A Guide to the End Times...

Todd Hampson is not like most prophecy teachers out there.  I have shared quite a few of his blog posts, articles and podcasts over the last several months because of his excellent knowledge and approachable style.  He has a unique style, and his new prophecy book that I am currently reading is different as well.... And by different I mean better.

A guidebook about Bible Prophecy faces many challenges before a single page is turned.  As we all know too well, many people (many Christians even) are put off by the subject... long standing walls are built and most books written on it are fairly dry, uncolorful and hard to follow (especially if you are new to the subject).  This one is different. This one is better.

This one can break through those walls.

The Non-Prophet's Guide to the End Times: Bible Prophecy for Everyone

First off, the entire book is printed in COLOR.  When is the last time you read a paperback printed in full color?  It is also filled with illustrations and graphics, hundreds of works of art that help illustrate and explain the topic's at hand.  Todd also uses some humor to disarm the readers before filling them with meat straight from God's word.  His explanations of complex topics are very thoughtful and thorough, yet laid out in a way that is approachable, even for readers who are new to Bible Prophecy.

So if you are inclined I invite you to read on about this new book written by my friend and brother in Christ Todd.  He has poured his heart into this work and it shows. Below I have dropped in some images of the book , YouTube interviews of him describing the book, as well as a Q/A he did for us on a few relevant questions (including his thoughts on the Rev 12 Sign).

As an overview, the book is about 220 pages long and broken into 4 parts....starting with the basics of Bible Prophecy and steadily moves deeper and deeper into specific signs we are seeing now that point to the lateness of the hour. I am happy to say that a very clear 7 page presentation of the Good News is presented in a chapter near the end of the book, also filled with many excellent graphics intended to help people realize their need for Christ, and how to be saved.  Todd also weaves in personal details of his own walk and how coming to an understand of Bible prophecy and the hope of the rapture helped him get on the right path.

As I type this I can't help but think about my unsaved or lukewarm loved ones who are on the wrong path and oblivious to the fact we are on the threshold of the tribulation. Obviously my preference by far would for them to come to faith now, but if they don't and I could choose 2 books that they could have access to during that time to it would be the Bible and quite possibly Todd's book.  Together I believe they would have be able recognize what has happened, what comes next, and know how to be saved.

I fully realize that many of you reading this aren't in need of learning the basics of bible prophecy. But I am positive we all know many people who are completely illiterate on the subject.   And if we are as close to the rapture and tribulation as it seems like we are, then this is the type of resource you want in the hands of your friends and family.

I have never made a dime of this site and that won't change if you decide to buy this book.  But I do think you should buy it... perhaps multiple copies.  This book is something that could help save someone from the wrath to come... or God forbid, if they are still here after the rapture, this book could be the easy to understand resource that makes all the difference in the world for them in the tribulation.


Part 1 of Todd's Prophecy Watchers Interview (28 minutes)

Todd shared something with me a while back that I haven't been able to shake.  He shared how one of his readers thought that the reason God called him to write this book at this time was clear.  This would be a great handbook to point people to the truth during the tribulation. This book will point them to the truth of what we see so clear.... so even if they don't read it now...it is something you will want at their fingertips for when that great and terrible day comes.

So that is why I am writing this post now... so you can hopefully have time to buy it before Christmas and give it as a gift to your friends and family.  If they aren't saved yet, maybe they won't read it now... but at least you will know that is there for them on they day they do desperately NEED it.

Part 2 of Todd's Prophecy Watchers Interview (Also 28 minutes)

With all that said, here is a Q/A that I asked Todd to respond to. He wrote me back almost immediately. You will see his answers are thoughtful and honest. I asked him specifically about the Rev12 Sign and a few other things I thought you guys may be interested in....Enjoy!

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Rev12 Daily's Question and Answer with Todd Hampson

What is your favorite aspect of your book?

I’m tempted to say the humor and artwork, but honestly my favorite part about the book is that it is systematic, yet easy to understand. What I mean by that is that even if someone is new to Bible prophecy, they will wrestle with concepts and form convictions in each chapter that build on what they studied in the previous chapter. Someone may not agree with every single detail in the book, but they will definitely walk away having a fairly thorough understanding of the topic and the various views.

How have you seen God use this book?

God has been using this book in many ways, here are a few examples that I have heard about:

• A man in Chicago decided to use it in his men’s group for a 6 week Bible study. None of them have studied Bible prophecy before. 
• A middle school education director is using it to teach middle school aged students about Bible prophecy and the Lord’s return for the first time.
•  A car repair chain purchased multiple copies to leave in the waiting room for patrons to read while they wait. They have given away several copies to customers who are intrigued. 
• Half of the people on my launch team had never studied Bible prophecy before (thought it was too confusing, scary, or divisive) but all love Bible prophecy now, and are continuing to reach out to others on social media to tell them about the relevance of the book…and more importantly, telling others that the topic CAN be understood and WILL bless those who study it! 
• Many people are getting multiple copies to give away to family and friends for Christmas etc.

What are your thoughts on the Rev12 Sign?

I really wrestled with it. At first, I thought it was a stretch until I studied the details. I don’t believe in coincidence and I believe God is sovereign over every atom in the universe. Given all of the other signs that are converging in our generation, that makes it all the more intriguing. I’m by no means an expert on the issue but in my gut/spirit I believe it is a sign pointing to the Lord’s soon return, along with other astronomical markers. I think God is using everything he can to warn people so as many as possible will be raptured before the tribulation period.

My loosely held view right now (not having studied the issue anywhere near as in depth as you and others) is that perhaps it’s a foreshadow representation of what John saw. John was so descriptive and vivid and I tend to think his best crack at describing the visions he saw were, by nature, understated. In other words, I don’t think he saw the sign as we saw it in the sky. I think he saw it in much greater detail.

That being said, I think what we witnessed was a hint of what’s coming. Its like seeing a 3x5 picture of the Grand Canyon before you go on the trip. When you get there, you recognize the canyon, but seeing it in real life blows your mind.

Why do you think so many big name teachers dismissed the Rev12 Sign outright?

I think most of them were afraid that it would lead to date-setting and that this would cause confusion. I understand their concerns. But, for the reasons stated above (and many verses about God speaking through his creation, and verses about signs in the sun, moon, stars before the tribulation period), I just couldn’t dismiss it outright.

Personally, I didn’t feel called to champion it as a main prophetic theme. Just like in the army, we all have different assignments and sensibilities. The body is made up of many parts and we all have a different make up, a different set of spiritual gifts, and a different calling.

Speaking of the body, one thing I think is critical right now is unity in the body—especially among Bible prophecy students and teachers. We may not all agree on every detail, but we should strive for unity and be patient and understanding of different points of view.

I am sure you considered including the Rev12 Sign (and other recent astronomical signs like the Eclipse) in your book? Why didn’t you?

Mostly because of what I mentioned above. I really wrestled with what exactly it means, and I didn’t feel comfortable putting anything in the book that I’m still studying. I really only felt comfortable writing about the things I’ve studied in-depth and have firm convictions about.

Also, my book is more of an overview book, designed to reach a new generation with the message of Bible prophecy and introduce them to some of the key signs pointing to the Lord’s soon return. It’s also written to be somewhat evergreen (at least until the Lord returns). If, by chance several years go by and the Lord delays, I didn’t want the book to be dated. The book is a broad overview and I think the Revelation 12 debate could be a book in its own. By the way, I know a guy who could write it. :o)

What advice can you give to someone feels the Lords return is very near, but still has many obligations in this life to attend to.... How do you strike the balance?

I really believe we must actively wait. What I mean by that is, we must continue to make plans, move forward, go to college, take the new job, and all the other normal life stuff. All signs point to His soon return, but we still see just a poor reflection. We need to be found faithful, actively working when He returns.

We need to trust that God is sovereign over the steps of our lives and just keep moving forward, planning our next steps as we wait, while at the same time living with expectancy. Take it a day at a time, but continue to plan for next year. God will guide you right where he wants you.

My oldest son is in college and is looking forward to a future including a career, getting married, raising a family, etc. We have talked many times about the Lord’s return and I have advised him to just keep moving forward with life and trust God with the timing. Obey God one step at a time and follow through with whatever assignment He currently has you on.

What is something you look forward to doing after the rapture?

Oh wow. So many things! Reuniting with believing loved ones who have gone before me. Seeing the Lord face to face. Discovering the reality of all the things I’ve imagined and so much more! It is surreal to ponder, but one day it will all be real! One verse, the Lord has been encouraging me with lately is John 20:29 —Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The split second we are raptured, every struggle we ever faced will be 100% worth it. I…can’t…wait!

Pretend you are giving this to someone you care about but has little to no interest in the end times or the Lords return: How would you describe it? 

If they are not yet a believer, I would bring up the elephant in the room. The world is falling apart. I would point to the instability in the world and address the fear they have simmering just beneath the surface. Then I would tell them that the Bible says this is exactly what the world would look like just before the Lord returns. I would acknowledge that there are quite a few looney people out there confusing the issue of Bible prophecy and this book tries to address all of that.

If they are a believer, I would talk up the books simplicity, visual nature, humor, and solid theology. I would also ask them if they ever really contemplated the fact that the Lord could be coming in their lifetime. I would acknowledge the confusion and infighting about various views and mention that this book addresses all of that in a simple, systematic format.

Where are the best places to buy the book in order to get it by Christmas?

Amazon or Christianbook.com

(Note.... this book is currently $7.00 off at Christian Book right now during their last minute Christmas sale ($9.99).  Amazon currently has it $12.37)

Thank you guys for reading this post, and thank you Todd for creating this valuable resource.  I really feel that God has huge plans for this book and pray that He will continue to do whatever it takes to get it out there into the hands of the people who need it most before He returns.  I pray that this post plays a part in accomplishing that task.  God Bless you all and Merry Christmas.