The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye--Countdown to the Earth's Last Days (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 3) Reviews

• Terrific entry

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2006-06-07
  The countdown to the Rapture has begin and though he doesn't know it will happen soon, Nicolae Carpathia, is making plans with the help of his spirit guide (Lucifer) to take control of the world. He blackmails the president of Romania using intimidation and threats to his family into stepping down from his post and the outgoing president declares to the people that Carpathia should be the next president. Raymond Steele, enamored of flight attendant Hattie Durham neglects his wife and his young son Jamie, thinking they are fools for being so involved in the church.
  
  Days before Carpathia makes his speech to the United Nations, the Rapture occurs and his sprit guide shows him how to use the disappearances to his advantage. Raymond's wife Irene has almost given up hope that her husband will turn into the man who showered her with love. When the trumpet sounds, Irene and Jamie are lifted into heaven given new bodies and minds. There they are judged for how they lived their life after they received salvation. They see and explore heaven and interact with God and his son. Irene, happy at last still prays that Raymond and Chloe, her daughter, will seek salvation through the Lord.
  
  THE RAPTURE explores in depth the characters of the protagonists and the antagonists of the Left Behind series. It is a fulfilling novel that answers many questions not covered in the other books in the series like why Raymond's first officer committed suicide and how Carpathia persuaded the president of Romania to step down. The authors have written another fascinating and revolutionary work in a series that most readers wish will never end.
  
  Harriet Klausner
  
  
  

• Adventurous Read, but Questionable Theology

  
  By A309P1W5IKNK3W on 2006-06-08
  I write as one who has read every book in the series. Let me start off by saying that if you have enjoyed the series thus far, then you are going to love "The Rapture."
  
  This is the third book in a trilogy of prequels that Jenkins and LaHaye have written after "The Glorious Appearing." The time frame of this book takes place chronologically during and just before the events in the first book entitled "Left Behind." This one developed the characters and showed the life of Rayford, Chloe, Buck, Smitty and others before the rapture. The relationship of Rayford and Irene (his wife) and Raymie (his son) are explored. It is somewhat of an interesting story as Irene and Raymie wrestle with how hare to push Rayford. Chloe is in college and has just broken up with a boyfriend named Ricky. Caparthia and Fortunato develop their relationship and there reaction is shown to the rapture.
  The story of Buck witnessing the events of Ezekiel 38 and 39 is retold and further developed here as well. The soap opera effect is pretty good and the characters that you loved through all of the other books are not lost here.
  The writers throw in a sermon about the rapture and heaven and in the sermon which is delivered by Pastor Billings (of the Church that Irene and Raymie attend). It is here that all of the pre-trib rapture passages are brought out and touched upon. LaHaye, apparently concerned about criticisms of escapism has Billings say that we are to live holy lives and tend to the world in the mean time and that because we want to live in expectation of the Rapture then we will do so all the more.
  I do not wish to ruin anything (but the title gives it away), but the rapture takes place about midway through the book.
  
  Irene is taken from her bed and meets her son in the air as well as Pastor Billings and others. The terrible aftermath that occurs on earth is spoken of at the same time the story of Irene and Raymie are taken up. An interesting story in the aftermath takes place in a morgue as the attendants try to figure out what happened to the cremated remains of Christians. There are several interesting little stories about those left behind, but the real focus is the description of Irene and Raymie's experience in Heaven. Admittedly, anything like this would be difficult to put into words and one senses the authors struggle with telling this story. There is just simply no way to do it justice, but Jenkins tries. Irene is the main character and she deals with such things as her new glorified body that retains the scars, but not the wrinkles (this was a play off of Jesus bearing the scars in his resurrected body). She thinks through travel, tiredness, hunger and even sadness of Rayford and Chloe not being in Heaven. The description of Heaven is pretty much quoting Revelation and other Bible descriptions. Jesus is met and described as having the face of as bright as a million Suns (though I wonder how that type of thing could possibly be quantified). What LeHaye calls the bema or judgment seat of Christ takes place and takes up most of the last third of the book. This is just LaHaye and Jenkins parading out their Christian heroes and they start with Scofield. Others that get mentioned are Polycarp, Bill Bright, Dwight L. Moody, the widow who put in the mite, Joseph the earthly father of Jesus and husband of Mary, Wycliffe, Hus, Peter, Thomas, Paul and a few others are mentioned and all of the their stories get told. The one that caused me to question their theology a bit was Paul's. It is said that Paul seemed particularly anxious to meet Jesus. One wonders here if LaHaye and Jenkins believe in soul sleep or they just made a mistake. They have time and again talked about the 2000 year gap between the first coming and the Rapture, but Paul is just now getting to see Jesus. What happened to the passage where Paul says "to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). I will not say how the book ends and do not wish to ruin the entire story for anyone, because there is much that I have not told, but have just highlighted here the main thrust. Stop reading here if all you are interested in is what the book is about. Below I will critique what I view as the theological error of the book.
  
