Nobody Left Behind: Insight into "End-Time" Prophecies - Softcover

Elliott, David Vaughn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0975459600 ISBN 13: 9780975459607

Publisher: David Elliott, 2004

Synopsis

"Nobody Left Behind" (also available in Spanish: "Nadie Será Dejado Atrás") examines modern-day theories of end-time prophecies in the light of clear Bible teaching. It helps the reader distinguish truth from theory by looking at Bible verses in context. While "Nobody Left Behind" is partly a reaction to the popular "Left Behind" novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, it is much more than that. It offers a detailed study of the historical fulfillment of some of the most exciting prophecies in Scripture: the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in A.D. 70, the rise of the Antichrist, and the arrival of God's kingdom on earth, among others. To the extent that "Nobody Left Behind" is a critique of the popular "Left Behind" novels, it is based on several sources. Mr. Elliott has examined the colorful fold-out chart, "A Visual Guide to the Left Behind Series," which gives LaHaye and Jenkins' brief outline of Revelation, showing where each novel of the series fits in. More importantly, Mr. Elliott carefully considered Tim LaHaye’s newest Revelation commentary, "Revelation Unveiled." This updated edition of LaHaye's commentary appeared in 1999, and it was offered, as expressed on the back cover, as "The biblical foundation for the best-selling Left Behind series." In addition, Mr. Elliott digested novel #1 of the series, "Left Behind, A Novel of the Earth’s Last Days," which introduces most of the leading characters and issues. He has also read #2 of the series, "Tribulation Force." Reading the remaining novels is unnecessary. Tim LaHaye’s Revelation commentary is a more important source for critiquing the novels than the novels themselves. "Nobody Left Behind" respectfully examines the claimed biblical foundation for the "Left Behind" series. This "foundation" is a view of Bible prophecy called futurism, a view which teaches that the great bulk of Bible prophecies have not yet been fulfilled but rather are awaiting fulfillment any day now. Mr. Elliott's critique is thus not just an examination of one set of novels but rather an examination of the entire view of Bible prophecy that underlies those novels. "Nobody Left Behind" offers 334 pages of compelling biblical and historical evidence that various "end-time" prophecies have actually already been wonderfully fulfilled. This alternative view, commonly called the historical view or historicism, was the most popular view among Bible believers for several centuries before the twentieth century. However, times have changed, and many Bible believers today are not even aware that the views set forth in the "Left Behind" series are relatively new. If you desire a greater understanding of God's prophetic Word, "Nobody Left Behind" is for you. If you are looking for prophecy studies that are in depth yet easy to understand, "Nobody Left Behind" is your book of choice. If you want to find out if the "Left Behind" novels are true to the Bible, "Nobody Left Behind" will offer you the facts for making your decision. If you are seeking a book on Bible prophecy that will open your eyes to historical reality all the while enriching your faith, "Nobody Left Behind: Insight into 'End-Time' Prophecies" is the book you should read. The book is well-documented, includes quotations from ancient Christian and Jewish writers, offers extensive Scripture and subject indexes, and contains attractive illustrations and detailed charts to aid the reader.

About this title

About the Author

David Vaughn Elliott has been teaching and preaching the Bible for over fifty years, from the time he was twenty years old. The origin of "Nobody Left Behind: Insight into 'End-Time' Prophecies" can actually be traced back to the 1960's when Mr. Elliott, then a young evangelist in his 30's, began to study and to teach prophecy, especially Daniel and Revelation. A non-denominational Bible believer from his youth, Mr. Elliott has continued his in-depth study of Bible prophecy through the years. He has read and studied extensively much of the early Christian writings commonly known as the "Ante-Nicene Fathers." As for authors of more recent times, he gained much insight and information from Thomas Newton, E. B. Elliott, Albert Barnes, B. W. Johnson, John T. Hinds, Henry H. Halley, and Ralph Woodrow among others. In addition, he has widely read books of many differing views of Bible prophecy, especially the more popular futurist-premillennial views. Mr. Elliott has taught what he has learned to churches in New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belarus. The actual writing of the book, "Nobody Left Behind," goes back to 1996 when Mr. Elliott, widely known among English-speaking brethren by his middle name, Vaughn, wrote an article entitled "Why Study Prophecy?" for the quarterly, "The Sword and Staff." This was the first in a series about Bible prophecy that continued through the year 2002, at which time Vaughn closed the series in order to dedicate himself more fully to the book. In the fall of 1998, Vaughn began a semimonthly e-mail newsletter, "Insight into Bible Prophecy," utilizing old writings as well as new material. Within a year of initiating "Insight," he set up his own Internet web site on which all "Insights" to date are archived. During those years, Vaughn's articles have found their way into various other periodicals, pamphlets, and websites. Several times he received requests that he put his writings into book form, a task that was finally accomplished in 2004. In the process, he revised much of the older material and added whole chapters that had not previously appeared in print. Throughout the years of his labors, Mr. Elliott has established new congregations in New York City, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Mr. Elliott presently lives with his wife of over sixty years--Margaret--in Northboro, MA. They have four children, ten grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Chapter 1, "Prophecy via Fiction"

