Are You Ready for the End of Time?: Understanding Future Events from Prophetic Passages of the Bible

by J.C. Ryle

J. C. Ryle, accepted as one of the foremost Bible teachers of the last 200 years, turns his attention to the future. He investigates the nature of biblical prophecy, signs of the End Times, the Second Coming of Christ and the future state of the Church. He is careful not to push his interpretation of the texts, purposefully avoiding anything that can be called speculative or conjectural. Ryle analyses 8 passages and gives an 11-point summary of his prophetical creed.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1969

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Shea Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

JC Ryle is warm and evangelical in his writing. This is a series of tracks or messages that he wrote in regards to biblical prophecy and our duties therein. Ryle is coming from a Premillennial position and sees the need for Christians to be ready at any moment for the return of Christ. While I generally disagree with his position he is not dogmatic and primarily focuses on how christians ought to live in light of Christ's future return which is edifying for all no matter your position.

He has a couple portions where he focuses on Christian's duties to the Jews and even highlights how the Jews position is good in his day (I don't know all the historical context). Reading this at the present time with Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson arguing about the nation of Israel is interesting, it seems there is always some reason in a premillennial view to say "look at the things happening right now, doesn't that sound like the bible?" And Ryle saying things like that as the ground of his instruction to "how much more ought we to give to missions and serve etc..." seems a little silly. He in the 1800s, Dispys in the 1900s and even Senators in 2000s all pointing to world events and thinking that it instructs us about prophecy seems to be a worn out fad. To be fair Ryle does seem to counter himself in another track warning about reading the news or world events as signs, he just isn't consistent.

This was an interesting read to hear some of the other side but overall encouraging, not convincing.

[David West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't agree with every position Ryle takes but he is a straight shooter. The title of the book is the main thrust of the author. Ryle wants his readers to be ready for the return of Christ and gives a manly, straightforward p!ea to that end. I like his style.

[James Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A number of sermons or short addresses given by Ryle about the subject of the end times (or the return of Jesus Christ!), I much appreciated this book as a hearty reminder of why we are on this earth and what we ought to be looking forward to. While one's enjoyment and/or appreciation of this book will be at least partially contingent upon one's own eschatological views, I think all those Christians who delight in the idea of Christ one day returning to this world will take at least some encouragement from this book. Of course, I enjoyed even more because I do very much line up with Ryle in my own end-times beliefs. Ryle speaks as one against the current, speaking in opposition to the vast majority of the Puritan and Reformed tradition in holding to a more literal view of many Old Testament prophecies (particularly in terms of the place of Israel in end-times prophecies). Ryle also holds to what most would understand today as being a premillenial understanding of the return of Christ. I greatly appreciated Ryle's teachings, because despite the fact that he holds very distinct views about the return of Christ, he still maintains that we must not be overly dogmatic on such things, but nonetheless hold to that glorious hope that Christ is returning, and returning soon - and shall we not delight in that fact and greatly look forward to it and in that light call all to come to Christ for their salvation? I usually don't like to mark up my books too badly, but I couldn't help myself from dog-earing this book in quite a few different places...and yes, underlines and exclamation points were also added! I felt that a few of the earlier chapters were a bit repetitive, but the later chapters just encouraged my soul and made me long to have a closer relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ. Hope you'll pardon me if quote just a short excerpt (trust me, I could quote a lot more!!): "Hearken, every one into whose hands this address may come, and understand. I give you a plain warning this day. Do not forget it. You may reach heaven without knowing much about the deep things of the Apocalypse, but you will never get there without the saving knowledge of Christ, and a new heart. You must be born again. You must renounce your own righteousness and acknowledge yourself a sinner. You must wash in the fountain of Christ's blood. You must be clothed in the garment of Christ's righteousness. You must take up the cross of Christ and follow Him." Is that not beautiful? Although of course I enjoyed this book because Ryle spoke clearly, strongly and forcefully upon the truths of the end-times (as I understand them), I most enjoyed this book because it encouraged me in my walk with Christ and because it warmed and thrilled my heart so many afternoons as I sat upon my coffeeshop porch in the sunlight and pondered the fact that Christ will indeed one day return and stand upon this earth in glory...and so how ought I to live now as I ponder that I am myself an heir of God?

[Tim Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthwhile read from a minister humble enough to admit his limited understanding, but convicted enough to teach what he believes to be true of prophecy.


"I have purposely avoided everything that can be called speculative or conjectural."

"Cautious and doubtful as I feel on some points, there are certain great principles about which I have fully made up my mind."
"Cast aside the old traditional idea that Jacob, and Israel, and Judah, and Jerusalem, and Zion must always mean the Gentile Church, and that predictions about the second Advent are to be taken spiritually, and first Advent predictions literally. Be just and honest and fair. If you expect the Jews to take the 53rd of Isaiah literally, be sure you take the 54th, 60th and 62nd literally also."

[Zach Dudenhofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure fire and ice, to borrow the expression.
It contains eight sermons adapted for print, and is classic Ryle preaching - biblical, winsome, bold, and stirring. His discourses are enlivening, challenging, and insightful - as he unfolds the meaning of prophetic passages in order to continually ask the reader, “are you ready?”
If you enjoy Ryle and haven’t read this yet, correct this mistake now. You won’t regret it.

[Rhys Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great stir-up to live with the end in view. Title a little misleading, and apparently not original to Ryle, I wouldn't say this book helps one to "Understand" per-say, but rather "Consider". Found laborious at points, hence three-stars.

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Takes passages regarding the end times and cuts straight to the heart.

[Bilbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

J.C. Ryle argues generally for the premillenial position.

[Silas Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very exciting to me, and encouraging! Highly recommend 👌🏻

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

JC Ryle has a plain yet piercing style that is gripping and engrossing. This brief collection of sermons focuses on the subject of eschatology (end times) but without the sensationalism and modern day prophesying that has given such preaching a bad rap. I read this book primarily to learn more about Ryle's understanding of unfulfilled Old Testament prophecy and the future of Israel, but was most impressed by his forceful yet kind-hearted manner of speaking (and then writing).

The final sermon, "Heirs of God", was not strictly prophetic but was easily one of the best, soul-lifting sermons I have ever read.

If you don't get this one, get something by Ryle and read it.

[Michael Dionne]

Brilliant. A lovely way to see Premillenial and Dispensational thinking applied practically through the exposition of texts rather than sifting through untethered arguments. In Ryle's plain style, he presents his interpretations clearly, simply, and powerfully, requiring application to the reader's life. Highly, highly recommended.

[Patrick Lacson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at least 3 times. The expositions of the prophetic passages are so piercing. Having read this book I would have loved to hear Mr. Ryle preach these passages.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. It's a shame (literally) and travesty that Banner of Truth publishes every one of J.C. Ryle's books except this one. Highest of recommendations.