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Left Behind #11
Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages
The scattered Tribulation Force is drawn inexorably toward the Middle East, as are all the armies of the world, when human history culminates in the battle of the ages. During the last year of the Great Tribulation, safe houses are no longer safe, and the cast of characters dramatically changes. By the time of the war of the great day of God the Almighty, the globe has become a powder keg of danger. Except those already in Petra, everyone has been forced to relocate as Antichrist ratchets up the pressure in the world's most treacherous game. Who will be left standing when the battle leaves the Tribulation Force on the brink of the end of time and the Glorious Appearing?
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2003
About the author
Tim LaHaye
604 books2,018 followersTimothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 423 reviews
August 15, 2011
After finishing this book in just two sittings, I have to honestly say that, unlike the other Left Behind books, I couldn't put it down. I really believe it was because this book was much more character-focused than the rest. There is actually character development going on: growth, self-sacrifice, emotion, etc. For example, I really haven't been crazy about the character Chloe throughout this series, and this is the first book that really gets into her head. I found myself appreciating her a lot more.
What I like about the Left Behind series in general is that it makes the book of Revelation easier to understand. I tried reading it years ago, but much of it went in one side of my brain and out the other, mostly because I couldn't make any logical connection between the symbolism and the impact on the earth. Left Behind, even if it isn't the best interpretation of Scripture (and I know it's not), makes it easier to understand. I also somewhat admire the way the authors are able to portray the Antichrist. I wouldn't be able to come up with someone so evil as Nicolae Carpathia. They clearly put a lot of thought behind his character.
I am looking forward to the Glorious Appearing! Finally!
What I like about the Left Behind series in general is that it makes the book of Revelation easier to understand. I tried reading it years ago, but much of it went in one side of my brain and out the other, mostly because I couldn't make any logical connection between the symbolism and the impact on the earth. Left Behind, even if it isn't the best interpretation of Scripture (and I know it's not), makes it easier to understand. I also somewhat admire the way the authors are able to portray the Antichrist. I wouldn't be able to come up with someone so evil as Nicolae Carpathia. They clearly put a lot of thought behind his character.
I am looking forward to the Glorious Appearing! Finally!
January 4, 2008
READ THE SERIES.
June 6, 2023
I'm not okay 😭😭😭
March 11, 2023
Even so come Lord Jesus. 😭😭😭😭. Consider me speechless.
August 31, 2018
This book was so emotional! It got better as I read on. The power of Almighty God! WOW!
One book to go!!
One book to go!!
May 23, 2023
Left Behind: The rivers will run red with the blood of the non-evangelicals
Alternate Title:
Left Behind: evangelical martyr porn XXX
The main way suspense in built in this entire series is by cutting away from scenes where stuff is happening right before anything happens. It makes for a jarring reading experience where it is difficult to keep track of who is doing what.
I’m thinking they have run out of ideas by now because they literally have Chloe leave the safety of their compound for no discernible reason. Big surprise, she is caught and put in jail. Tim and Jerry don’t know how to write smart women so they just tell their readers over and over again how smart Chloe is because she runs the Christian black market, but then the second she gets the chance she walks into enemy hands for no reason at all. Part of me thinks the evangelical Illuminati took Tim and Jerry’s kids hostage and demanded that they write this 16 book series in 2 weeks to set their kids free.
So here’s how terrible Tim and Jerry are at writing. The story telling is pathetic. You know how all of the prophecies come true from the Bible. Instead of having the characters have to discover what the prophecies mean, or they can’t get access to a copy of the Bible to hear what the prophecies are, or something happens that they didn’t see coming, Jim and Terry decide to just HAVE A CHARACTER PREACH ABOUT IT IN A SERMON RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENS. I shit you not, every time something biblical is about to go down they just have someone do a quick devo mid-story to tell you exactly what the book wants you to understand.
To stay in the same vein, they constantly have one character tell the other how incredibly loving God is, right as people who got the mark are suffering excruciating pain. It is disgusting how so many of the Christian characters take turns gaslighting each other (and the reader by proxy). These men write books describing gruesome violence and then whenever a character starts to have a reaction that remotely displays honest emotion, some other character will come along and be like, “Yeah it sucks that those people we know got violently murdered, but have you ever thought about the fact that God says that he had to harden their hearts because they had too many chances to accept salvation but didn’t.” It’s so bad. Whatever bullshit lifestyle brand/subculture/religion/book club/church experience/coffee shop/community/ethical framework they are selling you, it’s so bad. Don’t buy it.
Chloe getting captured for no reason and slowly martyred takes up the first 2/3rds of the book. She was captured for SOOOOOOOOOO long and I’ll be honest when they killed her I was so thankful. Not because I wanted her to die, I more just thought if I read one more scene where they tease that she is going to get sexually assaulted by the guards I was going to fucking lose my mind. At least three times they explicitly say that one of the bad guys was going to do what they wanted to her without her consent. Tim and Jerry my dear dear fellow human, stop it. Please stop it. Reading characters bring that up again and again really seems to serve no purpose, and it also shows to some extent that rape is on the mind. You even refer to the sedative that you give her as a “Mickey” like you did earlier in the series. You are sad small untalented men that profit off a religion that pedals fear. You should be ashamed of yourself.
“The more of these people we can keep alive the more of them we can get into the kingdom. That’s all I care about.”