  Let me briefly address what I think to be theological errors.
  First, the rapture is assumed to be pretrib and the whole dispensational scheme is employed. The truth is that dispensationalist like Lehaye have force 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff into the book of Revelation and have assumed it all to be future. This works out into the whole left behind scenario, but the entire story collapses if the so-called seven year tribulation and rise of the anti-Christ scenario's collapse. I would recommend that one read Koester and Bauckham's books on Revelation for a better interpretation.
  Second, the major error comes around page 20 when Israel is called God's chosen people. What the dispensationalist miss, almost entirely is the story of the New Testament and the fact that Jesus takes on the role of Israel.
  Second, Jesus reconstituted Israel in himself and he was the Messiah or Israel's true representative. Let us just take Matthew's Gospel to examine this for a moment. Joseph and Mary take Jesus and flee down to Egypt to escape Herod. When Herod dies, Joseph is bringing Jesus back out, Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 "Out of Egypt I have called my son." In Exodus 4:22 YHWH speaking to Moses says to him to go tell Pharaoh "Israel is my first born son, go tell Pharaoh to let my first born son go." When Hosea quotes the passage he is speaking of Israel being brought up out of Egypt. Matthew has taken this prophecy and applied it to Jesus. Jesus is being brought up out of Egypt enacting the role of Israel. Then next we see him at the Jordan getting Baptized by John which he was going though the waters (Red Sea) just as Israel had done and the heavens open and a voice says "This is my beloved son and in him I am well pleased." From there Jesus goes into the wilderness just as Israel had went through the waters leaving Egypt behind, Jesus goes through the waters leaving Egypt behind and then into the wilderness. In the wilderness Israel failed temptation, but Jesus would not fail, but overcame in the wilderness. My point is to show Jesus in the role of Israel. This is why Paul says in Galatians 3:29 "Whoever has put on Christ is Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." In Romans 10:12 Paul says "There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all and merciful to all who call upon him."
  Now, LaHaye would say that one cannot take the word Israel in the Bible and replace it with the word Church and if one could do so then he would have to take the curses that are pronounced against Israel for disobedience and apply them to the Church and as he said in an interview "I do not think anybody wants to do that." Again, he misses the meaning of the New Testament and Jesus in Galatians 3:13 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree". It is not the Church but Jesus that is the true Israel and the Church by extension of being in him.
  Third, in the dispensational view the Church gets presented as plan B, because the nation of Israel rejected Jesus when he came and so God decided to use Jesus to start the Church and 2000 years later reform the nation of Israel and carry out the original plan which culminates with the Millennium. What this view misses is that the Church is Jew plus Gentile and not just Gentile. The foundation of the Church is Jewish. All one has to do is read Ephesians to know that the mystery that is being revealed is the Gentiles were to be added. The Church does not replace Israel in the sense that LeHaye wants to argue against, but the Church instead is the true Israel group.
  
  Questions or comments write me at darrengjohnson38@yahoo.com
  
  
  

• bits of grace before the rapture

  
  By A2FEGRJQNU51P9 on 2006-08-24
  The Rapture is the third Left Behind Prequel novel written by the team of Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. Thus far, it is the fifteenth Left Behind novel written for adults. The main sequence was twelve novels and now the prequel trilogy has concluded. This trilogy has been giving the reader stories about what was going on with the major characters of Left Behind before the Rapture. To give a brief background, the Rapture is a concept of some Christians which states that at some point in the future Christ will return and claim those who truly believe in Him. There are two schools of thought on the Rapture, a Pre-Tribulation Rapture and a Post-Tribulation Rapture. In the Pre-Trib theology it is the Rapture that will start a seven year tribulation of the planet which is signally the End of the World as has been known. So, all of the Believers will have ascended into heaven before stuff gets really bad. In Post-Trib theology, the Rapture happens at the end of this seven year period. Left Behind (the first book in the sequence) began moments after the Rapture and works on the basis of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. The Rapture is the last of the prequels and moves up and through the event that began this entire series.
  
  There are several storylines moving through this novel. First there is the story of Nicolae Carpathia and his rise to power. Nicolae is the man who will become the Antichrist. Second, the story of Rayford Steele, an airline pilot. Rayford is one of the heroes of the main sequence, but here he was not a believer and resented his wife and son trying to push "religion" into his life. Steele is on the verge of an affair with one of the hostesses on his flights. This leads into the story of his wife Irene, a good Christian woman who prays for her husband to believe. There is a brief chapter or two with their daughter, Chloe, also a non-believer. There are sections with Cameron "Buck" Williams, an acclaimed reporter who is central to the main sequence as well. The Rapture serves to bring all of these characters to the beginning of Left Behind. What will interest readers most is that this novel actually moves past the rapture and we get to see the vision of heaven and meeting Christ and God and judgment and reward as imagined by Jerry Jenkins. I have been skeptical of the previous two trilogies as they were disappointing in terms of telling a story and expected more of the same, and since I found the end of Glorious Appearing disappointing as well I expected the vision of the Rapture to be as disappointing as the vision of the true Return of Christ. As a Christian, that is an odd thing to have to write.
  
  A valid criticism about the prequel trilogy would be that there is no real conflict in these three novels because we know exactly where Jerry Jenkins is bringing the story: the Rapture. Jenkins is simply bringing the characters along, showing glimpses of their lives and prior motivations before the Rapture changed everything. This much is true, but my personal criticism is that this is a book (and trilogy) that cannot stand on its own without the main sequence of Left Behind novels. All of the interest in the characters and reasons to care about the characters is entirely based on who they later become after the Rapture. What comes before is background and backstory and these events were covered in the main sequence, but now we have novels further exploring the backstory...except Jenkins is attempting to cover too much ground. There are too many characters which do not interact with the other primary characters until some time after the Rapture. Another criticism is that if the prequels are read before the main sequence then the sense of discovery of who Nicolae is completely eliminated because now the reader is simply waiting for Nicolae to declare his true allegiance rather than finding out along with the rest of the world the true nature of Nicolae Carpathia.
  
  Now, with that criticism stated, The Rapture is the strongest of the three prequel novels. Jerry Jenkins has done an excellent job in describing the Rapture and the subsequent judgments of the "saints" and what the first moments of heaven may be like. This surprised me because I thought the return of Christ in Glorious Appearing to not live up to the hype. The description of those first moments in heaven and the how the resurrection of the soul changes a person is remarkable, and the joy of the saved in hearing the stories of the other saints and feeling/experiencing their lives of faith are very well written and well described. Jerry Jenkins often is criticized for his simplistic style, but in some instances it works very well. He may spend a bit too much time in heaven, and not enough telling a story, but Jenkins is very effective in communicating the story he is trying to tell.
  
  The Rapture should be very popular with its intended audience: Christians and fans of the Left Behind series. Those readers will be pleased with this novel and for the intended audience this novel has to be considered a success. As a novel, it must be taken in consideration with the rest of the series because it is incapable of standing on its own. The prequel trilogy should be read after the main sequence because of the spoiler effect it would have for several of the early Left Behind novels. Overall, The Rapture does not truly tell a story in sense of having a plotline, but instead moves characters from point A to point B so they can be in the places they need to be. It is a weaker novel than it necessarily needs to be, but I believe it will reach the intended audience.
  
  -Joe Sherry
  
  

• The best of the 3 prequels (but not without fluff)...

  
  By A3R19YKNL641X3 on 2006-07-22
  While I was a fan of many of the Left Behind series, I've not been as thrilled with the prequels. They almost seemed like an after-thought, a way to grab a few more dollars off the concept. The Rapture: In The Twinkling Of An Eye, Countdown To The Earth's Last Days by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins is the last one before the real start of the series, and it's the first of the prequels. that seemed to actually contribute (in my opinion).
  
  The story tracks the deteriorating marriage of Rayford Steele, and his likely-to-happen affair with Hattie Durham, a flight attendant who works the trips that Steele flies. We also have Buck Williams, who was in Israel when the all-out war started, and witnessed the miraculous destruction of the attacking force by supernatural means. And finally, there's Nicolae Carpathia... He's taking the steps and scheming to make his move from Romanian government official to worldwide leader. The actual Rapture occurs about halfway through the book, and then the remainder is split between action on earth and events in Heaven.
  
  This book could have easily been cut in half and been the real start of the Left Behind series. The characters undergo significant development which explains much of what was going on in the first installment. From a pure story perspective, the last half was a bit fluffy. The scenes in Heaven spend quite a bit of time reviewing the stories of Christians throughout the ages. While interesting (and inspirational for Christians), it didn't do anything for the storyline. That's not necessarily bad, depending on the reason you're reading the book. It's just not essential to the plot.
  
  Of any of the prequels. this was the best. I'm glad that we're finally to the point where the series can be put to bed. It's been a great run, but trying to go anywhere else from this point on would be difficult to imagine...
  
