'Glorious' latest Jesus blockbuster

CNN ^ | April 1st, 2004

[missyme]

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Seen the movie about Jesus' death? Now read the book about his return.

A novel about the return of Jesus is set to become one of the biggest selling books of the year in the United States as Mel Gibson's controversial film about his death breaks domestic box office records.

[My2Cents]

"Glorious Appearing," the final book in the series, deals with the conclusion of the battle between believers in Jesus and the forces of the Antichrist in the Valley of Meggido (that is, Armageddon) and culminates in the return of Jesus.

Aw nuts! They gave away the ending!

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[My2Cents]

Others believe the book, written at a time when the fledgling Christian church was undergoing severe persecution, is more symbolic.

The "others" are wrong. The book of Revelation, while containing massive amounts of symbolism, is clearly about the end of history, and the victorious return of Christ. If the book was meant only to provide comfort to a contemporary first century audience, it would have made no sense at all.

[BSunday]

written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Oh, that's going to be accurate....not.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

""I think it is a really distorted view that God wants to destroy the world. ... I think Revelation is more a book of hope than a book of destruction," Rossing said"

They missed the whole point of Revelations..... God does not want to destroy the world... but He is ready to destroy the evil that has had control of the world all these years. He is ready to destroy that evil and remake the world.

Why is that message repelent to so many? Do they not want the evil destroyed? Do they think that God is not capable of destroying the evil? Do they think that if the evil is destroyrd then the world will be gone also? Have they not really read the chapter, Revelations. I think that is why God says so adamently that there are blessings upon those that read and understand this chapter..... if we really read and understand it, we see that God will not destroy anything but the evil. A new world will be be the result.

MARANANTHA!

[Future Snake Eater]

Although the latest book completes the series, the millions of Left Behind fans need not despair. A prequel and sequel are planned, Jenkins said.

Come again? A sequel to Christ's Second Coming? Are they going to write a whole book about the characters' life in the New Earth? As nice a place as it will be, that certainly isn't my idea of good drama...

[BSunday]

Care to explain away this little tidbit ?

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Actually the opposite of your contention is true. If most of the book is still to come, then it wouldn't have made any sense at all to the 1st century audience, for whom it was mainly written. The book is nearly all symbolic.

[missyme]

Are you going to get the book? I think I am this weekend..

[missyme]

I think if G-d is going to get rid of evil that includes global warming, smog, earthquakes and everything that destroys are great planet..

[ChocChipCookie]

Oh, I think He's going to get rid of a whole lot more than that.

[Neanderthal]

'I think it is a really distorted view' Critics include Barbara Rossing, who teaches New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. She has written a book "The Rapture Exposed," which was published this week to coincide with the release of the latest Left Behind book.

"I think it is a really distorted view that God wants to destroy the world. ... I think Revelation is more a book of hope than a book of destruction," Rossing said.

Notice how the Theology schools have been taken over by the libs too?

[Geezerette]

MARANATHA!

Amen!

I read all eleven books, and am looking forward to the 12th!

g

[what's up]

Agreed. I can't stand it when modern-day christians believe everything in Revelation is written for them. The communion of saints stretches back throughout the centuries.

When read with the intended 1st century readers in mind, and understanding the intended symbolism, Revelation is a wonderful book.

[missyme]

Yes but we will expose all there dirty little tricks....

[My2Cents]

With God, a thousand years is but a day....

Care to explain exactly when and how the events in Revelation occured during the first century?

[My2Cents]

Sorry to admit it, but I haven't read any of the books.

[My2Cents]

I read, and have studied Revelation as a record of things to come, and I consider it a wonderful book too! You should try that perspective. You might find yourself blessed.

[what's up]

I used to study the Bible like it was written just for modern christians (Revelation included).

Then I studied the Bible for 5 years full-time, not reading it as God's word written ONLY for modern christians, but written firstly for those it was addressed to, and God still speaks to us because of it.

Try reading who the book is addressed to for a change, the hurting christians in Asia. You might learn a few things.

[jscd3]

Notice how the Theology schools have been taken over by the libs too?

Like St. Augustine?