Omg they had a goofy ass braveheart moment where the anti christ is like, “I know you want to surrender so just to confirm that don’t make any noise for 15 seconds.” And then everyone all shoots their guns all at once. It’s so cute to think about Tim and Jerry picturing this happening in the movie adaptation that was never made.
Omg they literally have the “friend dying in another’s arms and the dying friend says to leave them behind” scene. But this time there is literally no emotional stakes because they won’t shut up about how they are all going to be hanging out in like 30 seconds.
This book ends with a weird evangelical helm’s deep that ends with a gruesome final destination for the og christians.
Alternate Title:
Left Behind: evangelical martyr porn XXX
The main way suspense in built in this entire series is by cutting away from scenes where stuff is happening right before anything happens. It makes for a jarring reading experience where it is difficult to keep track of who is doing what.
I’m thinking they have run out of ideas by now because they literally have Chloe leave the safety of their compound for no discernible reason. Big surprise, she is caught and put in jail. Tim and Jerry don’t know how to write smart women so they just tell their readers over and over again how smart Chloe is because she runs the Christian black market, but then the second she gets the chance she walks into enemy hands for no reason at all. Part of me thinks the evangelical Illuminati took Tim and Jerry’s kids hostage and demanded that they write this 16 book series in 2 weeks to set their kids free.
So here’s how terrible Tim and Jerry are at writing. The story telling is pathetic. You know how all of the prophecies come true from the Bible. Instead of having the characters have to discover what the prophecies mean, or they can’t get access to a copy of the Bible to hear what the prophecies are, or something happens that they didn’t see coming, Jim and Terry decide to just HAVE A CHARACTER PREACH ABOUT IT IN A SERMON RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENS. I shit you not, every time something biblical is about to go down they just have someone do a quick devo mid-story to tell you exactly what the book wants you to understand.
To stay in the same vein, they constantly have one character tell the other how incredibly loving God is, right as people who got the mark are suffering excruciating pain. It is disgusting how so many of the Christian characters take turns gaslighting each other (and the reader by proxy). These men write books describing gruesome violence and then whenever a character starts to have a reaction that remotely displays honest emotion, some other character will come along and be like, “Yeah it sucks that those people we know got violently murdered, but have you ever thought about the fact that God says that he had to harden their hearts because they had too many chances to accept salvation but didn’t.” It’s so bad. Whatever bullshit lifestyle brand/subculture/religion/book club/church experience/coffee shop/community/ethical framework they are selling you, it’s so bad. Don’t buy it.
Chloe getting captured for no reason and slowly martyred takes up the first 2/3rds of the book. She was captured for SOOOOOOOOOO long and I’ll be honest when they killed her I was so thankful. Not because I wanted her to die, I more just thought if I read one more scene where they tease that she is going to get sexually assaulted by the guards I was going to fucking lose my mind. At least three times they explicitly say that one of the bad guys was going to do what they wanted to her without her consent. Tim and Jerry my dear dear fellow human, stop it. Please stop it. Reading characters bring that up again and again really seems to serve no purpose, and it also shows to some extent that rape is on the mind. You even refer to the sedative that you give her as a “Mickey” like you did earlier in the series. You are sad small untalented men that profit off a religion that pedals fear. You should be ashamed of yourself.
“The more of these people we can keep alive the more of them we can get into the kingdom. That’s all I care about.”
Omg they had a goofy ass braveheart moment where the anti christ is like, “I know you want to surrender so just to confirm that don’t make any noise for 15 seconds.” And then everyone all shoots their guns all at once. It’s so cute to think about Tim and Jerry picturing this happening in the movie adaptation that was never made.
Omg they literally have the “friend dying in another’s arms and the dying friend says to leave them behind” scene. But this time there is literally no emotional stakes because they won’t shut up about how they are all going to be hanging out in like 30 seconds.
This book ends with a weird evangelical helm’s deep that ends with a gruesome final destination for the og christians.
February 2, 2013
This includes spoilers:
I didn't care for this book. The concept and idea is fine, but the writing is so horrible, it makes it difficult to enjoy the book. The dialogue seems like it is written by a 12 year old and that is the good dialogue. The dialogue of Carpathia and his cronies is even worse, it's like a bad 80's cartoon. Also, all the "heroic" characters talk the same. There is no differentiation between them.
As for this book specifically, I don't find myself sad that Chloe died. She had become a complete idiot during the last several books continuing to put herself on the front line despite a complete lack of training. This time, she made completely ridiculous and tacticless decisions and got herself captured.
Albie's demise was a bit more sad but it was also unrealistic. Leading up to his encounter with MM, they said Albie was one the top 3 black marketeers in the world pre-rapture. Then, he meets with a man he acknowledges as one of the baddest men on the planet. the man has tattoos on his neck for each person he's killed. When Albie arrives, the guy is getting a tattoo and tells Albie its not because he's killed some, but sometimes he gets them in advance (first warning). Then he tells Albie he is only a businessman and only cares for money, which these days he makes by turning in bodies of Christians (second warning). He also prefers those christians dead because they are easier to deal with (third warning). All this time, Albie, who you would think has an exceptional degree of street smarts to be one of top three black marketeers in the world, would have clued into things. Nope. Albie doesn't realize anything until MM shoots him in the head.
Finally, Buck is a pain. He has become a totally unsympathetic character and I do not find myself liking him at all. I have to give credit to Rayford, George, and Razer for all not just smacking him across the head throughout this book. I would not be upset if it was him that died at the end.
I had high hopes for this series as I liked the concept. The first couple of books were okay even if they were outlandish (i.e. the UN Secretary General actually having some sort of world authority.. whatever). But as the books have progressed, the characters have gotten more unrealistic in their action (even considering the plot) and the writing is getting worse and worse. I roll my eyes at the dialogue of Leon Fortunato and his comrades. I will read the next book only because it is the last and I've already read the first 11, might as well finish the series.
I didn't care for this book. The concept and idea is fine, but the writing is so horrible, it makes it difficult to enjoy the book. The dialogue seems like it is written by a 12 year old and that is the good dialogue. The dialogue of Carpathia and his cronies is even worse, it's like a bad 80's cartoon. Also, all the "heroic" characters talk the same. There is no differentiation between them.
As for this book specifically, I don't find myself sad that Chloe died. She had become a complete idiot during the last several books continuing to put herself on the front line despite a complete lack of training. This time, she made completely ridiculous and tacticless decisions and got herself captured.
Albie's demise was a bit more sad but it was also unrealistic. Leading up to his encounter with MM, they said Albie was one the top 3 black marketeers in the world pre-rapture. Then, he meets with a man he acknowledges as one of the baddest men on the planet. the man has tattoos on his neck for each person he's killed. When Albie arrives, the guy is getting a tattoo and tells Albie its not because he's killed some, but sometimes he gets them in advance (first warning). Then he tells Albie he is only a businessman and only cares for money, which these days he makes by turning in bodies of Christians (second warning). He also prefers those christians dead because they are easier to deal with (third warning). All this time, Albie, who you would think has an exceptional degree of street smarts to be one of top three black marketeers in the world, would have clued into things. Nope. Albie doesn't realize anything until MM shoots him in the head.
Finally, Buck is a pain. He has become a totally unsympathetic character and I do not find myself liking him at all. I have to give credit to Rayford, George, and Razer for all not just smacking him across the head throughout this book. I would not be upset if it was him that died at the end.
I had high hopes for this series as I liked the concept. The first couple of books were okay even if they were outlandish (i.e. the UN Secretary General actually having some sort of world authority.. whatever). But as the books have progressed, the characters have gotten more unrealistic in their action (even considering the plot) and the writing is getting worse and worse. I roll my eyes at the dialogue of Leon Fortunato and his comrades. I will read the next book only because it is the last and I've already read the first 11, might as well finish the series.
June 3, 2021
the most heartbreaking book in the series so far. I love that the authors took the time not only to further the plot while following Scripture extremely well, but also to make it clear what unbelievers will suffer also. the accounts of the characters that had already taken the Mark of the Beast, only to discover too late its real meaning, is the saddest thing I could imagine. the persecution and death of Christian characters is sad as well, but we know it is not the end for them - their life is just beginning in Heaven! lots of action that I truly don’t think could ever capture how horrendous the End Days will actually be. the only complaint I have is the excessive unnecessary romance plots. I personally think pursuing love would be the least of my concerns during the end of the world, but that’s just me, lol! I am anxious to move on to the final books and get to the good news - Christ’s Glorious Appearing!
February 11, 2023
The interesting thing is that they keep the same male narrator throughout the series. I am also following with the paperback copy at work, as well as ebook when I have time to review after listening to the audiobook.
Now the judgment is in darkness. Can you live in darkness? Nothing works, not even the light from your phone, bizarre huh. This does not happen to the believers; reminds me of Moses' when all the plagues that the Egyptians were touched and affected by, not the Israelites or Hebrews.
Now the judgment is in darkness. Can you live in darkness? Nothing works, not even the light from your phone, bizarre huh. This does not happen to the believers; reminds me of Moses' when all the plagues that the Egyptians were touched and affected by, not the Israelites or Hebrews.
December 7, 2011
With New Babylon now shrouded in total darkness only believers can see leaving unbelievers with blinded eyes. A member of the tribulation force is taken into custody and the future of the other members seems questionable. Tsion and Buck journey to Jerusalem as the Jewish people prepare for the greatest battle the world has ever faced. Chang and Naomi have become closer. The world is coming to a climactic conclusion as the antichrist steps up his massive destruction.
With love found and great loss this is one of the most tense and nonstop yet in the series yet also one of the saddest. More deaths have unfolded leaving the tribulation force with less members to fight Carpathia and his followers.
This is my favorite in the series to date and I look forward with mixed feelings to the last book. I have really gotten attached to these characters and although I cannot wait to see what happens in the final book I really do not want it to end. Excellent character development and realistic scene as well as dialogue makes this one one that I will reread in the near future. Just cannot seem to get enough of this series and find that it is so relevant to today's world and current events.
With love found and great loss this is one of the most tense and nonstop yet in the series yet also one of the saddest. More deaths have unfolded leaving the tribulation force with less members to fight Carpathia and his followers.
This is my favorite in the series to date and I look forward with mixed feelings to the last book. I have really gotten attached to these characters and although I cannot wait to see what happens in the final book I really do not want it to end. Excellent character development and realistic scene as well as dialogue makes this one one that I will reread in the near future. Just cannot seem to get enough of this series and find that it is so relevant to today's world and current events.
April 26, 2021
2-stars...not because I don’t believe, but for the fact that the name of the book was “Armageddon”, and it was anything but Armageddon. The first three-quarters of the book was mainly about one of the original characters, Chloe, getting captured and killed by Carpathia’s GC forces and a newly rescued Christian insurgent from New Babylon getting rescued and falling in love with another at Petra. When it was time for Armageddon, the authors just barely touched on the planning and fighting. Lost quite a few main characters by now, but I didn't really care because I still feel no connection to them, even after reading about them through 11 books.
