Why the End is Not Near

Answers in an Hour

by Duane Garner

The sky is not falling, though popular opinion seems to always suggest otherwise. While it appears as if everyone---from evangelical preachers to radical environmentalists---expects the end of the world to come very soon in a quite dreadful and dramatic fashion, the Scriptures give us a view of the future that is altogether hopeful and optimistic. In this book, a former premillenial dispensationalist explores the origins of these modern doctrines of pessimism, and points the reader to find in the Bible a much happier outlook regarding the success of the gospel and the growth of Christ's Kingdom.

Genres: Theology

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jesse Broussard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I was greatly torn between giving a three and a four star review. For its intended audience, this book is excellent. If you have questions, this book will not be the one to answer them. If you are debating the exact meaning of a particular verse, this book will be of absolutely no use. If, however, you are looking for a brief summary of the general views of dispensational premillennialism over and against other views, this is a magnificent book.

Not only is it quite good for what it is, but the reason it got a four-star review from me is that it introduced two new arguments to me, which was delightful. It also had numerous commonplaces, which I thoroughly enjoyed. To top that off, it took me a total of fifteen minutes to read, and the new arguments were very simple and practical.

So, a very worthwhile read: quite enjoyable, informative and intelligently written.

[Rick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, short introduction to postmillennial theology and rebuttal of dispensationalism.

[Jason Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful little book.

[Mark Lickliter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because of the provocative title, and to gain more insight into the eschatological view that is a staple in our denomination. I have read books on postmillennial eschatology before, but the title of this one really bothered me. It appears to be explicitly contrary to Jesus' own words when He states, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,but the Father only." (Matthew 24:36) I'm sure the author would have a clever way to dodge Jesus' words (like some form of preterism, however not all of Matthew 24 is about 70 A.D., or that this isn't a prediction about the "day" or "hour", but about a general timeline), however if it is wrong to predict that the "end is near" for those dorky dispensationalists, then doesn't that apply to pontificating that the "end is not near"? Really? The Lord revealed this to Duane Garner, but left Jesus out of the loop? I don't think so.

It seems that the entire premise of the postmillennial forecast rests upon some questionable assumptions, and they are ones that I just don't buy. On the one hand, there have been too many critiques of dispensationaism that point out the error of making timelines, and applying overly literal interpretations of Scripture, however, that is exactly what Garner does in his book. The claim is made that Psalm 105 teaches that the end will not come until at least 16,000 A.D. I have never heard any reputable biblical scholar put that claim upon Psalm 105. Garner comes up with his interpretation by taking the phrase "thousands upon thousands of generations" and reasons that it would take at least 16,000 years for the Lord to return by the most conservative of estimates. However, it was certainly not the writer of this Psalm's intention for a 21st century postmillennial pundit to take this literally and use it as a basis for their eschatological timeline. Garner recognizes this, but that matters not, because it was still used as his basis that we really have lots and lots of time. Garner explicitly states, "this is not going to happen in our lifetime. There is too much work left to be done." (p.53) Certainly he is right, if his incredible assumptions are made about how history must work out. I just don't know any Scriptures that teach as Garner states, that "this world is ours for the taking." (p.56)

I also was troubled by the statement that, "We must realize that we no longer need to live life in fear that the end of the world could come at any moment. We can confidently make plans for our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren." (p.55) This statement seems at odds to what Jesus' brother said. James says, "Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (James 4:13-17) I think if James tells us that "we do not know what tomorrow will bring" and Jesus tells us "no one knows" that hour, then we shouldn't be so confident about our plans. This warning in James seems to deal with this attitude in very specific and real way, and we shouldn't take it lightly!

Perhaps what was most disappointing was reading another critique of dispensationalism. I think Garner overreacts quite a bit. He even makes it his point to give numerous reasons why dispensationalism is bad for the church. Many of his critiques could be easily turned around and leveled against him as well. For example that dispensationalism necessarily leads to retreatism could just as easily apply to a view in which one has oodles of time on their hands for their eschatology to work its way out. This could promote a passive posture just as well. However, if the end could come at any moment, then this could give Christians a serious sense of urgency in their steps. Whatever your eschatology, it would seem that should be our approach to the Christian life, and James says we should have this attitude, not because we have plenty of time, but because our time on this earth is like a vapor.

At the end of the day, neither dispensationalists know that the time is near, nor does Garner know that the time is not near. Both claims are contrary to Scripture's plain teaching, and are not in line with clear passages that teach what our attitude and posture should be in this world.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the author is a tad too polemical, this short book is a good hermeneutical overview of Dispensationalism’s basic flaws, and Postmillennialism’s advantages.

[Jeff McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introductory work against dispensationalism. For a small little writing it does cover a good range of topics, and offers enough to chew on and get you started down the road to further reading on this important topic. Dispensationalism has been one of the leading causes of the impotency of the modern church. With the majority of modern churches just sitting around waiting for the rapture, and decidedly not wasting time "polishing the brass on a sinking ship," the church has relinquished its rights and commands to kick in the gates of hell and overthrow the powers of darkness, and spread the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. This is a good little nugget to give to your dispensational friends.

