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Celtic Radio Community > Kirk and Chapel > The Left Behind Series


Posted by: wizardofowls 18-Apr-2004, 01:29 PM
Hello all!

I am a big fan of the Left Behind books by Tim La Haye and Jerry B. Jenkins, as well as all 3 spin-off series! (Can you name the 3 spin-offs? smile.gif )

Have you read the books? What do you think of them? Who are your favoirte characters and why? Have you seen the two movies based on the books? Tell me what you think!

Posted by: MacEoghainn 18-Apr-2004, 01:48 PM
My mom and sisters have read all the Left Behind books, I started to read the series, but I have a short attention span when it comes to reading books these days (I have a stack of about 20+ books I've either bought, or have been given as gifts, over the past couple years I haven't even started to read). Anyway, I know how the story ends :
REV22:20-21
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

I know I've seen the first movie but can't remember if I saw the second one (must be experiencing a senior moment biggrin.gif ).

Haven't seen anything about the 3 spinoffs. Hope to be enlightened by this thread.

MacE

Posted by: wizardofowls 18-Apr-2004, 02:56 PM
Hi MacE!

I have read 11 of the original 12 book series. The 12th book, Glorious Appearing, is now out in hard-back, but being on a budget, I have to wait for the paperback version! I hope it will be out by Christmas.

The other 3 spinoffs are:

Left Behind: The Kids - Though obviously intended for a younger audience, these books are every bit as good as the original series. It retells the story of the adult series through the eyes of four teen-agers who were left behind. So far there are 30-some books in the series. These are smaller, paper-back sized books. There are 4 of these books for each of the adult books, so in a series of 12 books, that means there will eventually be 48 books in the series! Unfortunately I've only read through book 24 in this series but hope to get caught up soon, funds permitting...

Apocalypse Dawn by Mel Odom - This is the first book in a new series that tells the story from a military perspective (ie. all of the main characters in the book are military personnel). I am eagerly awaiting the second book!

End of State by Nessa Hart - This is the first book in a new series that tells the story from a political perspective (ie. all of the main characters are people in or associated with the White House). As with the other series, I am eagerly awaiting the second book!

The two movies are:
Left Behind: The Movie
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force

Both are very good IMHO and pretty faithful to the books. A trailer at the beginning of the second movie says to watch for a third movie which is supposed to be coming soon! I can't wait!

Posted by: wizardofowls 19-Apr-2004, 10:17 AM
Hello again!

Has anyone heard anything about the third movie? Let me know all about it!

Also, how is book 12, glorious Appearing? Can't wait to read it!

Posted by: Raven 22-Apr-2004, 03:10 PM
I am currently on the last book in the series #12 and I know this probably sounds stupid that I have read this whole and think that they are poorly written and that the character development is shallow. unsure.gif

On top of that my view of escatology is in total conflict with Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. why am I reading them then you might ask. I am asking myself the same thing. Something must be compelling me to continue, I know how the story is going to end perhaps I just needed a sense of Closure after the first book tongue.gif

I've also seen both movies but I will not read the spinoffs wink.gif

Mikel

Posted by: wizardofowls 22-Apr-2004, 08:37 PM
I don't totally disagree with you on the characters, but I do feel that there are some good moments. I nearly cried when a certain character (whose name I won't mention for those who haven't read it yet) died in book eleven. And I had the same feelings when Bruce died in books 2-3. If they were so poorly written, why did those moments hit so hard?

Just out of curiosity (I'm NOT trying to start a debate or anything wink.gif), what are your escatological views? How do they differ from those presented in the books?

Posted by: Raven 22-Apr-2004, 10:16 PM
HI W (what I will call you until you tell me to do something different since wizardofowls seems a bit unwieldy to me) tongue.gif

At the risk of sounding to harsh unsure.gif I would say the reason at certain points when characters die and we have developed a certain emotional attachment for them (particularly if you've read about them for 10 and 1/2 books) that does not mean that the writing is particularly good. I would attribute that you your imagination doing a great job of compensating for the poor writing.

Like I said, I don't understand myself why I have stuck with this whole series. Everytime I finish a book I ask myself why I go on. This is of course only my personal opinion and God has created us all differently so please don't think I am making any comment on your taste sad.gif cause I'm not wink.gif just keepin it real cause that's how I feel. biggrin.gif

As far as contemporary Christian authors go I especially like Peretti.

Escatology differences are in the timing of the Rapture/Catching away. I'm not saying it absolutely couldn't happen just before the Great Tribulation, but the more I study the more I become convinced that as much as I would prefer it to be that way the less likely it looks to me. I have a multitude of reasons and if you would like to talk about that I would be happy to start a new thread (keep in mind that my opinions are my own and may in no way reflect those of the Church at large)

Peace

Mikel

Posted by: nehalenni 23-Apr-2004, 07:16 AM
QUOTE
I nearly cried when a certain character (whose name I won't mention for those who haven't read it yet) died in book eleven.


