Eschatology or the doctrine of the last things has always held fascination for the child of God. As the end draws nearer, a study of these things becomes even more important. This short book considers various subjects regarding the last times in a clear and simple style. As Rev. Kortering states in chapter 1 on “Try the Spirits,”

When the stormy billows of false doctrine and immorality crash about us, what is our calling? Shall we close the hatch and sink deeply beneath the turbulent surface and find security in isolation? Shall we try to run away from it all and nurse our wounded spirits in the bowels of past glories? No, my friend; that may seem appealing, but that is not the calling of the faithful church. Rather, the church of Jesus Christ is to enter into the storm as a battleship that is anchored firmly to the Rock of Ages, our Lord Jesus Christ as He has revealed Himself to us in His Word. Only then can we oppose the enemies of the truth, and sound forth in clear and certain words the pure preaching of the Gospel and not be dashed to pieces on the rocks of unbelief. When we do this we can be certain that our eye will be focused upon the beacon light of God that directs us safely to the haven of rest.

Chapter 1: Try the Spirits
Chapter 2: Our Life After Death
Chapter 3: Evidence of Our Lord’s Return
Chapter 4: The Four Horsemen
Chapter 5: The Sealing of the 144,000
Chapter 6: The Locusts Out of the Abyss
Chapter 7: The Eating of the Little Book

This book can also be read on-line.

To read this book in Italian, click here.

Herman Hoeksema preached often on Revelation, even preaching through the entire book more than once—not to mention the numerous Bible studies he led on it. Behold He Cometh is thus the fruit of several decades of teaching. This essay-style commentary on the book of Revelation is written from the Reformed, amillennial viewpoint. In clear, concise language, the author sets forth rich biblical teaching concerning the end times.

Dr. William Hendriksen (renowned expositor of the Book of Revelation and minister in the Christian Reformed Church): “The treatment of the text is definitely Reformed in character in that it always ascribes all the glory to God and traces his way in history … I warmly recommend the book” (The Banner).

“We highly recommend this volume … Every pastor should own a copy, and it would serve as an excellent text for Seminary, Bible School or Bible class study groups” (The Gospel Witness).

“A new and solid commentary has been added to the list of the Reformed expositions of the last book of the Bible” (Calvinist Contact).

“A refreshing feature … was that the author showed great insight into the Scriptures” (Australian Baptist).

“… anyone who wishes to make a thorough study of Revelation owes it to himself to work through Hoeksema’s Behold He Cometh” (Wisconsin Lutheran Journal).

“It is the kind of book I would like to see in every library and in every home. I heartily recommend it” (Westminster Theological Journal).

“It is the best work on Revelation known to this reviewer (bearing in mind the excellent works of Hengstenberg, Durham and Hendriksen, to name no others) … Its lucid, simple style is admirably calculated to demonstrate just how perfectly the message of this final book of the canon accords with everything else in Holy Scripture … Hoeksema’s treatment of the Final Judgment of the ungodly and the blessedness of the New Jerusalem is a joy to read. May this superb work goad us to long, pray and work for the second coming of our Saviour, when the cosmic conflict shall end, when Christ shall yield up the kingdom to His Father, and God shall be all and in all” (Peace and Truth).

Rev. Jerome Julien (United Reformed Churches in North America): “Rev. Hoeksema preached through the Book of Revelation twice in his ministry, once soon after World War I and the second time during World War II, the latter time to very large crowds of hearers. The series of messages in this volume—fifty-three in number—thoroughly expounds the comforting truth in this last book of the Bible … A student of the Book of Revelation can hardly do better than this! … by all means get a copy of it” (The Outlook).

Joel R. Beeke: “Where should you begin [the study of eschatology]? Read the book of Revelation again. While doing so, consult Herman Hoeksema’s Behold He Cometh” (in Joel R. Beeke and Sinclair B. Ferguson [eds.], Reformed Confessions Harmonized [Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1999], p. 271).

Rev. Charles Roberts: “Rev. Hoeksema’s exposition of Revelation is a priceless tome of pastoral insight and scholarly wisdom. A superb, user friendly, amillennial analysis of one of the most important books in the canon of scripture.” – South Carolina, USA

“[My wife’s mother] was blessed to read Herman Hoeksema’s Reformed Dogmatics and Behold He Cometh. She has particularly found the latter very edifying in recent times and has revisited it often.” – W. Yorkshire

“Thank you very much for the book by Herman Hoeksema, Behold He Cometh! This is a wonderful and very useful book. Herman Hoeksema is superb in his writings! … Out of all the interpretations of the book of Revelation his is the most comprehensive and beautiful, and also tactful, without direct negative pointing to any particular group or denomination” – Kazakhstan

“I have almost finished reading Behold He Cometh, a wonderful and helpful read. Most illuminating and relevant; I had puzzled long about Rev. 17:9-13, Herman Hoeksema has clarified much for me. I find myself in total agreement with him in his methods and interpretation of the prophetic and apocalyptic literature of the Bible in the context of all of Holy Scripture. He is obviously familiar with the interpretative methods of others … and shows up their interpretation for what they are. Since the book was first written, events in the church and the world confirm Hoeksema’s understanding.” – Wolverhampton, England

“I’m reading a wonderful book I got from [the CPRC], Behold He Cometh, a commentary on Revelation. This has been a real help, although I only can work about 20 minutes a day on it [because of my serious health problems]. I have found it a real blessing.” – Co. Antrim, N. Ireland

“I was speaking to a believer on Saturday and during our conversation he mentioned Hoeksema’s Behold He Cometh and what a wonderful book he had found it.  So today I have had a look on the internet and begun reading it on line. The world is growing worse and worse. It’s so easy to become caught up in things and to begin to get fearful. How good it will be to be given an understanding of our great God and Saviour’s sovereign purpose in all the things He is bringing to pass before He comes back to judge the world in righteousness.” – Berkshire, England

“The commentary on Revelation is easily the best I’ve come across and Herman Hoeksema’s interpretation is so accurate, looking at the events that are developing in the world today.” – Essex, England

Click here to read a review of this book by one of our readers!
Click here to read a review of this book in the Standard Bearer.

Click here to read a review of this book in Korean.

Some chapters of this book have been translated into Polish.
Excerpts from the book on “The Binding of Satan”  and on Revelation 14:4-5 can be read on-line in Portuguese.
Chapter 7, “The Church With a Mystic Tendency” can be read on-line in Spanish.

On the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem, a few days before He gave his life on the cross, Jesus Christ gave us detailed teaching on the subject of eschatology or the doctrine of the last things. He did so in response to his disciples’ two-part question: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt. 24:3). What follows in Matthew 24-25 is the Olivet Discourse.

This subject is of great interest to the child of God, not only for the disciples of that day but also for the Christian in every age. All around us “men’s hearts [are] failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). Opportunistic teachers write lurid accounts of an apocalyptic future, hoping to sell their speculative version of science fiction “prophecy” to the masses. In the midst of it all, we need to understand the signs of Christ’s coming for our own comfort, for the coming of Jesus Christ is our hope. We look for “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Called to Watch for Christ’s Return gives the sober, distinctly Reformed and Amillennial exposition of Christ’s teaching, avoiding the murky waters of both Postmillennial Preterism, which sees almost everything in these chapters as fulfilled in AD 70, and Premillennial Dispensationalism, which promises a future temple in a restored Jerusalem after a secret rapture of the church.

Christ had two concerns in the Olivet Discourse. First, His disciples, both then and now, must know the signs of His coming, which are those events in creation, in the church and among the nations which indicate that Christ is on His way. These signs are footsteps, which those who have an ear to hear can recognize as the approach of the Lord. But Christ is not satisfied with that because mere “sign-gazing” can lead to speculative, idle, foolish living. Christ did not give us these signs to satisfy our curiosity, but so that we might be ready for Him when He comes. Therefore, Christ’s second concern was the readiness of his disciples, which is expressed in his urgent and repeated warnings to watch for His coming in light of the signs. That, too, is the twofold concern of this exposition of the Olivet Discourse. Watch, pray, and serve the Lord with an eye to these signs.

Rev. Martyn McGeown grew up in Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland, graduated from the Protestant Reformed Theological School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, in June 2010, and has been the missionary-pastor of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship in the Republic of Ireland, since July 2010.

“I am at page 92 of Rev McGeown book [after buying it just 24 hours ago]. It is a really good book; worth double the price … [A week later,] I have read my copy and am starting my second go.” – Co. Antrim

“This is a great book. It is very easy to read and uses common-sense exegesis.” – N. Ireland

“I am greatly enjoying the book by Pastor McGeown. Its chapter on “The Abomination of Desolation” which deals with Daniel’s 70 weeks makes so much more sense than the view of the dispensationalists. As I read it I was struck with sadness at the amount of time I have wasted within this system of eschatology.” – Belfast

“This is a really easy and straightforward read that makes sense as you read it!” – N. Ireland

“My thanks to Rev. McGeown for the lovely, precious Called to Watch for Christ’s Return. I’ve nearly finished part 1 and it has been a great blessing!” – England

“I have just finished rereading the first part of Called to Watch for Christ’s Return. It is such a wonderful book and so very encouraging.” – England

“Love Called to Watch for Christ’s Return … This afternoon I have been reading the super exposition in Rev. McGeown’s book on the parable of the talents, it made me think about what area of service the Lord has given to me.” – England

“The high commendation was right. An excellent work!” – London

“I enjoyed the book by Martyn McGeown Called to Watch for Christ’s Return.” – Cambridge

“Concisely written book dealing with Reformed Christian Eschatology, Amillennialism. Bravo, Rev. McGeown.” – Rep. of Ireland

“… a fine example of good exegesis and sermonizing, combined into a commentary. I am teaching eschatology this semester and have actually added [the] book to the REQUIRED READING section of my syllabus. Students will be required to read the book in connection with our discussion of the signs of the times.” – USA

“I’m just now reading Rev. McGeown’s book and love it.” –  Minnesota, USA

“Just wanted  you to know I really enjoyed [the] book, Called to Watch for Christ’s Return. I read it last week and was very much impressed by the good way you criticized pre- and postmillennialism … We also told our church librarian that we really enjoyed you writing.” – Hudsonville, Michigan, USA

“Very well written and easy to understand.” – Illinois, USA

“I am halfway through [the book]. The chapter on ‘The Great Tribulation’ pricked me. Here’s one of the ponder-worthy words: ‘We must be faithful in small things, watching and praying that we will be faithful in that day. But we must not fear. Christ will provide sufficient grace to endure the persecution when it comes’ (p. 126).” – Philippines

“Thoroughly enjoyed this clear and edifying exposition of Scripture.” – Alberta, Canada

“I have begun reading … Called to Watch for Christ’s Return, and am enjoying it immensely.” – Australia

REVIEW 1

Turn off the TV, the computer, the tablet and the smartphone, and watch. “Watch what?” you ask. Watch for Christ’s return—that is, know the signs of Christ’s return and be ready for his coming.

Knowing the signs of Christ coming and growing in readiness for his return is the important subject of a new RFPA publication I was happy to find in my church mailbox on a recent Sunday. The author is Rev. Martyn McGeown, member of the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Ballymena, Northern Ireland and missionary pastor of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship in the Republic of Ireland.

The contents of this book arise from a series of sermons on Matthew 24 and 25 that Rev. McGeown preached in Limerick between August of 2011 and January of 2012, barely a year after his graduation from the Theological School of the Protestant Reformed Churches in the summer of 2010. Read this book and you will find that Rev. McGeown is gifted beyond his years in both preaching and writing. The RFPA has found an able author and I hope that this is the first of many books to come from the pen of Rev. McGeown, Lord willing.

Throughout this book, Rev. McGeown makes the difficult understandable and practical for the believer. Matthew 24 and 25 are difficult passages, not only because they can be hard to understand but, more importantly, because they vividly set forth the lot of the believer in this life. The way of the believer in this life is the way of suffering and persecution that grows in intensity as the end draws near. A Reformed amillennialist, Rev. McGeown does not sugar coat this reality, but shows how this suffering “serves the coming of Christ and the end of all things” (p. 46).

Throughout this book, the author makes the material very practical for the reader. He doesn’t beat around the bush or blunt the sharp edges of the reality of persecution for the believer. One example, from the many available in the book, serves to prove this point. In Chapter 4 (“The Church Hated By All Nations”), Rev. McGeown writes,

Matthew 24 does not specify who will deliver the Christians up to be afflicted, but Mark and Luke add that it will be in some cases former friends and even family members. Jesus had already warned about this: he had not come to bring peace, but to bring a sword (Matt. 10:34). The result would be opposition and enmity among friends and even families. Now he underlines it again: you will be handed over to the authorities to be afflicted and to be killed. Your friends will do it! Your parents will do it! Your brothers and sisters will do it! Your sons and daughters will do it! “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death” (Mark 13:12). “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death” (Luke 21:16).

What a bitter pill that will be to swallow! Surely it is bad enough to be arrested; bad enough to be treated as a criminal; bad enough to be thrown into prison, to be tortured, to be put to death. But to watch as your own family do it! To hear your nearest and dearest say, “Take him. He is a Christian. We hate him. We are not on his side.” How dreadful! (p. 51)

So … turn off the TV, phone and computer … and live in reality … and watch! Know the signs of Christ’s imminent return and grow in your readiness for his return. Read this excellent book!

Aaron Cleveland (Grand Rapids, MI, USA)

REVIEW 2

Called to Watch for Christ’s Return began as a series of sermons preached by the author on the Olivet Discourse, a speech in which “Jesus proclaims his second coming, an event with which history will come to a dramatic and sudden close” (ix). These sermons covered Matthew 24:1-31, dealing with the signs of Christ’s coming—deceivers, the preaching of the gospel, the great tribulation, and more. These sermons also dealt with Matthew 24:32-25:46, treating the subject of watching for Christ’s return—the unknown time of his return, Christ’s coming as in the days of Noah, parables associated with his coming, and more. These sermons comprise the content of the book. We are thankful that these fine sermons have reached a wider audience through their publication in book form.

The main strength of Called to Watch for Christ’s Return is its exegetical precision and richness. The material is always mined from the text. Concepts are carefully defined and developed, and difficult passages are lucidly explained. Especially does this clarity of exegesis become important in passages that deal with such matters as the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15-20) and the unknown time of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36). Such passages are often misinterpreted, leading to a host of errors. Thus, proper, sober interpretation is critical in these kinds of difficult passages. McGeown’s work is a needed and timely contribution to the study of eschatology (the end times), for two reasons. First, there are so many today teaching unbiblical ideas about the end of the world. Called to Watch for Christ’s Return interacts with these systems of thought, dismantles them, and plainly sets forth the biblical, Reformed, amillennial position. Second, we live in the last days, and that alone makes this book important. We must know what to expect in these last and evil days, we must be admonished to watch for the coming of our Lord, and we must be comforted.

McGeown’s work is necessarily polemical. That is, it is a work which exposes and refutes the errors. Advocates of both postmillennialism and premillennial dispensationalism seek to find evidence for their views in Matthew 24 and 25. Postmillennialism teaches that the Olivet Discourse—at least some of it, if not all of it—is a reference exclusively to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This interpretation is fundamental to the postmillennial position, lest the events of which Jesus speaks interfere with postmillennialism’s future golden age. In contrast, premillennial dispensationalists claim that the Olivet Discourse refers exclusively to the future—not to AD 70, but to a future Jerusalem and a future temple. Negatively, the author exposes these errors, and demonstrates how a sober interpretation of Jesus’ teaching pulls the rug out from under these millennial systems. Positively, McGeown sees Matthew 24 and 25 as a blending of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, on the one hand, and Jesus’ second coming, on the other hand. The destruction of Jerusalem is a type or picture of Jesus’ second coming. This view, the amillennial view, and this view alone, does justice to Jesus’ words.

