Is Armageddon near? Gary DeMar to divulge what the Bible says.

In the 1970s, Hal Lindseys book Late Great Planet Earth" was named the no. 1 nonfiction bestseller of the decade" by The New York Times. Then came Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins more recent and wildly popular Left Behind" series, which created a sensation among Christians and non-Christians alike. These books deal with a topic that has deeply intrigued and infatuated people for years: speculation that the second coming of Christ is just around the corner.

News Release
For Immediate Release

Date: September 19, 2003
Contact: Jason Mudd, 904/491-6652

     In the 1970s, Hal Lindseys book Late Great Planet Earth" was named the no. 1 nonfiction bestseller of the decade" by The New York Times. Then came Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins more recent and wildly popular Left Behind" series, which created a sensation among Christians and non-Christians alike. These books deal with a topic that has deeply intrigued and infatuated people for years: speculation that the second coming of Christ is just around the corner.

     Few people have the expertise and credentials to make claims about the end times as Gary DeMar," said Rev. David L. Burke, pastor of Ortega Presbyterian Church. He will address questions on this subject using the most significant piece of evidence -- the Bible -- in order to show attendees the best way to approach the future."

     These authors argue that current events were prophesied thousands of years ago and recorded in the Bible as precursors to the imminent apocalypse-but there are many questions about their interpretation of Scripture. Are we living in the end times? Is the view of prophecy and the end times embraced by these books biblical? Have the predicted events occurred with accurate timing? How ought our understanding of this matter shape our daily living? What does the Bible really teach?

     Renowned theologian Gary DeMar will discuss these questions and more as this years speaker at Ortega Presbyterian Churchs annual Fall Bible Conference on Oct. 3-5, 2003. He will hold a number of sessions throughout the three-day conference on the topic Pursuing the Future with Optimism," addressing various important issues on the subject of the end times.

     The conference is sure to provide a fascinating perspective on the biblical apocalypse, and both religious and non-religious individuals who are interested in this topic are encouraged to attend.

     The total conference admission is $10 per adult. Families pay a maximum of $30, while children under 12 are admitted free. Please call the church office at (904) 389-4043 for more information.

     DeMar is president of American Vision, a Christian educational and communications organization whose purpose is to help Christians in their development of a comprehensive biblical worldview. He is the author of over twenty books, including End Time Fiction: A Biblical Consideration of the Left Behind Theology" and Last Days Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church."

Founded in 1959, Ortega Presbyterian Church exists to glorify God through Christ-centered worship, the preaching and teaching of the whole counsel of God and living forth the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

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Pursuing the Future with Optimism
Fall Bible Conference
with
Gary DeMar
October 3-5, 2003

Hosted by
Ortega Presbyterian Church
(Presbyterian Church in America)
Jacksonville, Fla.

Friday, Oct. 3            
7:00 -- 8:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.   Registration & Book Table
7:30 p.m.   Session One: Timing is Everything

Saturday, Oct. 4            
9:00 -- 11:30 a.m.      
8:30 a.m.   Registration & Book Table
9:00 a.m.   Session Two: Are We Living in the Last Days?: Part 1
10:30 a.m.   Session Three: Are We Living in the Last Days?: Part 2
11:30 a.m.   Lunch (area restaurants map available or $5 at the Church-R.S.V.P.)

Saturday, Oct. 4            
1:00 -- 2:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m.   Session Four: Will the Antichrist Please Stand Up
2:15 p.m.   Session Five: Question and Answer Session

Saturday Evening
7:00 p.m.   Southern Ball (tentative)

Sunday, Oct. 5               
9:30 a.m.   Church School: The End of Law   
10:45 a.m.   Worship Service: Why the Future Matters

Light refreshments are available before and after each session. Question-and-answer periods follow each session as time permits.

The total conference fee is $10 per adult. Families pay a maximum of $30, while children under 12 are admitted free.
   
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Ortega Presbyterian Church
4406 Longfellow Street
Jacksonville, FL 32210
Tel: 904/389-4043 • Fax: 904/389-4074
office@ortegapres.org