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THE MERCIFUL GOD OF PROPHECY

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In my opinion, Tim LaHaye's latest book was written with the unbeliever in mind.  Many people have a misunderstanding of God.  He is viewed as a blood thirsty deity who expects complete obedience from His followers or else there will be deadly consequences.  When debating atheists, they always mention either the Old Testament or Revelation as their proof that the God of the Bible is full of wrath, which they view as a contradiction from the God of love that Christians are portraying Him to be.  This has led LaHaye to suggest that "God has gotten a bad rap."  And for the most part, he is right.

LaHaye writes in the first chapter that God is a merciful God whom you don't have to be afraid of.  "No one has to be afraid of the God of Prophecy," (14) he said.  God in his mercy has provided us with a glimpse of the future through prophecy.  He tells us that judgment is coming but there is a way out.  What LaHaye is trying to argue that God is someone who does not keep us ignorant of judgment but always "has us in the know."  The ultimate choice with what to do with this knowledge is to either accept or reject God.  The choice is strictly ours.  Deuteronomy 30:19 says, "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."  LaHaye does a good job in showing that prophecy actually shows God's love.

In the sixth chapter, LaHaye argues from the scriptures that God has no pleasure in wrath.  He compares God to a father who lovingly chastises his child in order to teach him right from wrong.  God is not a person who loves passing judgment.  "The prophets certainly did not see God as someone who delighted in doling out punishment," LaHaye said.  "While they never minimized sin, they always reminded their people of the merciful, loving nature of the Lord they served" (76).  Sometimes we bring disaster upon ourselves because we reject God.  Despite this, God always sends warning and pleads with us to accept Him.  Finally, God said in Ezekiel 33:11, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.  Turn!  Turn from your evil ways!  Why will you die, O house of Israel?"

LaHaye devotes the second part of his book discussing Jesus Christ as the "Spirit of Prophecy" because He is a direct reflection of the Father.  LaHaye goes on to prove that several of Jesus' prophecies contain glimpses of God's mercy and hope.  Despite the "doomsday" message of Jesus' prophecies concerning the Tribulation, He has provided a way of escape through the Church.  The Church is basically consisted of every believer in Christ on earth.  The Church goes beyond denominational lines and differing views of doctrine.  Whether you are Pentecostal or Lutheran, Methodist or even Catholic, if you are a believer in Christ then you are a part of His Church.  LaHaye goes on to say in another chapter that this way of escape involves the future coming of Jesus Christ where the Church will be delivered from the Tribulation.  The Church will not experience that time of trouble at all.  Is this not a merciful God who provides a way of escape?  The choice is yours to accept God now rather than risk entering that time of deception, judgment, and martyrdom.

Finally LaHaye sums it up in the third part of his book.  He says that God has our best interests at heart and if we accept Him, the blessings will be enormous.  The believer will look forward to living with the Messiah on earth during His millennial reign and with God for eternity after that.  Not only that, LaHaye provides examples of people's lives that were changed when they accepted Christ.  God loves us and He said, "Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:26).  God is a merciful, forgiving God who wants us to live forever with Him and will not hesitate to punish those who reject Him.  However, he will always provide an escape and will plead with the unbeliever to choose Him. 

LaHaye's book is an important work that is different from the conventional "prophecy" book.  This book proves that the misconceptions of God are ill founded.  The examples from scripture that show that God is full of wrath also show that He is merciful even in judgment.  This book should be read by every Christian in addition to every unbeliever who has a certain view of a hateful God who revels in judgment.  Those Christians who are looking for an analytical prophetical book will not find it here.  This book is simple and easy to understand as if LaHaye was writing directly to the non Christian who has no idea of any of the truths found in the Bible.  In the Appendix section, LaHaye provides a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page and an in depth discussion guide, which are welcome additions to the book.  All in all, this book should be read.

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