Really? nearly? I cried so hard I got a headache!
I didn't even start reading the series untill somewhere about the 6th book or so. I went to the library and got all the back copies. I couldn't put any of them down untill I had read all the available books. I do believe that these charachters could have been better developed. and when these characters are given a certain personality type, they should stick to it. This certain person (whose name I won't mention for those who haven't read it yet) became like a family member to me! When I read books the characters become friends of mine (badly written or not) and I can't help but to think of them as my day goes by. Analyzing what they do and why, and what they should have done and what i might have done in the same cituation. My friend tells me it's because i'm empathic but i always thought it was because i was gullible! she tells me neither trait is entirely bad, though.
But we learn things from the books we read. So I continue to read the series and I also, await the library copy or the paperback, whichever comes along first.

Posted by: wizardofowls 23-Apr-2004, 07:22 AM
Hi M!

Hey, please don't be afraid that I will take offense at something you might write! After all I asked for your opinion, and how Christian would I be if I wanted anything less than honesty from you! I value your opinion and I appreciate it!

As far as the books go, you have to admit, however grudgingly, that the books do occasionally have their moments! I mean, if they were THAT bad, there would have been no reason for you to continue reading in the first place! wink.gif

Since I started reading Christian fiction, a friend of mine has suggested Peretti to me, but I'm always afraid to try new authors. Books are so expensive to take a chance on somebody new (or I guess I should say new to ME!). How is Peretti? What are his books about? I think the title of the book my friend suggested was This Present Darkness or something like that.

And, if you want to start an escathology thread, I'd be happy to chat with you on that thread, but I have no problem with discussing here, since we seem to be the only ones interested in my topic! smile.gif

Posted by: RavenWing 23-Apr-2004, 07:23 AM
I have not read htese, nor do I plan to. I have never liked the LaHayes.

Posted by: wizardofowls 23-Apr-2004, 07:31 AM
Oh, hi Nehalenni!

I didn't see your post! You must have just posted it while I was writing or I didn't see it and I'm having a senior moment a few years early! wink.gif

Actually, I think I did cry when that characte died, I was just trying to be macho for the all of the guys here! wink.gif You know how we are....

I am much like you in that I also develop attachment to characters when I read. And I also try to figure out what I would do in thier postion!

What book are you reading now? Have you read 12 yet, or are you waiting for the paperback like me?

Hi RavenWing!
I'm sorry you don't like the LaHayes, but thanks for the comments!

Posted by: Raven 23-Apr-2004, 08:59 AM
QUOTE (nehalenni @ Apr 23 2004, 08:16 AM)
When I read books the characters become friends of mine (badly written or not) and I can't help but to think of them as my day goes by. Analyzing what they do and why, and what they should have done and what i might have done in the same cituation. My friend tells me it's because i'm empathic but i always thought it was because i was gullible! she tells me neither trait is entirely bad, though.
But we learn things from the books we read. So I continue to read the series and I also, await the library copy or the paperback, whichever comes along first.

Does that make you an Empath N? tongue.gif

W you wanted to know if the books are so "poorly written" why do I keep reading them? Hee hee I keep asking myself that same question.

I am a very avid reader and I am also a writer. Mainly songs. I would have to say the left behind series is on the verge of my having to put down based on the fiction writing ability of the writer. It is probably the story line that keeps me interested enough to keep reading. I constantly hear poorly written songs on the radio and I ask how in the world is this song getting airplay. Then the next thing I know I find myself singing the hook line. So to answer this question I would say that it has to be the hook or the story itself in this case. A compelling hook often has little to do with the overall crafting of a song and I would have to say in the case of The Left Behind Series it is the same deal biggrin.gif

Like I said I read a lot and I really like a great story, but I really really apreciate a well crafted story. (i.e. well developed characters that stay true to their character or if they change their is a reason for it, well develped unpredicable plot, great well crafted story line) Even if an author has all of these elements the story may still not speak to me but I will (hopefully) be able to apreciate the hard work and talent anyway.

I often hear songs on the radio that are very popular that in my opinion are only 90% of the way to what they could have been. The writer obviously was stuck on a line and filled in something trite rather than continuing to work for that perfect phrase or rhyme. In many cases it takes an otherwise great song and cheapens it with a phrase that is either trite or nonsense leaving people thinking that the writer has some alternative meaning or is very artistic. I've written enough songs to recognize someone just taking the easy way out. The bottom line is that it works for the general public and the songs are popular in spite of their deficiencies. The same with the Left Behind Series. Even though I think they are poorly crafted I am still reading them and am obviously hooked until I get closure. If they were written better I would probably be reading the spin offs.

