Paul Luckraft reviews 'When a Jew Rules the World' by Joel Richardson (WND Books, 2015)

From its intriguing and somewhat provocative title to its final sentence (in which the author expresses his personal longing for the day when indeed Jesus will rule the world) this is an impressive and wide-ranging book on the topic of the role of Israel in God's plan.

The author demonstrates a powerful theological and historical argument for God's sovereign election of Israel and his eternal purposes for them, guiding the reader through the history of the Jewish people and their all-important role in God's future kingdom, when Messiah Jesus will be in complete charge.

He is thoroughly convinced that if the church "is to ever regain the clarity and prophetic spirit it needs to navigate the dark days ahead" then it must reject the false doctrine of replacement theology and begin the process of cleansing "by acknowledging Israel as the essential thread that runs throughout the Lord's unfolding promise-plan of redemption" (p6). He hopes this book will help to combat the ignorance and arrogance whose consequences have been seen throughout history and which are likely to be repeated in the days ahead.

This is an impressive and wide-ranging book which guides readers through the history of the Jewish people and their role in God's future kingdom.

Surveying History and Theology

The book is in three parts. The first outlines what the Bible says about Israel in the plan of God, including a discussion of each of the main covenants found in the Old Testament and a look ahead to what is promised in the new covenant, including the restoration of the Jewish Kingdom.

As he examines the Biblical covenants with Abraham, Moses and David, he doesn't shirk the issues of land and what this will one day mean when Jesus rules the world. Overall in this section he provides a very helpful analysis of the distinctions between these three covenants - and condemns those who blur them into one 'old' covenant.

The second part is an historical survey of what he calls 'Jew-hatred', a term he prefers to 'anti-Semitism' as it is more specific. He asserts that replacement theology, or 'supersessionism' (again, his preferred terminology), is at the heart of this Jew-hatred, being both its foundational principle and constant driving force. The details here are largely familiar and are found in many other similar works of this kind, but it is an essential part of his overall thesis. He tackles the atrocities in their usual chronological order, from 115 AD and the early Church Fathers, via Constantine and onwards to Luther and the Reformation, the Russian pogroms and finally, of course, the Holocaust.

Richardson examines the distinctions between God's covenants with Abraham, Moses and David, condemning their blurring into one 'old' covenant.

The third section is largely a consideration of Biblical prophetic passages. Richardson's conviction is that we must take the Bible literally wherever possible and that these things will happen. As a consequence of this belief, Jesus will one day rule from Jerusalem. The only way to avoid this conclusion is to spiritualise the promises God gave to Israel, and create a preterist or amillennial theology (these terms are clearly explained!). The author declares that the only way to combat the errors of replacement theology is by advocating a thoroughly restorationist, futurist, pre-millennialist position (again, all is made clear early on, in chapter 2).

The author attacks logically but lovingly those who distort clear biblical truth. He is prepared to name them while recognising that they do hold their beliefs most sincerely. However, he points out that "even the most brilliant mind is at a profound disadvantage when defending something that is not true" (p62). A gifted eloquence is no substitute for truth.

The book analyses what the Bible says about Israel - including its future - and surveys anti-Semitism through the ages.

Islamic 'Replacement Theology'

His book includes an interesting chapter on Islamic supersessionism, showing how Islam has embraced its own form of replacement theology over both Jews and Gentiles. Within this he remarks how the Islamic view of the end-times changes the role of Jesus on his return from that of Jewish King to Muslim preacher and judge - no longer a Jew ruling the world but an advocate of Islam!

There is a very good section on many of the great teachers and preachers who predicted the re-establishment of Israel, such as JC Ryle, Charles Spurgeon and David Baron. He also upholds Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Corrie Ten Boom as two shining examples for our day.

Towards the end he issues a warning to those interested in biblical prophecy and apocalyptic matters that it is so easy to approach all this "in a factual, yet deeply detached and emotional manner" and forget that we "are speaking of real families, real people, real lives. If discussing these things does not fill our hearts with sorrow or drive us to our knees in prayer, then it is clear that we are not seeing them through the eyes of the Father or His Son, Jesus" (p234-5).

Excellent from start to finish - thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants to understand better the relationship of Israel to Bible prophecy.

Thoroughly Recommended

Here is a well-informed approach to the topic - clear and very readable. Richardson knows what needs to be said and how to say it for our benefit and edification. His book has good endnotes and a general index, though not a bibliography or scripture index. Clearly he has thought through in detail what it means to believe in a Jewish kingdom within the Millennium, and he is able to reassure us that the olive tree into which we are grafted is not dead or uprooted.

Excellent from start to finish, this book is thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants to understand better the relationship of Israel to Bible prophecy.

Hardback, 273 pages, available from Awesome Books for £13.43 + P&P, or from Amazon for £18.58.