--------------------
**spoilers below**
I personally thought the Armageddon War was to occur before the Rapture, and at that, the way things are going here in the U.S. lately, I really thought maybe it would be here on American soil. Now, I haven’t yet compared the timing of the events in this book with the Book of Revelations in the Bible. But, according to the Left Behind novels, World War III and the Armageddon War will both occur after the Rapture and sometime during the seven years of Tribulation, and in the Middle East at the New Babylon.
Revelations 18:1-5 - “After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”
Chang Wong, and any other Christ believers hiding out in the area, MUST leave New Babylon now before God dishes out a double fold of punishment and judgment on New Babylon. With pitch blackness continuing over the compound, now couldn't be a better time for Chang to escape to Petra.
Rayford and a couple of others take this opportunity to fly in and help Chang load up his computers and other needed equipment. They happen to stumble on about 6 other German Christian insurgents in hiding who also need to evacuate the area.
Crimes against the government became the focus of Carpathia's minions, the GC Peacekeepers and Morale Monitors, as their ranks continued to shrink. They concentrated on those who skipped bowing twice daily before Carpathia's huge statue image; those without the mark of the beast; and playing with people's minds by telling them everything would be okay if they agree to be marked now, but then they'd drag them off screaming and crying to the guillotine.
Carpathia prepares for Armageddon, the final war against the unbelievers, especially the Jews and against the Son of God when he comes to take over the earth. He is taking this war to Petra and Jerusalem. Carpathia, and his false prophet, Fortunato, meet with heads of all 10 states. At the table are 3 of Satan's original and trusted fallen angels from the beginning, who will help gather the world's sick and exhausted military together for this war. The weapon's Carpathia had collected from the world earlier when he had confiscated guns when it was evolving into a globalist world, were now to be used. As the world leaders were questioning how they were to encourage what was left of their meager army and citizens, Carpathia and Fortunato, walk to the end of the table, and exhaled out of their mouths hideous, slimy frogs that jumped into the mouths of the three. Carpathia then gave those three the power to go out into the world to heal and, if necessary, raise the dead to convince the remaining world that victory would be theirs (Revelations 16:13-14).
Meanwhile, the Tribulation Force, prepare to fight in Jerusalem. There is still another third of the Jews who will be saved coming from Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:8-9).
God sets the trap when the 6th angel pours out the 6th bowl. The Euphrates River, 100 feet deep, instantly dries up, allowing the kings of the east easier access to their gathering grounds at Megiddo. Instead of flying all tanks and war equipment to base, they begin rolling in from all over the east...China, India, etc...
New Babylon's destruction is eminent, then the fall of Jerusalem. At the start of the war, New Babylon is first destroyed by a mysterious force within one hour. This leaves two major events left: the 7th bowl and the Glorious Appearing of Christ.
As Carpathia's armies begin attacking both Jerusalem and Petra, there was suddenly a lull in the fighting. It appeared the horses and the army became blinded (Zechariah 12:4)
But, somehow the army regrouped and is ready for full on battle, Carpathia giving it all he has at Jerusalem and Petra. Rayford is killed at Petra, and Tsion Ben-Judah and Buck are killed in Jerusalem.
Christ will come with 10,000 of His saintly army to slay the antichrist's army. The blood from this battle will be so great that it will be four feet deep, as deep as the bridle on a horse, for 184 miles (Revelation 14: 19-20).
But, once the entire One World Unity Army are finally gathered in Mediggo, after the war has already begun, then the 7th angel pours out the 7th bowl. God's voice will sound from His throne, announcing, "It is done'". The greatest earthquake to ever hit will shake the world and flatten it to sea-level, mountains will be buried and 75-100 pound hailstones will fall to earth, crushing men and women to death. Jerusalem will be the only nation not completely destroyed by God in this earthquake because that is where he will set up the start of His new Kingdom for the 1000 year reign.
Matthew 24:29-30: Immediately after Tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
...next book, “Glorious Appearing”.
--------------------
**spoilers below**
I personally thought the Armageddon War was to occur before the Rapture, and at that, the way things are going here in the U.S. lately, I really thought maybe it would be here on American soil. Now, I haven’t yet compared the timing of the events in this book with the Book of Revelations in the Bible. But, according to the Left Behind novels, World War III and the Armageddon War will both occur after the Rapture and sometime during the seven years of Tribulation, and in the Middle East at the New Babylon.
Revelations 18:1-5 - “After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”
Chang Wong, and any other Christ believers hiding out in the area, MUST leave New Babylon now before God dishes out a double fold of punishment and judgment on New Babylon. With pitch blackness continuing over the compound, now couldn't be a better time for Chang to escape to Petra.
Rayford and a couple of others take this opportunity to fly in and help Chang load up his computers and other needed equipment. They happen to stumble on about 6 other German Christian insurgents in hiding who also need to evacuate the area.
Crimes against the government became the focus of Carpathia's minions, the GC Peacekeepers and Morale Monitors, as their ranks continued to shrink. They concentrated on those who skipped bowing twice daily before Carpathia's huge statue image; those without the mark of the beast; and playing with people's minds by telling them everything would be okay if they agree to be marked now, but then they'd drag them off screaming and crying to the guillotine.
Carpathia prepares for Armageddon, the final war against the unbelievers, especially the Jews and against the Son of God when he comes to take over the earth. He is taking this war to Petra and Jerusalem. Carpathia, and his false prophet, Fortunato, meet with heads of all 10 states. At the table are 3 of Satan's original and trusted fallen angels from the beginning, who will help gather the world's sick and exhausted military together for this war. The weapon's Carpathia had collected from the world earlier when he had confiscated guns when it was evolving into a globalist world, were now to be used. As the world leaders were questioning how they were to encourage what was left of their meager army and citizens, Carpathia and Fortunato, walk to the end of the table, and exhaled out of their mouths hideous, slimy frogs that jumped into the mouths of the three. Carpathia then gave those three the power to go out into the world to heal and, if necessary, raise the dead to convince the remaining world that victory would be theirs (Revelations 16:13-14).
Meanwhile, the Tribulation Force, prepare to fight in Jerusalem. There is still another third of the Jews who will be saved coming from Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:8-9).
God sets the trap when the 6th angel pours out the 6th bowl. The Euphrates River, 100 feet deep, instantly dries up, allowing the kings of the east easier access to their gathering grounds at Megiddo. Instead of flying all tanks and war equipment to base, they begin rolling in from all over the east...China, India, etc...
New Babylon's destruction is eminent, then the fall of Jerusalem. At the start of the war, New Babylon is first destroyed by a mysterious force within one hour. This leaves two major events left: the 7th bowl and the Glorious Appearing of Christ.
As Carpathia's armies begin attacking both Jerusalem and Petra, there was suddenly a lull in the fighting. It appeared the horses and the army became blinded (Zechariah 12:4)
But, somehow the army regrouped and is ready for full on battle, Carpathia giving it all he has at Jerusalem and Petra. Rayford is killed at Petra, and Tsion Ben-Judah and Buck are killed in Jerusalem.
Christ will come with 10,000 of His saintly army to slay the antichrist's army. The blood from this battle will be so great that it will be four feet deep, as deep as the bridle on a horse, for 184 miles (Revelation 14: 19-20).
But, once the entire One World Unity Army are finally gathered in Mediggo, after the war has already begun, then the 7th angel pours out the 7th bowl. God's voice will sound from His throne, announcing, "It is done'". The greatest earthquake to ever hit will shake the world and flatten it to sea-level, mountains will be buried and 75-100 pound hailstones will fall to earth, crushing men and women to death. Jerusalem will be the only nation not completely destroyed by God in this earthquake because that is where he will set up the start of His new Kingdom for the 1000 year reign.
Matthew 24:29-30: Immediately after Tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
...next book, “Glorious Appearing”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2020
I just cannot believe that they killed Albie, Buck, Chloe, and Tsion!!! Can’t they leave at least one of Kenny’s parents alive? I know that the glorious appearing is minutes away, but still!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2020
So anyone that follows me knows I'm only reading this because I set a goal to get a date on every book on the great American read.
I have to say all of these books make me laugh at the extraordinary number of logical fallacies that Tim LaHaye tries to pass off as deeply insightful.
As far as I can tell LaHay is an American but in this book, the antichrist gives an argument against divine right and royalism as the reason he rebelled against god. Doesn't this make his antichrist the equivalent of our founding fathers which I would bet he at least claims to respect? Beyond that, Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages has the normal fear-mongering that is the core of the series. I don't think it is a great way to judge it but his sexist and feminist sections are just about equal after this book. Of course, no gays allowed and still many more magical ethnic people tropes than real people of all types.
Overall I kept wondering why someone would want to reduce their religion to the level of a bad comic book where the antichrist is bizarro superman, and god is an evil superman.
I have to say all of these books make me laugh at the extraordinary number of logical fallacies that Tim LaHaye tries to pass off as deeply insightful.
As far as I can tell LaHay is an American but in this book, the antichrist gives an argument against divine right and royalism as the reason he rebelled against god. Doesn't this make his antichrist the equivalent of our founding fathers which I would bet he at least claims to respect? Beyond that, Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages has the normal fear-mongering that is the core of the series. I don't think it is a great way to judge it but his sexist and feminist sections are just about equal after this book. Of course, no gays allowed and still many more magical ethnic people tropes than real people of all types.
Overall I kept wondering why someone would want to reduce their religion to the level of a bad comic book where the antichrist is bizarro superman, and god is an evil superman.
March 11, 2008
This entire series was great! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and made me excited for the next book to come out. It wasn't a "preachy" book but at the same time did witness. My review will be the same for all the books in the series. Well worth reading!!
October 24, 2014
Like the other books in Tim LaHaye's series, this one made me go back and take a closer look at the Book of Revelation. Really enjoyed this book.
October 18, 2017
BUT WHY DID IT END THERE??????
I guess I have no choice but to start book 12 right this instant!!!
I guess I have no choice but to start book 12 right this instant!!!
September 25, 2023
This has been a somewhat tough read, but not due to its prose. I just wanted to get through the series, and the writing is easy enough to get through; after all, I got through it in less than a week. However, there really can’t be much in terms of character development when everybody ends up reacting the same in the end: they just place their lives in God’s hands.
This book was the most infuriating in the series for me so far because some of the principal characters do stupid things if they’re trying to survive, and they pay for it with their lives. The book tries to sell the necessity of these sacrifices for the greater good of the Tribulation Force, but only a little bit, and I have a hard time buying it.
This book was the most infuriating in the series for me so far because some of the principal characters do stupid things if they’re trying to survive, and they pay for it with their lives. The book tries to sell the necessity of these sacrifices for the greater good of the Tribulation Force, but only a little bit, and I have a hard time buying it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2019
They killed Albie?! They killed Chloe?! And then they just killed everyone!!!