Even without my ringing endorsement they are obviously selling well and have made TIm LaHaye a ton of money. Good for Him smile.gif

Peretti's book "This Present Darkness" and the sequel "Piercing the Darkness" are very good books. I think he has 6 books out so far 5 of which I have read. (I just realized that he had a 6th smile.gif )

Peace

Mikel


Posted by: wizardofowls 23-Apr-2004, 11:23 AM
Actually, Raven, you might like the spin-offs BETTER than the original series! Other than the Kids series, the other two are just BASED on the original series, not written BY the original authors! I thought both were good, you might too! Besides, depending on whether you've bought the hard or soft back copies you've probably already sunk $150 to $200 or more into a series you don't really like anyway - why not take a chance on a couple of new writers??!! If its the premise you like, but not the authors, perhaps you'll like these! They start all of the way back at the beginning of the story with all new characters! Buy one book and if you don't like it, sell it or give it away! What have you got to loose? smile.gif And if you don't want to spend any more money on them, try the library! I jsut hate to see you give up on it when you might like the new ones. smile.gif

God Bless!

Posted by: Raven 23-Apr-2004, 12:13 PM
Thank you for your encouragement W. If I run out of books in my que I will consider them since they are different authors. The money for books is never an issue with me but my time is my most limited comodity. If I could get my time refunded somehow that is what I would take if I didn't like the other series biggrin.gif

That was why I was so mad after I watched "Lost in Translation" it wasn't the rental fee it was the waste of my time. I read every night before bed, but I still want my reading time to be as rewarding/productive as possible. When I carve time out of my evening to watch a movie, I definitely want it to be at least good.

Peace

Mikel

Posted by: wizardofowls 24-Apr-2004, 07:46 PM
I know how you feel! And I am truly sorry that you felt that way about the LB series.

Personally, despite the less-than-perfect writing and not-so-great characters, I have found the books impossible to put down! Maybe its because the writing is a little less deep than some books! Before I returned to Christ two and half years ago, I was a heavy reader of fantasy novels... swords and sorcery and all of that stuff. Now I don't want to read such books any more, but at the time there was a huge void in my life where those other books used to be. I enjoy reading the Bible, and reading non-fiction books is okay, but I was missing the escape of reading fiction... I was at the point where I was getting very frustrated and bored and almost ready to return to the old reading habits when I found the LB series. Maybe it was because I was so starved for some fiction to read. Or maybe it was because when I discovered this series they were already up to book 9 and I was able to read them straight through, non-stop until I got to book 10. I don't know what it was but I'm glad I found them when I did, because they rescued me from a boredom that could have been my religious undoing at such a fragile time in my new life.

Posted by: Raven 26-Apr-2004, 07:57 PM
I know how you feel, but I don't know what my excuse is with the LB novels. tongue.gif

I've always read a lot and mostly fiction. When I became a Christian I left a lot of that behind for a long time and I still selective about what I read but I definitely needed a time away from my old habits. I primarily read the Bible at that time and books having to do with my new faith. I found that I paritcularly enjoyed books having to do with Aplolgetics. But I was also interested in books that explained others beliefs also. I have always been one who likes to try to relate to why people think what they do regardless of what that may be.

I don't remember my first Christian fiction novel, but I am pretty sure it was "This Present Darkness" which I still think is outstanding on every level (you are free to disagree wink.gif ) As a Christian I have always felt that I should not except less than the best in anything that I do, but I sometimes get the idea that many Christians are ok about putting substandard work forward as God will or must bless it because it is intended to glorify him. (this is no comment on anyone here just a generality that I have observed) at first I just thought that some of the substandard ....products, (i.e. music, television, ...) for lack of a better term were because all the really talented people must be on the dark side. Then I realized that there are a couple of other factors that come in to play. Politics and laziness.

It has historically been almost as if certain people in the organized church have appointed themselves the handicapper general and think that it is the sin of pride to strive for excellance. (not true in all cases and something that seems to be slowly changing) I know the Church has not always been this way but at one point was a major proponent of the arts.

I just think that God gives us the best so we should not except anything less than the best to give back. Probably makes me a little more critical in this case.

I'm glad that you have enjoyed the series, we all need that escape and I am not trying to dampen your spirits about the books I just wish a little more effort had been put into the writing especially since I am sure that the rewards have been tremendous.

I am not at all critical of the LaHaye's ministry as I know that God works through different people for different things and I can make no pretense to understand the hows or whys unsure.gif

But I am very glad if this series has helped in any way with your faith and walk.

Pardon my hypercritical spirit tongue.gif

Peace and God Bless

Mikel

Posted by: Annabelle 26-Apr-2004, 08:30 PM
I know some folks don't care for the LB books but I have to give the series credit for helping me to open my mind and think about how I could relate to it if the rapture was happening now in our time. All of the books I can not put down.
In many ways the series forced me to look at my own life.


Posted by: wizardofowls 29-Apr-2004, 07:18 PM
Annabelle, I agree! The Rapture always seemed some far-off event. Now I think, What if it happened today? Have I done all for Him that I could have done today? And so many times the answer is a shameful NO.

Posted by: wizardofowls 11-May-2004, 10:01 AM
Raven, a few days ago I promised you a list of books which discuss the LB series from other, alternate view points. Well, I'm sorry that I forgot! Here it is, though a few days late...

