First
I want to say you did a fantastic job in your book. I've been a
"non pre-tribber" for a long time and just about everything you
said in your book I believe just as strongly. I've read Robert
Van Kampen's book The Sign over 10 years and believe most
(definitely not all) of what he says but your book says it a lot
more simply and concisely.
Thank you
so much for encouraging and showing that ANYONE can dig in the
Scripture to find the truth and they don't need to be
intimidated by Theologians who have spent years studying and
still proclaiming the pre-trib view…You inspired me to "dig" all
the more into the Word. I will definitely pass this on and
buy more copies for family and friends.
— Russ
Who
Will Be Left Behind and When? is a great book, especially for
those beginning their study of end-times prophecy or those who
are questioning the pre-trib rapture.
I have been studying
end-times prophecy on my own, and have recently reached the
point where I needed some opinions of other prophecy students.
Dave's book explained end-times events (using lots of scripture
for each step along the way) in a way that even the most
inexperienced student could understand.
I highly recommend this book
to any end-times prophecy student. Well worth the read!!
—
Dawn (Amazon.com)
Dear Mr.
Bussard, I just finished reading your book "Who Will Be Left
Behind And When?" last night. Now I am going to read it a second
time, while looking up all of the scriptures you listed. After
that, I am certain that I will read it a third, fourth and who
knows how many more times. I very much enjoyed the book Mr.
Bussard, and also found it to be quite enlightening as
well…Anyway, I am going to study this book, along with my Bible
until I can give anyone an answer to their questions from my own
knowledge, and be confident of my grasp of the facts. Again Mr.
Bussard, thank you so much for writing such a superb and
valuable book. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you in your walk
with Him, as well as in all that you do. God bless.
— Ronald
I
received your book from Armageddon Books yesterday and read it
through this morning. It was a delight to read and another
strong confirmation of the pre-wrath position. If you should be
in northern Indiana sometime, please call me and perhaps we can
get together for some fellowship in the Lord.
— Tom
If you're a Left Behind
reader, check out this (nonfiction) rapture book instead of
your usual criminal-defense style pretrib writings. Here is an
objective, piece-by-piece solution to the rapture puzzle:
PreWrath.
The latest [book] published
by Strong Tower Publishing, Who Will Be Left Behind and When?
provides the reader with definitive answers to the questions it
poses in its title. The book is Dave Bussard's heartfelt
response to pop prophecy's escapist claim (that of The Left
Behind Series): a Bible study of the removal of the final
(living) generation of the church. [The "who" in "Who] is left
behind? is everyone on earth not a part of the church taken at
the momentous arrival of Christ's Second Advent. Basically, this
question is left to the reader: "I won't be among those left
behind, will I?"
Whenthat will happen sadly comes more as a surprise (on account
of pervading doctrinal unawareness promoted by pretrib) and is
accordingly the consistent focus of the book. In a confident,
honest style, Dave systematically approaches end-times passages
one after the other in enough detail to derive truth and
correlate progressive sections, but only in so much detail that
the reader does not get bogged down. Although you may disagree
with some of the minor points, the ones that count are
compelling, and his conclusion is clear: Rapture before
all judgments you read about in the book of Revelation, and
(contrary to the Left Behind Series) after the
great tribulation of the church, which itself is in conjunction
with identifiable signs. Hence, deceptive escapism (from the
tribulation -- "we could be raptured any time, before the bad
stuff happens") in pop prophecy
— a genuine concern of the
author.
The only two views discussed
at any length are that dominant pretrib view (he is opposed to)
and prewrath (he is for). Other views are not considered, but
the biblical evidence he gives for prewrath is compelling.
Dave's book features an
overview of pretrib theory; critical scriptures written out;
interesting, understandable discussions on occasional Greek
words; footnotes; subheadings; and six charts. It's not just
analysis. Some sections are reflective in nature. In one
section, Dave frames 12 questions to get us thinking about the
pretrib effect.
Dave writes with a humble
heart and love for God and the brethren. No, he doesn't make it
confusing. You will discover that end-times doctrine isn't
really as complicated as the various systems conjectured by pretrib theologians. Moreover, you'll find, in doing a study
such as Dave's, that end-times study can be enjoyable and
fulfilling: It is part of the Christian calling to learn and
understand biblical truth
— not merely to "know" a doctrine you
constantly hear preached. You will enjoy the confidence of
knowing why doctrine is what it is
— or are you really
satisfied with someone's own off-the-wall theory to "prove"
pretrib? If you are not familiar with prewrath (pre-wrath), try
a web search. I hope you'll decide prewrath is worth looking in
to. There are three other (older) books in print, also defending
prewrath. This one would be the quickest read, yet covering all
necessary passages.
Dave writes from the
perspective of being a born-again, saved-by-grace,
Bible-believing, blood-washed believer in Christ, holding to a
natural, literal interpretation of the inerrant, authoritative
scriptures, and, consequently, a premillennial, dispensational,
evangelical faith. He avoids speculation and date-setting and is
without a doubt a worthwhile read for the open-minded Christian
inquirer. It is a book written by a common Christian for common
Christians, but some scholars -- with all their pretrib devices
and nebulous, nonintuitive theories to find a way around the
ever so apparent pre-rapture signs of the Bible
— would benefit
from the simplicity in Dave's book."
— anonymous (Amazon.com)
I am a
pastor in Port Huron, Michigan. I have been studying the
doctrines pertaining to the tribulation period for well over 15
years…I was at a point that I was beginning to believe that it
was not possible to know for sure which view is true. After
reading your book, much light has been shown into the confusion
I had struggled with. I have become more convinced than ever
that pre-trib is incorrect, and that this view of a pre-wrath
rapture stands above all others, lining up perfectly with the
scriptures.