  

• the good and the bad

  
  By A3PHM3ANENDGCF on 2006-07-15
  I like everything Left Behind (except the movies) and this book is no exception. So why am I giving this book 3 stars? The first book was very different and dark, and while good, seemed seperated from the original series. The second book was good in my opinion but boring and nothing really happens. Thinking back on the first two, I can remember much about the 1st book, but barely anything about the second. In that respect, it did not need to be written. I loved the third book in so many ways but then it lost it and went flat. I was excited and expectant about reading the description of Heaven. I found it accurate, beautiful, and Jesus was portrayed better in this book. In Glorious Appearing, whenever Jesus spoke, he basically quoted himself from scripture. I understand they did this as to not offend any stickler Christians, but I happen to believe that when the Second Coming actually does occur, Jesus won't be floating around reapting himself and only speaking in ye king jamesist englishist. The Rapture portrays him and the judgments (of the Christians) in a much better light. This book is much more relatable to the original series; although they make a point of trying to get the reader think Stonagal is the AntiChirst in the original book, so if you read the prequals. The mystery there is lost to new readers. As well, the book and even some of the second book repeats passages from the original first book. Which is annoying if you're going to re-read the series in order. Also, as the judgments go on, it turns into a history lesson of the church, which most of it I knew anyway. You could tell they were trying to take up space. I wanted to read about other parts of Heaven being described. This book is good, especially the first half, but then it gets lost. Althougth I would still say you could skip the first two prequals and start with this one and read the whole series. Although I still think the original book and Assasins are my favorite books.
  
  
• More hype, more hysteria . . .
  By A3MSB482DIB9SL on 2006-10-06
  . . . and more nonsense.
  
  Like I've stated in previous reviews, the only reason I read any of this c**p is because as a professional Christian educator and theologian, questions about stuff like this come up far more often than I would like -- and I've gotta have my ammo ready.
  
  Here we go again: Dispensational pre-millinalism, which is the theology presented in the book as "authentic" Christianity, was invented out of whole cloth in the mid 19th century. This is not the faith of the Apostles. This is not the faith of the Early Church (East or West). This is not the faith of the Reformers. Luther and Calvin would have rejected this. This is not the faith of the Great Awakening. Wesley and Whitfield would have rejected this. Even in Protestantism, this represents a minority "out there" viewpoint.
  
  A non-Christian who picks up one of these books and believes that it represents mainstream Christianity will be grossly deceived.
  
  This is not honest theology; this is not honest biblical interpretation; and the writing is horrible to boot!
  
  
• The First Half was good
  By A3UX27PA9ZI66N on 2006-07-15
  I've read every "Left Behind" book so far. This is my least favorite of all of them, not because it is poorly written but because it felt like it rewrote much of the very first book just with more detail and from different perspectives.
  
  The first half of the book was very good. It detailed the month or so before The Rapture occured. It showed many of the characters we've come to know throughout the series as they rejected Christ and helped us understand how they later came to the point of becoming believers.
  
  In my opinion, this book shouldn't have been written. They should've just lengthened the other two books and eliminated the second half of this story altogether. It is possible that I just had a different idea of what heaven would be like than was described in the book, so I didn't really feel it, but I don't think so. They should've just done without that part altogether.
  
  There is apparently another book coming out "Left Behind: The Sequel". I don't think I'll even buy that one. I feel as if they are now just continuing the series to sell books, not to expand on the story.
  
  
• Great book!
  By A2FV7DAZPENINZ on 2007-03-31
  This is a very enjoyable book. I have read all of these books and enjoy them all(well, save for the Regime, which I thought was boring) It certainly fills in the gaps on Rayford's wife and his boy Raymie, as well as why Rayford and Cloe are so close. It enjoyed the the final 1/3 of the book when the church is Raptured and all of the wonderful things that happens. Man, if the Rapture is 1/10th this cool it will be a great day indeed.
  
  Excellent writing, good flow, a real page turner. I went back and re-read Left Behind because I just enjoy the story.
  
  You'll love it!
  
  
• Finally, where Left Behind hasn't been before...
  By A2HIXY822R6FC9 on 2006-06-09
  Having recently read the prequels to this book (The Rising and The Regime) I was eager to get into this one.
  
  The familiar characters of the Left Behind series: Nicholae Carpathia and his minions, the Steele family, Buck Williams and his circle of compadres, are much better fleshed out in these books than they ever were in the entire decade of Left Behind books. Some you'll grow to hate, and some you'll root for, but you'll have definite opinions on the whole character set.
  
  The story picks up when the Antichrist Carpathia is in his thirties. This despicable, ruthless character is well on his way to become king of the world with little help from his master, Lucifer. As powerful as he thinks he is, though, Carpathia is thwarted twice by miracles. The buildup, execution, and aftermath of these miracles encompasses the most of what is exciting about this book. There's no show like God in action.
  
  The new element in this book--the moment we've all been waiting for--is when LaHaye and Jenkins take us to Heaven with Irene and Raymie Steele. Their vision of Heaven seems to me to be a literal construction from the Bible; and although I know there will be many who revell in picking out what they feel are Scriptural inaccuracies, this is a fiction series. It is meant to be enjoyed, not studied.
  