End Times Fiction: A Biblical Consideration of the Left Behind Theology
Gary DeMar

Will Catholics Be Left behind? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today's Prophecy Preachers
Carl E. Olson

The Rapture Trap: A Catholic Response to Endtimes Fever
Paul Thigpen

The Left Behind Deception: Revealing Dangerous Errors About the Rapture and the AntiChrist
Steve Wohlberg

IRAQ: Babylon of the End-Times?
C. Marvin Pate and J. Daniel Hayes

I Want To Be Left Behind
Ted Noel

I Want to be Left Behind: An Examination of the Ideas Behind the Popular Series and the End Times
Tim Kirk

Please keep in mind that I have not read these books. I am only coying their titles here from another source, so I have no idea what they have to say. I DO know that each is said to espouse a differing view from that expressed in the Left Behind series, whose eschathology (sp?) I fully support and with which I am in full agreement.

Hope you find something here of interst to you, and I hope it helps!

Posted by: wizardofowls 11-May-2004, 10:16 AM
For those of you who may be reading this topic thread for the first time, my last post may be a little confusing. That's becasue part of our conversation did not take place here, but over in the What Are You Reading Now? thread in the Special Interest forum called The Book Stop. For you convenience I have gathered all of the relevant portions form that conversation and posted them here.

wizardofowls May 6, 2004
I am reading "The Truth Behind Left Behind" by Mark Hitchcock and Thomas Ice. It's a discussion of the escathological viewpoints used in the making of the Left Behind series. Im just starting it today, so I can't tell you if its good or not just yet!

Raven May 6, 2004
Believe it or not WO I am reading the last book in the Left Behind series but it's to easy to put down I'm interested in hearing about the book you are currently reading as I told you before I have a major disagreement with the eschatology of the LB series.

wizardofowls May 6, 2004
Glad to hear that your reading it. Let me know how it is! I don't think you'll like the one I'm reading, though, because it appears to take a definite pro-LB stance. It does give a listing of some other books which take different stances if you'd like me to post them for you!

Raven May 6, 2004
Sorry to say that this last book is blah also, however it is giving me a little more insight into how they interpret the end time prophesies (although I can't for the life of me see how they got there) It does give me insight as to how people are comfortable with the interpretation that they are using in LB. I am always interested in seeing other viewpoints, particularly since it seems that anything different than the LB view is generally ridiculed and dismissed out of hand in spite of their validity.

wizardofowls May 6, 2004
Raven - I will try to post those books for you over on my LB thread in the K&C. It probably won't be today though. I've got to get off of here shortly and go mow (blech) and then I have a prayer meeting to go to tonight. Hopefully tomorrow!



Posted by: Roisin-Teagan 13-May-2004, 11:20 PM
I'm late joining this thread, well I have little to offer except an opinion.

The L.B. series books never appealed to me. I saw part of the movie, and it drove me crazy. I kept thinking with all the money the Christian Church has as a whole is this the best picture they can come up with? Same with the Omega Code. The Passion of the Christ was the first "Christian" made movie that I truly enjoyed. As to when the rapture takes place, I would like to think it would happen just before tribulation. I've studied it at length, and I have my theories, but I have to honestly say I don't know. But what I do know is it doesn't matter---really what does matter is that Christian believers will be going up in the rapture.

I did read "Pearcing the Darkness" years ago and found it to be a great read, but I mainly lean toward apologetics and the Bible (of course).

Peace,
Roisin angel_not.gif

Posted by: Raven 14-May-2004, 07:57 AM
I with you Roisen on all counts thumbs_up.gif

Mikel

Posted by: wizardofowls 30-May-2004, 08:06 AM
Hello all!

I just bought a new book at Wal-Mart last night. It is Apocalypse Crucible, which is the second book in the military spin-off from Left Behind by Mel Odom. I really enjoyed the first book and would recommend it for anyone who liked the the original LB series and would like to read it again from a military perspective. I typically don't like military books. Being somewhat of a pacifist (by choice, not religion), I usually get bogged down in all of the technical jargon (weapon descriptions, troop movements and such). Though these were present in Apocalypse Dawn, they were not over-powering. You should give these books a try! I think you might be surprised! And if you did not like the original series, these are by a different author!

Also found a time line of future releases for any one who might be interested:

Books 35 & 36 in the Left Behind: The Kids series now available (apparently the series will end with book 40, entitled Triumphant Return. I thought there were supposed to a total of 48 books in the series, 4 for each of the books in the original LB series. Oh well... I'm still waiting for books 25-34 to come to my local Christian discount store! Life on a budget is tough!)

Aug 2004 - Impeachable Offense, the second book in Nessa Hart's political LB spin-off to be released.

Oct 2004 - Apocalypse Burning, the third book in Mel Odom's Military spin-off to be released

Nov 16 2004 - glorious Appearing out in paper back (I CAN'T WAIT! smile.gif)

Jan 2005 - The third book in Nessa Hart's political spin-off series to be released.

That's all for now!

Have a wonderful day,
God bless you,
And keep looking up, for we know not the day nor the hour!

Posted by: WizardofOwls 07-Jun-2004, 03:37 AM
Hello all!

I found out today at leftbehind.com that both a prequel and a sequel are in the works for the LBS! Should be interesting!

