Ultimate Things: An Orthodox Christian Perspective on the End Times

by Dennis Eugene Engleman

An Eastern Orthodox Christian perspective on eschatology. Various Christian groups continue to scream that the end is near. Read a thoroughly Orthodox perspective on the End Times. Finally, a book that doesn't sensationalize these times, or rewrite traditional Christian teachings to fit in with the spirit of our age.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 096227139X
• ISBN13: 9780962271397
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Ancient Faith Publishing
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The Catacombs Christians at the End of Days.

_Ultimate Things_ by Dennis E. Engleman is a book dealing with the End Times from the perspective of an Orthodox Christian. Basing his study on traditional prophetic writings of the Church Fathers as well as from Sacred Scripture, in particular the writings of the prophets and the Books of Daniel and Revelation, Engleman shows how modern events bear out the prescriptions described in prophecy and explains the End of Days in terms understandable to the Orthodox Christian. Engleman focuses on the "Last Christians", those Christians who will be living during the End Times. During the End Times the church will dwindle in size because of mass apostasy and the Christians will be identified in the catacombs, tiny islands bearing the traditional marks of oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity or Christ's true church. Engleman considers the Tsars to have been true Christian rulers, and interprets the Last Tsar, Tsar Nicholas II, as "the one who restrains the mystery of lawlessness" from 2 Thessalonians. For Engleman and for Orthodox Christians, Moscow represents the "Third Rome", and the rise of the communist tyranny in Russia is an extremely troublesome event heralding the imminent apocalypse, in which the armies of "Gog and Magog" shall do battle. With the fall of communism in Russia during the 1990s the possibility of a New World Order has been put forth, and such a thing promises to achieve the Kingdom of Antichrist upon the Earth. The return of the Jews to Israel, the Holy Land, is a second event with deep historic and apocalyptic consequences. While the Jews have rejected Christ (the Pharisees calling for his crucifixion before Pilate), it is written that in the last days they will be converted. Currently Satan is held in bondage, but he will be released to wreak havoc upon the Earth. Engleman also discusses modern day decadence, moral depravity, and nihilistic despair which serve as signs of the coming apocalyptic developments. Population control methods (in particular the ready availability of abortion) as well as "New Age" spiritualities put forward by the United Nations ("the one world government") are paving the way for the coming of Antichrist. The Antichrist is likely to be a great unifier and problem solver, who will unite the world under his reign; however, he will also be a great deceiver who will deceive even many Christians. Engleman explains how Christians will not be "raptured" off the planet before the coming Tribulation and the Reign of Antichrist contrary to many of the false beliefs which currently exist within mass culture. In the light of Holy Tradition, the "Rapture" is shown for what it truly is, a demonic deception which will lead the true believers astray during the time of Antichrist. The Antichrist is likely to enslave many as foretold in Revelation, and many will be made to bear his mark, "the mark of the beast", upon their forehead or hand. This is to prevent the Christian from making the Sign of

A scarry, yet wonderful look at reality

An Unbeleivable Eye openner, being a Russian Orthodox and just starting to re-explore my faith.This book is of monumental porportion, it's scarry yet having a strong beleive in my Orthodox religion and knowing what awaits us in the after life it's an inspiration.A must read for anyone whos faith is shaken or whos soul is searching for a true religion...Ultimate Things puts all the HERESIES of the Rapture and the Millenial reign of Christ on earth to rest and shows people the thruth of what is to come. ORTHODOXY proclaiming the THRUTH since 33 A.D

The Best Book So Far....

Dennis Engleman has written a first-class survey of Orthodox teaching on the End Times in "Ultimate Things." The fact that he presents his facts in a simple, easy to read format makes it just that much better. Furthermore, Dennis is unafraid to take an unequivocal stand on such controversial issues as Tsar St. Nicholas II being the "restraining power" of II Thessalonians 2:7 (which indeed he was, in my opinion--and those of other Orthodox luminaries of our time such as St. John Maximovitch and Fr. Seraphim Rose). This shows that Mr. Engleman has a greater interest in Truth than fads, which is the downfall of many other books in this genre. To me, this book towers over others in its class, and I would highly recommend it. Fr. Hopko (for whom I have a very high respect) takes issue with Mr. Engleman on some subjects, such as the question of the Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II as the "restraining power" (sadly, without providing any alternate explanation of his own for the reader to consider). However, I still would recommend this book as the first option for readers (Orthodox or not) interested in this vital subject.

This Book is Shelter from the Pop Prophecy Storm

Finally!! One of the faithful from the Holy Orthodox Church steps into the eschatology fray and knocks the socks off the pop prophecy fads so in vogue today. Also features a preface from one of my favorite heirarchs in the Church today, Fr. Tom Hopko. Rather than setting out his own interpretation, as is so vogue in many fractalized Protestant circles today, Engleman, in the true tradition of the Orthodox Church, quotes extensively from the Church Fathers on eschatological matters. Heretical and 'gitchee' modern doctrines like the Rapture are debunked as non-canonical, non-scriptural, and the vain imaginings of a 19th century Scotish woman. As a practicing Orthodox Christian myself, I received immense guidance from this book and am very thankful to Dennis Engleman for this timely and much needed contribution.

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT

This is an amazing book. It is defintely the best book written on the coming times. Throw out Nostradamus, according to the Holy Scriptures, the Church Fathers of Ancient Christianty, and Orthodox Bishops of old and new, Nostradamus is way off! The Orthodox Church does not recieve prophecy from a single person, nor does it give dates on future events that do not happen. This book is a must read for all Orthodox Christians and those who want to live in eternal life forever. People who read this book will be very surprised to find what the end really holds for our lives and the planet we live on. MUST READ!! MUST READ!!