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Dispensational Truth or God's Plan and Purpose in the Ages
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
268 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1918
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 9, 2012
If you could only have one companion book to your bible, this should be it!
August 9, 2020
Reading a 100 year-old book (literally) is a fantastic experience, particularly when it is a book dedicated to futurism. For example, Larkin thought it important that a "Christian nation (Great Britain)" had assumed control over Palestine, and expected it to lead to the return of the Jews to a revived state of Israel in the very near future, thereby fulfilling one of the primary signs of the end of this age as foretold in the Bible. Of course this happened in 1948.
I will not bother with a description of Dispensational eschatology, to which this tome serves as good primary source material.
Random thoughts:
1. The author's discussion of OT types throughout the text is brilliant. Even as someone who is quite familiar with OT typology, my eyes were opened to a couple new ones that I had missed!
2. Though largely agreeing with the author, I thought his views on a pre-Adamic or "original" earth that included an earlier population / civilization that was completely eradicated prior to the Genesis creation narrative were an exercise in stretching a few verses far past their breaking point. I would speculate that this was an attempt to reconcile perceived conflicts with then-current scientific understandings of the age of the earth and paleontology. I also felt he conflated the invasion of Israel and the battle described in Ezekiel 38-39 with the invasion described at the end of Revelation that leads to the battle of Armageddon. I am of the opinion that the events described are actually 2 separate events, with the Ezekiel invasion occurring prior to the Tribulation and perhaps being the event that leads to the Jews being able to rebuild the Temple that very clearly must exist during the final 7 years of the Tribulation.
3. I found it amusing that a study of the Great Pyramid was included at the end of the book. Larkin was obviously quite fascinated with it. In fact, the turn of the century and the first decades of the 20th century were rife with interest in Ancient Egypt, even influencing art and design at the time, so again I feel this may be a product of the author's time. I did find it interesting that even then it was obvious to those who examined the Great Pyramid closely that it was in no way built as a tomb. I do, however, think Larkin's theory that Job was the architect and builder of it to be a an absolute flight of fancy. It seems quite apparent that the Great Pyramid is simply the best preserved example of stunning and inexplicable (from a construction standpoint) antediluvian ruins that dot the entire planet. Here a big thanks go out to Youtube for making that kind of archeological study available to all!
4. This book is renowned for its graphical representations of the historical ages and biblical typology and future events. Seriously, this guy could do a master class in graphical data representation. He was originally a mechanical engineer and draftsman by vocation, and it shows. I mean, check this out (and there are a lot of these):
5. Whenever I read Christian lit that was written prior to the 1950's, I am always struck with the authors deep familiarity and knowledge of the text of scripture. The ability of these authors to make scriptural connections and expound on the text is only made possible from countless hours of actually living in the Bible itself. This is what makes it very difficult for modern students of the Bible to really disagree in a convincing manner with these older writings. Most modern students and teachers of the Bible simply have not spent nearly the amount of time in study and prayer to do so. Today's Bible teachers are just as distracted by all the peripheral things (mostly technological in nature) of the modern age that everyone else is.
I will not bother with a description of Dispensational eschatology, to which this tome serves as good primary source material.
Random thoughts:
1. The author's discussion of OT types throughout the text is brilliant. Even as someone who is quite familiar with OT typology, my eyes were opened to a couple new ones that I had missed!
2. Though largely agreeing with the author, I thought his views on a pre-Adamic or "original" earth that included an earlier population / civilization that was completely eradicated prior to the Genesis creation narrative were an exercise in stretching a few verses far past their breaking point. I would speculate that this was an attempt to reconcile perceived conflicts with then-current scientific understandings of the age of the earth and paleontology. I also felt he conflated the invasion of Israel and the battle described in Ezekiel 38-39 with the invasion described at the end of Revelation that leads to the battle of Armageddon. I am of the opinion that the events described are actually 2 separate events, with the Ezekiel invasion occurring prior to the Tribulation and perhaps being the event that leads to the Jews being able to rebuild the Temple that very clearly must exist during the final 7 years of the Tribulation.
3. I found it amusing that a study of the Great Pyramid was included at the end of the book. Larkin was obviously quite fascinated with it. In fact, the turn of the century and the first decades of the 20th century were rife with interest in Ancient Egypt, even influencing art and design at the time, so again I feel this may be a product of the author's time. I did find it interesting that even then it was obvious to those who examined the Great Pyramid closely that it was in no way built as a tomb. I do, however, think Larkin's theory that Job was the architect and builder of it to be a an absolute flight of fancy. It seems quite apparent that the Great Pyramid is simply the best preserved example of stunning and inexplicable (from a construction standpoint) antediluvian ruins that dot the entire planet. Here a big thanks go out to Youtube for making that kind of archeological study available to all!
4. This book is renowned for its graphical representations of the historical ages and biblical typology and future events. Seriously, this guy could do a master class in graphical data representation. He was originally a mechanical engineer and draftsman by vocation, and it shows. I mean, check this out (and there are a lot of these):
5. Whenever I read Christian lit that was written prior to the 1950's, I am always struck with the authors deep familiarity and knowledge of the text of scripture. The ability of these authors to make scriptural connections and expound on the text is only made possible from countless hours of actually living in the Bible itself. This is what makes it very difficult for modern students of the Bible to really disagree in a convincing manner with these older writings. Most modern students and teachers of the Bible simply have not spent nearly the amount of time in study and prayer to do so. Today's Bible teachers are just as distracted by all the peripheral things (mostly technological in nature) of the modern age that everyone else is.
