Glorious Appearing: The End of Days (Left Behind) by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim LaHaye
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Book Reviews of Glorious Appearing: The End of Days (Left Behind)
Book Review: Faith vs. Content vs. Context vs. Spiritual Growth
Summary: 3 Stars
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.
Book Review: Only Read if you MUST Finish the Series
Summary: 3 Stars
This novel took me forever to get through. But alas, I finally finished it. Woo-Hoo! I have now completed the entire original left behind saga. As I started reading this series I was drawn in to the character and the storyline. I read constantly, usually finishing a book in three or four days. But by the time this one rolled around I had lost interest. The series is simply too long, and each book has the same formula:
1. The GC oppresses the believers.
2. Some believers are killed.
3. Miracles happen sparing some lives, and those are ignored by the GC.
4. The GC commits war crimes against innocent civilians.
5. One of the spiritual leaders gives a lecture or sermon about the grace of God.
6. Repeat.
It just got old after a while. But, after going through the first 11 books I had to finish. And it was an OK novel, just not one of their best efforts.
T
Book Review: Ran Out of Steam
Summary: 3 Stars
I loved the series and think everyone should read every book, including this one. I'm glad I did. I do feel like the authors ran out of steam a bit here in the end and, as a result, the writing may have suffered a bit. I spent several years reading this series and really hoped for the same enthusiasm in writing about the coming of Jesus as I saw in Trib Force (the second and, in my opinion, best written story of the entire series). Still, I recommend you read the entire series.Book Review: Dissapointing
Summary: 3 Stars
I read all the books one after another so I was looking forward the final one. I had enjoyed reading about all they go through together so I expected more from this last one. It dragged on so much that I had to skip around. Also, not enough time was spent with the reuniting of the loved ones. As soon as they meet their loved ones, the book ends. Also, where was Mary? I would think that Jesus would want His mother around during this time. She is the Queen of Heaven and Earth!!!Book Review: Series limps to the finish line
Summary: 3 Stars
It's probably inevitable that the 12th of a 12-book series ties up a lot of loose ends, concerning both plot and character. Some interesting images and thoughts here, but not very compelling.