Summary: The Bible and the Future
by Anthony Hoekema

Anthony Hoekema (1913-1988) gives a satisfactory study on eschatology and biblical prophesy in his treatise The Bible and the Future, Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979. Written from the perspective of amillennialism, Hoekema outlines impartially the various millennial views and then proceeds to point out their interpretive strengths and weaknesses. With solid redemptive-historical scholarship and a rare sensitivity and reverence toward God's word, Hoekema represents the noble Calvinistic heritage in which he works. His defense of biblical eschatology is satisfying and well-written, scholarly but remaining readable for laity. Of particular interest is his section on inaugurated eschatology and his critique of the millennial views.

Contents:

Inaugurated Eschatology

1. The Eschatological Outlook of the Old Testament
2. The Nature of New Testament Eschatology

1. The Meaning of History
2. The Kingdom of God
3. The Holy Spirit and Eschatology
4. The Tension Between the Already and the Not Yet

Future Eschatology

1. Physical Death
2. Immortality
3. The Intermediate State
4. The Expectation of the Second Coming
5. The Signs of the Times
6. The Signs in Particular
7. The Nature of the Second Coming
8. Major Millennial Views
9. A Critique of Dispensational Premillennialism
10. The Millennium of Revelation 20
11. The Resurrection of the Body
12. The Final Judgment
13. Eternal Punishment
14. The New Earth

Appendix: Recent Trends in Eschatology

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