Wake-up call

The Seer Jake H. Friesen, Self-published. 2003.

The Seer was born out of a need for a wake-up call, and a return to highlight a major theme of Scripture, namely the return of Jesus Christ. Why has the subject of prophecy been so neglected in our pulpits of late? After offering a number of suggestions, he concludes with, “Could it be that the enemy, knowing the time is near, would seek to keep God’s people from being as aware as they were intended to be?” While we are warned by Jesus against setting dates, He clearly implies that we must become aware of “times and seasons.”

Although decrying dogmatism on details of future prophetic events, the author does share his own insights. He makes a strong argument for the prophetic inclusion and prominence of Israel in the end times. His conclusions on the rapture follow intensive study of Scripture and the commentaries of scores of authors offering divergent views. He refers to the future fulfillment of prophetic Scripture to occur “in the bottleneck of history,” and thus furthers a one-time return of the Lord for the purpose of both salvation and judgment. This position challenges the church to face troubled times, and should thus prepare it for persecution, as so many are already experiencing. After citing scriptural affirmation for the eventual reign of the King in His kingdom, the author concludes with comments on the question, “what kind of people ought we to be?”

I commend The Seer as inspirational and thoughtful reading.

Nicholas J. Dyck is a retired pastor and former director of Church Extension in B.C.