Book Review:  “Exploring Ezekiel” by Amir Tsarfati and Dr. Rick Yohn

“Exploring Ezekiel” (released in 2025) does just what the title says.  I watched for its release as I wanted to see the authors’ views about the upcoming war described in Ezekiel chapter 38.  I had an expectation what they could say, based on Tsarfati’s earlier books studying the Bible and his series of novels, but wanted to hear their rationale for their views.

I’ll come back to that war later, but first want to comment on the book overall.  Ezekiel is one of the biggest books in the Bible (by word count).  If you are following the “One Year Bible” schedule to read through the whole Bible in a year (I recommend doing that), you will be reading in Ezekiel for 24 days in November.  That reading will go a lot easier if you have read “Exploring Ezekiel,” which covers all 48 chapters of Ezekiel.

The authors use straightforward wording (including an occasional bit of humor) to make things understandable.  They explain the interconnections of Ezekiel with the historical books of the Old Testament and with the prophetic writings in both the Old and New Testaments.

The prophet served for many years and God gave him plenty to say to the rebellious nation of Judah and its exiles in Babylon (and to the Jews and Gentiles of our time).  The book describes historical events involving Israel and its neighbors, prophecies are announced that we now know as history, and it sets forth prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled.  God shows Ezekiel some amazing things about heaven and the future world and instructs Ezekiel to make his prophecies impactful via various dramatic actions.  Tsarfati and Yohn clearly explain these things.

Now, let’s go back to the war described in Ezekiel chapter 38.  I set forth my views on this subject in my primer “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times” and through a sub-plot in my novel “Twilight of the Church Age” (depicting characters who were focused on this prophecy, living in the last days of the Church Age).  Ezekiel chapter 38 tells us of an upcoming attack on Israel by a group of countries led by Turkey, Russia, and Iran.  The prophecy tells us the who, what, where and why of this war, but doesn’t give us the “when.”  The Bible prophecy also tells how the war ends (Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 describe a supernatural intercession by God).

Students of Bible end times prophecy have differing views of where this war fits in the sequence of other Bible prophecy, particularly the rapture and Tribulation.  I wanted to see the view (and rationale) of Tsarfati and Yohn and was happy to see that our sequencing views overlap: Rapture first, followed by the war of Ezekiel 38 and then the Tribulation.  Our respective views are based upon a logical analysis from scripture, but God will fulfill these prophecies at the time which He has already determined.  Looking at developments around the world, it looks to me like “the events in Revelation may be closer than they seem in your mental mirror” and that is true for Ezekiel as well.

I heartily recommend “Exploring Ezekiel” by Amir Tsarfati and Dr. Rick Yohn.

Good Sci-Fi is Hard to Find, but It’s Out There Somewhere

I enjoy reading good books in the Science Fiction genre, but it is hard to find good new books in the category.

Andy Weir is one of my favorites.  His best-selling novel “The Martian” provides a lot of the things I look for in such books.  The main character is likable, smart and has a good sense of humor.  He’s a slightly nerdy “everyman” who finds a store of personal courage.  The book applies science and math in the solution of a seemingly insurmountable problem.  The book was faithfully adapted into a major movie and I strongly recommend both the book and movie.

Weir’s more recent novel, “Project Hail Mary” is a completely separate storyline, but it uses similar plot and character qualities to create another great story.  It is being adapted into a major movie, expected to premiere in March 2026.  I strongly recommend the book and hope that the movie is as good as the advance trailers and commentaries suggest.  My favorable review of the novel also explores these questions- “What happened next?”  and  “Is there intelligent life on other planets?”  To see this review (include the option for an entertaining YouTube video adaptation of the review), follow this link:  [Epilogue for Project Hail Mary]

I recently tried the 2025 novel “Hole in the Sky” by Daniel H. Wilson.  He is the author of the bestselling “Robopocalypse,” which I had enjoyed.  The book jacket description is promising.  But I won’t be finishing it.  Perhaps the third chapter title isn’t meant to warn readers: “Flagged for Profanity.” However, based on the first chapters and then flipping through the rest of the book, that warning is fitting.  I am not willing to swim through a stream of profanity, vulgarity or obscenities to find the story.  Perhaps writers mean for such language for impact, or to make a character seem strong or gritty, but when used with any frequency, it diminishes what might otherwise be a worthwhile read.  It has the appeal of rancid Spam and I’ll pass on that.

Lifeline Updated, Edition 4 is Now Available

As a result of recent developments, I recently made two relatively small, but significant, changes to my primer on the Bible’s end times prophecies, “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times.”   

The book already included my statement of appreciation to Pastor Dave, a great Bible-preaching pastor.  His thorough expositions of the relevant Bible books led me to read many other books on the subject.  As I wrote “Lifeline,” Pastor Dave was a sounding-board and encourager.  Recently, he passed away after a battle with cancer.  His prayer (that he would finish well) was granted, as we saw how he lived during that last year.  Though I will miss him as pastor and friend, I know he is now with our Lord and Savior, receiving well-earned rewards.

Charlie Kirk, an outspoken Christian, evangelist, patriot, husband, father, and friend to many, was assassinated on September 10, 2025 while speaking at a Turning Point USA event.  By now, I hope you have learned about Charlie’s strong faith in Jesus Christ and in his courageous sharing of the Gospel message, particularly to the youth and young adults of America.  You may also be observing the impact that his life, and now his death, have had on so many people- causing many to see their own need to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and to share the Gospel message with other people.  Some describe this as being another Christian revival or awakening, or as being like a tsunami of new Christian believers.

I share the confidence of other Christian believers, that Charlie is now in the presence of God, where he also is being rewarded for his service and for his sacrifice.  Lifeline Edition 4 notes Charlie’s effective role in sharing the Gospel message.  God had foreknowledge of Charlie’s contributions and recent events;  God considered these things in His plan for the end times.

There were also a few minor typos in the prior edition that are fixed in Edition 4 of “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times,” which is now available from Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.

Charlie Kirk and the Tsunami of Salvation

Charlie Kirk, an outspoken Christian, evangelist, patriot, husband, father, and friend to many, was assassinated on September 10, 2025 while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.  The suspected killer is in police custody; pray that justice will be carried out.  Pray for the Kirk family and for his many friends.

I hope that you have watched the memorial service for the late Charlie Kirk, held in Arizona on Sunday, September 21, 2025.  If not, I encourage you to locate a recording of it online and watch it in the entirety.  The stadium was packed with people and millions have watched it via (live or recorded) video.

You should be encouraged to hear about Charlie’s strong faith in Jesus Christ and in his courageous sharing of the Gospel message, particularly to the youth and young adults of America.  You will also observe the impact that his life, and now his death, have had on so many people- causing many to see their own need to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and to share the Gospel message with other people.  Some describe this as being another Christian revival or awakening, or as being like a tsunami of new Christian believers.  Speakers at the memorial challenged those who attended/saw the memorial to continue Charlie’s work.

I share the confidence of other Christian believers, that Charlie is now in the presence of God, where he is being rewarded for his service and for his sacrifice.  I hope that his death will indeed be a stimulus for a resurgence in the Christian church on the scale of the Great Awakening in the 18th and 19th centuries, that millions of people will become new believers in the U.S. and around the world, and will then grow in their faith, and that this awakening will continue for multiple generations.  These are things we should be praying for.

But it’s also possible that this current revival is like a tsunami, a giant wave that sweeps through, but recedes in a relatively short time.  Perhaps we will see a giant wave of new believers, followed by smaller waves, and then the “Demand for Salvation” (level of new believers) will fade away, as has been the case in recent decades.  We should be thankful for this coming multitude of believers, whose names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

God knows everything that happens and that will happen.  He knew that Charlie would be killed and allowed this, knowing that Charlie would be safe with Him and that his sacrifice would bring many to faith in Jesus.  God knows how great the harvest will be; God knows each of the people whose new faith in Jesus will enable them to spend eternity with Him.

This tragedy also provided an opportunity for some people to show their true evil hearts.  Perhaps some will ultimately see the truth and will truly repent, turning to the Lord Jesus and away from their current ways.  We should pray for such redemptions.  But it is likely that God has searched many of these hearts and has found them hardened against Him.  Their names are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life and they are destined to spend eternity in the lake of fire.

Either way- Great Awakening or Tsunami of Salvation-  it doe not change what is recorded in Bible prophecy.  There is a future time coming when the events of Bible end times prophecy will occur.  The prophecies tell us what will happen, and the sequence and duration of the events.  But only God the Father knows the moment that they will begin.  As Christians, we must trust Him, knowing that He has already determined the perfect time for these events to occur.

When the ever-growing Supply of Sin and the Demand for Salvation reach the critical points that God has pre-determined, the end times events described in Scripture will occur, including the Rapture, Tribulation, and second coming of Jesus Christ.  This is depicted in this chart from chapter 6 of “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times.” 

Why No Third Novel in the “Tribulation Pilgrims’ Progress” Series?

Caution, possible spoilers in this posting.

The first novel in this series, “Twilight of the Church Age,” provides a fictional storyline for characters living in the period just before the Rapture of believers (which the Bible describes in 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Revelation 3:10).  As it concludes, some of the characters have been called to heaven by Jesus in the Rapture.

Other characters (all unbelievers) were left behind by the Rapture.  The second novel, “The Great New Deal,” follows these characters into the short interlude between the Rapture and the Tribulation.  Some of them gain an understanding of the events and become believers in Jesus.  Other characters continue to be unbelievers and some of these seem to be even more determined to reject God and pursue worldly rewards.

Though the second novel would seem to be providing the set up for a third novel (set in the Tribulation period), I don’t contemplate writing that book for the reasons I set forth in this post.

Tribulation-period novels necessarily must describe how the terrible events of the period impact the world (including the fictional characters), and dramatize the actions of the evil characters described in Bible prophecy, like the Antichrist, False Prophet, and Satan.  Readers might find this interesting, and might like to follow the characters from the first two novels through the Tribulation, but I don’t think Tribulation-period fictional drama is an effective way of teaching believers about this horrific period or of helping unbelievers see their need to turn to Christ. 

Further, a reader living in the Tribulation won’t benefit from the fictional depiction of the events happening around him, but would benefit from something that explains what is happening, what comes next, and what the reader should do to “survive” the Tribulation period.

E.g., a third novel might introduce the character who is revealed to be the Antichrist and describe how he comes from obscurity from a particular country- but will that fictional depiction help the believer grow in the faith or help the unbeliever see his perilous situation?  Likewise, would it have any benefit to fictionally say which ocean(s) will be struck by the massive space object described in Revelation 8:8?

So, I decided not to write a third novel (as enjoyable as it might have been for both the author and the reader).  I chose to have the key information with respect to the Tribulation period be provided by the teachers, preachers, and other fictional characters in the first two novels.  Further, I’ve provided concise and reader-friendly information about the Tribulation period in the final chapter of “The Great New Deal” and in my most recent book “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times.”

I’ve read the Tribulation-period novels by other authors and some have great characters and storylines.  I like the mental exercise of comparing their storylines to the Bible, matching the events to Bible prophecies, and assessing the credibility of their speculative portrayals of details not specified in scripture.  If you want to read novels that depict the Tribulation period, I’d recommend the series written by Donna VanLiere and the books by Amir Tsarfati.

At first, the “Left Behind” novels were page-turners, but as the authors stretched that series into book after book, I found them to be “too much of a good thing.”  Even so, you might want to read a few of them.  If you want to watch the movie adaptations of this series, I think the two best are the 2000 “Left Behind” movie starring Kirk Cameron (but not the 2014 movie) and the 2023 movie “Left Behind- Rise of the Antichrist” starring Kevin Sorbo.

Don’t watch for a third novel in the “Tribulation Pilgrims’ Progress” series.  Even so, the first two novels continue to be relevant to people living in these difficult days and I hope they (and Lifeline) will be a blessing to those who read them- in these last days of the Church Age and for the “left behind” readers after the Rapture.

Book Review:  “The Sick Man’s Rage” by Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn

Tsarfati is an Israeli citizen and previously served as a major in the Israeli Defense Forces.  Though his writing is particularly focused upon the nation of Israel, it truly covers matters of global concern.

He has written many best-selling nonfiction books and this is book four in a series of novels co-written with Steve Yohn, an American pastor.  Their goal for these novels has been to deliver an exciting story, and incorporate Biblical and geopolitical truth to give the books a higher purpose.

The four books follow a group of Mossad agents working to prevent terrorist attacks upon Israel and other nations in the Middle East.  There is plenty of action and the continuing story line draws from historical and current political developments in the region.  This fourth novel has the added element of tragedy, using the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack as the launch point for the story.  These chapters deal with it in an appropriate way, but the horror of the real events dwarfs what the novel can portray.

When I ordered the book, I didn’t know the background for the title, assuming it was a reference to a fictional terrorist.  Actually, it comes from a very fitting historical reference to the nation of Turkey.

The fictional tale is a page turner, as the Mossad agents and IDF deal with the evil acts of Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Hamas (who are increasingly linked in current events, too).  My reading pace picked up further when I saw the fictional storyline was going to highlight an upcoming event described in Bible end times prophecy, the war of Ezekiel chapter 38.

Ezekiel chapter 38 tells us of this coming attack on Israel by a group of countries led by Turkey, Russia, and Iran.  The prophecy tells us the who, what, where and why of this war, but doesn’t give us the “when.”  The Bible tells how the war ends (Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 describe a supernatural intercession by God), but that does not preclude heroic efforts by real-life equivalents of agent Nir Tavor.

Students of Bible end times prophecy have differing views of where this war fits in the sequence of other Bible prophecy, particularly the rapture and Tribulation.  I describe these different views in my primer, “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times.”  The two novels in my “Tribulation Pilgrims’ Progress” series put the rapture before the Ezekiel war and anticipate the war as an event leading to the emergence of the Antichrist and the start of the Tribulation.

Spoiler Alert:  I think the sequencing of events and the lead-in to the war of Ezekiel 38 are well handled in ”The Sick Man’s Rage.”  I’m not surprised, because Tsarfati and Yohn have also written Christian study books about Bible prophecy.  I look forward to the upcoming series of novels described by the authors in the “Authors’ Note.”  It will be interesting to see them dramatize the events of the Tribulation in their new series.  I am thankful that my Tribulation home will be in heaven with Nicole and Jesus and not on earth with Nir and the Antichrist; I am confident that the authors hope all their readers would make that same choice.

I recommend “The Sick Man’s Rage” for readers who seek relevant reading in the action/thriller genre.  Be sure you read the forepart and the Authors’ Note.

Book Review:  “The Dragon’s Prophecy” by Jonathan Cahn

“The Dragon’s Prophecy” is a 2024 book from Jonathan Cahn.  He is the best-selling author of several books about Bible Prophecy and Christian faith.  As a side note, he was one inspiration for Messianic Rabbi Levi Katz, a fictional character in my “Tribulation Pilgrims’ Progress” novel series.

Cahn describes how the horrific October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel compelled him to write about the connections between spiritual warfare and the attack, and how the event fits with history and the end times prophesies of the Bible.

Cahn draws from the Bible (particularly from Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation) and adds other insights from history, Jewish worship traditions, and etymology.  Christians who seriously study the Bible will likely not be surprised by his conclusions (when viewed from a high level).  The book explains how Satan is the enemy and antithesis of God and actively is working for evil and destruction.  That Satan often uses people (and peoples) to further his objectives, that Jews and Christians are favorite targets and that his forces work to accomplish this through spiritual warfare and evil actions.

Having studied these subjects before, these conclusions were not a surprise to me.  But I did appreciate the detailed information showing how current events are linked to both ancient and modern history (e.g., the linkage of the Philistines of ancient times to the Palestinian terrorists of today).  Cahn also does a nice job of presenting how the October 7th attack and current events are a preview of future events promised in the Bible (e.g., the war of Ezekiel chapter 38 and the events described in the books of Daniel and Revelation).

“The Dragon’s Prophecy” is well-organized, has plentiful reference notes and the content is interesting and sound.  The book is very readable and I recommend it to people who want a deeper understanding of the significance and origins of the October 7th attack.

However, I note one omission.  His discussion of upcoming events disregards the rapture of the church.  I haven’t located Cahn’s view on the rapture, so I suggest he should study it further and add it into his writings.  The Biblical passages describing a pre-tribulation rapture are clear; they should encourage the sharing of the Gospel to maximize the number of new believers who will be taken to heaven by the Lord before the tribulation.  That perspective caused me to write my concise primer about the end times, “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times.” and the two “Tribulation Pilgrims’ Progress” novels.

The church will be spared from the tribulation, but it will not be spared from the persecution and terrible events that precede the rapture and tribulation, like the attack of October 7th.  Expectations of the rapture should give confidence to believers, but God has withheld the timing of the event from our knowledge, so that we do not become lazy in the exercise of our faith and sharing of the Gospel message.

Cahn provides sound encouragement for how believers in Christ should respond to these darkening times and is correctly focused on the centrality and significance of Israel to the events of the last days.  In the last chapters of this book, Cahn describes the path to enlist in the right side for this war- through a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.  The book is worth reading for more detailed background information about the evil forces described in the Bible and to remind us that the rapture, tribulation and second coming of Jesus are imminent.  God wins this war and evil will be eradicated.  He will fulfill all of His promises to the nation of Israel.  Israel will recognize that Jesus is the promised Messiah and all believers, both Jew and Gentile, will worship him.  Come, Lord Jesus!

Book Review and Recommendation:  “Discovering Daniel” by Amir Tsarfati (with Dr. Rick Yohn)

The original book about Daniel is found in the Old Testament of the Bible.  It’s an autobiographical book of the long life of a genuine hero of faith.  When the ancient kingdom of Judah fell, Daniel was taken captive to serve in pagan Babylon.  Daniel suffered greatly as this occurred, but served his masters with great competence.  Even so, Daniel would not compromise his faith in the God of Israel.  God empowered Daniel to interpret dreams of the kings and providing Daniel with visions of future events that would re-shape the world.  Most of the prophecies recorded by Daniel have already been fulfilled, but there are several important ones that remain open, ones that dovetail with the prophecies recorded in the Bible’s book of Revelation.

I have read and enjoyed other books by Amir Tsarfati (and Dr. Rick Yohn, his co-author on this and some others), so I pre-ordered this one with high expectations.  As a student and writer about Bible end times prophecy, I was well aware of Daniel’s prophesies regarding the end times, but looked forward to seeing Amir dig into the subject.

As I hoped, Amir describes the events in Daniel’s life and the prophecies.  He connects them to other Bible verses (which he often quotes in the text).  His writing style is very friendly and clear.  He uses contemporary events and appropriate humor to keep the connection with the reader.  The book explains how the end times prophecies of Daniel connect to actual events that were in his future, but our past, and to the still-coming events of the Tribulation and thereafter, which the apostle John recorded in Revelation.  In “Discovering Daniel,” Amir also provides encouragement to readers and thoughts on how the messages of Daniel applies to our lives- it lives up to its sub-title, “Finding Our Hope in God’s Prophetic Plan Amid Global Chaos.”

Amir dedicates the book to God and to his family.  He is a Jewish Christian who lives in Israel and who previously served in the Israeli Defense Forces.  The book was published in early 2024.  Appropriately, his dedication also addresses the sorrow and pain from the October 7, 2023 terror attack; he reminds readers that in Daniel (and elsewhere in the Bible), God has set forth His plan for Israel.  Spoiler alert:  God wins.

I strongly recommend “Discovering Daniel.”  It is a great companion to Tsarfati’s bestselling book “Revealing Revelation” (which I also recommend).

New YouTube Video Provides a Preview of “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times”

I have created and published a new video at YouTube.  This video provides a preview of my 2023 book “Lifeline, A Guide to Surviving the End Times.”  It combines excerpts from the audiobook edition with illustrations by yours truly.

To view the video at YouTube, click on this convenient link:  Lifeline Video

Why a video preview for this book?  It’s consistent with my objectives of education, entertainment, and evangelism.  This book is meant to provide a concise, reader-friendly and Biblically-sound overview of the Bible’s end times prophecies and how to survive them.  I want to maximize the number of people who get the message, so I’ve priced it to be affordable, published it in multiple formats, and am publicizing them in various ways like this video.

Lifeline explains God’s plan to eliminate sin from the world.  It outlines the key events of the end times, like the Rapture, Tribulation, the second coming of Jesus, and the battle of Armageddon.  It explains why God has withheld this judgment thus far and why it appears the Day of the Lord is now very near.  Most importantly, this book will help readers understand the only path for surviving the end times and the urgency of following that path now.  One chapter describes books and other resources for folks who want to dig deeper into these subjects.

I encourage people to read Lifeline before it’s too late, but caution that people cannot be sure when “too late” will occur.

This YouTube video is just under seven minutes in length.  The paperback and Kindle editions of the book are about 95 pages long and the audiobook edition is about 119 minutes.  By design, they are all compact and easy-to-follow.  To read more about the book, follow this link:  Lifeline Web Page.

Is Life Imitating Art (Again)?

As I’ve pointed out before, life often seems to be imitating art.  That is especially likely to occur when the art is based on Biblical prophecies.  So, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised with recent events that closely follow a chapter in my novel The Great New Deal, where a mentally-deficient President is displaced by party power brokers in favor of a Vice President who is admittedly “not the Wizard of Oz.”

Polls suggest that many Americans want the country to reject the progressive agenda of the current administration and turn toward more conservative populist policies.  Voters seem inclined to elect Donald Trump and to increase the number of Republicans in the House and Senate.  If so, hopefully they will lead America toward better days and America will draw closer to God.  This could come with a time of evangelism and revival in the American church, perhaps on the scale of the Great Awakening (early 1700’s and again in the early 1800’s).  This author hopes and prays for that outcome.

But what if Trump is not elected in 2024?  Providence sometimes steers events down unexpected paths.  Bible prophecy says things will get really bad in the last days.  The Great New Deal presents a future where progressives are in full control of America while the Bible’s end times prophecies are fulfilled. 

Click on this link for more information on The Great New Deal, an Orwellian parody incorporating Bible End Times prophecy.