This little volume was originally purchased as a present for another person, but I thought it best to read myself before giving it to the intended owner. The real present is within its pages!

Organized in a logical progression, Heaven begins with Jesus who is the Way to heaven. It traces how the Second Coming was promised throughout history, and how God's people will be delivered. An interesting chapter is entitled, "Who Will Be There?" with one entitled "Some Who Will Not Be There" following it. I especially enjoyed the last four chapters that discuss how heaven can begin now, music that will be in heaven and the school that heaven will be.

It is obvious that Ellen White struggled to convey all that she had seen in vision. The culled statements are her best descriptions of our glorious heavenly home and the activities of the redeemed. She presents the brilliance and beauty of heaven in sharp contrast to the darkness of this world.

It is a small volume, 192 pages in all. But I found it packed with thought provoking images and statements. The book is a compilation, so referencing excerpts from their original settings and context might be beneficial for those who like to dig deeper. The surprise for me was how much prayer the pages prompted, as I felt heavenly tugs on my heart and mind and as its themes triggered longings for all that God offers. I also found myself contemplating passages long after reading them-something worth mulling over in those little snippets of time usually lost throughout the day.

This little gem is one that will be mined many times over. I am sure that you will find it as delightful as I did.

White, Ellen G. (2003). Heaven. Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association

ISBN: 0-8163-1981-2 (Hardback, $14.99) Available at the ABC

The book's title caught my eye-how many times have I heard about Jesus' return? Over how many years? I never thought I'd be considering the question at this life stage. After all, Jesus was sure to come before I got out of school, or got married.

Randall Roberts, senior pastor of the Loma Linda University church, begins the book on the same tone. He examines response options to the delay of the Second Advent, and concludes most are unsatisfactory, either in emphasis or approach. He then focuses on the passage of Matthew 24:1-25:46, examining Christ's most condensed and thorough teachings about His return and preparation for it. Roberts feel this passage contains the keys to what Jesus meant when He told His disciples to "Be ready!" Within the four parables of this biblical passage, Jesus revealed how to be ready for His return, regardless of when it would happen. (Remember, He didn't really answer the disciples' question of when-His focus was on how.)

As Roberts examines each of the four parables, it becomes obvious that each parable reveals a specific principle of living that readies one for meeting Jesus. This is the section of the book I liked the best, and once I'd read through them, I wondered, "Why didn't I think of that? It's so plainly evident!"

Roberts moves logically to the "What next?" after discussing Jesus' emphasis on how to be ready for His return. In this portion of his book, Roberts echoes many of my concerns. Understandably, those who live in readiness for His coming do not fear the Second Advent. What does produce concern, at least in my mind, is what will transpire before Jesus comes-it is obvious from His words that things will become much worse before they become immeasurably better. I found Roberts to be very pragmatic in his approach to this topic, pointing readers to focus on the big picture while trusting God's ability to care for His own during times of distress.

The book ends with a section of thought and discussion questions for each of the eight chapters, so it is easily adapted for use by study groups, family worship, study with a partner, or even for personal reflection.

Roberts, Randall L. (2003). The End Is Near Again: Being ready for the return of Jesus whenever it happens. Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association.

ISBN: 0-8163-1950-2 (paperback/$10.99) Available at the ABC
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