before. He predicted the second coming on Sept. 6, 1994, and hundreds of his listeners gathered at an auditorium to wait for the event.

In our ‘Warnings and Cautions’, we stress that no one knows the exact date of Christ’s return. Here is Jesus’ own instruction about this from Matthew 24:32-44.

  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
    “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
    “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

So, by publicizing a supposed exact date for the Rapture, Camping has made it almost certain that Jesus will not return on that date.  However, millions of Bible-believing Christians do think that He is coming soon, so it is a good idea to be ready all the time!

Our new book, Connecting the Dots: A Handbook of Bible Prophecy, has detailed information about the Rapture of the Church and the later Glorious Return of Jesus Christ.

Cover via Amazon

We are happy to announce that our new book, Connecting the Dots: A Handbook of Bible Prophecy, is now available as a digital/electronic book (eBook).  It is already available on Amazon.com for their Kindle reader. And it is scheduled to be released soon by other eBook suppliers like Barnes and Noble for its Nook reader and Apple iBooks for the iPad.

I have been doing most of my reading on the Kindle recently because I can literally have a whole library of books in one convenient device that also lets me pick the size of the font. 

Prophecy students will still want to have the printed book because Connecting the Dots is a reference manual – a notebook of sorts that you can underline and make personal notes in the margins.

However, the Kindle version is better in some ways.  You can set bookmarks to favorite places.  It remembers where you stopped reading and lets you continue quickly. It is lightweight, and as mentioned before, you may choose the font size that suits you best.  It allows you to do a word search through the entire book. And, if you want, you can even have the Kindle read it to you with their text to speech feature that has been enabled for this book!

A great deal of extra work went into this version to enable hundreds of hyperlinks. Each chapter and subtopic in our 12-page Table of Contents is linked. Just click on the topic and the reader takes you to the section you want to read.  Amazingly, the extensive index is also linked.  When you find an entry in the index, you can click on the “page” number and the reader will find the proper section in the book, even though page numbers are not used in eBooks.

Lambert Dolphin and I are blessed to be able to share our passion for Bible prophecy through our book, and it is our prayer that it can be a tool to equip a new generation of Bible students and help stimulate an End-Times revival!

More information about the book is available at Connecting the Dots.

The Kindle version can be downloaded in one minute from Amazon.com