March 17, 2024
Beginning with the positive; in all fairness he does effectively outline many of the “Dispensational Truths”. He presents their arguments, presumably to the best of his ability. So that was as expected.
My primary problem with this book is that he failed in the one purpose for which I read the book; to bring any depth of response to a covenantal theological position. His interaction with the opposing arguments was superficial, unsatisfactory, and when he did decide to engage more thoroughly, he engaged in a great deal of straw-manning.
A read which left me no further informed, and quite frustrated, to be honest.
My primary problem with this book is that he failed in the one purpose for which I read the book; to bring any depth of response to a covenantal theological position. His interaction with the opposing arguments was superficial, unsatisfactory, and when he did decide to engage more thoroughly, he engaged in a great deal of straw-manning.
A read which left me no further informed, and quite frustrated, to be honest.
October 9, 2011
Truly unique. Fascinating, thought-provoking, and enlightening. The section on the Great Pyramid is worth by itself the price of this book, though of course the rest of it is a great resource as well.
November 15, 2014
Very easy to understand
August 3, 2022
Clarence Larkin (1850-1924) was an amazing Bible scholar. He was a master at drawing detailed charts to help one understand the ages, the end times, Daniel, Revelation, and many Bible concepts. While I am not a Dispensationalist, I am a believer in what the Bible says about the Premillennial Rapture of believers, the Tribulation, and the Millennium. Larkin covers these truths well. He died in 1924, 24 years before the rebirth of Israel, so many of his comments are tentative because the regathering was still future for him. As a 21st century reader, it is joyful to read of his hopes for the regathering, knowing it is occurring now, and to know that the soonness of Christ's return is even more imminent! He gets a little far out there with the pyramids, numbers, and his view of the churches of Revelation as stages of church history BUT his insights are useful and thought provoking. He seems like he has a date set in his mind for the return of Christ but is much too wise to share it. This is an enjoyable read and the charts are phenomenal - not all useful - but all very interesting.
May 22, 2020
This was a college textbook that I thoroughly enjoyed then and have many times in the 25 years since. My only criticism is the infection of "R.V." readings. And there is a minor point here and there that I disagree on, but I don't deduct a star from my rating over such small differences.
If you are a Bible believer, you will not regret adding this to your library. My edition is hardback but Goodreads doesn't have that listed. (I may add the info for the hardback at some point.) And some of these paperback reprints are lower quality and smaller font, so be careful and get a good, clear edition.
If you are a Bible believer, you will not regret adding this to your library. My edition is hardback but Goodreads doesn't have that listed. (I may add the info for the hardback at some point.) And some of these paperback reprints are lower quality and smaller font, so be careful and get a good, clear edition.
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May 18, 2021This book belongs to my parents and I read it several times as a teenager and a young adult. Even though I’m not sure if I still agree with all the theology it presents, it had a huge impact on the development of my theology as a young person. I haven’t looked at it for years, so I don’t feel confident in rating it today.
April 29, 2025
This is the third Clarence Larkin book that I’ve read and it’s outstanding. Packed with lots of scripture references, the book covers the church, Israel, the Gentiles, and their role in end-times prophecy. Although I don’t agree with all of Larkin’s scripture interpretations, this is an excellent book.
November 12, 2018
Must read
If you have any interest with being a Bible scholar this is a great book to start with. You may not agree with certain things like The Rapture timing but it is hard to argue the points explained.
If you have any interest with being a Bible scholar this is a great book to start with. You may not agree with certain things like The Rapture timing but it is hard to argue the points explained.
May 29, 2022
Must Read for every Christian
Agree or disagree there is at least some truth in this book. Writing is clear, organized and well thought out.
Agree or disagree there is at least some truth in this book. Writing is clear, organized and well thought out.
March 14, 2025
Very good information. Hard to read the charts.
July 15, 2008
Clarence Larkin has spent a tremendous amount of time on the charts contained herein.
The outlines of the dispensations, the abundance of references, and his confidence in the clarity of his presentation make this more or less an encyclopedia for subscribers of dispensationalism.
The outlines of the dispensations, the abundance of references, and his confidence in the clarity of his presentation make this more or less an encyclopedia for subscribers of dispensationalism.
March 4, 2015
The essential handbook on Premillennial Thinkingl
Though dated....this is a classic on Dispensationalism. You will find ample cross references and intriguing charts.The table of contents works well on the Kindle.A great title to add to your theological library.maranatha!
Though dated....this is a classic on Dispensationalism. You will find ample cross references and intriguing charts.The table of contents works well on the Kindle.A great title to add to your theological library.maranatha!
May 28, 2015
Amazingly organized and well thought out presentation (Larkin was a mechanical engineer before being called to the ministry) of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every believer needs to read this 98 year old book at least once. Excellent! Superb! Exceptional!
December 27, 2014
This is by far one of the best Dispensational books. Not at all poorly written or illustrated. I give it a 1 because of the very poor theology that dispensationalism is.
October 10, 2022
A great book on dispensationalism. I don't believe this doctrine is biblical but if you want to learn about dispensationalism this book is all you need.
April 18, 2008
One of my favorite authors and one of my favorite books.
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March 15, 2015nice
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews