The Final Act

by Chuck Smith

What exciting days we are living in! Like observers invited backstage before a play, we can see the director positioning the players and making sure the props are in order. We can feel the excitement in these minutes before He signals for the curtain to rise. This analogy is apt, for God is positioning nations and current events before our very eyes. The world is ready for the curtain to be lifted for the final act. Prepare yourself for the drama of the end times-the return of Jesus Christ. In The Final Act, Pastor Chuck Smith sets the stage for God's prophetic plan, providing insight into current world events leading up to one climactic battle that will usher in eternity. Explaining the rapture, the rise of the Antichrist, and conditions that favor the Lord's soon return, The Final Act is a compact, hard-hitting expose on the last days of human history.

About the Author:
Chuck Smith is the senior pastor at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California

Genres: Faith

274 pages, Hardcover

First published August 27, 2007

Reviews

[Derek Barber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book presents the dispensational view of bible prophecy, which is a recent interpretive method and has no biblical or historical support. It seems like many Christians today have no understanding of the historic Christian beliefs on this matter and they have not researched other perspectives such as Amillennialism or Post-Millennialism.

I recommend that anyone who agrees with Smith should read some alternative perspectives to get a more balanced view. I highly recommend "A Case for Amillennialism" by Kim Riddlebarger and "The Book of Revelation" by G.K. Beale to get you started. They give a much more biblical and historical view. The dispensationalist view which is espoused by Smith in this book is simply an appeal to sensationalism and makes a mess of the biblical passages he attempts to interpret (there is no real exegesis in this book).

In conclusion, Smith is definitely painting a very skewed picture of what the bible teaches in this book and I would never recommend it to anyone.

[Rob A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not very knowledgeable in the area and come from an amillenial background. Bearing this context in mind, this book seems to contain a lot of assumptions and generalizations that seem vague and convenient. A lot of opinions and criticisms of other views that sometimes aren't adequately explained. For an area that has a wide variety of interpretations, it is surprising Smith is so definite in his beliefs and his dismissal of other interpretations. One should read other views before coming to a conclusion on his.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary of the premillennialist perspective. Not a huge fan of the style of writing but it is very approachable and readable. Not sure I am convinced of the eschatological view but I understand it better now.

[Norma Mouton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End Times

This offers a concise review of the End Times and Christ’s second coming. It puts Christian eschatology into chronological order according to scripture.

[David Cowpar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear description of the End Times according to the (pre-Mill, pre-Trib view of the) book of Revelation.

[Samantha Brazdzionis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative on end times. Very bold to call out what the certain forces specifically are. More of a preference relating to today's geo politics.

[Lyle Friel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What great events in these coming days

What a blessing, to see what God has in store for us in these coming days, as we enter into the end times.

[Michael Newton]

THE FINAL ACT by Chuck Smith

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Type of Book: End Times

Pages: 264 (large type)

Must read chapters: ACT I: Setting the stage & The Encore: Heaven

I read this book to get a better understanding of what Calvary Chapel in general teaches about the Book of Revelation. Pastor Chuck who is the senior pastor or Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa wrote a book with a general overview. Overall it was was a good read, very easy to read and informative.

I would like to share a couple of quotes with you.

"If you live outside of a consciousness of God - If there is no place for God in your life, no communion, no fellowship, no thought of God - then according to the Scriptures, you are dead already." - (ACT IV) page 228
"He only made one of you, and value is usually determined by the rarity. So you are not only His peculiar treasure, you're His rare treasure." - (ENCORE) page 245-246
I read this book while I was on vacation with my wife it was a quick and easy read. It only took me three days of casual reading. The book begins with the first chapter being a quick summary of Jonathan Edwards’ life and then the rest of the chapters are talking through his “resolutions.” (which are included at the end of the book).

What this book does a wonderful job of is connecting the different writings Jonathan Edwards wrote with his resolutions. Hearing the stories connect with the 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards help bring it to life.

[Robert Rubio · Rating 2 out of 5]

About as good of an 'argument'you'll get for the so-called 'Pre-Trib Rapture' which I used to subscribe at one time myself. But, as I prayed and read through Scripture I noticed just too many problems and Scriptural inconsistencies with the view and eventually landed in the 'Historic(Post-Trib)PreMill' view.

[Glennare3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brings us up to date on the Times that are happening now compared with the Word.

[Sandy2001 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, excellent read, easy to understand!

[Jason Lett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good overview of end times prophecy and upcoming world events. It's an easy read and supported by scriptural reference for further reading. Highly recommended!