In a book on watching for Christ’s return, one would expect not only polemics, but also pointed instruction and warning for believers. After all, we are all prone to spiritual slumber instead of watching for Christ’s return. The command of scripture to watch for our Lord’s coming is a weighty command, and the author conveys it well: “Watch! Christ is coming. Let us not be found sleeping when he returns, but looking for his return. Let that watchfulness begin today if it has not been our habit before, so whether he comes on the clouds or calls us in death, we will be ready to meet him” (214). Called to Watch for Christ’s Return is a stirring call to stay vigilant in these last and evil days.

The book is also comforting and warm, an approach that arises from the author’s pastoral heart for God’s people who live in the perilous days prior to Jesus’ coming. This warm tone characterizes the entirety of the book, and climaxes in the last chapter; any reader’s heart will thrill in reading this last chapter, which explains, in part, the glories of the new heavens and the new earth. Read and meditate upon this breathtaking description of heaven: “Death, sin, and the curse will be absent—forever banished from the new creation. We will enjoy spiritual joy and satisfaction in abundance, for we will enter into the fullness of our inheritance. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit! That is life, eternal life, life that lasts forever and has no end. Life with Christ. Life in the presence of God, fellowshipping with him. That is blessedness and joy! That is worth waiting for! Do not fear the judgment day. Do not be weary with watching and waiting. But pray, even for that great day” (280).

Our Lord is coming. Watch. Watch—by reading. Called to Watch for Christ’s Return, as a faithful exposition of Jesus’ words, will instruct you, arm you against the errors, comfort you, and quicken your hope. Come, Lord Jesus, yea, come quickly.

Rev. Ryan Barnhill

The subject of the book is eschatology, the biblical doctrine of the last things.

“We amillennialists,” writes Engelsma, “proclaim a gospel that declares the little flock of Christ, that will always have tribulation in the world and whose members are killed all the day long, to be not merely conquerors but ‘more than conquerors’ (Luke 12:32; John 16:33; Rom. 8:36-37). See, this is not pessimism. This is optimism. This is the hugest optimism. This is optimism without any hint of pessimism.”

Christ’s Spiritual Kingdom includes fine exegesis of Revelation 20, Matthew 24 and Isaiah 65:17-25, and refutes “Jewish Dreams” and preterism.

Originally this book was a series of editorials in the Standard Bearer magazine.

“[Christ’s Spiritual Kingdom] breathes of the comfort and hope that the return of Christ brings to the believer … It is well-written and timely in its refutation of the views of Christian Reconstructionism” (British Church Newspaper).

“I was very blessed by Christ’s Spiritual Kingdom by Prof. Engelsma. I devoured it within the first week of its arrival.” – Norway

“Thank you for the book, Christ’s Spiritual Kingdom by Prof. David Engelsma. God willing, I plan to post that book on to the Kenyan pastors because this book is a wonderful defence of Reformed amillennialism and is a good bulwark against premillennialism and dispensationalism. This book is very timely and very useful and deserves to be widely read.” – England

“What a wonderful book in times like these, even in Namibia! … It is one of my library books that I give to members of the congregation.” – Namibia

The truth central to all eschatology is the second coming of Jesus Christ itself, what the Greek of the New Testament promises as the parousia, literally the presence (of our Saviour). All the other aspects of the biblical doctrine of the coming of Jesus are subordinate to this coming, either as leading to it, accompanying it or proceeding from it. Therefore, the proper subtitle of this second volume of The Church’s Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End is The Coming of Christ.

