Blood Moons Rising: Bible Prophecy, Israel, and the Four Blood Moons

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (March 21, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414397089
• ISBN-13: 978-1414397085

::Taken from the back of the book::

ARE THE FOUR BLOOD MOONS A SIGN OF THE END TIMES?

In the years 2014 and 2015, four lunar eclipses, called "blood moons," will occur during two significant Jewish festivals: Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. Prophecy watchers have heralded this celestial phenomenon because it has occurred in the last millennium only at crucial times in the history of the Jewish people.

In Blood Moons Rising, prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock will explore Bible prophecy, the history of Israel, and the phenomenon of the four blood moons. He'll take you on an in-depth tour of what the Bible says about the last days. He'll show you how current newspaper headlines are obvious signs of the coming of the end. Then he'll dissect whether the four blood moons fit into prophecy found in Scripture.

You won't want to miss this in-depth discussion of the facts--and also the fiction--concerning the four blood moons.

::My Thoughts::

These days you can't go anywhere without hearing about the end times, or bible prophecy. It's everywhere you look: television, books, magazines, movies, radio, etc. So of course as Christians and people we are going to be intrigued by any and all claims or prophecies whether we agree with them or not.

For this reason I could not wait to read Blood Moons Rising by Mark Hitchcock. This author graduated from law school in 1984, and earned his PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has served as a senior pastor of Faith Bible Church for over twenty years.

Immediately upon reading the first few chapters I knew I was going to love this book. There is no lecture, there is no hard to understand terms, and you do not have to have a dictionary sitting beside you to look up every other word. It's a book that is perfectly understandable and easy to read for many of us, not to mention to the point which I greatly appreciate in books like these. The blood moons prophecy is centered on the belief that the tetrad of blood moons in our times are linked to the return of Christ. Now I will not deny that each time we have had a tetrad of blood moons in history there has been a crucial event or impact upon Israel and the Jews. The bible mentions blood moons and solar eclipses many times, which the author makes reference to often through the book. However there is no proof that these tetrads in our years will or will not signify the coming of Christ. I'm not saying that absolutely nothing will happen but this book makes a lot of good points in why this theory is full of doubt and doesn't stand well enough on it's own. There is too much interpretation, and mankind is often wrong when assuming.

This book is not about getting you to believe in certain theories or prophecies, but rather lays out the evidence, gives opinion as well as facts, and leaves you to conclude your own beliefs on such theories and prophecies. In a religion book this is quite refreshing. I was able to read this book and absorb myself in it without feeling like I was studying, and felt more like I was learning as well as becoming enlightened in many things.

I do think the blood moons could hold some significance for Israel, but I'm not sure if I believe it will be the end. Too much is to come before that time. There are many signs that we are in our end times, but we cannot predict the exact time and place. That is made perfectly clear in the bible. We do need to keep our eyes out for the signs of the end times, and I do believe we are seeing some. I also believe there are many more to come. But one thing remains clear, we always have to keep our eyes open and always expect the unexpected. Because we do not know the exact day or hour it could happen anytime. We all have different viewpoints when it comes to the end times, we are all scared, we are all curious, and we will continue to be so. I recommend this book to those that are uncertain of the blood moons as even though I have read about and heard of the prophecy I feel more knowledgeable after reading this book compared to prior.  It's always good to enlighten yourself with a book that not only covers facts and beliefs, but also lists shortcomings in those beliefs. The author did all of this in a most respectful manner, and as he said he would left me to reach my own verdict. I do appreciate that in a book, and I recommend it to you as well. There's no pressure in this book and I think it's a must read for Christians or any others that are interested in bible prophecy. 

This book is available for   Print   Kindle   Nook   Audible   and more...

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Persecuted The Global Assault on Christians ~ Book Review

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 12, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400204410
• ISBN-13: 978-1400204410

::From the back of the book::

A woman is caught with a Bible and publicly shot to death. An elderly priest is abducted and never seen again. Three buses full of students and teachers are struck by roadside bombs. These are not casualties of a war. These are Christian believers being persecuted for their faith in the twenty-first century.

   Many Americans do not understand that Christians today are victims in many parts of the world. Even many Western Christians, who worship and pray without fear of violent repercussions, are unaware that so many followers of Christ live under governments and among people who are often openly hostile to their faith. They think martyrdom became a rarity long ago.

   Persecuted refutes these assumptions. This book offers a glimpse at the modern-day life of Christians worldwide, recounting the ongoing attacks that rarely make international headlines.

   As Western Christians pray for the future of Christ's church, it is vital that they understand a large part of the world's Christian believers live in danger. Persecuted gives documented accounts of the persecution of Christians in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and former Soviet nations. It contains vivid stories of men and women who suffer abuse because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and tells of their perseverance and courage. 

   Persecuted is far more than a thorough and moving study of this global pattern of violence--it is a cry for freedom and a call to action.

::My Thoughts::

This is a very well researched book detailing the persecution of Christians around the world. People often take for granted our religious freedom. The fact that we can publicly go to church, wear crosses, carry our bibles, etc. But things aren't so simple underneath it all. Every day Christians are persecuted because of their love for the Lord. 

This is definitely not a book for the faint of heart, the stories and accounts are true. It takes a journalistic approach on going into details and explaining some of the accounts that have happened to Christians all over the world. 

Living in the USA where our religion is sometimes mocked but generally accepted I admit I have taken for granted our freedom of choice. I hadn't realized some of the things that have went on in the world today in fact, and that do go on every single day. 

But don't let me turn you off of this book, even though the circumstances are devastating I admire the courage and perseverance of the Christians that did suffer because of their abuse. The fact that they kept on and did not give up, and we all know God was with them every step of the way. This is a very moving and inspiring book. One I would recommend every Christian to read, particularly if you are freely able to express your faith in Christ.

There are many facts to find in this book that you will find appalling, but will open your eyes.

This book is available in  Paperback   Kindle   Nook   and more...

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Thomas Nelson, in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Reasons For Belief ~ Book Review

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 15, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0764210572

ISBN-13: 978-0764210570

::From the back of the book::
How can you know God exists? Why should you trust the Bible? How can you be sure Jesus is the Son of God?


Do you know what you believe...and why? Regardless of your age or experience, if you're looking for clear, easy-to-understand answers to these important questions, you've come to the right place.

Trusted theologian and bestselling author Norman Geisler teams up with teacher/speaker Patty Tunnicliffe to provide concrete, step-by-step reasons for why Christians believe what they do. Organized around the most basic questions of faith, Reasons for Belief offers clear evidence for the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, Jesus' resurrection, and more.

Whether you're a curious skeptic or a believer wanting to learn how to defend your faith, Reasons for Belief will give you the answers you're looking for.


::My Thoughts::
Reasons for Belief answers some very good questions that we may or may not ask ourselves daily. And if we haven't asked ourselves some of these questions you will be asked these questions:

 

How can you know God exists?

How can you be sure Jesus is the Son of God?

Why should you trust the Bible?

Who made God?

Why are you a Christian?

As Christians we are sound in our religion, we are sound in God. And yet when these questions are posed to us sometimes we can find ourselves stumbling for answers. As the years go on the Bible and God are questioned more and more. There are many other religions in the world and people want to know why our religion?

This is just the book for you whether you are looking for the right ways to answer those questions, or if you just want to delve deeper into these questions yourself to get a better grip on Christianity. The book is set up in very clear sections guiding the reader through 10 challenges, such as:

1. "Real truth does not exist. 'Truth' is just truth to you."
2. "God does not exist."
3. "If God exists, he isn't necessarily the God of the Bible."
4. "Miracles don't happen."
5. "The New Testament's many errors make it unreliable. It's more like a collection of myths and legends."
6. "Jesus never claimed to be God."
7. "Jesus didn't prove he is God."
8. "Jesus did not rise from the dead."
9. "The Bible isn't the only true religious book."
10. "Christianity is too narrow. There are many ways to God besides Jesus."
Following the challenges are evidential explanations that will help you get a better understanding, or way to defend these questions if they are posed to you. This is by far one of the easiest to understand apologetic books I have read thus far. It would be great for a new believer, or anyone looking to defend your faith. In this constantly changing world of ours we find ourselves defending our faith more and more. This is just the book to help you do that while giving you a deeper understanding yourself, and becoming closer to God as you find these answers.
At the end of each chapter are sections going over what the reader learned which is a nice touch to the book. All in all I would definitely recommend this to any believer or non-believer who wants to know more about Christianity. It's sharp, to the point, easy to understand, and shows clear evidence that one can't even begin to argue with. A must read.


This book is available in   E-Book  & Print


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.