The topic of biblical eschatology is very hot today. There are as may different opinions to the last days events as there are people writing about it. Rabbi Jonathan Bernis has written a new book entitled, “A Rabbi Looks At The Last Days; Surprising Insights on Israel, the End Times and Popular Misconceptions”. Bernis is a Messianic Jew who come to know Christ over thirty years ago and is now president of Jewish Voices Ministries International. Bernis writes on this subject from the Jewish perspective. He explains the parallels between the Old and New Testaments and the inclusion of a large number of Jews who will have known Christ when He returns.

Bernis’ book is broken into two parts. The first, citing six particular signs, Bernis shows how the end times are drawing near. Those signs are: Increasing attacks upon Jews throughout the world, Jews returning to Israel from all parts of the earth as prophesied, thousands of Jews accepting Jesus Savior, the Gospel is being preached to all the nations, the rise of Messianic expectation in Israel, and the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles. The second part is entitled “Your Role in Ushering in God’s Kingdom”. This portion of the book explains various ways for ways for Christians today to help Jewish people accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Bernis advocates that Jews today have not, as many believe, have not rejected Jesus. Instead, they have never been taught in a way they can understand. He stresses the importance of the role of the Jewish people in the ushering in Christ’s kingdom and their role in end time prophecy. Bernis provides great insight on how to share the Gospel with those of the Jewish faith in a way that is valid and sensitive.

I had a few problems with this book. Bernis makes two statements about gospel proclamation that I believe are false. He states, “I sometimes hear excited Christians say that Jesus can come back at any time, at any moment. I am afraid this is not correct. Yes, He is coming soon. But He is simply cannot come back until He is invited back by His Jewish brethren.” He also writes, “But before Jesus can return to Jerusalem, the Gospel must be preached to every people group within every nation of the world, and it must be preached to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. We must follow Paul’s model.” There are serious interpretive mistakes here.

All of this aside, there is good historical information to be gained from this book. Bernis does a great job of showing why Judaism is important to Christianity and why Christians should be concerned about those of the Jewish faith today. However, if you are looking for discussions on end time topics such as pre- post- mid- tribulation rapture or any millennial discussions, you will need to look elsewhere.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Chosen Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”