Rating  - The Adventure Continues along with some bad theology
This volume has much sadness because some of the beloved cast of characters are killed (I will not say who). This volume does pick up the pace a little and takes us up to the point of the glorious appearing. Buck, Chloe, and Rayford have big things happen in the closing hours of the seven years. If you have enjoyed the series so far you will either love this one or hate it because of the fact that it is sad. The writing, however, is not overwhelmingly spectacular at times. There are some long scripture quotes put into the mouth of martyrs that come off as a cheap rip off at best. Also, the theology of the series itself and particularly this volume has major flaws. One flaw, which is all I will touch on here, has the believers taking up arms and fighting against the Anti-Christ's regime. What is lost in these volumes is Jesus saying "take up your cross and follow me." Instead of taking up the cross and following Jesus the Tribulation Force take up arms and counter violence with violence. Never mind that Jesus said "He that lives by the sword will die by the sword." The words "Love your enemies" and "pray for those who despitefully use you" are forgotten. Jesus and Paul taught us do not resist evil with evil and yet somehow it is okay in the dreamed up scheme of Jenkins and LaHaye. Paul said "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds", but not in the Left Behind series. Why? Even the book of Revelation depicts 144,000 Jews (which LaHaye and Jenkins depict as literal Jews saved for the future tribulation) as following the Lamb wherever he may go. Now I ask you the question, where did the Lamb go? He was slain on the cross and did not resist with violence. LaHaye and Jenkins have gotten it right that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and that is about it when it comes to the message of the cross. They seem to miss the fact that those underneath the altar of God held to their testimony and loved not their lives even unto death. Instead, the members of the Tribulation Force love their lives so much that they will kill to protect it. Missing entirely is the real meaning of Paul saying "It is not longer I that lives, but Christ that lives in me." It is my understanding that a Left Behind video game is on its way to the market and it this game the Tribulation Force is both converting the lost and killing them. What kind of message is this to preach? It is certainly not the message of the Prince of Peace.
Questions or Comments email me at darrengjohnson38@yahoo.com
Rating  - A Testament to True Faith
Let me start first by saying I love this series. If it were possible I'd say I probably know it better than the authors, but as a writer myself I know there is little chance of that. The characters are alive, and the message is powerful. Though Glorious Appearing is my actual favorite book in the series (after all Jesus comes back in that one), this book stands tall at number two, and if for no other reason because of the Character Chloe Steele Williams. Her testimony during her incarceration had me praising the Lord. I am especially fond of when she sings in her cell with Caleb the angel. But the best part is when she gives her final testimony before she is executed. When Caleb kills Jock, it is sweet justice served, and when Chloe is killed (though she walks unescorted to her death) it was time to sing Victory in Jesus. Though Chloe is just a fictional character I often wonder if I would have such courage. It should be a question every Christian should ask themselves. This is an extraordinary book. Read it!
Rating  - SO so.
I read all 12 of these things. Armageddon has it's moments but as with most of this series is sorely lacking. Nicolae and Leon are pretty lame as the incarnation of evil.. Nicolae acts more like a spoiled 11 yr old with the world's arsenal then the antichrist.
And Leon (was a buffoon and lacky) rather then "the False Prophet")
People either love or hate this series.. I for one do buy into the Dogma the series teaches. It is much different then the theology and spiritual beliefs I hold dear.
Rating  - How ironic that this, one of the best in the series, follows what is probably the worst in the series.
I've read the Left behind series twice, and, both times, I blazed through 'Armageddon'. In my honest opinion, it was one of the best in the series. Why? Simply due to logical progression.
When one of the main characters make a stupid and fatal mistake, we are taken on a journey with them. When another one of the 'heroes' makea stupid move in judgment, we are taken on the journey with them. When one of the longtime main characters in the series decides to step into the warzone, he is not in the middle of some act of God that will save his life.
Armageddon is simply one of the wildest books in the series and relies on very little, if any, use of deus ex machina to bail out the stupid main characters.
True, the writing is still simple and the characters even simpler, but by this point, you should alreayd know that. The thing about Armageddon that makes it so good is the pace it moves. It's both frenetic and painstaking at the same time. How is this possible? Because we are constantly switching from different points of view. However, each one of them is an ordeal of suffering (especially for the haters of LB that have stupidly stuck with the story for so long... either they have no life, are very, very hopeful, or are too ashamed to admit that they, too, love this story).
Bottom line - things HAPPEN in this book. After the turd that was 'The Remnant', where virutally nothign of note happened, 'Armageddon' puts all the pieces on the board for the final battle in 'Glorious Appearing'.
I should also mention that the title may be a bit misleading. This book simply introduces Armageddon, and the first few battle of the great war; 'Glorious Appearing' is the grand finale where it all happens.
In any case, thumbs way up for 'Armageddon'.
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