Jan 04, 2002 08:07 AM
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(Updated Jan 04, 2002 08:09 AM)
“Behold, I tell you a mystery”. Just imagine what it would be like if you were sitting in an airplane and all of a sudden many of the passengers just disappeared. Their clothes were neatly folded on their seats but they were no where in sight. Cars driving down the street suddenly lost their drivers and crashed into whatever was there. The wombs of pregnant women were suddenly empty. Children disappeared. Families were separated, some were missing, others remained, having witnessed their loved ones vanishing before their eyes.
In this fictional story, based upon biblical prophecy, that is exactly what happens. The first book in a series of books called “The Left Behind Series”, is about the last days on earth, as Jesus Christ returns for His believers. This book tells about what Christians call “THE RAPTURE”, when the believers in Christ are taken from this earth before the period of TRIBULATION, signifying the ultimate return of Christ to set up His Kingdom on Earth.
This book is fiction, but it is one of the best told stories I have read about the “End Times”. What happens may be unbelievable to some, but to many, it is very real, and very believable. People have told me that although they are not students of the Bible, they found this book riveting.
Many people are left after the disappearance searching for answers and for the truth. Some find it, many don’t. The world is in chaos and in need of some one to bring peace. The sudden rise to power of a young man from Romania, whose charasmatic personality quickly leads him to head the United Nations on a quest for peace seems the ultimate answer. People flock to him and around him and cannot seem to deny him when he approaches them.
As I said before, the Biblical prophecys that are told in this book signify what many of us believe is to happen in the days to come. It is interesting reading in itself and if only for the story, it is well worth the read.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
RAYFORD STEELE: Airline pilot, whose wife and son have suddenly disappeared. He is the Captain of the airplane during the “rapture” and returns home to find his wife and son among the missing.
CHLOE STEELE: Rayford’s daughter. She is away at college on the West Coast during this time, and returns home to her father seeking answers. She becomes friends with Buck.
HATTIE DURHAM: Flight attendant with whom Rayford is comtemplating an affair. She is on the plane with him and plays an important part in the rise of the new leader when she ends up quitting the airlines and taking a job at the secretary to Nicholae Carpathia.
CAMERON “BUCK” WILLIAMS: Senior writer with Global Weekly news magazine, in New York. He is on the plane with Rayford and Hattie and helps Hattie get home. Some of his relatives have disappeared. He is also instrumental in introducing Hattie to Nicolae Carpathia.
BRUCE BARNES; Associate pastor at New Hope Church. His whole family has disappeared. He was one of the very few members of New Hope who has not been “raptured” and now knowing why, he begins pastoring and teaching the new members of the Church and has become a personal friend and mentor to the Steeles.
NICHOLAE CARPATHIA: The young, charasmatic leader from Romania who finds himself unanimously elected as president of his country and ultimately ushered into the position as head of the United Nations.
DR. CHAIM ROSENZWEIG: Owner and developer of a formula that can make the desert bloom. He was in Israel with Buck when the soviets were destroyed during an attempt on Israel. He introduces Buck to Carpathia, and is one of his strongest supporters.
This truly “interesting” story is book one in a series of what is now 9 released stories. Truly entertaining even if you do not believe in it’s truth. A recommend for all readers.
Written by Dr. TIM LAHAYE, renowned prophecy scholar, minister and educator, and JERRY B. JENKINS, author. This series is also available in a children’s
Series.
THE LEFT BEHIND SERIES;
Left Behind
Tribulation Force
Nicolae
Soul Harvest
Apollyon
Assassins
The Indwelling
The Mark
Desecration