I
believe you did right with your writing on this subject, and
want you to be sure to know that it has done good. Thanks for
your labor in the Lord! Have a blessed journey with Jesus!
—
Pastor Lyndon Conn
Thanks to Dave Bussard for
adding to the slowly expanding literature on the pre-wrath
interpretation of end time events. This book is intended as an
introduction to its fundamental premises, not in the same degree
of depth as Van Kampen or Rosenthal, but it definitely achieves
its purpose.
Dave touches sufficiently on
all of the key scriptures and doctrinal issues which underlie
pre-wrath theology, while making sure that the main tenets of pretribulationism are exposed for the fallacies that they are.
The author stands up boldly as one voice in the face of a large
crowd of opposition, and presents Bible truth on this subject
without apology. And he does it all with a very humble, balanced
demeanor which stands in striking contrast to the vitriol that
characterized Tim LaHaye's pretrib "classic," Rapture Under
Attack.
Dave's approach is to take
the key passages of scripture which address the occurrence and
timing of the rapture and walk through them from the prophets to
Revelation, paying as much attention to each as is warranted. I
particularly liked Chapter 8, "Putting It All Together," which
links all of these essential verses into a single flowing
narrative. I was impressed! I was also challenged to reconsider
the scriptural basis for mainstream teachings on the so-called
'one world government.'
The best part, of course,
was the final chapter that described what it will be like for
those Christians who endure persecution under the Antichrist to
look up and see the signs in the sun, moon and stars, and to
know that their day of redemption has finally arrived. We hear
much in pretrib teachings about so-called 'tribulation saints.'
Well, if we turn out to be the generation that is raptured,
we will be the tribulation saints because we will not
be raptured out before the start of the 70th week. Dave does a
great job of driving this point home, and I commend this book to
the reading of every believer who wants a better understanding
of bible prophecy. -- Reader, Burlington, KY (Amazon.com)
I
believe the Holy Spirit revealed the truth of the Rapture to you
and encouraged you to write your book. Your book will be a
blessing to all who want the truth about the Rapture. I hope
your book is bought by millions. God bless you.
— Cleo
Many books on end-times
prophecy are over the average reader's heads. Either this, or
they make great leaps in deduction from one thought to another,
leaving the reader confused about how they got from one place to
the next. This book is written at a level that most Christians
can understand
— walking the reader step by step through the
basics of end-times prophecy. A great introduction to the study
of the rapture. This book, which is endorsed by Sola Scriptura
ministries, is destined to become a classic book on the prewrath
rapture alongside books like Rosenthal's The Pre-Wrath
Rapture of the Church, Van Kampen's The Rapture Question
Answered: Plain & Simple, and Nigro's Before God's Wrath:
The Bible's Answer to the Timing of the Rapture.
— Reader,
Lancaster, PA (Amazon.com).
Who Will Be Left Behind
and When? is clearly written and is easy to read. It makes a
good case for the Pre-Wrath Rapture position and points and the
weaknesses and inconsistencies of the Pre-Tribulation position.
This one book may be all it takes to be convinced that the
Rapture will not happen until "the man of sin is
revealed.
I held to the
Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory for over twenty years. [Yet I
was] uncomfortable with the way certain Bible passages seemed to
be handled by the Pre-Trib teachers. After reading Marvin
Rosenthal's Pre-Wrath Rapture book. I was convinced that
Pre-Wrath was correct. But I still had unanswered questions.
This book did a good job of answering them. So, I highly
recommend this book.
— Dennis Kallemeyn from Lancaster, CA (Amazon.com)
I am
thrilled that you have written your book
— you are absolutely
correct in the conclusion that it is vital for Christians in
this age to understand truth on this issue, and for the reasons
you brought up in your question series at the conclusion of your
book. I read them with a sense of increasing urgency. You are an
encouragement to me. -- Rebecca
Who Will Be Left Behind &
When? is a great book for anyone who loves God's Word &
wants straight forward answers to what is going to happen in the
end times! Written in a very easy style to understand, I highly
recommend this book!
— Todd Osborn, IA (Amazon.com)
Let me
as a former skeptic say I have learn so much through your
e-mails. Through prayer as well as an open mind I tip-toed
through your book. After two months of searching, I accept your
teaching as Biblical. Also last night I shared portions with my
husband who accepted them within two hours. My daughter-in-law
is here tonight and we immediately shared them with her, too.
She was very receptive.
— Ann
Dave Bussard's new book
Who Will Be Left Behind and When? will provide much to think
about for the student of Bible prophecy who maybe has become a
little uncomfortable with the prevailing view espoused by the
pre-tribulation rapture segment of the church. For so long the
position has been accepted because certain well known and it
must be said godly men taught it. You just didn't dare have
another view if you wanted to remain 'orthodox.' But in these
latter days, many are beginning to challenge and seriously
rethink a position that seems to lack a consistent biblically
based foundation.
In
this book, Mr. Bussard gives us a fresh new look at some old
truths from the word of God. Such passages concerning Daniel's
Seventieth Week and the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24 are seen
in a new light. You owe it to yourself and the people you love
to take an honest look at this material. Don't base your views
on the end times solely on people who write for popular
consumption until you have done what the Bereans did in Acts 17
- 'Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica,
for they received the word with great eagerness examining the
scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.'
Mr.
Bussard writes with an easy to read style that will inform you
and encourage your spirit as well. This book is well worth your
time. -- Reader, Des Moines, Iowa
Excellent job on your book, I read the whole book yesterday. You
do a fine job making it simple for those steeped in pre-trib
thinking. I like the way you go after Tim LaHaye's teaching, one
point at a time.
—
Roy