Perilous Times: A Study in Eschatological Evil

by Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.

In this work Dr. Gentry provides in-depth studies of the five principle passages defining these "perilous times": Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:1-36; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10; Revelation 13:1-18; and Revelation 17:1-11. These texts are crucial to understanding biblical eschatology.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction

174 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. is a Reformed theologian, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA). He is particularly known for his support for and publication on the topics of orthodox preterism and postmillennialism in Christian eschatology, as well as for theonomy and six day creation. He holds that each of these theological distinctives are logical and theological extensions of his foundational theology, which is Calvinistic and Reformed.

Facebook pages:

Public Figure
https://www.facebook.com/KennethLGent...
He Shall Have Dominion (Book)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Good Birth Ministries
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Reviews

[Daniel]

Gentry gives a relatively concise and persuasive presentation of the preterist position that most of the apocalyptic prophecies of the Bible have already occurred. His interpretation of Daniel's prophecy of the 70 weeks makes a lot of sense (although his reasoning for why the abomination of desolation does not occur in the 70th week is very weak and reminds me a lot of the gap theory of the dispensationalists). He does a pretty good job answering most of the common objections to preterism, although his interpretation of Matthew 24 relies almost completely on a single phrase, as does his interpretation of Revelation to a lesser extent. But overall, he gives believable readings of some of the most difficult passages for preterists.

My biggest issue with the book overall is Gentry's general position that those who believe in future fulfillment of these apocalyptic prophecies are hopelessly doomed to pessimism. If this were true, then John, Paul, and all the other apostles must have been hopelessly pessimistic, as it is indisputable that the "perilous times" were future to them (and Gentry argues that they actually occurred in the apostles' lifetime). However, the apostles were not filled with a spirit of pessimism, but rather a spirit of hope, which implies that our hope as Christians should be significantly less based on earthly events than Gentry implies. I also believe that Gentry is straw manning specific non-preterists and the general futurist position by saying it lacks hope. For instance, he describes Billy Graham in this way because of his book "Storm Warning", despite the fact that one of the explicit goals of the book is to point "to the hope and renewal found in Christ." And more generally, I think it is a wildly inaccurate, unfair, and borderline slanderous characterization to call Billy Graham unhopeful. Gentry deals with most of the contemporary Christians who disagree with him in a similar way. I think the author does much to undermine his credibility and impressive scholarship with this improper treatment of fellow Christians.

[David Carraway]

I have read Dr. Gentry's books "The Beast of Revelation" and "Before Jerusalem Fell" and bought this book mainly to read what he had to say on the Man of Lawlessness found in 2 Thessalonians. Anyone who has read any of Gentry's books on eschatology knows he holds that Nero Ceasar was the beast of Revelation aka "the" antichrist and in his chapter on the Man of Lawlessness he ties this in with Nero as well. He gave some scriptural and historical evidences to show that this may be so but it is something I'm going to have to study further before I come to a conclusion.

He ends his book with a defense for the eschatological position known as Postmillennialism. I can't say that I agree with Dr. Gentry in every point he makes in regards to eschatology but I would still recommend this book as he still has allot of good information.

[Matthew Rawlings]

Yet another masterful work by Dr. Gentry. The chapter on 2 Thessalonians is especially strong. The only reason I give it 4 instead of 5 stars is that his section on Daniel 9 is a bit muddled. It is not that I disagree with the author (far from it) but his back-and-forth comparisons with dispensationalists confuses his own positive presentation. I think he should have set forth his exegesis and arguments and reserved a chapter summarizing his points and then demonstrate the shortcomings of the dispensational approach. Still, I highly recommend it.

[Doug Hawkinson]

Good Read, pretty well documented

I’m not fully committed to Postmillenialism. I need more research before that happens. However his arguments are for the most part quite plausible.

[Caryn Block]

Great read!

Clearly written and easy to understand. Gentry did a great job tying passages from the Old Testament and New Testament together, in order to explain prophetic imagery. Definitely gave me a better understanding of the passages in 2 Thessalonians regarding the "man of lawlessness" among many others. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author!

