This book was born several months ago when the manager of our local Adventist Book Center told me that people were only buying books focused on the end of time. “They’re really frightened,” she said.

I knew then that I had to write this book. People need to be ready for the end of the world, but they don’t need to be frightened.

So if you are one of the frightened ones, or if you know someone who is, read on. This book is for you.

Of all the books I have written, none has received such extensive input and response to a first draft—a draft that went out to the email list of Chan Shun Sabbath School. This book is dedicated to the members of that Sabbath School.

I took that input seriously and used it to shape the content of the book. But when I finished what I thought would be a final draft, I had an uneasy feeling that the book lacked coherence and flow.

This backstory addresses that issue. As I have reflected on the responses to the manuscript, I have identified some six classes of potential readers, most of which would fit into more than one category.

Since I am a firm believer in “big tent” Adventism, I have attempted to meet the needs of all. And that’s why coherence and flow has seemed problematic to me.

So here’s my list of six categories. Before you read, you should carefully check over this list.

It will help you know what to read quickly and casually, what to read carefully and thoroughly, and what to skip! 1) You simply want to trust God, 2) You want to know what the Bible says about the time of Jesus’ return, 3) You need help understanding and applying certain features of what one of the Venden tribe has called “chronic” Adventism, 4) You want to address your frustration with Ellen White’s role in Adventism, 5) You want to explore the role of prayer, 6) You have drifted away from God and are troubled by the gulf that seems to separate you from God. .