Includes bibliographical references (p. 373-390).

"This book is a thorough, Catholic critique of the popular Fundamentalist belief in the "Rapture" - the belief that Christians will be removed from earth prior to a time of Tribulation and the Second Coming. It examines the theological, historical, and Biblical basis for the "Rapture" by carefully examining "premillennial dispensationalism", the belief system in the Left Behind books and propagated by such Biblical prophecy writers as Tim LaHaye and Hal Lindsey." "Written for both the lay person and the serious student, this book combines an engaging, popular approach with detailed footnotes and exhaustive research. Beginning with the big picture, it focuses first on key concepts such as eschatology, the Parousa, "end times", the Kingdom, and the Church. Olson then shows how Fundamentalist author and Left Behind creator LaHaye's many works on "Bible prophecy" are filled with attacks on Catholicism and numerous misconceptions."--BOOK JACKET