Your Brother In Christ

Posted by: Raven 07-Jun-2004, 06:55 PM
I might like the one with the military jargon Allen just because I am a gearhead biggrin.gif

Posted by: WizardofOwls 08-Jun-2004, 10:16 AM
I really think you would like it, then! As I said before, it follows the same basic events as the original series, but with a whole new set of characters! The basic ones stay the same though, Carpathia is still there! But it is all set in the military. I don't know if these characters will ever have any interaction with the ones from the oiriginal group, but it would be cool to see a little crossover happen!

To repeat, the first two books are called Apocalypse Dawn and Apocalypse Crucible and the author is Mel Odom.

You might like the political series by Nessa Hart too! Its set in Washington DC and the characters are all political figures! End of State is the only book currently out in that series.

Posted by: WizardofOwls 25-Jun-2004, 07:01 PM
It looks as though Cloud Ten Pictures, the people who produced the two Left Behind movies, are now in the process of working on two new projects - a Left Behind animated series and a Left Behind television series!

Here is a link for more info:
http://www.cloudtenpictures.com/

Sounds interesting, to say the least!

As I was doing more looking around for this, I found alot of confusing info!

Here are some other sites which talk about the TV series:

http://www.namesakeentertainment.com/lbtv.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A9126-2003Jan17¬Found=true
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/print.cgi?2002-10/25/09.00.tv
http://www.cloudtenpictures.com/tv_leftbehind/tv_press.htm

The information givne is kinda confusing, to say the least! I'll keep you informed if I find out anything else.

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 03-Jul-2004, 12:49 PM
QUOTE (Raven @ 22-Apr-2004, 11:16 PM)
Escatology differences are in the timing of the Rapture/Catching away. I'm not saying it absolutely couldn't happen just before the Great Tribulation, but the more I study the more I become convinced that as much as I would prefer it to be that way the less likely it looks to me. I have a multitude of reasons and if you would like to talk about that I would be happy to start a new thread...

The Rapture is a fascinating thing; I've tried to figure out when it will be by reading Revelations but I get a headache every time I get too far into that book! All that symbolism... trying to figure out if the predictions & visions mean things that have already happened or things in the future - lookaround.gif
Its quite a puzzle. I've gotten the impression that the rapture would happen during the early part of the tribulation myself but I know its open to interpretation.
It bothered me that in the Left Behind movie, they show people disappearing off the airplane & off the planet in general, when I thought before that happened there would be the sound of trumpets & stuff. Oh well!

I've studied it a good bit about end times and definately do see things happening now that I think are indications, but honestly nowadays I study more of what Christ said when he was here & try to make sure I put to good use the time I have left. He discouraged fretting about what's going to happen because as believers we have a secure future...

SB

Posted by: WizardofOwls 18-Sep-2004, 11:13 PM
Hi!

Just wanted to let you know that I saw Impeachable Offense, the second book in the political spin-off by Nessa Hart , in a book store tonight! I didn't have any extra money with me or it would be in my grubby paws right now! biggrin.gif Have no doubts, though, as soon as I have the money I WILL be buying it!

Posted by: WizardofOwls 18-Sep-2004, 11:14 PM
Hi!

Just wanted to let you know that I saw Impeachable Offense, the second book in the political spin-off by Nessa Hart , in a book store tonight! I didn't have any extra money with me or it would be in my grubby paws right now! biggrin.gif Have no doubts, though, as soon as I have the money I WILL be buying it!

Posted by: MacAibhistin 06-Oct-2004, 07:34 PM
Just for the curious out there . . .

did anyone notice in the outdoor UN scenes in the Left Behind movie, that there is a row of flags supposedly representing the member nations of the UN. However, if there any among us who know there Canadian provinces, these were actually all flags of Canada's provinces! The movie was filmed in Toronto. tongue.gif

Alan, I have read Perretti and he is a very solid writer. Give him a try. You'll find nothing to bother you in his theology - he's quite conservative.

Rory

Posted by: WizardofOwls 27-Nov-2004, 06:03 PM
QUOTE (MacAibhistin @ 06-Oct-2004, 09:34 PM)
However, if there any among us who know there Canadian provinces, these were actually all flags of Canada's provinces! The movie was filmed in Toronto. tongue.gif

Alan, I have read Perretti and he is a very solid writer. Give him a try. You'll find nothing to bother you in his theology - he's quite conservative.

Hiya Rory!

Thanks for the info about the movie! I did noat know that the film was made in Canada! I love watching movies and catching little hidden nuggets like this in them!

Also, thanks for the info on Perretti! A friend of mine at work loaned me a coipy of This Present Darkenss which I hope to read very soon. I would be reading it now., but I just got Glorious Appearing and am too busy devouring it to read anything else just now! smile.gif

By the way, for anyone who might be interested, the latest installments in both LB spinoffs are on sale now!

Impeachable Offense is the newest book in Nessa Hart's political spinoff, and Apocalypse Burning is the newest book in Mel Odom's military series!

Well, I guess thats it for now! Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky! I don't think it will be much longer now!