Not how I thought that was going to play out during Armageddon ... and yet very well done.
Poor Kenny being so young and having no clue what is going on except that everyone is leaving and moving around ... he has to be so confused and scared.
Pretty happy about Chang and Naomi tho. So there’s that.
Not how I thought that was going to play out during Armageddon ... and yet very well done.
Poor Kenny being so young and having no clue what is going on except that everyone is leaving and moving around ... he has to be so confused and scared.
Pretty happy about Chang and Naomi tho. So there’s that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2019
The penultimate book. Lots of stuff is going down, and I was reengaged over the fates of certain characters that have been there since book 1. I felt the previous book lost a little focus in the narrative and plot going all over the place, but this one, except for one or two places, came back with force. The plot delivered, really taking the reader (or at least me) to the gripping conclusion and final-final-forsurethistime-final times. One more book to go!
June 2, 2020
On the last book in the series. The Glorious Appearing😇🙏
April 10, 2023
This book had the audacity to end on a cliff hanger. I need to do homework but I want to start the next book 😭
May 2, 2023
Seriously? That's just disappointing. What a bummer lol
Read
November 27, 2023*Removing my ratings since it has been nearly 2 decades since I read these*
September 16, 2019
Armageddon is the eleventh book in this series. Situations have become much more dire near the end of the world as we know it, as the final year of the Great Tribulation is portrayed. No one is safe now. The city of New Babylon has been thrust into total darkness, but believers can still see. Armies are gathering in the Middle East and a battle seems imminent.
Throughout the series, the main characters have been mostly protected from the ills that befall others, but in this book, things change. I am listening to the audio version, and it seems truncated compared to earlier editions, but it is still an interesting story.
Throughout the series, the main characters have been mostly protected from the ills that befall others, but in this book, things change. I am listening to the audio version, and it seems truncated compared to earlier editions, but it is still an interesting story.
January 13, 2024
Book number 11 in this great series. Not only is the Biblical book of Revelations described in imaginative details, but verses are included to strengthen the points of the story. By the end of this book several of our main characters have died. The Reappearing is almost here.
Read
December 11, 2009"He was unarmed, falling, and mortally wounded. And the enemy was coming." These were the thoughts of Buck Williams, shortly after the Global Community Unity Army launched their first assault on Jerusalem. As the Tribulation is nearing its conclusion, Nicolae Carpathia has began the biggest military operation in the history of mankind, all as a last ditch effort to wipe the believers of God off the face of the Earth. All of the remaining Tribulation Force members, now numbering in the hundreds, are in Petra, the temporary home of the Jewish Remnant, preparing to defend against the Antichrist's assault and the Glorious Appearing of Christ. Lahaye and Jenkins' Armageddon is a very interesting climax to the Left Behind series, and, in my opinion, was one of the best so far. Maybe that's because I like the action parts in books the best but maybe not.
Like the rest of the books in the Left Behind series, the setting is one of the best parts of the book. The authors portray the end of the world with such great detail that you can very easily see the Israeli desert with the Antichrist's army waiting to begin their assault. The Bible says that the army will be as numbered as the sands of the world, and the author does a great job of letting you know just how big this army actually is. Reading a good book should be like watching a movie and that's how I felt through out my reading of Armageddon.
A theme from this book that is very easy to discern is that everyone should be saved. The judgements from God and the frustration of being part of the largest army in history, but still losing to a few million people are just the beginning of the troubles the supporters of Antichrist have to deal with. And then there's the whole business about burning in hell for eternity, so it's not a good situation any way you look at it. I'm glad I'm saved.
The most obvious connection that you can make from this book, in fact the whole series, is its connection to the Bible. I know this is a big duh, but some people may not realize that. The story in the Bible is basically the same story that is in this book, just with out the characters and everything being explained in great detail. The Bible liked metaphors and similes, so this is a little easier to understand.
All in all, like the last book I reviewed from the Left Behind series, I thoroughly recommend this to anyone who wants a good read. People are sometimes turned off by religious books, but this is a good book whether you know the Good Book or not. See what I did there? Clever, huh?
395 pages
Like the rest of the books in the Left Behind series, the setting is one of the best parts of the book. The authors portray the end of the world with such great detail that you can very easily see the Israeli desert with the Antichrist's army waiting to begin their assault. The Bible says that the army will be as numbered as the sands of the world, and the author does a great job of letting you know just how big this army actually is. Reading a good book should be like watching a movie and that's how I felt through out my reading of Armageddon.
A theme from this book that is very easy to discern is that everyone should be saved. The judgements from God and the frustration of being part of the largest army in history, but still losing to a few million people are just the beginning of the troubles the supporters of Antichrist have to deal with. And then there's the whole business about burning in hell for eternity, so it's not a good situation any way you look at it. I'm glad I'm saved.
The most obvious connection that you can make from this book, in fact the whole series, is its connection to the Bible. I know this is a big duh, but some people may not realize that. The story in the Bible is basically the same story that is in this book, just with out the characters and everything being explained in great detail. The Bible liked metaphors and similes, so this is a little easier to understand.
All in all, like the last book I reviewed from the Left Behind series, I thoroughly recommend this to anyone who wants a good read. People are sometimes turned off by religious books, but this is a good book whether you know the Good Book or not. See what I did there? Clever, huh?