Paul Luckraft interviews Neil Turner, author of 'End-time Survivor' (reviewed in Prophecy Today last year). Neil runs the Omega Programme, which teaches believers how to live well in these significant days.

Neil's intriguing comment that his book took 25 years to research and five years to write made me want to find out what had inspired him and kept him going during this long process. As he shared his story with me, I learnt how much God was behind this lifelong passion and realised the truth that, in Neil's own words, "life is lived forwards but understood backwards."

Earlier Years

Neil did not have the advantage of a Christian upbringing but when, aged 14, his brother invited him to an evangelistic meeting in the aftermath of the UK Festival of Light, he experienced a strong conversion. During his teens he grew in his new-found faith through youth groups and church fellowships, though his time at school was less successful. After poor A Level results he realised that university was not for him so instead he sought out a career in industry.

Neil's story is one of faith and God-driven passion through which he has learned that "life is lived forwards but understood backwards."

Aged 19 he went to work for British Aerospace and was trained in project management. His working life gave him the opportunity to develop his skills in this area over a period of 20 years - skills which God would use later - but by the end of this time he was feeling unhappy. He had reached a ceiling and a change of direction seemed desirable.

Going Deeper in Scripture

Also during this period of his life he was offered the chance to lead a fellowship in his native North West, which he did for a handful of years. In this role the demands of teaching the Bible on a regular basis provided the impetus to study the scriptures in more depth. The prophetic aspects in particular began to attract his attention. He learnt extensively through the ministries of renowned Bible teachers such as Derek Prince and David Pawson, and he also decided he needed a personal mentor to help him at this time. Keith Mason, founder of the Creative Word Bible College, Rochdale, took on this role and has been a wise guide and friend from that point on.

Neil realised that he was not cut out to be a pastor, so this was not an option for him once he felt uncertain about his current job. Instead, when he resigned in 1999 he joined Marconi Management College, which brought him to the Midlands where he now lives. However, after just one year in this new job he was made redundant, aged 40. That year was an intense learning curve, profitable but short. It was over almost before it had begun. What next?

Living on God's Expense Account

It was then that God stepped in and directed him to set up his own business in project management training. At first this was successful and kept Neil very busy. Then the work dried up. Financially this became extremely challenging. Neil shared how that at one point he was down to his last pound and he felt utterly helpless. He can recall even now the despair at being brought so low, especially when he felt he had been obeying God's call. However, he can also testify that "God brings you to the end of your strength to bring you into his."

Eventually work built up again and Neil found that God's promises do hold. His faith had been strengthened through adversity. He confesses that he can now go forward knowing that "if I'm on my Father's business, I'm on his expense account." Life is indeed understood backwards.

Adversity shows us that God's promises do hold and we can walk forward in faith.

Neil's book 'End Time Survivor'The Book Takes Shape

During all this Neil was continuing his studies, especially in prophetic areas. His approach was to set himself small personal projects. Eventually he studied the book of Revelation, looking for the patterns that God had put there. While not ignoring what he could learn from others he was determined to build up his own potential and seek out truth using the skills God had been giving him over the preceding part of his life.

Eventually it became clear to Neil that these small studies could be developed into something bigger, and the idea of a book took shape. He began to map out what it should look like, forming an outline and some of the sections. Once he had this in place he found a greater motivation for more study. Seeking God, he received more and more insights, sometimes being woken in the night to be instructed by the Holy Spirit.

At first he was effectively writing for his own benefit, to convince himself what was true and what was not. His style evolved to match this. Essentially he was not approaching this so much as a writer but as a project manager. In fact, it dawned on him that he was actually doing project management on his own project! From small beginnings and over a period of 25 years, a book was beginning to emerge. His eventual aim was to "create the most comprehensive account of end-time prophecy available".

The Omega Programme

The problem of publishing was a particularly tricky one. No-one was interested and at this point such disappointments could easily have dispirited Neil once more. But he had learnt to trust God and so he persisted. With help from others he realised the best way forward was to publish his work as an e-book and to be able to print on demand, a valid option for a first-time author unknown to the publishing world.

But again it was a difficult process. Only a few copies were sold. However, this was not to be the end. The book was essentially a course in print form, a handbook which contained modules rather than chapters. So why not deliver it as a course, especially as Neil had been trained to do just this?!

It became clear to Neil that all his small studies could be developed into something bigger – and as the outline of his book took shape, so his motivation to study grew.

Thus the Omega Programme was established, and in 2014 Neil began to take people through a series of modules based upon the book. Once again Keith Mason acted as mentor and overseer, and sensibly Neil also set up what he calls a council of reference - a small group of people to whom he is accountable.

This is now how Neil sees his material should be shared, with the book backing up his training modules. As a trainer Neil wants to see behavioural change in those he teaches. Regarding the end-times that means preparation and survival. Is the Church ready? What should it believe and do differently?

Why Stop There?

