HERE is a really worth-while book, which should be read by all true students of what the Bible teaches about the last things. It is written in a simple and popular style and, consequently, should have a large influence. At the same time, it discusses some exceedingly deep subjects and, on the whole, does this in a very competent manner.
The book seeks to set forth as the teaching of Scripture that view of eschatology which is commonly called “amillennialism." From this point of view, therefore, it discusses various Old and New Testament passages. One of the finest features of the work is the capable manner in which certain Old Testament passages are treated. There is a fine discussion of Ezekiel's vision of the temple, a passage which is a stumbling-block to those who insist upon interpreting prophecy "literally whenever possible". The author recognizes the fact that the New Testament, and that alone, is the final interpretation of the Old.
Mr. Hamilton also devotes considerable discussion, some of it of a very fine character, to several New Testament passages such as "The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares"; "The Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats", "Paul's Teaching About the Second Coming", "Revelation Twenty", and others. While we do not agree with everything that is said, we are glad to say that on the whole the author has done a fine piece of work.
Particularly worthy of note is the excellent appeal which is made to premillenarians (not dispensationalists) to work in harmony with believers in amillennialism. This is an emphasis which surely needs to be stressed, and we sincerely hope that the present book will go a long way toward establishing such harmony. Surely the great task of the church is to make known the system of doctrine which the Bible contains—in other words, to preach the gospel. When premillennialism or amillennialism is stressed to such an extent that other doctrines are pushed into the background, there is danger that the great primary task of the church will be lost from view. Mr. Hamilton's book guards against this, however, and we hope that its warnings will be heeded. We sincerely commend this work to readers of THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN.