The Advent Hope for Human Hopelessness

by Samuele Bacchiocchi

Publisher:

Biblical Perspectives

, 2001

Overview

In this volume, Samuele Bacchiocchi offers an accessible, balanced, and enthusiastic study of the Second Advent, grounding his work in biblical study, and focused on the theme of hope. Despite the contemporaneous deluge of Christian literature regarding end-time prophecies, respected SDA scholar Bacchiocchi was dissatisfied with existing studies. He concluded that much of the literature treated eschatology with either skepticism or sensationalism. He saw many ordinary Christians either abandoning hope in Christ’s return or going to the opposite extreme, becoming obsessed with imminent events that allegedly portend Armageddon.

In The Advent Hope for Human Hopelessness, Bacchiocchi confronts the dual challenge of skepticism and sensationalism, presenting a balanced biblical analysis of vital topics related to the Second Advent. Significant questions examined include: How did the Advent Hope originate and develop in biblical history? What is the nature and function of the Advent signs? Which of these predictors are finding unprecedented fulfillment in our times? Should the 1948 establishment of the State of Israel be viewed as a major sign of earth’s end?

The Advent Hope for Human Hopelessness will help you find meaning and courage in the assurance of the biblical Blessed Hope while living among the uncertainties and turmoil of this present age.

Studying Bacchiocchi’s work with Logos streamlines and enhances your experience. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Bolster your study by cross-referencing and comparing with an extensive library of Adventist scholarship. Take your study with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Offers a comprehensive study of biblical prophecy related to the Second Advent
• Explores common questions and controversial issues associated with eschatology
• Provides clearly reasoned arguments in an accessible format

Contents

• The Nature of Biblical Hope
• The Old Testament and the Advent Hope
• The New Testament and the Advent Hope
• The Certainty of the Advent Hope
• The Imminence and Distance of the Advent Hope
• The Nature and Function of the Advent Signs
• The Sign of Divine Grace and the Advent Hope
• Signs of Opposition to God and the Advent Hope
• Signs of Divine Judgment and the Advent Hope
• Mistaken Signs of the Advent Hope
• The Neglect of the Advent Hope
• The Judgment and the Advent Hope
• The Investigative Judgment and the Advent Hope
• The Consummation of the Advent Hope
• Living the Advent Hope

Top Highlights

“This hope in the Coming of the Lord is uniquely Biblical. Among other religions are found, though in a cruder form, the notions of death, resurrection, judgment, heaven and hell, but not the belief in a Creator who comes into this world a first time to redeem and a second time to restore His people (Heb 9:28). Salvation in pagan religions is conceived primarily as a human ascension toward God and not a divine descent toward mankind. In other words, salvation is achieved by human being going up to God and not God coming down to rescue human beings.” (Page 22)

“The same is true today. Many persons are tempted to place their faith primarily on medical resources, but when an incurable disease is contracted, sometimes they will turn to God for help.” (Page 185)

“Dispensationalism is taught in principle at the Chicago Moody Bible Institute and at an estimated two hundred Bible institutes in the United States. Its official magazine is Bibliotheca Sacra which was inherited by Dallas Theological Seminary in 1934. Other magazines such as Christianity Today supports some of the dispensational views of the End. Popular authors such as Hal Lindsey, J. Dwight Pentecost, Salem Kirban, Dwight Wilson, John F. Walvoord, and Thomas S. McCall, through their writings and motion pictures, have influenced millions of persons to accept all, or at least part, of the above-mentioned End-time scenario.” (Page 199)

“The purpose of God’s creation is best expressed in the blessing of mankind on the sixth day of creation (Gen 1:27–28), which is followed immediately by the blessing of the seventh day (Gen 2:2–3). Through the first act God promised mankind abundant life (‘be fruitful and multiply’) and ‘dominion’; through the second He offered the assurance of His presence and fellowship. By taking time out on the seventh day of creation (Gen 2:2–3) to fellowship with His creatures, God revealed His purpose for the creation of this planet, namely, to share His personal presence and fellowship with His creatures.” (Page 29)

Product Details

• Title: The Advent Hope for Human Hopelessness
• Author: Samuele Bacchiocchi
• Publisher: Biblical Perspectives
• Publication Date: 2001
• Pages: 388

About Samuele Bacchiocchi

Samuele R. Bacchiocchi (29 January 1938, Rome, Italy – 20 December 2008) was a Seventh-day Adventist author and theologian, best known for his work on the Sabbath in Christianity, particularly in the historical work From Sabbath to Sunday, based on his doctoral thesis from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was also known for his opposition to rock music, certain dress standards, alcohol and the ordination of women.