395 pages
April 23, 2021
In 1995, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins—along with publisher Tyndale House—published Left Behind: A Novel of Earth’s Last Days. Nobody could have imagined where it would go from there. When the dust settled, the main series stood at twelve novels and there was a prequel trilogy, a sequel, a 40-book kids’ series, a political trilogy spinoff, a military quadrilogy spinoff, non-fiction books, a slew of movies, graphic novels, and more. The word that kept getting thrown around at the time was phenomenon. As a child of the 90s, I was actually too young to get in on the beginning of this series but around the turn of the millennium, I had gotten into the kids’ books and the regular novels soon followed. The years pass, I become a literary critic and a seminary-trained pastor, and I finally decide that it’s time to review these books and see how well they hold up. And…well…*spoiler*…not really.
These reviews will focus primarily on the literary aspects of the novels, as it’s not really fair to criticize them—in this context—for doing what they intended to do. From a theological standpoint, the novels are an expanded presentation of pre-tribulational millennialism. Tim LaHaye was a leading proponent of the view at the time and his contribution to the series was developing the overall prophetic structure within all other events take place.
What I’m looking at in these reviews is whether or not Left Behind takes that theological structure and works it out in an engaging, exciting way through story.
Armageddon
For a book entitled Armageddon, you’d think the book would focus on the famed end of days final battle. But no. In fact, by direct focus, Glorious Appearing may devote more space to Armageddon and the battles that rage in the aftermath than this novel does. However, if Armageddon was meant to imply “all your favorite characters that improbably survived will now meet contrived and unnecessary deaths, then yes, this is about Armageddon.
The book begins with Chloe’s capture. There is no reason for this plot line. Chloe is simply tired of being inside in San Diego and goes for a run. The GC capture her. Okay. Standard operating procedure says that this book should now be about a rescue mission. We’ve literally played out the plotline of “X is captured, go rescue them” four or five times by this point. Inexplicably, even though Chloe is head of the alternate economy circumventing the Mark of the Beast, even though she’s a main character, even though she’s a mother, even though she’s related to both of the surviving original characters and primary protagonists, we don’t even mount a rescue attempt to save her. Nothing. Not even a failed attempt.
Why? Because there need to be one last high-stakes death and this was the best we could do to manufacture some drama. And manufacture is the right word. The GC tries to get information out of Chloe by not giving her food. For a whole day. And there’s a lot of drama around how hungry Chloe is. (I guess fasting wasn’t one of her spiritual disciplines?) There’s no drama or realism in it whatsoever. When Chloe is given a chocolate shake, she isn’t the least bit suspicious and guzzles it without once considering that it could be a trap. (It is.)
Next storyline involves Albie. Pre-conversion, Albie was one of the world’s top three black market dealers (I didn’t realize there was a list, but hey.) Because story reasons, Carpathia’s conference room in Baghdad needs to be bugged. Everything in New Babylon is bugged, but because of the Bowl Judgment of darkness, the meeting is being relocated. The conference room needs to be bugged so that the Trib Force can listen in on what’s going to happen. Why? Because how else will the readers know what a villain does if a hero doesn’t overhear it. The whole plot line begins contrived and just gets worse.
Albie knows a guy (maybe the number 2 black market dealer?) who somehow doesn’t have a mark but still works with the GC. This guy is so bad that he gets a tattoo every time he kills someone. When Albie meets with him to arrange the job, he’s getting a tattoo (strike 1). As they set the terms, the guy tells Albie that he hasn’t killed anyone yet, but is planning to (strike 2). He further says that the GC pays for believers alive or dead, and dead is easier (strike 3). And Albie’s out. Dead. You’d think the #3 black market dealer in the world would be a little savvier, but no. However, his sacrifice pays off as the guy takes Albie’s money, turns in his body to get paid, and then uses the money to finance the bugging job. It’s an absolutely ludicrous and unnecessary series of events that looks “cool” if you don’t read with any critical insight.
Storyline three: Tsion Ben-Judah decides to abandon the spiritual leadership of Petra to fight the GC in Jerusalem during Armageddon. He dies. No good reason given for this. No build up to it. It’s out of character. It doesn’t make sense. But no character’s actions in this book make sense.
And holdup. There is a rescue mission as we have some final believers to get out of New Babylon. Flying somewhere to get someone out of that place is now a plotline in the last five or six books.
Lastly, a theological musing: Since pretty much everyone is either a believer or has the Mark of the Beast, the tone of the book toward unbelievers shifts drastically from conversion to extermination. There’s a scene where Carpathia’s secretary is weeping, regretting that she took the Mark, wanting to recant, but unable. There’s a triumphalism to it. “Ha, they’re getting theirs.” It’s a terrible tone to take.
From both a literary and theological standpoint, this series has declined the longer it’s gone on. What started out as average Christian fiction that accurately fictionalized an interpretation of eschatology has now turned into a sprawling, haphazard mess of us-vs-them triumphalism, poorly written characters, contrived plots, and just bad storytelling.
These reviews will focus primarily on the literary aspects of the novels, as it’s not really fair to criticize them—in this context—for doing what they intended to do. From a theological standpoint, the novels are an expanded presentation of pre-tribulational millennialism. Tim LaHaye was a leading proponent of the view at the time and his contribution to the series was developing the overall prophetic structure within all other events take place.
What I’m looking at in these reviews is whether or not Left Behind takes that theological structure and works it out in an engaging, exciting way through story.