  Ironically, this part I had eagerly anticipated turned out to be the part I was tempted to skip. While Heaven isn't comprised of harp-wielding souls sitting on clouds, I'm sorry to say I found it a tedious and boring place. The imagery is good, but like one who visits the mountains and stays too long, after awhile you get tired of mountains. Unlike the living "heaven" in the book "Violent Night," where joy is found in service with the Lord, LaHaye's and Jenkins' heaven is all about rewards. I tend to shy away from rewards, so don't let my personal idiosyncracy discourage you from reading the book.
  
  The Rapture is an easy read. The layout is clean, the vocabulary unpretentious. It never juggles more than three plot lines at one time. The authors have done a good job at keeping all of these plots moving so one can't skip pages without missing something important. Even as a Christian, I found some of the Left Behind books to be a uncomfortably preachy; but I'm glad to say I didn't find any of these "before they were left behind" prequels to be that way.
  
  
• A well-done story that you will not want to miss
  By A1JJGOFWU48R5U on 2006-07-10
  If you've never read the Left Behind books, it seems to defy explanation how audiences can be sustained through 15 installments (12 for the main series). THE RAPTURE marks the third novel to explain what was going on right before the Christians were suddenly taken into heaven. Ten years ago, when I read LEFT BEHIND, I was skeptical but then fell in love with the characters. With each new volume my fascination only increased, and now with the 15th book, it's like settling into a comfortable chair and picking up a conversation that was stopped months earlier (when THE REGIME released). Each novel weaves threads of several different stories going on at the same time, which always creates a page-turner for the reader.
  
  THE RAPTURE reveals the distinctions between the Christians and the non-believers. Rayford Steele, a Pan-Continental Airlines captain, is deliberately spending his time on the golf course instead of going to church with his family. His wife Irene and young son Raymie increase their love of Christ yet regularly conflict with Rayford about spiritual issues. While Rayford never has an affair with Hattie Durham, the flight attendant, he certainly "arranges" to drive Hattie home and spend time with her away from his family.
  
  Nicolae Carpathia continues to increase his connection to the spirit world, and he grows in his political power as a member of the lower house of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, to become the President of his country.
  
  Toward the end of THE RAPTURE, the Christians are called to heaven. Through the eyes of Raymie and Irene, readers experience the joy and excitement of watching the life work of key figures of the modern church such as Ken Taylor, translator of THE LIVING BIBLE; Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ; and William Franklin Graham, better known as Billy Graham. They also see key figures from the New Testament such as Mary, mother of Jesus, John and Paul.
  
  Cameron "Buck" Williams, the senior writer for Global Weekly magazine, creates another thread of the plot, which is followed throughout the novel. A familiar character from previous Left Behind books, Buck is on the 747 traveling across the ocean to London where Rayford is the senior captain and Hattie is the senior flight attendant. The lives of these three characters intersect when the Christians are called to heaven during this flight. Their clothes remain in their seats but their bodies are gone, which causes chaos to erupt on the plane.
  
  Abdullah "Smitty" Ababneh, a fighter pilot in the Royal Jordanian Air Force, is another key character carried from THE REGIME. Smitty's nominal faith in Islam is in stark contrast to his ex-wife, Yasmine, who has become a Christian.
  
  Like a fine tapestry, the final pages of THE RAPTURE draw the characters right to the moments of the opening of the first book in the Left Behind series written more than 10 years ago. Whether you are returning to this series and reading about familiar characters, or meeting them for the first time, THE RAPTURE is a well-done story that you will not want to miss.
  
  --- Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin, writer and editor in Scottsdale, Arizona. His latest book is Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success (Write Now Publications). [...]
  
  
• kool-aid stock is soaring
  By A1SQ056WTAOJSD on 2006-10-12
  I must admit that a misguided person gave me this book. Worse yet, she expected me to swoon and join her on my knees and pray for rapture.
  
  Of all the foolishness that is damaging our world, LaHaye's products must be among the worst culprits. I managed to finish this book, and between laughter and rolling of eyes, all I can say is "DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY."
  
  
• Great wrap to the sequels
  By A191T1D7JURDMI on 2006-06-09
  I thought this book was a wonderful wrap up to the sequels for the Left Behind series. I read this through in just 2 days; I could not put it down! In The Rapture, readers are treated to the final days before the event occurs. We get some additional background on the characters, you see more into the developing relationship of Hattie and Rayford (who I really found I disliked in this book). We also get insight on Christopher Smith (Rayford's co-pilot on that fateful flight to Heathrow) and what makes him take the actions that he does in Left Behind.
  My favorite parts of the book include the descriptions of Heaven; they are so vivid you can almost picture it. The golden streets, the light, the way time is so insignificant and the way people seem to be able to communicate with each other just by thinking. It really makes you think and wonder if it really will be like that when Jesus calls his people home. I really enjoy all the books in this series and I am awaiting the sequel due out next year.
  
