Church's Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End - Vol. 1, The Millennium

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The Christian’s hope is the visible, bodily, glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ on the clouds of heaven with the resurrection of the Christian’s body, the public vindication of the Christian at the last judgment, and the enjoyment of the glories of the new creation. In the Reformed Doctrine of the End series, the author writes on eschatology in service of the church’s hope. As Engelsma demonstrates, the last things—centrally the coming of Christ—are the purpose and goal of all the revelation of God in scripture, from beginning to end. This book will encourage the Christian as he heeds Christ’s instruction regarding that coming: “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).

This 1st volume treats the magnificent subjects of the intermediate state and the millennium. The bulk of this book is devoted to a thorough analysis of the millennium, with a vigorous defense of Reformed amillennialism. Especially thorough is Engelsma’s critique of postmillennialism, which he sees as a threat to Reformed churches. 

Both postmillennialism and dispensational premillennialism subvert the church’s hope. Postmillenialism fixes the believer’s hope on a golden age within history in which the church will be dominant—a carnal victory. Dispensational premillenialism fixes the believer’s hope on a fictitious rapture, which will snatch the church out of the world so that God can fulfill his program in history with the Jews. Both views leave the church unprepared for the future.

What others are saying about the book:

"This, volume one of a two-set work on this glorious subject, treats the magnificent subjects of the intermediate state and the millennium. The bulk of the book is devoted to a thorough analysis of the millennium, with a vigorous defense of Reformed amillennialism and a devastating critique of the two main errant millennial views, postmillennialism and premillennial dispensationalism. Engelsma provides the Reformed amillennial exegesis of key passages such as Daniel 9, Matthew 24, Romans 11, and Revelation 20. Especially thorough is Engelsma’s critique of postmillennialism, which he sees as a more immediate threat to Reformed churches. Read this book and it will encourage you to 'gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ' (1 Peter 1:13). Read this book and it will quicken your hope. Read this book and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope maketh not ashamed in the day of Jesus Christ." -Martyn McGeown

"The clear message of this volume on eschatology is the church’s hope that Jesus Christ is coming again to bring His church to live with Him in body and soul forever. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ needs this hope because of the attacks upon her and the hardships she faces in an increasingly wicked world. From beginning to end Prof. Engelsma warmly reminds the church of her hope. The book is not simply written to identify false teachings in the church today (which it does with a bold voice), or to explain the truth of amillennialism (which it does clearly), but it is written to give the church hope." -Garry Eriks

Read reviews by Jerome Julian, Garry Eriks (the Standard Bearer), Justin Smidstra, and Martyn McGeown (PRTJ).

David J. Engelsma served as minister to several Protestant Reformed congregations until he was appointed to the Protestant Reformed Seminary in 1988 as professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament studies. He also served as editor of the "Standard Bearer" from 1988-2002. Prof. Engelsma has lectured and preached throughout the British Isles on behalf of the British Reformed Fellowship, which is devoted to the spread and defense of the Reformed faith in the United Kingdom. He lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife and is the father of 9 children. He has authored many RFPA books.

• 350 pages
• Softcover
• ISBN 978-1-944555-67-2
• Release date: 2021

eBook version available

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The Church's Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End - Vol. 2, The Coming of Christ