[Steven H]

THE POSTMILLENNIAL (AND PARTIAL PRETERIST) VIEWS MOST PROPHESIED EVENTS AS "PAST"

Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. (born 1950) is a Reformed theologian, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly. He has also written books such as 'He Shall Have Dominion: A Postmillennial Eschatology,' 'The Great Tribulation--Past or Future?: Two Evangelicals Debate the Question,' 'Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation,' 'The Beast of Revelation,' 'God's Law in the Modern World: The Continuing Relevance of Old Testament Law,' etc.

He wrote in the Introduction to this 1999 book, "I will attempt to show by sound exegesis that the leading judgment passages commonly applied to our future have already been fulfilled. To avoid any misapprehension on the reader's part, I must note that I do hold to a future orientation for many other prophecies of Scripture. I am convinced beyond doubt, for instance, that the Bible teaches the future bodily resurrection and a great judgment. These will occur when the Lord Jesus Christ returns visibly and bodily in great power and glory to end history and to establish the eternal state." (Pg. 9)

He asks, "if Paul can state Romans 10:18 and Colossians 1:6 and 23 as FACT in his lifetime, why may we not see these as FULFILLMENTS of Matthew 24:14? Matthew 24:14 is no hindrance at all to the preteristic viewpoint. In fact, it harmonizes beautifully with many other Scriptures---much more easily than does dispensationalism's view that must run roughshod over the clear statement of Matthew 24:34." (Pg. 57)

He states, "While Paul writes 2 Thessalonians 2, he is under the reign of Claudius Caesar, who has just banished Jews from Rome for persecuting Christians... Paul even employs a word play on Claudius's name... Interestingly, Paul shifts between the neuter and masculine forms of 'the restrainer' (2 Thess 2:6-7). This suggests he may be including both the imperial law and the present emperor in his designation 'restrainer.' While Claudius lives, Nero, the Man of Lawlessness, is powerless to commit wide-ranging public lawlessness. Christianity is free from the imperial sword until the Neronic persecution erupts in November, A.D. 64." (Pg. 105-106)

He concludes, "The design of this book is to analyze the leading prophecies of eschatological evil, prophecies that collectively warn of 'perilous times.' In the preceding chapters we analyze some of the classic passages speaking of such times. Though a great number of Christians are convinced of the imminent outbreak of apocalyptic events, a careful study of the Scriptures shows they are misconstruing their foundational passages. And if the very REASONS for the expectation of such prophetic events are fallacious, then the fears arising from them should quickly evaporate. In the preceding pages I provide studies of the key prophecies of Scripture employed by modern prophecy buffs. In each case we find that these popular prophecies are fulfilled in the first century...

"The attempt to make Daniel's seventy weeks fit into our future involves the interpreter in one of the most strained approaches to Scripture in all of evangelical theology. That the prophecy must unfold up to the very moment of the crucifixion of Christ only to skip it altogether is odd enough. But then the time element that forms the very structure of the prophecy must be radically altered to allow for an unexpected gap in its chronology... Simply put: our study in eschatological evil proves that the perilous times of Scripture are in the first century." (Pg. 151-152)

This is an excellent study, that will interest anyone studying biblical prophecy---whether or not one agrees with all of Gentry's positions.

[Rick Mitchell]

What a clear Biblical case!

This is the clearest biblical case for a preterist understanding of the Scriptures that I’ve ever encountered. By comparing Scripture with Scripture, Gentry makes the case that much of the Scripture which we relegate to the “end times” was actually fulfilled in the first century just as Jesus said it would be. (Matthew 24:34). By reading this book, I not only unraveled many eschatological kinks in my thinking, but I learned how better to study the Bible, comparing one Scripture with another to understand the whole message. My hope for the coming of Christ is clearer and brighter, nor longer being clouded with speculations about future disasters and tyrants. Though thorough, Gentry is very understandable. Highly recommended!!

[Bob Dijk]

Thought provoking preterist inperpretation