My mother introduced me to the Left Behind books a few years ago, and I've been hooked ever since.  Although I don't agree with all of the theology, the series really makes you think about what the end times will be like.  For example, the babies and children thing makes no sense.  Why would God save the babies and children at the time of the Rapture, and then let more be born?  If He didn't want the children to suffer, wouldn't it make more sense that none would be born after the Rapture?  And will God really spare them?  There were children who died in the Flood, and the armies of Israel were often instructed to kill everyone in the pagan nations, including the infants and children.  What will really happen?  Hopefully the authors Tim LeHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins are correct in their assumption of a pre-Trib rapture, and I won't be around to find out!

But on to the book!  This is one of the best volumes yet!  A lot happens, and the authors keep the reader on the edge of his seat until the very end.  In this episode, the safe house in California is compromised, and the believers living there must be transported to Petra.  The beheading of those without the mark continues, often accompanied by the appearance of angels.  Taking advantage of the curse of darkness in New Babylon, Ray rescues Chang and does some snooping of his own.  He finds an unexpected ally in Carpathia's office, and, to his utter astonishment, meets the leader of a small band of Christians who have moved within miles of New Babylon.  This man was doing some snooping of his own, and he and Ray were speechless when they stumbled upon each other.  Safely in Petra, Chang gets a girlfriend, about the only positive thing to happen in this installment.  The book ends with Carpathia's armies marching on Jerusalem and Petra, leaving a blood bath of beloved characters in its wake.  As in previous books, the authors are not afraid to kill off main characters.  By the last page, four members of the Tribulation Force are dead, although the last death is purposely ambiguous.  I won't spoil the book for you by telling you who makes it and who doesn't.  The book ends just moments before the Glorious Appearing.  If you have been following the series, you will love this book!

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