Posted by: maryellen 28-Nov-2004, 08:40 PM
I love these books! Do I agree with their view of the end of the world? No. But it is an entertaining series that is appropriate for teens and up.
After reading the first book, I couldn't stop and read the next 10 within two months. After that, I had to wait a little while for "The Glorious Appearing". Not exactly a surprise ending, but I couldn't wait.
I also love these books because they got me interested in the Bible much more than my 9 years of "Catholic education" combined.

Posted by: dbull 03-Dec-2004, 11:12 AM
I've read all 12 and I loved them and almost everyone I talked to that have read them loved them. I personally think it's a sign of the times. I'm not saying that those books are as it will all unfold. No, even the authors say the books are fiction and should not be a subsitute for the truth, aka, the Bible. thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: maryellen 03-Dec-2004, 06:41 PM
I heard about a new series (or book?) on the radio called "The Last Apostle" by Hank Hannagraff. I probably spelled his name wrong. But from what I heard, his premise is that the sign of the end times has already occurred: Nero, the mark of the beast, deceivers etc. with the fall of Jerusalem centuries ago.
Do I believe it? no. But I do find it an interesting argument.

Posted by: WizardofOwls 28-Mar-2005, 08:26 PM
Just wanted to let everyone know that the newest book in the Left Behind series is now out in hardback. It is called The Rising and is actually a prequel to the series, describing events in the lives of Rayford Steele and Nicholae Carpathia, from childhood on. I don't know much about it yet. I haven't bought it since I usually wait for the books to come out in paperback. If anyone buys and reads it, though, please let us know how it is!

Posted by: RivDan 29-Mar-2005, 01:17 PM
Hello All! I too am a big fan of the Left Behind Series. I read all 12 books in 2002-2003. I also saw the movie Left Behind ith Kirk Cameron. I also enjoy Vanished and APOCALYPSE both runoffs of each other featuring pastor John Hagee. I love Omega Code, Megiddo, Judgement Day, Tribulation, Revelation. I love End Times stuff! I look forward to when Jesus comes back.

Posted by: RivDan 29-Mar-2005, 01:18 PM
QUOTE (MacAibhistin @ 06-Oct-2004, 08:34 PM)
Just for the curious out there . . .

did anyone notice in the outdoor UN scenes in the Left Behind movie, that there is a row of flags supposedly representing the member nations of the UN. However, if there any among us who know there Canadian provinces, these were actually all flags of Canada's provinces! The movie was filmed in Toronto. tongue.gif

Alan, I have read Perretti and he is a very solid writer. Give him a try. You'll find nothing to bother you in his theology - he's quite conservative.

Rory

LOL Great Knight! king.gif

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 30-Mar-2005, 10:05 AM
QUOTE (WizardofOwls @ 28-Mar-2005, 09:26 PM)
Just wanted to let everyone know that the newest book in the Left Behind series is now out in hardback. It is called The Rising and is actually a prequel to the series, describing events in the lives of Rayford Steele and Nicholae Carpathia, from childhood on. I don't know much about it yet...

Well I'm so out of touch, I didn't know there WAS a prequel! rolleyes.gif Thanks for letting me/us know. My daughter has enjoyed the Left Behind series... come to think of it, she recently purchased a book-on-tape of the next book she wanted to read in the series and has been listening to it when she's driving to work or to the barn. I listened to part of it with her one day and it sounds like a radio programme from the old days.

Posted by: RivDan 30-Mar-2005, 04:19 PM
QUOTE (Siobhan Blues @ 30-Mar-2005, 11:05 AM)
Well I'm so out of touch, I didn't know there WAS a prequel! rolleyes.gif Thanks for letting me/us know. My daughter has enjoyed the Left Behind series... come to think of it, she recently purchased a book-on-tape of the next book she wanted to read in the series and has been listening to it when she's driving to work or to the barn. I listened to part of it with her one day and it sounds like a radio programme from the old days.

Hey, fellow sister in Christ! We meet again! I know of the Rising. I haven't had a chance to purchase it yet. I will soon though. God Bless You.

Your sister in Christ

Janet

Posted by: WizardofOwls 31-Mar-2005, 04:43 AM
QUOTE (RivDan @ 30-Mar-2005, 05:19 PM)
Hey, fellow sister in Christ! We meet again! I know of the Rising. I haven't had a chance to purchase it yet. I will soon though. God Bless You.

Your sister in Christ

Janet

Hi Janet! If you do buy it and read it, let us know how it is, okay?

Posted by: RivDan 31-Mar-2005, 09:55 AM
QUOTE (WizardofOwls @ 31-Mar-2005, 05:43 AM)
QUOTE (RivDan @ 30-Mar-2005, 05:19 PM)
Hey, fellow sister in Christ! We meet again! I know of the Rising. I haven't had a chance to purchase it yet. I will soon though. God Bless You.

Your sister in Christ

Janet

Hi Janet! If you do buy it and read it, let us know how it is, okay?

Aye Aye Wizard!

