Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus’ Return Gives Strength for Today Chris Davis. Zondervan, 2022.
Many books written about the end times from a Christian perspective are either sensationalistic attempts to connect contemporary events with biblical prophecy or ones that strongly argue for a specific eschatological scenario.
Whether they promote premillennial, amillennial or postmillennial viewpoints or debate the timing of the rapture, these books can lead the average Christian reader into a complicated consideration of different theories of biblical interpretation and application.
There is a place for that discussion, but in his book “Bright Hope for Tomorrow,” pastor and author Chris Davis takes another approach. Davis serves as senior pastor of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham and Phoenix Seminary in Scottsdale, Arizona.
His book looks at the broader biblical instructions about serving and waiting in light of the Second Coming without focusing on the many debates about exact timing and end times scenarios. He examines the vital role of hope that grounds Christian faith as we look to the future.
Davis leads the reader through biblical teaching such as Paul’s encouragement to grieving Christians at Thessalonica and the glorious promise of reunion at the return of Jesus.
He shows that the Day of the Lord was a common theme that emphasized both the good news of God’s victory and the bad news of certain judgment upon the lost (p. 29). He notes that when Paul and John encountered the resurrected Christ, they were overwhelmed by His glorious majesty.
Davis sees these events as a foretaste of what every believer will one day experience (p. 49). He sketches the themes of Christ as “Warrior King,” “Bridegroom,” “Judge” and “resurrected One” as helpful portraits to keep in mind.
The final chapters focus on the importance of gathering together as believers, purifying our lives and serving as we wait for Christ’s return. I found this book to be one of the most helpful and encouraging books about the end times I have ever encountered.
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