R. Roberts is the senior pastor of the Loma Linda University Church. He has written an excellent book about the delay of the Christ’s Second Coming and the problems of time setting or giving up the hope. Neither is an option for sincere believers. Although the book is not a scholarly study of major biblical passages, but rather a popular approach to the problem, containing many illustrations and valuable practical applications, the author may surprise the reader with intriguing theological insights.

After having stated and somewhat developed the problem of the delay and the pitfalls associated with it, he starts out to take a fresh look at Matthew 24 and the so-called signs of the times. Then he proceeds to study especially the four major parables following Christ’s speech on the signs of the times and his Second coming. He devotes a chapter to each, the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants (Mt 24:45-51), the parable of the ten virgins (Mt 25:1-13), the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30), and the parable of the judgment on the sheep and the goats (Mt 25:31-46). The last chapter summarizes the results of the study.

The author’s main thesis seems to be: Instead of focusing on the questions “when?” and “what?” we should ask the questions “who?” and “how?”. Consequently, we must understand what it means to be watching. Some readers may be puzzled by some of his statements such as that it is possible to be asleep and ready and that using one’s talents and doing one’s job means watching. In the latter case his qualifier should not be overlooked “putting to use their talents to increase the kingdom.” Without this qualifier it could be argued that many non-Christians, who deny the Second Coming of Jesus, would also be watching. But this is not what he is saying.

So what are his definitions of watching? “Watching means doing, doing the Master’s bidding. Watching means knowing, knowing Jesus on a personal, enduring basis. Watching means using, using our talents to increase His kingdom. And watching means caring, caring for the simple and basic needs of others” (pp. 103-105). Five lessons for our everyday life follow, the last one stating that “we must maintain a view toward the big picture. . . . So, lift up the trumpet and let it ring! Jesus is coming again” (pp. 113-114). This stimulating and thought-provoking book ends with a number of thought and discussion questions.