Beyond the End Times: The Rest of the Greatest Story Ever Told

Rating:
Summary: Avoid this simplistic book
Review: An old adage warns: "Never judge a book by the cover." This book has a very nice, computer graphics cover. Unfortunately, the covers are too far apart: too many pages are wasted in presenting a rambling, unorthodox position.

Noe is not a theologian, as the Foreword in the book states and as his argument proves. He is another in the breed of "prophecy experts" who is untrained in theology and exegesis, and is proud of it.

His chapter three captures the main point of the book. That chapter is titled: "Why the World Will Never End." It is based on a serious misreading of various texts. I imagine with his approach to Scripture he thinks the sun revolves around the earth, the earth has four corners, and more. These are statements based on appearance from the human perspective; they are not statements of actual fact about reality. The Bible can speak of the world with such language as easily as meteriologists can tell us what time the sun will "rise" tomorrow (even though the sun does not "rise," but the earth "revolves").

Noe misses the meaning of his favorite texts as badly as Mormons miss the meaning of Scriptures that speak of "the eyes of the Lord are in every place," "the arm of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save," and more. Mormon interpretive methodology leads them to declare that God has a body like we do. Noe's interpretive method makes the same sort of mistakes on another set of verses.

This is THE most serious problem with Noe's writing: As untrained in biblical languages and unschooled in formal theology and unread in ecclesiastical history, he approaches Scripture in a simplistic, confusing fashion.

If you want a better work on eschatology, I would recommend either Gary DeMar, "Last Day's Madness" or Darrell Bock, "Three Views of the Millennium and Beyond." The last mentioned book looks beyond the end of history (yes, Virginia, there is an end to history) to the eternal order.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written, disappointing
Review: An old adage warns: "Never judge a book by the cover." This book has a very nice, computer graphics cover. Unfortunately, the covers are too far apart: too many pages are wasted in presenting a rambling, unorthodox position.

Noe is not a theologian, as the Foreword in the book states and as his argument proves. He is another in the breed of "prophecy experts" who is untrained in theology and exegesis, and is proud of it.

His chapter three captures the main point of the book. That chapter is titled: "Why the World Will Never End." It is based on a serious misreading of various texts. I imagine with his approach to Scripture he thinks the sun revolves around the earth, the earth has four corners, and more. These are statements based on appearance from the human perspective; they are not statements of actual fact about reality. The Bible can speak of the world with such language as easily as meteriologists can tell us what time the sun will "rise" tomorrow (even though the sun does not "rise," but the earth "revolves").

Noe misses the meaning of his favorite texts as badly as Mormons miss the meaning of Scriptures that speak of "the eyes of the Lord are in every place," "the arm of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save," and more. Mormon interpretive methodology leads them to declare that God has a body like we do. Noe's interpretive method makes the same sort of mistakes on another set of verses.

This is THE most serious problem with Noe's writing: As untrained in biblical languages and unschooled in formal theology and unread in ecclesiastical history, he approaches Scripture in a simplistic, confusing fashion.

If you want a better work on eschatology, I would recommend either Gary DeMar, "Last Day's Madness" or Darrell Bock, "Three Views of the Millennium and Beyond." The last mentioned book looks beyond the end of history (yes, Virginia, there is an end to history) to the eternal order.

Rating:
Summary: Matthew 24: Fulfilled
Review: Easy to read book on the fulfillment of all NT passages
dealing with "end times". The author lays out that the
utter destruction of Jerusalem in AD70 marks the coming
of the apocalyptic Son of Man, descending in judgement
upon that very generation. The Jews answered Pilate to
let Jesus' blood be upon them and their children, and so
it was !

Read a few excerpts at http://doctrine.net/ontheclouds.html

Rating:
Summary: A Revelation in Itself
Review: I have studied the end times off and on now for almost 3 years. It started with a study on Revelation at my church. I read my bible more than ever while studying Revelation because in order to understand Rev., you simply have to! During my own personal study, something about the "Left Behind" theory just didn't seem to fit scripturally, even though I was raised to believe it. I delved deeper in scripture and read books on different end times "theories" and beliefs. I kept comparing scripture to scripture and would come up with contradictions with my old beliefs. I prayed that God would lead me to the truth. This view point (preterist) makes more logical sense and is more in line with the scriptures than anything else I have read. In the last chapter of Revelation Jesus told John 3 times "I am coming soon". Jesus himself told his disciples that all "this" (Matt 24) would be fulfilled during "this generation". Many have tried to spiritualize that statement, yet make others literal. Since there are so many instances where the disciples and Jesus said that the time was "soon" it makes perfect sense to take these "time stamps" literal.

In Chapter 21 the New Jerusalem is described: "the old order of things is passed away", "I am making everything new", we get to drink from the "spring of the water of life", there is no longer any sea (no separation from God),"now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them". I believe most Christians would believe that the old order of things has already passed away and that we are already drinking from the water of life,we do not have a separation from God and that He dwells with us NOW. The New Jerusalem is present! We don't have to wait...we are living it as Christians. Yes, He also said there would be no tears/pain, but pain can also mean anguish and He was talking to believers THEN. Their anguish and tears were wiped away by the Holy Spirit.

Also, while Daniel was told to "close up" his prophesies concerning end times, John was told NOT to seal his up because "the time is near". Daniel's prophies came totally true to the days he layed out if you believe the preterist view.

