Understanding the Times: Living Courageously in Prophetic Days

by Paul Chappell, John Goetsch (Foreword)

People all over the planet are looking for change and hope. Yet for all the talk radio shows, political rallies, cable news pundits, financial bail-outs, and global summits; humanity remains in a state of perpetual unrest and deep, soulful disquiet. Mankind is discontent and empty, searching and groping for answers—for salvation.
Amidst this growing and discouraging state of concern and despair, there is a different perspective altogether. There is a group of people who see present-day events through a different lens. Their paradigm is not shaped by cultural trends or current events. Their hope is not found in humanity. They are not looking to politicians, economists, or educators for salvation. They have a completely different understanding of world events, their place among those events, and where the times are truly leading.
As if watching the global stage from a front row seat in a spectator’s grandstand, they look on as participants with a larger perspective. Theirs is a grander context that sees current events not as chance or fate, but rather determined destiny. They see the direction of the world and the progression of humanity through the lens of God’s written Word, and they connect the dots that merely confound the wisdom of world  leaders.
These are the people who know the Truth. They know Jesus Christ, and they rest in His sovereign plan for the ages. They know that current events are but a small part of an eternal purpose unfolding by God’s timetable. They know peace, because they know the Prince of Peace. They know hope, because of an empty tomb. They know promise because they trust the God of exceeding great and precious promises. They know courage because their confidence does not rest in the political or economic processes of men, but in the powerful hand of an almighty Father.
This book will help you live with peace, courage, confidence, and joy in the midst of restless and uncertain times! Every chapter will unlock the truth of Bible prophecy and help you see it connect clearly to present day events. With riveting imagery, captivating examples of currents events, and thorough biblical insight, Dr. Paul Chappell will help you have a heavenly perspective on present day events. Through this study, you will discover how to live with hope, anticipation, and expectation as God’s plan for future history unfolds before our very eyes!

Genres: Christian, Christian Living

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2010

About the author

Dr. Paul Chappell is the senior pastor of the Lancaster Baptist Church and president of West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California. His biblical vision has led the church to become one of the most dynamic independent Baptist churches in the nation. He has been married to his wife for over thirty-six years and is the father of four married children all serving in Christian ministry. His books can be found at http://www.strivingtogether.com.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good Christian book. It bibically explained the end times with prophesies from various books of the Bible. It also had the best explanation of the Rapture I've seen.

[James Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Overview of the Last Days of this Age
What can people we expect during the last days of this age? In all the chaos that the Bible predicts, several events stand out as truly extraordinary—so much so that they arouse many questions from both Christians and non-Christians. In his book, Understanding the Times, Dr. Paul Chappell takes the words of Scripture and superimposes them upon present-day happenings. He examines the impact of the Rapture, the rise of a one-world government and religion, the Antichrist, Israel, Christ's return, the Millennium, and the eternal Kingdom. The book is an excellent overview of end-time events, and it is a great reminder that Bible prophecy is not troubling to someone who trusts God—it is comforting.

[Bryan McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look forward

I’ve had this book for sometime but have not been able to read it. Once I started, though, I could not put it down. It’s as Biblical as it is fascinating, as you read the events of the future, one by one, through Scripture with commentary.

I appreciate the concluding challenge of living in light of these events.

[Stephan John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was straight to the point. I would recommend this book to my friends who have questions.

I would recommend book to my friends, have questions about the second coming of Christ. It will answer them in a biblical manner.

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understanding the Times by Pastor Chappell was a great introduction and overview to what we call the end times. The book is filled with a lot of Scripture from all through the Bible concerning the Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, etc,. I would encourage new & seasoned Christians alike to read this book. The author has a great chapter on how terrorism relates to the end times.

One of the things I really liked from the book is that he ended with a chapter on how we should live in light of the truth of the prophecies that the Scriptures share with us. So many Bible-believers study the Bible for only knowledge. They know a lot of Bible truth but it ends on that. It doesn't affect their daily lives. Pastor Chappell spurs the believer to live our lives with these great truths at the forefront of our minds.

Highly recommend this book!

[Mark Gerosin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read.

This is a great book for those who are interested in a general overview of the end times. It is especially interesting right now, with everything that we are observing in our world.

[Jeffrey Rybold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of what we as Christians are going through and what to look forward to as the Second Coming cokes closer.