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

"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.

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 has finally been accomplished. 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. Most of his ministry has been with Spanish-speaking populations, among whom he is usually known by his first name, David. Mr. Elliott presently lives with his best friend, companion, and wife of over fifty years--Margaret--in the town of Methuen in northeastern Massachusetts. They have four children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.