Mark Hitchcock

Com o interesse crescente, em nossos dias, pelo Anticristo, a curiosidade corre solta tanto entre cristãos como descrentes e isso por um bom motivo. Em livros, filmes e mesmo nas rodas de conversações surgem tantas ideias diferentes sobre quem ele é, o que ele fará e a época da sua chegada, que está ficando difícil separar o fato bíblico das especulações humanas.
O renomado especialista em Profecias Bíblicas, Mark Hitchcock, pesquisou na única fonte em que o leitor pode confiar, a Bíblia, e responde a questões como…

De onde virá o Anticristo?
Quando ele aparecerá na terra?
Qual o significado do número 666?
Como ele assumirá o poder e o que lhe acontecerá depois?
Ele será conhecido antes do Arrebatamento?
Com um estilo agradável e em forma de perguntas-e-respostas, o autor conduz os leitores por um roteiro fascinante de todas as passagens-chave sobre o Anticristo, contidas na Bíblia e compartilha o como essas informações se aplicam às suas vidas nos dias atuais.… (mais)

The Coming Apostasy: Exposing the Sabotage of Christianity from Within by Mark Hitchcock and Jeff Kinley is a very highly recommended plea to the church to return to sound Biblical teaching.

Apostasy is falling away from the faith. It is the rejection of sound and wholesome teaching that is based on the Bible. The Bible warns that, "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

"Apostasy represents an abandonment of faith, and it can happen over time without a person realizing it. In fact, just the opposite may occur, as pride mixed with false doctrine leads to an attitude of superiority, complacency, and self-righteousness." Authors Hitchcock and Kinley have four purposes for writing this book: (1) to help Christians understand what apostasy is; (2) to help us understand that it’s surging all around us and is a serious sign of the end times; (3) to guard us from spiritual shipwreck and the danger of sinking; and (4) to help us understand the truth so that we stay on course as we await Christ’s return.

Many Christians can see that we are living in a time when sound doctrine is under siege and the Bible is being reduced to an outdated book of suggestions. It seems that people are more concerned with how they feel about whatever moral or theological topic is under consideration rather than what the Bible says. As pride mixes with false doctrine, it "leads to an attitude of superiority, complacency, and self-righteousness." Individuals, churches, and whole denominations are subject to a falling away from sound doctrine. Our guide to what is right and wrong should be the Bible.

The word of God does not change - people do. God does not compromise or rewrite his truth - people do. And in our quest to be relevant and up-to-date we are trying to please unbelievers by compromising the very inerrant and infallible word of God. Bringing home the point that it is currently unconscionable that we are even considering negotiating with a certain ideology that believes they have "holy mandate" to subjugate or kill outsiders. Right now Hitchcock and Kinley are spot on in their observation that: "The war in the East is to establish a religion. The war in the West is to eradicate a religion."

The Coming Apostasy is well written and organized, making it easy for readers to follow and understand the points being made. I agree with everything written in it, although I would prefer one or maybe two translations of the Bible be used rather than five, or at least do a parallel version to see/compare alternate translations. This is just a personal preference, but I also understand why different translations can make points easier to comprehend for a wide variety of people.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers.
on 3/5/17: http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1929979255… (mais)

When was the last time you heard a sermon that really hit you where it hurt?

Like most of us today, we've become desensitized to what the gospel really teaches us. We've had political and societal leaders convince us that it's okay to allow certain things to go on in our world. It's politically incorrect to stand up against the morals, or rather lack thereof, that we see in the world around us. And yet, where are our preachers? Where are those old fire and brimstone Bible thumpers who would shout the roof down when preaching? Where have they all gone?

There are a few around. There are a few good Christians still standing around. Or rather, mulling around. Not really saying much. Why is that? Fear of being turned on?

Celebrities in our country who stand up and proclaim their Christianity are turned on. Sports players are turned on when they are heard to say that they prayed, or trusted in God. Our teachers, the most precious aid in this world in helping to establish our children's morals and belief's, are not allowed to mention God in the classroom. The Pledge of Allegiance can no longer be said in the classrooms today because of the line "one nation under God".

When was the last time you heard a preacher stand up and actually preach against transgender individuals, homosexuals, or abortion? Few do.

This my friend, is called apostasy. And Hitchcock and Kinley are here to guide you through this maze of worldly teaching. The two team up to tear apart the current trend from teachers today. Ministers, laypersons, and politics.

Are today's ministers simply telling the people what they want to hear? Are the "skipping over" all that nasty, politically incorrect "stuff" we find in the Bible?

"The great apostasy is coming, but is it closer than we imagine?", states the back cover of this book.

There are difficult times coming, Hitchcock and Kinley can help keep you on the path that is straight and narrow that leads to Heaven. Don't be fooled. The path that leads to destruction is wide, and many can fit across it's width and length.

We must stand up for what we believe in. And we must face ridicule if it comes. Or even worse. But we must press on, telling the good news, but preaching against what is sending so many straight to the gates of Hell.

I believe every Christian should read this book.

I give this five stars.

A big thumbs up.

And my personal highly recommended award.… (mais)