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 07-Apr-2005, 04:20 PM
I wish some really great director would take some more of the Left Behind books and make them into movies. The first movie was okay, but I thought the second one looked a bit amateurish in its final form.

With a big budget and the use of some of Industrial Light & Magic's special effects, some of the LB stories could scare the pants off folks. biggrin.gif biggrin.gif

Posted by: WizardofOwls 11-Apr-2005, 11:01 PM
Just wanted to let everyone know that I found out today that The Rising is actaully only the first book in a prequel trilogy! Cool! I thought the series was over, and now I have three new books to look forward to! Four if you include the sequel that won't be out until 2007 (I believe).

Also, there is a new, 10th anniversary edition of Left Behind on the market. It includes a fold-out timeline of the series as well as intervies with Jenkins and LaHaye and other features. Rest assured I will be buying a copy this week! biggrin.gif

I wish they would come out with a book they could call The Left Behind Companion. In it they could provide plot summaries for all bollks in all 4 series, as well as detailed looks at all of the major characters. It could serve as a combiantion Left Behind Who's Who, atlas, dictionary and encyclopedia, detailing all of the people, places, and events in all of the books. It could even feature a comparative timeline showing where the events in all 4 series occur in relation to events in the other books. Maybe someday! smile.gif


Posted by: RivDan 12-Apr-2005, 01:15 PM
QUOTE (WizardofOwls @ 12-Apr-2005, 12:01 AM)
Just wanted to let everyone know that I found out today that The Rising is actaully only the first book in a prequel trilogy! Cool! I thought the series was over, and now I have three new books to look forward to! Four if you include the sequel that won't be out until 2007 (I believe).

Also, there is a new, 10th anniversary edition of Left Behind on the market. It includes a fold-out timeline of the series as well as intervies with Jenkins and LaHaye and other features. Rest assured I will be buying a copy this week! biggrin.gif

I wish they would come out with a book they could call The Left Behind Companion. In it they could provide plot summaries for all bollks in all 4 series, as well as detailed looks at all of the major characters. It could serve as a combiantion Left Behind Who's Who, atlas, dictionary and encyclopedia, detailing all of the people, places, and events in all of the books. It could even feature a comparative timeline showing where the events in all 4 series occur in relation to events in the other books. Maybe someday! smile.gif

All sounds good to me.

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 15-Apr-2005, 09:09 AM
That's a good idea, a 'companion' book... sure would help me keep the characters and plot lines straight.

SB

Posted by: WizardofOwls 22-Apr-2005, 01:45 PM
Hello again!

Well, I bought the 10th anniversary edition of Left Behind, and according to the timeline in the back of the book, here are the projected realease for the new books:

The Left Behind prequel trilogy:

The Rising - Book 1 - Already available, I'm eagerly awaiting the papberback version!
Book 2 - Winter 2005
Book 3 - Summer 2006

The Left Behind sequel:

Spring 2007

I don't know about you, but I can't wait! smile.gif

Posted by: WizardofOwls 24-May-2005, 06:50 PM
QUOTE (WizardofOwls @ 12-Apr-2005, 01:01 AM)
I wish they would come out with a book they could call The Left Behind Companion. In it they could provide plot summaries for all bollks in all 4 series, as well as detailed looks at all of the major characters. It could serve as a combiantion Left Behind Who's Who, atlas, dictionary and encyclopedia, detailing all of the people, places, and events in all of the books. It could even feature a comparative timeline showing where the events in all 4 series occur in relation to events in the other books. Maybe someday! smile.gif

Hello there!

I was in our local Barnes and Noble today, and it appears that mywish has been answered, at least in part.

There is a new book out called The Authorized Left Behind Handbook by LaHaye, Jenkins, and Sandi L. Swanson. I didn't have enough money to get it today (but rest assured, I WILL have a copy! wink.gif ) but I did glance through it while I was in the store. It looks as though it has everything I was hoping for except for the fact that it only covers the original 12 book series, not the Left Behind: The Kids books, The Rising (the first book in the prequel trilogy) or any of the books in either the politcal or military spin-offs. Oh well, I guess beggars can't be choosers! smile.gif

Posted by: Nova Scotian 08-Jun-2005, 06:27 PM
I've read them all and I too think God is really doing something. Now at the same time those books aren't gospel. We need to keep an open mind as well as a clean Spirit.

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 03-Jul-2005, 01:55 PM
QUOTE (Nova Scotian @ 08-Jun-2005, 08:27 PM)
I've read them all and I too think God is really doing something. Now at the same time those books aren't gospel. We need to keep an open mind as well as a clean Spirit.

You're right - the books are fiction, not gospel... and while they do present an intriguing idea of what it might be like, I try to remember they're mainly just good story-telling.

I got a little devotional book about two weeks ago written by Jenkins & LaHaye, and it had some entries that contain their end-theories condensed. In one, they say that the Rapture itself has no signs to indicate when its about to happen (so, it could literally happen any day now) but that there will be 7 years between the Rapture of the church/believers and the return of Jesus to earth. That event, the return of Christ, is the event that has so many predictions associated with it, they say... apparently a lot of the predictions found in the Bible will come to pass during those 7 years, like the 'desecretation that causes desolation', etc. etc...