I have found this view to be lacking in the inconsistencies that the other views seem to have. I have also found this view point reminds me of the tremendous gift (the Holy Spirit) that I have as a believer and the power He can give. I need to live my life for Christ now and make a difference for him now and not wait to be lifted out and hoping for an escape.

I would highly recommend this book to every Christian believer who has studied and feels that the scripture isn't "matching up" to what they currently believe. This book lines up scripture and compares scripture to scripture so that you can see the Bible is a book of truth and common sense.

Rating:
Summary: A Revelation in Itself
Review: I have studied the end times off and on now for almost 3 years. It started with a study on Revelation at my church. I read my bible more than ever while studying Revelation because in order to understand Rev., you simply have to! During my own personal study, something about the "Left Behind" theory just didn't seem to fit scripturally, even though I was raised to believe it. I delved deeper in scripture and read books on different end times "theories" and beliefs. I kept comparing scripture to scripture and would come up with contradictions with my old beliefs. I prayed that God would lead me to the truth. This view point (preterist) makes more logical sense and is more in line with the scriptures than anything else I have read. In the last chapter of Revelation Jesus told John 3 times "I am coming soon". Jesus himself told his disciples that all "this" (Matt 24) would be fulfilled during "this generation". Many have tried to spiritualize that statement, yet make others literal. Since there are so many instances where the disciples and Jesus said that the time was "soon" it makes perfect sense to take these "time stamps" literal.

In Chapter 21 the New Jerusalem is described: "the old order of things is passed away", "I am making everything new", we get to drink from the "spring of the water of life", there is no longer any sea (no separation from God),"now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them". I believe most Christians would believe that the old order of things has already passed away and that we are already drinking from the water of life,we do not have a separation from God and that He dwells with us NOW. The New Jerusalem is present! We don't have to wait...we are living it as Christians. Yes, He also said there would be no tears/pain, but pain can also mean anguish and He was talking to believers THEN. Their anguish and tears were wiped away by the Holy Spirit.

Also, while Daniel was told to "close up" his prophesies concerning end times, John was told NOT to seal his up because "the time is near". Daniel's prophies came totally true to the days he layed out if you believe the preterist view.

I have found this view to be lacking in the inconsistencies that the other views seem to have. I have also found this view point reminds me of the tremendous gift (the Holy Spirit) that I have as a believer and the power He can give. I need to live my life for Christ now and make a difference for him now and not wait to be lifted out and hoping for an escape.

I would highly recommend this book to every Christian believer who has studied and feels that the scripture isn't "matching up" to what they currently believe. This book lines up scripture and compares scripture to scripture so that you can see the Bible is a book of truth and common sense.

Rating:
Summary: Absurd
Review: If you like to see people playing around with theology this might be the book for you. But if you hate to see people wading in over their heads, stay clear.

This is very disappointing work. Although the author makes dramatic claims to being a theologian, his writing actually betrays him as a novice.

I can see why this book was not published by a major, reputable publisher: it is absurd through and through. Read some of the reviews below to get a sense of the disappointing argument of this book.

Noe actually believes Christ's second coming was in the first century, that earth history will NEVER end (in fact, this seems to be a major point of this book), that Christians should not expect a future resurrection from the dead, and many other errors.

If you are looking for helpful material on prophetic issues, look somewhere else.

Rating:
Summary: Naive book
Review: This book by John Noe develops some strange doctrines. One of his main arguments is that this world on which we live will never end. The earth will last for all eternity.

He also teaches that the resurrection of believers promised in the Bible is a current spiritual resurrection. No one will ever be physically resurrected.

For a helpful critique of the false doctrines in this book and in this Hyper-preterist movement, see Keith Mathison, "When Shall These Things Be?"

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written, disappointing
Review: This is pop-theological book. It is based on some rather strange views of Scripture. The main point of the book is to try to prove that the earth we live on will last forever, because Christ has already come again (in 70 A.D.!). At every turn the author fumbles his argument. He seems more of a self-promoter than a Scriptural exegete. Stay away.

Rating:
Summary: Strange doctrine
Review: This was an alarming book promoting some strange doctrines. Mr. Noe believes the earth will last forever and that Jesus returned invisibly in his Second Advent in A.D. 70.

He also believes that this complex of new doctrines is helping to establish a "New Reformation." He believes that Christianity has been mistaken about the basic doctrines of the Bible for 2000 years.

And he sets himself before as one who can straighten things out. If this is what Christian doctrine is all about, I don't want any part of it.

We have too many "prophecy experts" among us. Away with this man. We will not have him to reign over us! After reading Noe, Tim LaHaye seems to make sense (but only by comparison).

I would pass on this volume.

Rating:
Summary: Can't see the forest for the trees
Review: Wow! Here we go again: another theological movement being steered by untrained Bible enthusiasts. In the Preface it is noted that Noe (a motivational speaker by training) has never attended a theological seminary to study theology, biblical languages, church history, and so forth. And his book proves it!

His main point in this book is to claim that ALL Bible prophecy was fulfilled in the first century and that the earth will last forever. He even recommends a new holiday to celebrate the Second Coming of Christ -- which in his view occurred in the first century: Parousia Day. Too bad the church has missed this opportunity for 2000 years.

This new movement is quite a worrisome innovation. For more information, I recommend seeing Mathison's "When Shall These Things Be?" which is also available from Amazon.com

To Noe I say: Thanks. But no thanks. Come back with your innovative ideas AFTER you have taken some theological training.