The Sign

"The Sign" is a really great examination of end time events and chronology founded on Scriptural analysis. I read the first edition something like nine years ago and loved it; am re-reading the revised edition currently. It is refreshing to find a text that harmonizes and compares Scripture prophecies to find truth, rather than focuses on a few passages and/or ignores difficulty and contradiction. Both broad overview and specific detail are written well, with useful diagrams and illustrations. There is also a large (about 17 x 22 inches) removable color illustration that depicts the full 70th week of Daniel. At the end is a glossary for those unfamiliar with eschatological terms, a short Greek and Hebrew word index, a subject index, and (yes!!) a Scripture index. If you want to see if Van Kampen cites Ezekiel or has anything to say about Amos, there is a list that has chapter and verse. Especially if you read and study the Bible, "The Sign" will have you nodding you head. I love the section in Chapter 3 called, "God's Prophetic Plan." "Step 1" will wonderfully remind you how precious your faith is. There are some debatable issues contained in this book (big surprise, huh?). I think Rosenberg (2006 author of "Epicenter") makes a convincing case for Russia (not Germany) as being Magog. In fact, "Epicenter" is what made me pick up "The Sign" again. I was really into the Epi book unitil about Chapters 11-12 where I begin to be less agreeing. When I realized he was working with Ezekiel 38 and 39 without paying any attention to Revelation 15:16-21 and Rev 19:17-21, it bugged me. Ezekiel 38-39 is the Russian invasion ending in Armageddon. The invasion forces will "cover the land" 39:16 and "fall on the mountains" 39:4. The pins linking these sections of Revelation and Ezekiel are the great earthquake, followed by hail, followed by the feast of the birds. Ezekiel is talking about Armageddon, but he only details the beginning invasion and later deliverance, not talking about the inbetween persecution and trumpet/bowl judgements. You may also disagree about what Babylon is and the composition of the Beast Empire, but Van Kampen cites a lot of Bible and his arguments will surely sharpen your thinking and give you more information to consider. The closer we get to the end the clearer the picture gets. Russia's allegiance and support of Iran's nuke program is quite telling. The demography in "America Alone" (by Mark Steyn) reveals some of the mechanisms that will (may) set conditions needed for prophetic end time fulfillment. The demography is based on CURRENT census data, not extrapolations. Something else I wondered about- how can Europe not see the end time trends? The short answer (from Steyn's book) is that indigenous Europe in general is thoroughly secular and think/believe that religion is obsolete and backward. There's more to it, but I digress! I am re-reading "The Sign" for study and commentary and to re-acquaint with the

Robert Van Kampen has given us an extremely valuable and important work - one of only a handful of books that present the prewrath rapture position of the church. If you are completely new at endtime studies, it will be a tough read, but it will be worth it. Don't let the length put you off. This book is a milestone in Biblical Prophecy. Some may try to discourage you from reading it, knowing that you may never find a book with this view again on your own, because the bookstore shelves are basically saturated with only one view. You may however wish to start with "The Rapture Question Answered Plain And Simple" by the same author, or "The Prewrath Rapture Of The Church" by Marvin Rosenthal. Both of those books are concise and logically presented, and will still give you a firm foundation upon which to build your escatological studies.

This book does a very thorough job of pointing out and explaining the "last days" prophesies of the Bible. It is not light reading. Reads much like a college textbook. However, if you are interested in the subject, I don't think you will find a more informative or thorough reference. I highly recommend it for anyone who plans to be here for Christ's return.

This is a very well organized book. He has taken a much controversal subject and put all the cards on the table (or should I say the cork board, you will get it if you read it) and puts it all together in a way that will jump out at you. This is a book that ALL Christians should read. It has really helped and encouraged me to understand and dig deeper into the Word of God. I am ordering the study guide now so I can dig a little deeper. .... Thanks Mr. Van Kampen.