Epicenter

[dalmations202]

Anyone read the book Epicenter by Joel Rosenberg?

Good book, good series that it chronicles.

Lots of research and facts behind the fiction he writes.

I recommend reading it if you get the chance, and haven't already.

[sike]

shut up you reader!

[MavsX]

haha

[capitalcity]

Dalm what'd you think of the Left Behind series? I crapped out after 3 (tribulation force?).

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by capitalcity

Dalm what'd you think of the Left Behind series? I crapped out after 3 (tribulation force?).

Good series. Good research/study behind it.

Definitely long and drawn out though. It is a pretty good series for reading in general, but as far as prophesy goes, it has lots of the authors own storyline, and not enough prophesy for my taste. I actually didn't like the way they ended the book either. The whole story was about them making it till "the coming", and then minutes before Jesus gets here, they kill off two of the main characters.

There was lots of work done with Lahaye though on the prophesy of future events. Lahaye is a pre-trib rapturist, so he writes the book with this in mind. I have read on pre, post, mid and pre-wrath, and can back all four biblically (depending on how you interpret a few verses in the bible). He also uses Russia attacking Israel in the first book/movie which comes from Ezekiel 38-39, as happening before the rapture. Some think it will be during the Tribulation. No one really knows, but he didn't explain at all why the US wasn't backing Israel at the time. I have a hard time believing that Russia and an alliance with Iran and other countries could attack Israel without the US either defending her, or there being a reason they didn't. Lahaye never really justified it.

The four written before Epicenter by Rosenberg are basically the same thing, except they are utilizing a little more truth from today, and a lot more prophesy. Epicenter is basically where he got his information that he utilized for the books. Most of his information is more that the average person "wants to know". It is far easier to be ignorant of the situations and what is happening out there, and blame the government/democrats/republicans/president/congress/judges, than it is to research the actual happenings and try to learn the truth. Preparation is the key.

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Just a FYI: Realize that they are talking about the ones who are actually waiting because they were invited (believe). Only half are prepared and get to go to the wedding feast (raptured). This parable doesn't say what will happen with the ones that don't believe at all.

Back to Left Behind, descent reading when you have time, but not as good, IMO, as the ones by Rosenberg because his writing is utilizing people/governments/headlines from today.

[sike]

left behind is Christian commercialism at its worst...lets make millions off of Jesus...kinda gross if you ask me.

as far as the works themselves...I don't read fiction, and if I did, I doubt I'd read pretrib fiction.

[u2sarajevo]

My church did a study group on the Left Behind series. It was interesting because I hadn't read the books but we watched a movie on it. At the time we did it the Book was pretty popular (high on best seller lists, etc...) and Pastor had seen people reading it I guess.... Pastor got pretty intense on discounting the pretenses set in the Book. Anyway at the beginning I wanted to read it but by the end of the study group I was pretty disheartened on it.... so never read it.

[dalmations202]

I read it all. From the Bible to Koran, to Morman bible, to the Egyptian book of the Dead.

Sike, you are correct on the commercialism. Not sure what that has to do with it though. The Passion of the Christ with Mel is commercialized as well, with a very Catholic turning. It was still a very good, but brutal movie.

Good Christian Fiction, but it is definitely fiction.

[Ninkobei]

Originally Posted by dalmations202

I read it all. From the Bible to Koran, to Morman bible, to the Egyptian book of the Dead.

Sike, you are correct on the commercialism. Not sure what that has to do with it though. The Passion of the Christ with Mel is commercialized as well, with a very Catholic turning. It was still a very good, but brutal movie.

Good Christian Fiction, but it is definitely fiction.

oh god, passion of the christ is the worst commercialism ever. does anyone know how much money Mel Gibson made off that movie?

[nashtymavsfan13]

Passion of the Christ was a good movie though, and lots of non-Christains saw it and it got them at least thinking.