Vision of New Jerusalem: Now by Marty Angelo Book Review

I reviewed Vision of New Jerusalem: Now, in exchange from Marty Angelo. I saw a post on BookBlogs and responded to his request The book is also published by One Life Matters Ministries. The book consists of 32 chapters plus appendices and footnotes (400 plus pages). The book is .99 on Kindle and 9.95 on paperback.

About the Book:
An in-depth study of the relationship of the kingdom of God, the Church, and the New Jerusalem. By understanding and applying the principles found in this book one will learn how to:

1. Stay out of troublesome situations... Now!
2. Live a victorious overcoming life... Now!
3. Experience inner peace... Now!
4. Build an important bridge between preterism/fulfilled eschatology and futurism... Now!

My review:

The book starts out with Angelo becoming a Christian in 1981, but he did not start the book until 1983, when Marty was in jail for possession. In 1985, while working at a substance abuse center, Marty started developing a manuscript for another book: Once Life Matters: A New
Beginning. The book focuses on the endtimes and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Angelo shared and taught his vision with students/staff members at the center, but got fired because his vision was not aligned with the center's vision.

The first few chapters focused on Marty's background and his process for developing his books. He focused on his experiences in prison and his conversion to Christ. He also talked about his religious upbringing and background.

Page 34 goes into the four end-time teachings.
1. Futurist: Jesus will return to Earth. No one knows the date or time. The future will also involve catastrophe and judgment. There are four sub-categories under futurist:

• Pre-Millenial: The Church will be raptured at the second coming of the Lord. There will be tribulation and a 1000-year millennial period. 
• Mid-tribulation: the church will be raptured during the middle of the great tribulation and the 1000 year millennial period
• Post Millennial-the church is raptured in the future (not knowing the date or time), but after the tribulation, but before the millennial period
• Amillennialism- does not believe in a 1000 year millennial reign, but believes Jesus will come in the future.

2. Preterist : believes Revelation was written before AD 70. Revelation is an explanation of Jesus and Daniel's prophecies concerning Jerusalem's destruction and the return of Christ. 

3. Historicist: Started in the first century church continuing to the age of Prophecies.

4. Idealist: Also known as spiritualist or symbolic. The events of Revelation are neither past or future, but simply symbolic, dealing with good versus evil .

Chapter 3 dealt with Marty being confused with parts of revelation (which confused me too, when I read it years and years ago). Some things, he had trouble understanding was the Mark of the Beast (666) and the Whore (Harlot). Marty started doing more reading and research into end-time books to gain a greater understanding. He started developing a greater relationship with God. 

Chapter 7 starts getting into the real meat of the book (p. 68). Angelo backs up all his work with biblical references. Page after Page of verses of the bible, mixed in with text.For example:

Peter Needs Conversion (p. 104)

Of course Peter didn’t completely understand his role in the Kingdom of God until he was totally converted on the Day of Pentecost. He first needed to be converted… one of the first keys to God’s kingdom.

Luke 22:31-32 - And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

He discussed the resurrection, the coming of Christ, how Satan's reign will come to an end. He also talked about the power of the Holy Ghost and how a relationship with Christ is very important. No one wants to be left behind. I definitely do not want to be left behind. Marty also discusses how the kingdom of Jerusalem will be re-established. Next, Marty discussed the day of judgment. This is a great theological book, with a simple, easy-to-read format. 

About the author:

Marty Angelo is an author and minister. He founded One Life Matters Ministries, which as a prison, substance abuse, and celebrity outreach.

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What's Your Mark Book Review

I read What's your Mark, in exchange for review from BookSneeze.  I have the paperback version. The book is written by Jeremy Cowart and published by Zondervan Press.

The book discusses people, who made a mark on the world. Their lives have also been changed by Jesus. I chose this book because I loved the description and the cover was beautiful. I started reading the book as soon as I got it in the mail.

Also, after each story, the author has a chapter from Mark. So, you can learn about someone, get inspired, and then read the bible. yay.

Let me tell you about the cover. It is a beautiful frame, with a silver, mirror-material in the middle. You can see yourself through the mirror. Maybe, you can ask "what's my mark", while looking at yourself. The photos throughout the book are amazing too.

The first story talks about a woman, who uses twitter for social good. The woman works for Twitter too.  Instead of twitting random nothings, she tweets things, which will help people. For example, she posted about an orphanage, she visited. She posted about the good things, the orphanage was doing. She also posted on how people can help orphans. She also teaches people how to use twitter for good. What we tweet can affect others and how others feel about us.

Another story, was about a photographer, who used photography as a way to connect with others. She uses photography to see the light in others, to put focus on them, instead of her. The next story, focuses on a Christian hip-hop artist. He also started a non-profit. The book presents 21 stories of people, who made their mark on the world, including a husband and wife team, who had a successful tv series on the bible. The book is available in paperback (11.99 at time of posting) and kindle (1.99 at time of this posting).

The Writer's Platform

I read the Writers Platform by Austin Briggs. I won the book through a Librarything giveaway. I chose the book because I am a writer (short stories and poetry) and have low sales. I do not have a marketing plan to increase sales. I have no idea how to increase sales. I was glad when I got notified, I won a copy of the book.

The book discussed building a good writer's platform within 30 days, using social media only. I don't have to buy multiple copies of my print books. I don't have to start doing public speaking (not feeling that). I am not buying a review (those should be free). The process is not easy--it will require work. The book does not discuss illegal or shady ways to increase sales--loved reading that page of the book. I have seen so many websites, got plenty of emails, and seen books--where you attempt to earn a quick buck by spending hundreds and hundreds of your own money. I am a broke writer. I write for fun, but there is nothing like a sale. I already feel like the odds are against me because I am not a novelist. Takes more work to sell poetry and short stories, than a novelist. I have a blog, facebook fan page, pinterest, twitter, and google plus. I am in writing groups, writer's books, and promotion-based groups on facebook, library thing, and book blogs.

I been skimming through the book for about two weeks--to see if the information is worth taking an in-depth look at--and it is. The author focuses on techniques to improve your brand, pricing, and blogging. The books need to be the right price. The authors also need to watch what they say online, which can affect sales. If you are negative, then people may not buy your book. Briggs also discusses developing a website and a blog. All of this does not start without defining goals first. What do you expect from writing this book? What kind of income do you want? How many people do you need to buy your book, based on income?

There is also a great chapter on social media. Facebook and twitter are a must for writers. There is also Google Plus, Linkedin, Pinterest. Every follower is a potential buyer or promoter of your brand. We, as writers, need to update posts on a regular basis. We also need to develop goals for social media as well. Another note: Do not just post "buy my book" only because it gets boring and redundant. Post humor, opinions, and other content as well. You also can use facebook ads to attract new followers to your pages. Social media also allows networking with publishers, editors, and other writers.

Finally, the book discusses finding a good editor; formatting the book; choosing the right format for the book; guest posting; blog tours (which I have done for other authors); cross promotions; author associations; book bonuses; and review exchanges (i review your book and you review my book). The book also has a 90 day calendar to increase the book's and the author's brand. Each day is laid out with tips and techniques.

The book was simple to read, not too complicated. Not a lot of big words, you need a dictionary for.  I liked it. definitely will work on developing goals and start using the book to improve my brand.