  
• Adds to things you wonder about but never imagined
  By A1T2WEFF8BQ2YU on 2006-06-25
  This book, much more than the others in the series, takes you to a time and place you wonder about but probably don't dare to imagine -- heaven. You are projected into what it might be like after the rapture when so many are taken to heaven. You are there with those who have entered into the mansion and you experience the wonders they do as they stand before God.
  
  This one was much easier to follow and held my attention. I enjoyed it very much.
  
  
  
• Fascinating.
  By A2HEETS5292XQN on 2006-06-30
  Jerry Jenkins has a gift for making deep stories look simple and read easy. On top of that, he knows how to make a quick and sudden impact. the Rapture is just one of those stories.
  
  The first half is where the meat of the book is - the political wargames, the spiritual warfares of debate; the second half is where things relax. Some would say it makes the story suffer, but I see the slowing down as a true and fitting end to this Countdown trilogy. And while it slows down, it does an excellent job of sitting up Rayford and his other peeps for the (chronologically) upcoming Left Behind series. in otehr words, it was like watching the end of the new Star wars trilogy. You know it's ending one story while setting up the groundwork for the original story to come into play. In conclusion, it does exactly what a prequel should.
  
  Also, some may criticize that bad mamma jamma Nicolae simply faded in this story. He was all over the first part of The Rapture, making an intial bang; but his role became less and less. Once he served his purpose, it was 'adios, Nicolae!'; but I understood that. He was a mysterious and quiet figure when the series first began, not making a huge presence until the end of 'Left Behind'. Kudos to Jenkins for making Nicolae go from in-your-face to an obscure figure within the span of a few sentences.
  
  Mahor kudos to Jenkins for making Rayford go from a non-religious grumbling bore of a main character into a very deep and compelling character by the end of this book. I could feel his thoughts. By the end of the book, he KNEW something hit the fan, and it smelled of poo.
  
  Not the best book in the series, but a very good one. However, it is not a standalone novel. You need to know this series. this book ties up loose ends and finally brings us to the moment that the whole series started from, the rapture.
  
  Thumbs up for The Rapture.
  
  
• It "was " good reading.
  By A2E337ZR2W2RAF on 2006-07-11
  I was not sure how the prequels would be. It turned to be a very good read.
  
  
• The Better One of the Prequels
  By A3PR9QDYAXUC8N on 2006-08-26
  This is definitely the best one of the prequels. I'm not going to write a plot summary because Amazon and other reviewers provide that. I guess I don't understand why these books weren't put all together and included in the series. I love the parts about the Rapture and what happens after to the people that are Rapture. I didn't enjoy that it didn't really have anything to do with Nicolae in the last part of the book. I got tired of the others in their after the Rapture events. We already knew what Buck, Chloe and Raymond did. Just wish these would have been put into one book.
  
  
• THE RAPTURE: HOPE FOR MANKIND
  By A3QKF2GFF7RX3E on 2007-03-08
  THIS BOOK IS FULL OF HOPE, GRACE AND GLORY FOR ALL MANKIND WHO TRULY
  ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR. I, LIKE
  JOHN IN REVELATION, SAY "...COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS". I AM READY
  TO GO "HOME" AND BE WITH MY LOVED ONES AND MY KING FOREVER. I AM SO
  GRATEFUL THAT THIS BOOK (AND SERIES) WAS WRITTEN. I ORDER ALL OF THESE
  SO I CAN LEAVE THEM BEHIND IN MY HOME FOR THOSE WHO GO THROUGH THE
  TRIBULATION.
  
  
• From a quality standpoint - should not have been written
  By A3HAIB8YHY7GYR on 2006-06-15
  This book is a part of the stories before the 12 Left Behind books. I think LaHaye/Jenkins (although Jenkins writes them all) should have left well enough alone. The Rapture was boring with a lot of material taken from Left Behind book #1 and as usual with their most recent books, stories that could have been written in half the number of pages. Storyline of these early books was poor and boring.
  
  
• Lazy writing very anti climactic ending
  By A6DI1RI7L8LB1 on 2006-06-19
  I love this series when I read this book I thought the writing was ok and the character development was ok. The ending howver left much to be desired. I felt that the author just quit instead of building on something that could have been a great book. I have heard that a sequel is in the works I hope that they are not nearly as lax as they were on this one.
  
  
• A Good "Ending" To The Series, But Weaknesses Abound
  By A2QAUMR0V33GC9 on 2006-06-28
  Yes, this was the last in a prequel series for "Left Behind," however as this was written after the first, I see it as the "end," as it were, to the whole series, minus the coda that's coming up next. And we all know how the end of the world and the White Throne Judgment will finish up.
  
