Book Title: The Rising
Page Count: 380
Author: Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins
Publisher: Tyndale
ISBN: 0-8423-6056-5
Category: Fiction
Genre: Christianity/Religion
Dove's (Personal) Review: This is "book 13" of the "Left Behind" series. Click here to learn about the "Left Behind" books if you're unfamiliar with them. The first twelve books are:
1. Left Behind (A novel of the earth's last days...)
2. Tribulation Force (The continuing drama of those left behind...)
3. Nicolae (The rise of Antichrist...)
4. Soul Harvest (The world takes sides...)
5. Apollyon (The Destroyer is unleashed...)
6. Assassins (Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist...)
7. The Indwelling (The Beast takes possession...)
8. The Mark (The Beast rules the world...)
9. Desecration (Antichrist takes the throne...)
10. The Remnant (On the brink of Armageddon...)
11. Armageddon (The cosmic battle of the ages...)
12. Glorious Appearing (The end of days...)
For those of you who believe, you already know the story well, I'm sure. For those of you who are unsure, LaHaye and Jenkins have novelized their interpretation of Revelation, the last book in the Bible written by John (one of Christ's twelve Apostles).
It's OK... go ahead... blow the dust off your Bibles and take a look. You'll see that the book of Revelation is only twenty-two chapters, so it won't take too long if you want a brief summary of what you'll find in the twelve "Left Behind" books.
Personally, I think Revelation is fascinating reading and when I heard about the series by LaHaye and Jenkins I went out and bought the first book, Left Behind. Of course, within minutes, I was captivated by the story. The next night I bought books two, three, and four and started book two immediately. Throughout the week I finished them all so I began the hunt for the others. I polished off all twelve books in about three weeks, LOL. I couldn't stop reading. They are impressive for lack of a better word. I have since come to refer to them as "Christian-Prediction-Fiction." LOL, say that ten times fast!
Anyway, the twelve books cover a seven year period starting with "The Rapture" (the disappearance of millions of Christians off the face of the earth) to the "Glorious Appearance" (the second coming of Christ, when He takes His throne on earth). I highly recommend this series whether you're a believer in Christ or not. Though these books are based on biblical events and are centered around having faith in Christ, they are far from "preachy." Even though you're faced with Christian/religious matters, you'll soon discover that other genres evolve; Science Fiction, Horror, Romance, and Drama just to name a few!
"The Rising" takes place before the first twelve books. In this book, we learn about Nicolae (the Antichrist) Carpathia's parents, his birth, his childhood, and how he begins to "know" his true father, Lucifer - Satan himself!
As an interesting subplot, we also meet Rayford Steele (a major character in the first twelve books) as a young boy while he begins his own personal struggle with God and faith.
"The Rising" is a beautifully crafted, thought provoking piece of work as are all the Left Behind books. And, if I dare say so myself, they're also a bit terrifying. IF the "End of Days" happens like LaHaye and Jenkins predict, I sure hope I'm already dead when it all goes down! Although, living for a thousand years right alongside Christ does sound pretty cool. I just don't think I could handle the seven years of "Hell of earth" before He shows up!
Definitely - without any doubt at all - The Rising is a TWO-THUMBS-UP, GOLD STAR treasure!
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