The Remnant: On the Brink of Armageddon (Left Behind No. 10) by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins
Detail on The Remnant – Left Behind No. 10:
Frankly, after the last book in the Left Behind series, I have to admit I was starting to lose interest. The writing seemed rushed, and the characters seemed flat and two-dimensional. Worse, it was hard to tell any two characters apart. They all spoke the same way, and had the same attitude and characterization. Thankfully, that’s all changed, and the series seems to be back on track with this well-written installment.
Disclaimers
First, a few disclaimers: if you’re not a Christian, you’ll probably be offended by parts of this book. The characters try to evangelize the remaining (but dwindling) number of people who have not yet chosen sides between the Antichrist and Jesus Christ. The message of salvation is presented cleanly, clearly, and unapologetically. Frankly, it’s worth reading just for that, in my humble opinion. It’s not a boring sermon, but a conversation, virtually a pleading, with the unsaved. You truly feel the agony that the characters (and, by inference, the authors) feel for the lost souls around them.
Secondly, if you don’t believe in a pre-tribulation rapture (Christ’s returning for his own, prior to the terrible end times discussed in this series), you may well have a problem. Some Christians believe in a post-tribulation rapture (the Church going through the tribulation). Others, a mid-tribulation rapture (the Church experiencing the first half of the tribulation, but being rescued from the second half, the ‘Great Tribulation’ as the book series describes it.
Why you’ll enjoy the book
Even so, I believe you’ll enjoy this book. It’s a well-written look at the end of the world, according to Biblical prophecy (at least from the authors’ perspective). It’s populated with interesting characters:
- Rayford Steele, pilot, de facto leader of a group of rebels against the corrupt world leader Nicolae Carpathia, the Antichrist.
- Buck Williams, writer.
- His wife Chloe, Rayford’s daughter, CEO of an international cooperative of believers.
- Tsion Ben Judah, spiritual leader of the Force, leader of the divinely-protected remnant of Israel.
- And many others.
Another good point is the level of detail in this book. Unlike the previous, you actually get a feel for the various disasters that occur, and how it would feel to experience them first-hand. Details aren’t glossed over, and events from previous books in the series impact this book.
Another enjoyable point was the increase in believability. For instance, in previous books, the diabolical Antichrist, his False Prophet, and the corrupt world government that he runs, the Global Community, were portrayed as Keystone Cops. They acted inept, bumbling, and foolish. Not so here. A ‘sting operation’ against the Global Community is reversed. And the Tribulation Force finds themselves in deep trouble very quickly. The ‘hacking’ of the Global Community’s computer systems is (finally!) discovered. And the perpetrator is pursued with a vengeance.
Conclusion:
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book. It’s well-written, enjoyable, and has me salivating for the next entry in the series.
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