  What's good about this book - it's adventurous and keeps the reader rushing headlong through the story. The adventure angle will attract the non-religious (as it has been), the "story" part of the story is well-written and tightly focused on character and development, and, I've gotta admit, answering just what happens to those who were "raptured" is a fun thing to experience, rather than it being left as a "mystery," like my old Catholic priests left their lectures on religion.
  
  Now, onto the negatives.....(SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW!)
  
  I feel the main weakness, not only in this book, but in the whole prequel series, is the characterization of Carpathia. Yes, he's the Antichrist, and thus the main villain of the piece, but I think that with the first series, until, "The Mark," played him as a ruthless, but balanced figure. He committed great wrongs, but he always believed he was doing the right thing. Even with his physical relationship with Hattie Durham, he was just being a guy - a letch and a pig, but no more so than some politicians. Here, we see a man who has never been completely "human" - and acts it. The authors attempt to explain away why he isn't revealed for the monster he is doesn't really fly. Carpathia has information to blackmail those into silence. He's maneuvered everything he's done to look like altruism (good things) and coincidence (bad things). That may work for a short time, but not for as long as he's been around in series' chronology. We live in the real world, as this book tries to, and it's truly hard to suspend my disbelief long enough to find this plausible. Surely, in our modern times, someone would've found a way to at least partially discredit the "Golden Boy of Eastern Europe." Even God would've allowed that, if not for winning new souls to His cause.
  
  Also, while I'm nitpicking, there was at least ONE factual slip on Lahaye's' and Jenkins' part - after the fall of Ceausescu, the Securitate (State Police) was dissolved. Hard to imagine the President of Romania relying on a dissolved, and discredited, security force.
  
  Which brings me to style. As a (hopefully soon-to-be-published) writer, I have a feeling of what works and what doesn't. What will keep the flow going and what won't. The whole of "Left Behind" has always suffered the weakness of "Christian fiction" - that is, a need to reference Biblical verse whenever the writer feels it necessary. I know the whole purpose of religious fiction is to spiritually edify as well as entertain, but having long diatribes trying to tie in the Bible to what's happening in the story can be a bit distracting. In "The Rapture" series, this is brought to another stage by attempting to "Romanianize" or "nationalize" each character by throwing in random Romanian words and phrases to dialog. In an attempt to keep the conversational flow, the authors' don't translate them in the direct quotes, but then waste time having the other person in the conversation repeat what's spoken in rephrasing what's been said in Romanian (or Italian, or whatever). This DOESN'T keep the flow going, makes me feel that the authors' consider their audience idiots because they can't figure out the gist of what's said through context, and is just too jarring to keep someone really connected to the story.
  
  Yet, as "The DaVinci Code" suffered at times from weak writing and was still an enjoyable read to a lot of people, "The Rapture" is an enjoyable read, and makes one long to see how everything will wrap up in "The Judgment."
  
  
• Good Read
  By A148FAVU6MYK68 on 2006-07-26
  I didn't think that I would get into this book the way I had others in the series but it did capture me. It also gave an understanding of the charactes who had already "left" in the first book of the series. There were some parts that seemed unnecessarily long.
  
  
• Almost there
  By A16Z0O6GGRD2WO on 2006-08-24
  A very good book, however I felt it was a little slower than many of the other books...a lot of close almost repetition in various areas, especially the scenes with those who had been raptured. A great book, but not to the level of the others in the series.
  
  
• Why make such a bad book
  By A2F4QTS7KIC1FC on 2006-08-29
  Alright, I am a big fan of the Left Behind Series but the prequels do not compare at all to the original series. The third installment was the worst of the three being used to push a certain religious belief. Personally I felt it was veyr preachy and did not emphasize on the story. The book went no where, it was dry and boring and i didnt even watn to finish it but forced myself to. It picked up towards the last 30-50 pages but thats about it. If anyone is to read the prequels, the first book was the best and half of the second book was alright. But sorry to say the third was a huge dissappointment. The authos were just using the book as a tool to spread their owns beliefs. But im not bashing the Left Behind Series because it was an excellent read of suspent and thrill which was not at all present in the Rapture.
  
  
• What will it be like in heaven?
  By A1DBQZ40DIVXWX on 2006-09-11
  This book answered that question for me. I know that the writers of this book or anyone else on earth does not truly know what heaven will be like, but they did an amazing job of illustrating what heaven might be like. I have read the whole Left Behind Series and I have to say that The Rapture was one of my favorites. The imagery in this book gave me such an excitement of what it will be like the day the Jesus returns for his children. I absolutely loved this book and the Left Behind Series. I am not an Eglish major or anything close to it and I know some people may complain about plots, and charcter development, and all this and that, but if you are a Christian and want to read a great series, then Left Behind is for you. I also recommend this book to non-Christians who have any interest at all in Jesus Christ and his return.
  
