The following review by Jack Kettler appeared on his blog, The Religion That Started in a Hat, and is reprinted with permission. I am sharing it here for the following reasons:
- To encourage those who are sympathetic to inmillennialism; there are others out there that share the same sentiments.
- To encourage those who are unsympathetic and possibly critical of inmillennialism; it may be worth another look.
- To spread the good news of God’s plan for the ages: Our Lord Jesus Christ will continue to reign in his kingdom until he conquers all his enemies, the last being physical death (cp. 1 Cor 15:25–26).
You can see the book here. Enjoy the review!
Inmillennialism: Redefining the Last Days
By Michael A. Rogers
McGahan Publishing House (2020)
Michael A. Rogers Bio:
Rogers holds a BS in electrical engineering from Auburn University and an MS in Telecommunications and Information Systems Management from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. He worked as an Alabama Power Company engineer and as a Systems Development Manager for Memphis Light, Gas, and Water. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1990 by Grace Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Memphis. He has served as pastor of Caraway (AR) Primitive Baptist Church and Grace Covenant, a Primitive Baptist Church in Gadsden, AL. He and his wife Betty live in Opelika, AL, and are Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church members. His book, “Inmillennialism: Redefining the Last Days,” is a finalist for the Southern Christian Writers Conference 2021 Notable Book Award.
What others are saying:
“This book must take an important place in the literature concerning the kingdom of God, the manner of Christ’s coming at the ‘end of the age,’ and the nature of the blessed hope.” – Tom J. Nettles, Ph.D. Former Professor, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Inmillennialism is superior to the existing prophetic systems because it rests on simple contextual analyses and is more complete.” – Doug Albertson. Executive Director, African Canadian Continuing Education Society
“I came away from reading Inmillennialism with a fresh sense of God’s providence, the power of God’s grace in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, and a deeper understanding that this world is headed toward that time when the Prince of Peace reigns in the hearts of all men and rules over all the nations.” – Wade Burleson. Pastor, Historian, Author
A Review:
Rogers uses an introductory analogy between Copernicus and Ptolemy’s view of the solar system to illustrate his Inmillennialism model in contrast with other eschatological prophetic models, and it will be a helpful distinction for many.
There are many important subjects in the book. One example is, explaining the Greek use of Parousia (presence) and Erchomai (coming) and clears up confusion on the uses of these two words.
Rogers does a remarkable job explaining what is known as “cosmic collapse imagery” in explaining how Jesus answered his disciples’ questions about the end of the world, making it understandable how the apocalyptic imagery is used.
Rogers shows how the idea of eschatological gradualism is essential for understanding the present reign of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:25.
In addition, Rogers convincingly places the accounts of the ten virgins and the separation of the sheep and the goats at the end of the Mosaic age in the 1st Century instead of at the end of time at the Second Coming of Christ. Thus, eliminating the need to separate Matthew’s account into a 1st Century account ending at Matthew 24:34 and then transitioning in Matthew 24:35, leading to the Second Coming account with a new division starting at Matthew 24:36.
In this reviewer’s opinion, the most important part of the book is Rogers’ correction of the errors made by James Stuart Russell in the book on the Parousia. Rogers corrects Russell’s errors yet keeps his basic interpretive model intact. Rogers’ work will no doubt be invaluable and prevent many from slipping into a hyper or a full preterism model.
There are many helpful eschatological charts throughout the book. Rogers should develop a PowerPoint of these eschatological charts if he has not already done so. Their illustrative and explanatory power was significant.
After forty years of studying eschatology, Rogers’ book is eye-opening and breaks fresh ground. If the reader of this review is a student of eschatology, he should purchase this book.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“To God, only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen” (Romans 16:27).
And “heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).
Mr. Kettler has previously published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum. He and his wife Marea attend the Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church. Mr. Kettler is the author of a book defending the Reformed Faith against attacks, titled: The Religion That Started in a Hat. It is available at www.TheReligionThatStartedInAHat.com.
