Customer Reviews
Sunday school from Hell 
2008-08-25
I'd like to say that my title is more than a little harsh, but frankly I can't. I skimmed through probably 2/3rds of this book searching for when the droning sermons would end.
Quite frankly, I don't think Jesus is that boring, nor that cruel to make his children suffer through a holier than though monotone sermon that covers not one but up to six pages at a time. Nor do I think, as it's been pointed out from other reviewers, that He would get such manical pleasure in incinerating millions of people and as was pointed out from another, so many innocent horses.
One thing that really irritated me about this book is how all of sudden Nicolae/Lucifer is turned into the biggest bafoon in all of creation. My apologies to the everyone who had a hand in publishing this book, but Lucifer did not command an army of millions of angels during the great Battle, nor has he spun his charms on so much of mankind by being a complete idiot.
The fact that I am not a Christian will cause many to say that that is why I don't like the books, and I'm completely missing the message. The message I gleaned from this book, and many of the books in the series is that fear mongering is still a preferred method of recruitment into the Christian ranks. It is because of this philosophy that millions of others like me will fear not our Lord Creator, but those who would wish to murder us because we aren't self-defeating sheep and have the nerve to think for ourselves.
An Amazing Thriller, Left Behind Series 
2008-07-13
This is the next to last book in the Left Behind series of books. They are all really great reads and keep you wanting more. They are fiction, but are Biblically based. It is great fiction regardless.
The story dragged tremendously and was dull --- how can this be?! 2008-06-02
I had to write my only review of the LB series with this installment novel because I expected it to be most exciting and rewarding of the series. Little did I know that the best writing was actually "left behind" several installments back. The best novels of the series (IMHO) were #1 (Left Behind), 3 (Nicolae), 6 (Assassins), 7 (The Indwelling), and 8 (The Mark).
One note: I have NOT read any of the reviews of this installment nor the series because I didn't want any reviews to taint my impressions of the writings while I am still reading them.
The actual writing itself for this installment was lifeless, dull, and sluggish. Talk about dragging it out!!! I no longer cared for any of the surviving characters, even though I could have cared. The "good" characters were used so incidentally when they were convenient to the storyline that you just wished Jesus would come already. The "bad" characters that made the other better novels somewhat interesting, like Leon Fortunato, Viv Ivins, and Suhail Akbar, were barely used. Nicolae is laughably evil and merely a caricature of what he once was. When a novel starts scrimping on the details for the main bad guy is when you know the story has got big, big problems.
Jesus' return to earth is one of the most anticipated events in all Christians' hopes. Not only was it disappointing overall, as portrayed in the book, but it took several hundred pages to get there. The story put me to sleep easily for many nights, which is not good to say for a novel.
I had never given one star reviews for ANY of the novels I have read. But for this effort, I am compelled. Sorry, Tim and Jerry. But you made money from me, and I need to write fairly to warn consumers.
Faith vs. Content vs. Context vs. Spiritual Growth 
2008-04-25
I've read many of the reviews here of both very negative and positive critiques of the reviewers and can honestly say I'm very surprised on how visceral both sides have reviewed this book. I believe many of the reviewers may have lost sight of 'interpretation of factual prophecy' as it is interpreted by authors providing a 'possible' fictionalized future of events that are to come, and began to espouse how incorrect the authors or spot on.
Hopefully you'll find my review helpful as far as how the 'novel' is laid out and written as opposed to ones own personal beliefs and interpretations as I suppose we can all agree that the argument of the end times has divided both believers and non believers and the church itself.
As a whole, I found the first third of the book very slow at times and random plot threads that seemed irrelevant to both the climax and how the previous novels set forth the action. In it's totality, I honestly believe that a lot of superfluous dialogue and descriptions were overdone and actually detracted from the pace of the book. It may have flowed much better if a good 75-100 pages of 'fluff' with no substance could have been eliminated, but then again, I understand that the authors may felt the need to put out a 400 page novel to match the length of previous installments.
My other criticism of both 'Glorious Appearing' and many of the previous novels is what I personally believe as a very overly simplistic writing style that some may find either unrealistic or insulting. Not the content mind you, but interaction and conversations between characters seem to be 'dumbed' down to a sixth grade reading level at times. This may be intentional on the author's behalf as to not alienate a wide demographic of readers by using fancy words. I can understand with a subject matter like this that everyone has an opinion and you are always walking a fine line as to not to overtly offend or ostracize your readers. I believe that both LaHaye and Jenkins truly do care about the salvation of the human race and must make the content easy for anyone to understand no matter their faith. However, this can lend to a child like mentality in dialogue that some more mature people may find difficult to swallow. I kept thinking to myself that no one really actually talks like this. Even Christians that I know do not have this 1950's Leave It To Beaver like sanitized speech. In other words, while I find the story utterly fascinating and compelling, I'm often stymied with the too many 'Gosh darn & golly gee' speeches that just seem to silly.