[Uri Brito]

Duane's book is an excellent introduction to the vast misunderstanding out there!

[Jacquelyn Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dispensationalism must incorporate current events into its framework or else it loses its credibility. Unless there are significant developments on the world scene to prove that we are living in the last days, the entire construct collapses. The result is that the dispensationalist interprets the Bible in terms of current events, rather than interpreting current events using a Biblical framework.”

A good little primer on the issues with dispensationalism, it’s history (the fact that no eschatology like it was in church history until the mid-late 1800s), what it’s done to culture and Christian society, and alternative orthodox eschatology. 4.5/5 because it lacked some explanations of what prophecy specifically was fulfilled in A.D. 70 (although it’s supposed to be an under an hour read, so I can’t be too harsh for that) and the fact that the author pins all the wrongs of the church today on dispensationalism. It’s a great hope to be reminded that we can have an optimistic outlook on the future as Christian’s and not be expecting everything to go to hell in a hand basket before Jesus comes back. “This is the view which asserts that Jesus began his reign as King during his first earthly ministry. When Christ came to earth over two thousand years ago, he came to inaugurate his kingdom successfully. During his ministry here, he bound Satan. Within a gen-eration of his crucifixion he destroyed the old world of the old covenant and ushered in a new heavens and a new earth. The church is now the Holy City of God and all of the nations are brought into it. She will continue to preach the gospel on earth for thousands upon thou-sands of years, progressively growing in number and strength until one day, far in the future, the entire world will be transformed by the power of Christ and an Eden-like paradise will be restored. At some point in that golden day, Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Those who rejected the gospel will be sent to eter-nal punishment. The dead in Christ will be raised, joined to their resurrected bodies, and all of the saints of all of the ages will live together in union and communion with the Triune God for eternity.”

[Micaela Hardyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for what it is - a very short book explaining some problems with dispensationalism and presenting a more historical alternate perspective. I have a few questions and obviously a book of this size couldn’t be as thorough as I want it to be, but overall a good overview of the topic.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing book. Not sure what to think yet, I had been listening to some Presbyterians who are post-mil and this helped me see some of the things that could be wrong with pre-mil but I don’t know…. Still not sure

[Michael Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great start to challenging dispensationalism. It definitely makes me want to continue to study. I think it would be a great read for everyone in the church.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Succinct, and helped me see where my eschatology has previously been inadvertently unbiblical. I’ve already recommended it to several friends!

[Sean Kewley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer on loony eschatology derived from dispensationalism and the biblical Christian response - build Christ's kingdom here.

[Miles Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short primer on the zaniness of dispensationalism.

[David Carraway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a well written book. Being raised in the dispensational view myself I could easily identify with all the points Mr. Garner makes in regards to what dispensationalism teaches. He shows the confusion presented by this view as dispensationalist have to make up reasons why the same greek word means one thing in one verse but something different in another verse. I also think he makes a good point when he brings up that most dispensationalist use current events to interpret the Bible instead of using the Bible to interpret the Bible. This little 56 page book is simple to read and undertstand, yet contains a wealth of knowledge for its size. Especially in comparison to some of the 300+ page books I've read on similiar topics.

[Jonah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Why the End is Not Near in less than an hour, which is sort of the point. This book is in a series called, “Answers in an Hour” and they stick to it.

This book is a quick look at the historic understanding of the end times, and it is a decisive, and quick, blow to the dangers and fallacies of dispensationalism which predominates many evangelical Christians today. This little book (56 pages) is a sobering slap to the back of the head for any who have followed the pessimism of dispensational preachers and teachers. This brief book is also a healthy does of encouragement for those who look forward to the victory of Christ and His gospel as it goes forth to baptize and disciple all nations subduing every enemy under Christ’s feet.

[Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introduction to the failings of dispensationalism and a very brief introduction to the biblical understanding of the victory of Christ's kingdom. This book is far too cursory on both topics to convince a skeptic, but might be a nice shallow spot for a discontented dispensationalist to wade into the glories of posmillenialism.

[Scott Moonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars in terms of its intended purpose -- a quick ice-breaker introduction to postmillennialism for someone who's never really encountered it before, generally readable but especially addressed to the left-behind milieu. It's a conversation starter and appetite whetter.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am little by little growing in my understanding of Postmillennialism. And the more I understand it, the more I love it. Christ reigns indeed!

I gave this fantastic little book 4 stars because it lacks an appendix with recommended resources for further study.

[Erinfarleys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super short, super clear, super book. Dispensationalism is a tangled, confused theology and Garner does a fantastic job of making sense of it all.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little read! Truly lives up to the "answers in an hour" series title.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. My first true explanation of postmillenialism. Wish it was longer but very helpful.

[Payton Comis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really only like fiction. Sorry.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great arguments against Dispensationalism, excellent start at showing the way into Postmillenialism. You can read it in a couple of hours.