February 11, 2006
La. Layman authors end-times book
By William Taylor
Faith & Values editor
Two decades ago, evangelists distributed booklets advising, “88
Reasons why the Rapture will be in 1988”. The title referred
to an event, expected by many Christians, in which Jesus Christ
would miraculously remove or “rapture” his church prior
to a period of seven years of tribulation meant to give the remaining
unbelievers one last chance to return to God.
After 18 years of looking like 88 reasons wasn’t quite enough
for it happen then, many Christians are still fascinated by discussions
of the end times. Louisiana businessman Alfred Adams has added his
contribution to the discussion with a book, “Nearing Midnight”
and a similarly named Internet site.
Unlike the popular “Left Behind” series by authors
Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, Adams’ book is not a novelization
of biblical prophecy. Rather, Adams writes more in the tradition
of Hal Lindsey, who has continued to link world events to biblical
passages since the publication of the “The late Great Planet
Earth” in 1970.
“Nearing Midnight” goes chapter by chapter with Revelation,
the last book of the Bible, offering explanations in light of ongoing
events. The format is designed to be easy for churches to use in
their teaching ministries, Adams said.
But rather than the New Testament, Adams own testimony sounds like
something out of the book of Job in the Hebrew Bible, what Christians
call the Old Testament. In 2001, he lost his fiancé to suicide
after she lost her parents and a brother in a quick series of events
he said.
Like Job, Adams refused to “curse God and die” but
instead turned his attention to Biblical prophesy. “I was
so hurt I just wanted the pain to go away,” he said. He looked
to predictions of the end times for solace and hope. “Genesis
ends with paradise lost, and Revelation ends with paradise gained.”
Adams 35, of LaPlace isn’t a theologian by trade or training.
Rather, the former banker studied his Bible with the help of a commentary
and observed world events, he explained. His Internet site includes
a running countdown on the world’s supply of oil-significant
because as he reads it, the world’s final days will come while
there is still wealth in the Middle East.
However, Adams said he doesn’t want to repeat the mistake
of others and offer any dates for when Jesus will return. “Christ
himself said he didn’t know (the date),” Adams said.
Still, Adams sees hints of the coming end in disasters and world
events. “When you look at the tress and you begin to see the
leaves, you know spring is coming,” he said “but when
are you going to have to cut the grass?’
(Webmaster note: Readers, don't be fooled... Alfred loves
to cut grass...)
