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THE DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS: An Optimistic Amillennial View
Dr. Sam Waldron
The Doctrine of Last Things: An Optimistic Amillennial View is the culmination of Dr. Sam Waldron's pastoral heart on eschatology, which spans over thirty years. This book aims to clarify the often contentious and complex discussions surrounding the doctrine of last things (eschatology). Waldron even-handedly addresses various eschatological views, including premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism, while emphasizing the importance of understanding the relationship between Christ's return and the millennium. Beneficial to all believers, regardless of eschatological position, lay readers and theologians alike will revitalize their hope in these last days and behold clearly the exalted-Christ.
ENDORSEMENTS
"Sam Waldron has done the church another great service in writing this clear, concise, yet thorough treatment of the amillennial position. Eschatology can be as confusing as it is contentious. In this volume, Waldron has done his part in removing the confusion, and doing so in an irenic manner that ought to address the contention as well. This will be a helpful tool for those trying to understand, teach, or defend the amillennial position." —Voddie Baucham, Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Zambia
"I write this recommendation as someone who honestly struggles with the doctrine of last things. Furthermore, I must confess that I have been greatly helped in my Christian life by theologians and preachers who have sincerely wrestled with this doctrine and come out with differing views. For some scholars, my confession may invalidate my recommendation, but I believe that most Christians and ministers identify with my lack of erudition and welcome a work by a proven theologian who loves God, His Word, and His people. This book is not written for his camp alone but for all believers. Therefore, even those who remain cemented in another opinion will still greatly benefit from a sincere reading of this Christ-exalting work." —Paul Washer, HeartCry Missionary Society
"A little over thirty years ago I first heard a series of sermons preached by Dr. Sam Waldron on eschatology. I cannot describe in a brief endorsement the impact those sermons had on my life, as I saw more clearly than ever how the gospel is at the very center of biblical eschatology. Since then, I have used Sam's lecture notes on eschatology several times when teaching this subject in various contexts. That is why I am absolutely convinced that this new publication will be of great benefit to you, regardless of your eschatological position. Because of Sam's unusual ability to complement biblical scholarship with a pastoral heart, you will not only gain a better understanding of what the Bible teaches about the last things, but it will fuel your hope and expectation for the second coming in glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." —Sugel Michelen, Pastor of Iglesia Bíblica del Señor Jesucristo Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
"I have never heard anyone lecture on eschatology or read anyone who has written on the subject with greater clarity or with more convincing biblical and textual exegesis and exposition than Dr. Sam Waldron. If you have struggled with understanding what the Scripture teaches concerning last things or if you desire to understand the biblical basis for an amillennial perspective, its important practical implications, and why so many conservative Reformed evangelicals have embraced this perspective, then you must get this book!" —Jeff Smith, Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Coconut Creek, FL
Lecturer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Reformed Baptist Seminary, Author of Preaching for Conversions
"Dr. Sam Waldron has taught the subject of eschatology for over thirty years. In the process, he has produced several helpful volumes. I am thrilled to see this new work, as it is the culmination and systematizing of all his preceding material. Sam once again cuts a straight course in the Word of truth, avoiding various pitfalls on the right and left. He lays out a clear case for “Optimistic Amillennialism,” showing that this is the best way of interpreting Scripture on the end times. May God honor His glorious Name through this new volume. And may it also encourage, strengthen, and greatly motivate His people in these last days. I recommend it enthusiastically." —Rob Ventura, Author of Expository Outlines & Observations on Romans and co-author of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1: Is Eschatology Optional? (1) Logically Central Prophetic Issues; (2) Scripturally Central Prophetic Issues; (3) Central & Foundational Issues for the Creeds
Chapter 2: What are the Orthodox Options? (1) Dispensational Premillennialism; (2) Historic Premillennialism; (3) Amillennialism; (4) Postmillennialism.
PART TWO: STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
SECTION 1: The Two Ages (The Bible's Own System)
Chapter 3- The Biblical Terminology--Introductory Matters
Chapter 4- The Basic Theme
Chapter 5- The Enhanced View
SECTION 2: The General Judgment
Chapter 6- The General Judgment--The Dividing Line
SECTION 3: The Coming of the Kingdom
Chapter 7- The Introductory Considerations
Chapter 8- The Messianic Parables
Chapter 9- The Pauline Prose
Chapter 10- The Apocalyptic Vision--Relevant Hermeneutics
Chapter 11- The Apocalyptic Vision--The Millennium on Earth (Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10)
Chapter 12- The Apocalyptic Vision--The Millennium in Heaven (Revelation 20:4-6)
SECTION 4: The Relation of the Church and Israel
Chapter 13- The Historical Introduction: The Historical Situation; Dispensationalism vs Covenantalism
Chapter 14- The Biblical Presentation (Part One)
Chapter 15- The Biblical Presentation (Part Two)
Chapter 16- The Biblical Presentation (Part Three)
SECTION 5: The Dispensational Hermeneutic
Chapter 17- Introductory Considerations--The Nature of Old Testament Prophecy and its Hermeneutical Implications
Chapter 18- Test Case--Ezekiel 40-48
PART THREE: SPECIAL QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: The Intermediate State
Chapter 19- Death and the Intermediate State
Chapter 20- Heaven
Chapter 21- Sheol, Hades, and Hell
SECTION 2: The Gospel Age
Chapter 22- Wheat and Weeds
Chapter 23- Victorious War Church
Chapter 24- The Mustard Seed
Chapter 25- Trouble, Triumph, and the Church
Chapter 26- All Israel Being Saved (What is the Plan of God in Romans 11?)
SECTION 3: The Imminent Return of Christ
Chapter 27- Hyper-Preterism--Has Christ Already Come?
Chapter 28- Calculationism--Can the Time of Christ's Coming Be Predicted?
Chapter 29- Pretribulationism--Arguments Against Presented
Chapter 30- Pretribulationism--Arguments For Answered
SECTION 4: The Final Resurrection
Chapter 31- The Resurrection of the Dead
SECTION 5: The Eternal State
Chapter 32- Eternal Punishment
Chapter 33- Heaven on Earth
EXCURSUS: A Brief History of Eschatology
BIBLIOGRAPHY
DR. SAM WALDRON was a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids from 1977-2001 and taught at Trinity Ministerial Academy from 1981 to 1989. Leaving there in 2001, he pursued a PhD at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. Having served as a pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky from 2005-2013, in 2013 he became one of the pastors of Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Owensboro, Kentucky. He also serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology at Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. Sam has been married to his dear wife Charlene since 1975. They have five children and at last count 15 grandchildren—all of whom they love very much. Sam enjoys reading, weightlifting, walking, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
SW3/28
BRAND NEW TITLE RELEASED IN FEBRUARY 2025
 SGCB Price: $32.50 (list price $50.00)
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