To start with the review, I got asked to review this book as part of a 'Blog Tour' I received an advanced copy of it through the author agent in this respect and from NetGalley.

The title and the subtitle say it all, so if you are one that does not read the subtitle, then make sure you do. I did not notice it till just now. What do I mean by that? The book is divided up into three parts.
1. Rise of Lawlessness
2. The End Times
3. The Power of Hope

So as I said, the name says it all. As I had just sort of read the name (not the subtitle) I was very confused when the book seemed to take an abrupt right turn and move from lawlessness and the history of it and then went to a discussion of the end times. That is not the fault of the author, it was my fault for not reading the title clearly. I want to make sure that you are aware of it. If you are like me, end time prophecies can get to be a problem. In that respect I was not prepared for the end time discussions

The book held interest to me, even through the end times discussions. I had to just leave it as ones persons decision based on the way he interpreted the Bible. It is funny that we can all read the same scriptures and come up with different ways of what we think they mean.

Part 1, the rise of lawlessness was the best part of the book for me. Starting with Adam and Eve and coming up to the present time, we can see that there has always been lawlessness. We can also see that as we progress in time, things are getting worse. But we always have the power of hope. We are not left defenseless. We have the power of prayer and the armor of God. We are not to just roll over and let the end times come.

The book was well balanced, talking about the three parts with equal measure. It was a pleasure to see this because so many books on end times focus on one of these over the expense of the others, usually focusing on prophetic looks at end times. With a balanced look at things it makes it a book that I would like to keep in my library.

If you have a need for a good book on the end times, this would be it.

The widespread demonstrations of lawlessness are becoming commonplace in our society, along with an increasing tolerance and acceptance. This book examines the issue of lawlessness from God’s perspective, through a Biblical lens. This book has abundant relevance in our day and time. It should be noted that the contempt and disregard for God's teachings comes as no surprise to Him. Jesus himself warned his disciples that this time would come and told them what to expect (see Matthew 24:10–14). However, this passage also serves to encourage followers as Jesus tells of the good things that will come in the face of lawlessness. It is our responsibility to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as we wait for God's plan to come to fruition.

The author, Phil Hotsenpiller, begins by taking a look at the rise of lawlessness, tracing its roots and its spread through the centuries. He begins the discussion with Moses at Mount Sinai. The Law was given by God as a blueprint for life so that we maximize our relationships with Him and with one another. However, lawlessness is evident even before the Law was delivered. Adam and Eve blatantly disregarded God's instructions. Likewise, the Israelites had followed their own desires even before Moses descended Mount Sinai to deliver God's commandments. Lawlessness is following the motives of our own hearts, an act that started soon after time began and continues to run rampant in today's culture. Next the author turns to the Code of Hammurabi, from the mid-1700s BC, and on to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and a great discussion on lawlessness versus evilness throughout history.

In section two, Hotsenpiller examines a variety of prophecies about lawlessness and its connection to the end times. He discusses many interesting and compelling arguments regarding Biblical prophecies, actually pointing out how prophecies have been fulfilled throughout the past century. It is fascinating to study how Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled and how they have shaped modern society. The last part of this section has a great discussion about the man of lawlessness, the Antichrist.

Finally, he explores options we can take to respond appropriately to the rising tide of lawlessness around us. When we begin to see God’s perspective on such events, we are better equipped to put our fears and anxieties into His capable hands and move on with our lives. The last section of the book focuses on spiritual warfare, the power of hope, and the power of prayer.

I recommend this book to all Christians, especially those who seek a better understanding of the society we live in and how to navigate through it in a Biblical way. I received this as a free ARC from Chosen Books, Baker Publishing Group on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lawlessness is common. Hotsenpiller invites readers to look at this issue from God's perspective. He takes us through the roots and history of lawlessness, prophecies about lawlessness, and how we can respond to the lawlessness around us.

I really liked the first part of this book. Hotsenpiller emphasizes that Law represents a relationship with God, the Law giver. The Law was given for us to maximize our relationship with God. I like how he distinguishes periodic or inadvertently breaking the law from lawlessness. I am grateful that God is restraining lawlessness and encouraged that we are not to let evil have the last word.

Hotsenpiller has thought provoking insight into the nature of lawlessness: “lawlessness is not the action of violating the established laws of a nation; lawlessness runs much deeper and is by nature spiritual.” (Loc 578/2903) Lest Christians think too highly of themselves, Hotsenpiller says people today are living under a religious spirit. They satisfy man's laws, not discovering the deeper spirit of lawlessness toward God's Law. (Loc 587/2903) We do not love our neighbor as ourselves. Based on the Samaritan parable, these are people who do not look or talk or think like we do. Disregarding the command to love our neighbor, “We have already succumbed to the destructive spirit of lawlessness.” (Loc 625/2903)

Hotsenpiller spends much of the book looking at prophecy about the end times and lawlessness and the Antichrist. It is of the typical pre-tribulation rapture style. The last part of the book is another good section on spiritual warfare. He includes some great stories and examples. “We have been given the assignment from God to transform society with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Loc 2259/2903)

I recommend this book to those who want to understand what is happening in the world today, how to have hope, and what Christians can do. You may have to ask yourself some serious questions, however, about your own attitude toward God's Law.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.