The coming of Christ Jesus, with all that is related to it, will be the “end.” Such is Jesus’ own description of his coming in Matthew 24:14: “And then shall the end come,” which might be paraphrased, “And then shall the goal be reached.” The coming of Christ, with all that precedes and follows, is the goal of God, not only with the events of the last days but also of all history. All the events belonging strictly to the last things, all the history of the New Testament church, all the history of the world beginning with its creation, and all the doctrines of the Christian faith have the coming, or presence, of Jesus Christ as their goal.

This is the importance of the content of this volume.

This is why the outstanding promise of the gospel is that uttered by Jesus himself: “I come quickly” (Rev. 22:12). This is why the fundamental prayer of the church is, in response, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

Here are the contents of volume 2 of The Church’s Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End:

Introduction
1. The Precursory Signs
2. The Unimportant Date of Revelation
3. The Sign of the Preaching of the Gospel
4. Apostasy
5. The Sign of Antichrist
6. Identity of Antichrist
7. Antichrist-Related Events
8. The Parousia
9. The Resurrection of the Dead
10. The Final Judgment
11. The Final State
Epilogue
Index

“Please send me volume 2 of The Church’s Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End. I am really looking forward to reading vol. 2, as vol. 1 was a great blessing.” – England 

A chapter of this book can be read in Polish.

The Christian’s hope is the visible, bodily, glorious return of the Lord Jesus on the clouds of heaven ushering in the resurrection of the body, the public vindication of the Triune God, His Christ and His people at the last judgment, and the everlasting enjoyment of covenant fellowship with the Saviour in the new creation.

David J. Engelsma writes on eschatology in the service of the church’s hope. This volume treats the magnificent subjects of the intermediate state and the millennium. The bulk of this book is devoted to a rigorous analysis of the latter, with a vigorous defence of Reformed amillennialism. Especially thorough is Engelsma’s critique of postmillennialism, which he rightly sees as a threat to Reformed churches. Both postmillennialism and dispensational premillennialism subvert the church’s hope, for postmillennialism fixes the believer’s hope on a golden age within history in which the church will be dominant—a carnal victory—and dispensationalism proclaims a fictitious rapture, which will snatch the church out of the world in order that God can fulfil His program in history with the Jews keeping the ceremonial law in the land of Israel for 1,000 literal years. Both views not only misdirect the church’s hope but also leave her unprepared for the future.

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 believer as he or she heeds our Lord’s instruction regarding His return: “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” (I Pet. 1:13).

“I’m enjoying Engelsma’s first volume about reformed eschatology and the confusion caused by the various millennial theories, its exponents and champions. This is a great resource. I am looking forward to the second volume.” – W. Midlands, England

Excerpts from this book can be read in Urdu.

Grier proves conclusively from the teachings of Christ and the apostles that the Christian is to expect one personal, visible, sudden, glorious coming of the Lord Jesus, which will bring immediately one general judgment of all men, and usher in the eternal state!

“This little volume sets forth in orderly and eminently readable fashion what most Calvinistic teachers believer concerning ‘the Second Advent and questions related thereto.’ With orthodox Christians of every age, the author holds that our Lord’s return will be personal, visible, sudden and unexpected, glorious and triumphant. Of three views styled respectively post-millennialism, pre-millennialism and non-millennialism, he advocates the last named as scriptural and shows that it has been maintained by a large majority of the Fathers and Reformers of the Church. In two valuable chapters dealing with the interpretation of prophecy, he points out that the literalist view leads logically to absurdities and is not adopted by the writers of the New Testament, who specifically state that many of the Old Testament predictions have been fulfilled, albeit in a spiritual sense … A general consideration of N.T. teaching on the subject, is followed by a more detailed review of the doctrine of the Gospels, Epistles and Apocalypse, special attention being devoted to the significance of the ‘millennium’ of Revelation chapter 20. Here is a book that will well repay study by those who seek to understand truth that is basic to Christian faith and hope.” (Peace and Truth).

Click here to read a review by one of our readers!

Click here to read this book in Portuguese.