I have tried to make sense of Revelations and piece it together with the end-time prophecies found elsewhere in the Bible, but its just too much for my itty bitty brain to process! rolleyes.gif And the way I figure it, when the Rapture happens I'm ready. Maybe the LaHaye/Jenkins duo are right, oh well!

SB
(who thought it was going to be very noisy when the Rapture occurs, but that's not the way the Left Behind movie showed it... oh well again...)

Posted by: WizardofOwls 08-Nov-2005, 02:02 PM
Hi everybody!

Just a few bits and pieces for you.

The Rising, the first book in the LB prequel trilogy, is now out in paperback for anyone who is interested.

Necessary Evils, the third book in Neesa Hart's political LB spin-off series, is also available.

Lastly, I just found out that World at War, the third movie in the LB series, is now out. I saw it in Wal-Mart the other day but have not yet had a chance to buy it. A friend of mine said that she saw it at her church. She said that Clarence Gilyard, the black guy who played Pastor Barnes and who was also on the Walker, Texas Ranger series, did not return for this one. sad.gif Oh well.. He will be missed...

Also I recently found out something that I did not know... Kirk Cameron, the guy who plays Buck Williams, is married to Chelsea Noble, the blonde lady who plays Hattie Durham!

Anyway, until next time, take care and God bless!

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 08-Nov-2005, 04:25 PM
QUOTE (WizardofOwls @ 08-Nov-2005, 03:02 PM)
Also I recently found out something that I did not know... Kirk Cameron, the guy who plays Buck Williams, is married to Chelsea Noble, the blonde lady who plays Hattie Durham!

They met when they both were on the tv show "Growing Pains" (1985-1992)! I think its sweet they're still together & have a family now.

Posted by: WizardofOwls 10-Nov-2005, 11:14 PM
Hello again!

A friend of mine brought a Christian book catalog to work yesterday. While glancing through it, I saw the second book in the LB prequel trilogy, The Regime, for sale in hardback. I have not seen this book in the stores here in my area, so if you're interested you might want to look around your local bookstores or maybe on the internet. Might make a nice Christmas present for those LB fans on your shopping list!

Take care and God bless!

Posted by: Nova Scotian 14-Feb-2006, 10:33 AM
I've read all of the series and everyone who I've passed it on to said once they started reading they couldn't put it down. I think God did a big work through those books. I do though encourage those who have read those books and are inspired to read their Bible because those books as great as they are, arn't Gospel.

Posted by: WizardofOwls 14-Feb-2006, 03:16 PM
Hi there!

I hate to, but I have to say that I disagree. I think they follow exactly what the Bible says the End Times will be like. I have found nothing that goes against my beliefs. I guess it just depends on the interpetation of Scripture that your denomination teaches and/or your own personal interpretation.

Posted by: Nova Scotian 14-Feb-2006, 07:32 PM
QUOTE (WizardofOwls @ 14-Feb-2006, 04:16 PM)
Hi there!

I hate to, but I have to say that I disagree. I think they follow exactly what the Bible says the End Times will be like. I have found nothing that goes against my beliefs. I guess it just depends on the interpetation of Scripture that your denomination teaches and/or your own personal interpretation.

Oh don't get me wrong. They are Biblical in every sense. I was just saying that they shouldn't replace the Bible as the direction and the instruction book for life.

Posted by: WizardofOwls 14-Feb-2006, 08:45 PM
Ahhh! Okay! Then we agree! Sorry, I misunderstood you. And I agree with you. They are good for entertainment purposes, and even as a demonstration of how it might happen, but they are only fiction.

Posted by: Celtic cat 15-Feb-2006, 01:13 PM
Those books seriously are addicting. I'm afraid to read them. My "eventually will be" mother in law is obsessed. She got one book and read it in about two days. As soon as she is done she buys another. Then she reads that in a day and a half, and she has never lost a beat since they came out. Crazy! smile.gif But hey as long as the author has a book coming out we always know what to get her.

Posted by: Roberto Phoenix 20-Jul-2006, 10:58 PM
I've read and enjoyed most of the LB series and the movies are fun to watch. I just hope they do all the books. One book that I would recmmend that has been turned into a movie is Joshua. easy reading series of books and I hope the movies continue. I'm also hoping that they will make Hind's Feet upon High Places into a movie someday. If you like the Narnia series you will like Hind's Feet.
But if you want a really good pair of books than read Conceived without Sin and House of Gold by Bud Mcfarlane. The storyline is what if Y2K and the end times really happened and you were Catholic. They are free from http:/www.Catholicity.com. He has a third book which kind of ties in but you can read it as seperate story.
On a side note, Alot of people have heard of the rapture but how many have heard of the three days of darkness. This is a Catholic version of the end times and its not for the fainthearted.

Posted by: Nova Scotian 21-Dec-2006, 04:54 AM
Has anyone see the new game? I haven't played it. I've heard it getting critized for the violence. It's a real time strategy game.

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