It's these two points which lead me to giving it only three stars. If the dialogue was more realistic and secular it would come across as more intelligent and most likely gain another star from me.
As far as content and context to the end times itself and what is prophesized in the bible, I can't find much fault. Though I don't claim to be a theologian or bible scholar by any means, the authors interpretation paints a dim picture for non believers and really gives hope to those believers who have questions. Are the authors actually correct? I suppose only God and Christ know for sure, for it was Jesus who said "Only I know the hour and the day".
Speculation of the end times has dated back to almost 2000 years, but the faithful do believe it will happen. This is a taste, a 'what if' novel that we as readers can apply today looking at events and present day technology. Christ tells us to live our lives in a state of being 'ready' for we never know when that day will actually come, and despite the arguing many reviewers have espoused here on fact versus fiction, I think they are missing the point.
The overall theme is no matter how you personally think events may unfold, we must make a choice....accept or deny His fulfillment and paying our debt through His grace, love, and mercy.
Myself, as a Christian, was scared to read the final chapters. Some have argued that the Jesus presented here is a hateful, mean, unloving person. I didn't get that all....For me it was moving. I am scared because this novel made me look into the mirror at times and my spirit and soul ached not to ever be separated from Christ, whether in the end times or today. I wept for my friends and my family, and even myself. Any novel that can make me look at my own spirit and raise just as many questions about my own eternal destiny therefore transcends just pure entertainment value and has me wanting to make sure I reconnect with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I think His love is shown in abundance here as he give the people of this earth chance after chance after chance, and yet they still deny, mock, argue, and trivialize over petty things. The point of the novel was to illustrate these follies and let the reader realize that we are over-complicating our decisions and analysis of these events. This is still a novel after all. In the end, it really is broken down to a very simple choice: we are either accept Him today in faith, or we deny Him.....but we must make a decision, like it or not, as the end times may be here before we know it.
PART OF THE LEFT BEHIND SERIES 
2008-04-06
This is one of the later books in the Left Behind Series. Similar to all the others. Fortunately is a story in itself, so if you don't get the whole series you can still get a good read.
potentially faith-shattering 2007-10-29
Thousands of years of human history stained by strife, death, and sin come to an end when the King of Glory returns to earth. The satisfying conclusion of the seven years of tribulation covered by the Left Behind series portrays the return of Jesus Christ to earth in both glory and judgment at the height of the battle between the forces of evil gathered at Armageddon and the remaining Christian believers at Petra and Jerusalem. Nothing seems to be able to stop the Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia. But God is in control. Street date: Tuesday, November 16, 2004.
Religious fiction 2007-10-20
Another one of those Christian Fictions that bespeaks doom and destruction for all who don't turn their lives over to Jesus. If you can get past the religious psychobabble, its a good book. Otherwise, Buddha is a much better choice and his followers are typically less intolerant and war-like.
The end of a series in which Christians can read, believe that they're superior and have chosen the right religion and give them more confidence to beat down the doors of the rest of the world to accept a fictional character in their lives so that they and the 700 Club can get more money, control more people, and ruin more lives with a bull-**** story.
3/4 done 2007-08-18
I have read through the whole series and almost done with the last book. I don't think this will be the last book, cuz I'm almost done and there seems to be too much that is going to happen. Anyways, I read all the negative remarks, obviously from nonbelievers. A nonbeliever is borrowing my books and she likes the fiction story. However, it's based off the book or "Revelation" What they wrote is only a glimpse of what is coming whether you believe it or not. They could be right on, I doubt it, but what will happen is going to be something close. No matter what it's not going to be pretty. I read the "Davinci Code," and many believers can't believe I did, but it's a great fiction book, one of the best books I've ever read. Honestly, doesn't matter if Jesus did get married, and had a daughter. According to the bible, getting married and having children is holy and considered a blessing. Besides, he is the same Jesus who died on the cross and rose again.
Glorious is The Right Word 
2007-07-22
This book makes you think. It also makesyou want to do more comparing with your Bible and write your own ideas.
These guys must be stopped!! 2007-07-19
There's not really much to say here. It just scares me to think about the impact these two douche bags have on so many people. I mean alot of folks out there believe in this garbage. Scary stuff....So let me get this strait...we're supposed to follow this psycho maniac named Jesus who flings people into fire only because they are non believers?? It's like he gets a righteous boner watching eyeballs melt and skin disintegrate...Lahaye and Jenkins have distorted the simple, yet beautiful message of Christ. Way to go fellas!!! Congrats on the book sales!!!