What next for Neil? He continues to work very successfully as a trainer in the secular world. Clearly his heart is in the Omega programme and helping people understand what the Bible says is coming upon the world as the end of the age approaches.

Will he write another book? Maybe, but more likely he will seek to extend what he is already doing, perhaps by training others to deliver the material. Training the trainers sounds just up his street!

Whatever the future, he knows that God will always have more for him. Neil would sum up his journey as God repeatedly telling him to keep going. Time and again God said "Why stop there?" And that is the message he would share to encourage others. Whatever you are doing, take it further. Keep moving forwards. You may only understand it later but always look for more. There is always a way ahead with God, even if brick walls appear and obstacles obstruct. Never settle. Seek the next level. And keep asking yourself, "Why stop there?"

Click here for more information about the Omega Programme. Our review of Neil's book 'End-Time Survivor' can be found here (includes purchase details).

'The Return of Jesus Christ' by Mark Dunman (New Wine Press, 2015, 208 pages, available from the publisher for £10.99, or from the author's site for £10. Save £2 when you buy with 'Has God Really Finished With Israel?')

This is Mark's second book and continues the excellent standard of writing and analysis demonstrated in his first (Has God Really Finished With Israel?).

The author has skilfully navigated his way through the many issues and complexities surrounding the return of Jesus and we can follow him with confidence. He demonstrates a maturity and honesty over his own thinking on these matters, being prepared to say where he has changed his mind or is no longer certain.

Refreshingly he has allowed the study of the Scripture to overrule any emotional responses he may previously have had. He now knows what he believes but he still understands the tensions between various opinions and does not downgrade genuine views that have some Biblical support. He is always fair-minded; persuasive without being argumentative.

In this second book, Mark skilfully navigates many complex issues surrounding the return of Jesus, with refreshing honesty and devotion to Scripture.

Another Book on the End Times?

Mark is open enough to ask why there is need for another book on this topic - though clearly he believes there is. His main concern is that most Christians avoid this area because there is such a multiplicity of views which can be off-putting. He admits this state of affairs cannot be avoided but offers to help us grasp the principal views and then build on these once a basic understanding becomes established. Here is a real teacher at work.

He does not insist on a single view on everything, but will leave some things open to further insight. He recognises it is unrealistic to always expect a unanimous view but asserts it is possible to narrow down the options, clear away the weaker arguments and to indicate one view to be more likely than another. That, he states, "is what I hope to do" (p15) - and this he certainly does.

Topical Approach

His introductory chapter leads us confidently into the analyses that follow. His approach is mainly topical. He tackles the Millennium first, as it is his conviction that what we believe about this will affect other areas, such as the tribulation and rapture. This gives the book a sound structure that is easy to follow.

His second chapter is an excellent exposition on the various views on the Millennium with a very helpful summary chart at the start and other diagrams to guide us as we read on. We then move on to consider the tribulation, Antichrist and the rapture, all handled with expert ease.

Here is a real teacher at work – who admits the complexity of the situation and then helps us build up a basic understanding, without insisting on a single view on everything.

Eventually we work our way into the Gospels and the signs Jesus mentions, and inevitably some attention is given to the various views on the book of Revelation and the conundrums it contains. However, he does not go into these in great detail. His main concern is to show how Revelation ties in with similar Old Testament prophecies. Two other chapters worth a special mention are those on the mystery of Babylon, and the day of the Lord and God's wrath.

Improved Resources

As in his first book there are excellent endnotes to each chapter, which helps keep the main text uncluttered. However, unlike before, this time the appendices, glossary and indexes are placed within the book - not on his website; a definite improvement and worth the extra £1 and additional pages! There are also five appendices. Particularly illuminating are those on the Biblical measurement of time, the interpretative rule of double fulfilment and Ezekiel's temple.

There is one slight overlap with his first book - the chapter where he explains his approach to Scripture and how to interpret it. The material here is very similar but it is necessary to repeat within this book. The only question is why it is left until chapter 7 and not placed earlier on.

Fresh and Relevant

Recent events and dangers regarding the Middle East provided Mark with the motivation to write another book to ensure that Christians are not overtaken by events and to urge them to pray into these situations. Certainly there is a great need for teaching on the return of Christ, whether imminent or not. Christians have a duty to keep this theme in the forefront of their faith and to pass it on to each generation. This book shows how this can be done. We no longer have any excuse to shirk our responsibility or be scared of it.

Overall, this is a superb piece of work that cannot be recommended highly enough. It has to be one of the best recent books on the return of Christ. Every page is thoughtful and well-written. Read it at whatever pace you wish: quickly to get a clear overview if you are not yet familiar with the ideas, or repeatedly and at leisure to build up more understanding. It will remain fresh and powerful however many times you revisit it.

This is a superb piece of work – it has to be one of the best recent books on the return of Christ.