Armageddon
For a book entitled Armageddon, you’d think the book would focus on the famed end of days final battle. But no. In fact, by direct focus, Glorious Appearing may devote more space to Armageddon and the battles that rage in the aftermath than this novel does. However, if Armageddon was meant to imply “all your favorite characters that improbably survived will now meet contrived and unnecessary deaths, then yes, this is about Armageddon.
The book begins with Chloe’s capture. There is no reason for this plot line. Chloe is simply tired of being inside in San Diego and goes for a run. The GC capture her. Okay. Standard operating procedure says that this book should now be about a rescue mission. We’ve literally played out the plotline of “X is captured, go rescue them” four or five times by this point. Inexplicably, even though Chloe is head of the alternate economy circumventing the Mark of the Beast, even though she’s a main character, even though she’s a mother, even though she’s related to both of the surviving original characters and primary protagonists, we don’t even mount a rescue attempt to save her. Nothing. Not even a failed attempt.
Why? Because there need to be one last high-stakes death and this was the best we could do to manufacture some drama. And manufacture is the right word. The GC tries to get information out of Chloe by not giving her food. For a whole day. And there’s a lot of drama around how hungry Chloe is. (I guess fasting wasn’t one of her spiritual disciplines?) There’s no drama or realism in it whatsoever. When Chloe is given a chocolate shake, she isn’t the least bit suspicious and guzzles it without once considering that it could be a trap. (It is.)
Next storyline involves Albie. Pre-conversion, Albie was one of the world’s top three black market dealers (I didn’t realize there was a list, but hey.) Because story reasons, Carpathia’s conference room in Baghdad needs to be bugged. Everything in New Babylon is bugged, but because of the Bowl Judgment of darkness, the meeting is being relocated. The conference room needs to be bugged so that the Trib Force can listen in on what’s going to happen. Why? Because how else will the readers know what a villain does if a hero doesn’t overhear it. The whole plot line begins contrived and just gets worse.
Albie knows a guy (maybe the number 2 black market dealer?) who somehow doesn’t have a mark but still works with the GC. This guy is so bad that he gets a tattoo every time he kills someone. When Albie meets with him to arrange the job, he’s getting a tattoo (strike 1). As they set the terms, the guy tells Albie that he hasn’t killed anyone yet, but is planning to (strike 2). He further says that the GC pays for believers alive or dead, and dead is easier (strike 3). And Albie’s out. Dead. You’d think the #3 black market dealer in the world would be a little savvier, but no. However, his sacrifice pays off as the guy takes Albie’s money, turns in his body to get paid, and then uses the money to finance the bugging job. It’s an absolutely ludicrous and unnecessary series of events that looks “cool” if you don’t read with any critical insight.
Storyline three: Tsion Ben-Judah decides to abandon the spiritual leadership of Petra to fight the GC in Jerusalem during Armageddon. He dies. No good reason given for this. No build up to it. It’s out of character. It doesn’t make sense. But no character’s actions in this book make sense.
And holdup. There is a rescue mission as we have some final believers to get out of New Babylon. Flying somewhere to get someone out of that place is now a plotline in the last five or six books.
Lastly, a theological musing: Since pretty much everyone is either a believer or has the Mark of the Beast, the tone of the book toward unbelievers shifts drastically from conversion to extermination. There’s a scene where Carpathia’s secretary is weeping, regretting that she took the Mark, wanting to recant, but unable. There’s a triumphalism to it. “Ha, they’re getting theirs.” It’s a terrible tone to take.
From both a literary and theological standpoint, this series has declined the longer it’s gone on. What started out as average Christian fiction that accurately fictionalized an interpretation of eschatology has now turned into a sprawling, haphazard mess of us-vs-them triumphalism, poorly written characters, contrived plots, and just bad storytelling.
November 21, 2019
In this, the next-to-last volume of one of the least well-written series in the English language, the Antichrist twirls his mustache, cackles evilly, and sends a huge army to attack Jerusalem, because he's decided to wipe out the Jews (know who else tried to kill all the Jews? ADOLF HITLER, that's who), and Petra, where the Real Christians are hiding out. While Mssr. Antichrist has access to tanks, jets, and nuclear weapons, much of the fighting is undertaken with horse-mounted cavalry and FRICKIN' BATTERING RAMS. Also, two major characters are killed, but I can't tell you which ones. I think I've already forgotten one of them.
I would give this novel zero stars if I could, but I'll spot it one star because it's a quick read.
I would give this novel zero stars if I could, but I'll spot it one star because it's a quick read.
February 13, 2020
I cannot force myself to read another one of these books. They are absolutely horrible. The writing is poor. The plot is terrible. Every book contains airport skirmish after airport skirmish, like a never ending car chase scene in a bad movie. These books are written by men and from the books male characters point of view. Every single piece of right wing propaganda is included in this series. The author refers the "real" Christians as right wing fundamentalists and sometimes extreme right wing fundamentalists. The books say the only Christians raptured were right wing fundamentalists, as they are the only true Christians. I can't believe they have as large of a following as they do.
August 31, 2020
This is the eleventh book in the sci fi religious book franchise that made two of fundamentalist Christianity's most famous evangelicals wealthy using fear and intimidation to try and save the world. It is loosely based on these two men's imaginations of what the end of time will look like. I'd encourage readers to take their ideas with a grain of salt. The suspense is great - the idea that these stories are based on honest bible interpretation is a long and difficult reach. It appears the authors are beginning to realize their own theology is catching up with them as they released three books in the span of a year... just in case they ran out of time.
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