Rating  - There's a reason this is soooo bad
Both Lahaye and Jenkins are primarily non-fiction writers.
It is very difficult for a non-fiction writer to write fiction well. I have never seen it done well. You either end up with fiction and non that are superficial and bland (ala Asimov and Clarke) or non-fiction that is reasonable but fiction that is boring and uninteresting (ala Buckley or Steve Allen). These men join that list, though I would say their non-fiction works are equally dreary.
It's because fiction is an art, non-fiction is not. It's the difference between framing a house or doing the intricate finish work. They both deal with wood-working, but one is production, the other is (or can be) an art. It is much more difficult for the framer to do the finish work if he's never done it before, much easier the other way around. And having read some of Jenkins and LeHaye's non-fiction, it is easy to see why their novels fall so far short.
The success of this book--nay, the entire series--is no surprise. Christians don't read generally read fiction, and the fiction that is published as "Christian fiction" has been so hideously bad (except for the old standby's, Tolkein and Lewis) that when a Christian does read a novel it becomes, by default, the best thing they've ever read. It's like showing a man who grew up on a desert island any Adam Sandler movie. It will be, again, by default, the best movie he's ever seen. After viewing a few more films his taste must change. (If not, death must be considered.) The dilemma of the Christian concerning fiction is in finding something of quality that is not worldly. Since writers of any worth don't want to be stuck in the box of Christian fiction (from which no man escapes), good writers don't flock to that genre. Therefore, quality remains low.
Christian writers of today can't write about realistic characters because they have either: a) have shut themselves off in a "spiritual" bubble from the rest of the world, or b) they feel that writing realistically about the world makes one "worldly." There is a balance, and it isn't hard to reach. But this book (and the entire series, as much as I could stomach reading) is below mediocre, i.e., in the forefront of Christian fiction.
(A personal aside: I have met both of these men and they are personable and accessible. And my or anyone else's criticism will not affect their paychecks one iota. Still, creating a novel of quality is well beyond their combined talents.)
Rating  - Perfectly entertaining:))
I loved the whole series... giving a modern spin on the old biblical prophocy. This one will stick out to me because of the two witnesses at the Wailing Wall. They are the most interesting characters in the series. I am now on number 4
Rating - Leave this false teaching behind...
Leave this false rapture teaching behind. Read Carl Olson's "Will Catholics be left behind?" Totally debunks the "Rapture" and these books.
Rating  - Enjoy, but beware
The novel follows two mens' lives who have been transformed from the darkness of self-centeredness to the light of the Lord, and have vowed to warn the world. They are part of the "left behind", after the world has just befallen to the tribulation and the Anti-Christ begins his reign. The rest (which I think the authors gave too high a percentage) were swept off in the rapture, leaving all their articles where they once stood.
The story is mediocre; the writing and characters are lacking in depth. It does have the unusualness to draw you in, and one almost has to fight the impulse of buying the next book in the series. The story did get better as it drew on.
The problem with these interpretations of the Bible, which is called Dispensationalism or Millenniumism, is that LaHaye and Jenkins have taken literally what is meant to be taken in a figurative way----they have not allowed scripture to interpret scripture. They have also twisted the meaning of "born again".
Even though the authors have misinterpreted scripture there is a message that comes through: faith in Christ and to repent now, before it is too late; there is no second chance as espoused here. Know what it is; read it as interesting fiction.
Wish you well
Scott
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