  
• Dissapointed
  By A70JGJHWCL24S on 2006-11-04
  The book was great, but this version of the audiobook leaves so much out. I prefer the unabridged versions.
  
  
• The Rapture
  By AJRJ8EVAES0K0 on 2007-01-10
  It's a good book, but it's a little slow. I've sat it down a couple opf times already to read something else. I'm sure I will finish it sometime. Just check it out at the library, it's not worth the money of a purchase.
  
  
• The Darkest Days Lie Ahead
  By A3KY68OTSNHM3G on 2007-04-19
  In this third installment of the "Left Behind" prequel series, many strange events are happening which cannot be explained. In Israel, an entire army of Russian invaders is mysteriously destroyed. Not a single Israeli is harmed or killed. What mystical force is controlling these events?
  
  Many of the characters from the previous "Left Behind" books are re-visited in this edition. Rayford Steele's and his wife Irene's marriage is rapidly deteoriating. Irene has become immersed in her religion, while Rayford has remained aloof and withdrawn. He much prefers to sleep in on Sundays or rise early and play golf. He would never consider attending church with his wife. He has also alienated his young son Raymie, who has also developed his own growth in religion. To make matters even worse for Rayford, he has become very close to Hattie Durham, a senior flight attendant. It seems to be only a matter of time before something happens between them, and Rayford may regret it.
  
  Nicolae Carpathia, the charismatic politician from Romania, has engineered events in his country so as to assume the presidency. He is also scheduled to speak before the United Nations. An unseen spirit is still guiding Nicolae's thoughts and actions.
  
  Abdullah Smith, the young Islamic fighter pilot, and his Christian wife have come to an impasse in their marriage. Abdullah cannot forgive his wife for converting to Christianity, so she leaves him.
  
  All of these personal trials seem insignificant when suddenly, people from all over the world begin vanishing. All that is left is the people's clothes and jewelry. There are many horrifying accidents due to the disappearances, but even more difficult for Abdullah and Rayford, they soon realize that their loved ones are missing. The two soon realize that everything that their wives were telling them was true; Jesus was coming again. Now, they are left alone with only themselves to blame for their lack of faith. What will happen to those who were left behind?
  
  I found this book to be the best of the three prequel books. The story is better developed than in the first two books, and this book serves as a perfect stepping stone to the rest of the series. If readers are new to the series, I would recommend that they start with the prequels first before reading the regular series.
  
  I recommend this book very highly. The storyline is very good, and all of the familiar characters from the previous books are back. Will Rayford, Abdullah,and the others survive the Great Tribulation which is to come? Read on and see.
  
  
• Not the best by Jenkins/La Haye, but not the worst either
  By AEKCFA0MW57S on 2006-06-14
  I love the Left Behind series and even its prequels, The Rising and Regime (the latter was fantastic). This book, I feel, is the least of the prequels and probably should rank in the bottom five of the fifteen Left Behind books written so far.
  
  Should you buy/read this book? Absolutely. No one can deny Jenkin's excellent talent at storytelling. I still found myself finishing this in a couple days as with his other books in the series.
  
  If you are a Left Behind fan, you should read this book. You see the Rapture from the saints' perspective and see the prequel concluded as the innitial book begins at The Rapture's ending.
  
  Problems I had with this book, however, were in fact the Heaven scenes. I didn't like how the author named real-life people in heaven like Billy Graham and the like. It seemed to water down the experience and to suggest that Jenkins knows for sure where some of today's personalities are going after they die. If Jenkins takes the Bible literally, he should realize that only his God knows a person's heart. Anyway, asside from the appearance of real-life people, the book was a nice addition to the Left Behind series and definitely worth the read.
  
  
• The Rapture
  By A22MX4TVTJFX2L on 2006-08-11
  This book is really to make you think. Are you living the life Christ wants for you? Will you be ready when He calls?
  
  
• The Rapture: In a Twinkling of an Eye
  By A1D6XCM6ZXCN0X on 2006-08-17
  Another great book by Tim LaHaye. I particularly liked the perspective of the Rapture from Heaven. I always get excited and am ready for the Rapture after reading LaHaye's books. I was afraid that it would be a repeat of Left Behind but there was just enough overlap to keep things in context.
  
  What's next!
  
  

• The Regime: Evil Advances (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 2)
• Kingdom Come: The Final Victory: The Final Victory (Left Behind Sequel)
• The Rising: Antichrist Is Born (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 1)
• Glorious Appearing (Left Behind)
• Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages (Left Behind, 11)