'End-time Survivor', by Neil Turner (Oxford e-books, 2013, 398 pages), available on Amazon for £22.18 (hardback) or £9 (Kindle Edition)

This relatively recent book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to build up their understanding of the complexities of End-Time theology. The subtitle - "A practical handbook for overcomers in the last days" - describes its aim perfectly and it certainly achieves this objective.

The author recognises that as well as being informative there is a need to offer practical advice, especially for younger people who may have to be those end-time overcomers. He is aware that each generation has the responsibility to prepare the next for whatever might happen.

25 Years of Research

The book took 5 years to write and is the result of 25 years of research into all that Scripture teaches on the last days and the return of Christ. As a handbook it accompanies a course that the author has also put together over this time, called the Omega Programme, but it can equally be used very effectively as a personal study guide. The fact that it is the product of an oft-repeated course prepared over a long period means that it is tried and tested. But one of its most impressive features is that it does not come across merely as a course handbook. It has been well-written and thought through for the general reader. Here is a dedicated and skilful teacher who can present his material in whatever format is required.

This book is accompanies a tried and tested course on the subject – but is more than a mere course handbook.

The style is pleasant, easy-going and immediate. The author does not lecture but presents his ideas with sufficient modesty and humility. He tells you when he is speculating or less sure but we are always confident he has studied it thoroughly himself first. However, he does expect you to do some of the work yourself. You are required to think things through for yourself and only by putting in sufficient time and effort will you get the most out of this book. This is perhaps where the course handbook element comes through most strongly.

Theological Approach

His theological approach is a very valid one and offers a clear guide through the whole topic. He sensibly begins with the teachings of Jesus in the gospel, calling it the 'Spine of Biblical Prophecy'. After establishing this "firm foundation for our prophetic panorama" (p85), he sets out to tackle the whole of the book of Revelation. In fact he provides the full text of Revelation, set out in a distinctive and helpful way (pp92-133). Given the length and complexity of Revelation this is a very useful preliminary for the analysis that follows and in itself makes this book a worthwhile addition to other similar study materials.

Clearly there is no single easy way through the maze of texts and topics on the last days but the author has an approach which is as good as any and better than many. All you expect is there; he does not shirk any aspect. If it remains complicated at times (for instance, Revelation) that's because inevitably it is and cannot be over-simplified without losing something important.

Standout Chapters

Two other chapters are worth a special mention. One is an excellent and thorough analysis of life in the modern world and the trends that seem to be leading to the Tribulation (Ch 6). The other is on Israel, clearly important to God's future plans (Ch 7). There is a lot of Old Testament background on Israel here, perhaps more than necessary for readers who are already Biblically literate, but for anyone approaching end-time theology without this understanding it certainly fills a vital gap.

This book is definitely worth the space on your shelf and the money from your pocket.

Overall this is a well-designed book. The print is large and easy to read, and there are plenty of very useful and colourful charts and pictures (though some pictures seem a little irrelevant and the Word Clouds more gimmicky than informative). The bibliography is rather brief, and there is no index, either topical or Biblical, but there is a helpful key at the front (p17) explaining how to use the book. It comes in hardback form and given its inevitable length this makes it rather heavy and expensive. Nevertheless it is definitely worth the space on your shelf and the money from your pocket.