The "Left Behind" novels captured the imagination of the nation, shattering all-time best-seller records. These are not ordinary novels. Whereas historical novels are built on the past, these "prophecy novels" are built on the future. Whereas science fiction is built on confidence in how science will shape the future, "prophecy fiction" is built on confidence in how God will shape the future. The authors of the "Left Behind" series, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, believe their novels are true to biblical end-time prophecies that are soon to be fulfilled.

There is much to be commended in the "Left Behind" series. The authors uphold the Bible as the inspired Word of God. They present Jesus of Nazareth as the only one who can save us from our sins. They strongly urge all people to be ready for the return of Christ. They clearly believe spiritual matters take precedence over material concerns. They are opposed to marital infidelity--even in the mind. They are opposed to superficial religion. In a pleasure-loving, materialistic age, we need strong reminders of our spiritual nature and spiritual needs. We need a call to the Bible, a call to Jesus, a call to prepare for the next life. In many ways, that is the call given in this series of novels.

Good Fiction?

There are those who believe the "Left Behind" novels are terrific. They rapidly read each one and could hardly wait for the sequel to come off the press. Indeed, there are those who tell of their lives being changed by these novels. They tell of Bible prophecy becoming more real to them. They tell of "accepting Christ" because of reading them.

Others take a dim view of the literary value of the "Left Behind" series. They consider the novels to be unimpressive, more fantasy than true-to-life fiction. They consider them to be poorly written with unrealistic scenarios, even if they accept the miraculous elements and the underlying view of prophecy. Be that as it may, the question of how these novels rank as literature can be left to the literary critics.

The Real Issue

The important matter is not the literary merits of the "Left Behind" series. What does matter is the biblical foundation of the novels. What does matter is whether the prophetic view behind these novels is fact or fiction. Are these novels based on God’s truth? Are they true to the Bible?

While the "Left Behind" series is relatively new with the first novel appearing in 1995, the underlying concepts of the series are not new. Before the "Left Behind" series, Hal Lindsey held the spotlight as the number-one popular advocate of Bible prophecy. His fame began with the success of "The Late Great Planet Earth" published in 1970. Before Hal Lindsey, the most popular voice was the "Scofield Reference Bible." Today, prophecy novels and videos of end times are "hot," including three dozen volumes in the "Left Behind: The Kids" series.

All these works have one thing in common: futurism. Futurism is a prophetic point of view that says the fulfillment of a vast array of Bible prophecies is yet in our future. Futurism says most of the book of Revelation foretells events yet in our future. Futurism says the Antichrist, the Great Tribulation, and the Millennium are yet in our future.

"Nobody Left Behind" is not only a critique of the "Left Behind" series, it is a critique of futurism in general. In addition to examining futurism, it aims to present the historical interpretation of several great prophecies of Scripture--prophecies which are often thought to be end-time prophecies, but which upon examination can be seen to have already been wonderfully and powerfully fulfilled. The fulfillments are a part of history, not something to anticipate in the future.

This immediately removes the excitement for many people. While many of us find history boring, we may be easily captivated by the frightening predictions of secular and religious doom prophets. We may eat up their predictions like a "good" horror movie. It is this type of excitement that makes the futurist approach irresistible to many believers.

Scripture posts an alert concerning the things we enjoy listening to:

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

As captivating as the "Left Behind" series may be, Scripture exhorts us to examine whether the prophetic view of the series is "truth" or "fable."

Many believers are unaware that futurism is only one of several ways to look at Bible prophecy. In fact, in centuries gone by, the popular viewpoint of Bible believers was very different from what it is today. It is the aim of "Nobody Left Behind" to deepen the believer’s understanding of some of these great prophecies of the Word of God--or at least to open searching eyes to alternative interpretations.

About this edition

• Publisher: David Elliott
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0975459600
• ISBN 13: 9780975459607
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336