The significance of this book lies in its thought-provoking study of biblical eschatology. It meets the current demand for a sensible and scriptural appraisal of prophecy. It avoids sensationalism and offers the Christian public a sound, biblically-based insight.

Because this book is easy to read, yet scholarly, it is valuable to a wide range of readers-including pastors, students of Bible prophecy, and laypersons. The author tackles the rapture question in a two-fold manner by tracing the historic origins of pretribulationism and the scriptural case against it, and addressing the issue of historic authenticity by reviewing the factors, trends, and individ- uals that contributed to its development. He also examines the major schools of thought concerning this subject.