Before They Were Left Behind: Book 3

The Rapture gives the reader more details that help Left Behind make more sense. It was a good prequel in that way. What made it exceptional for me were the vinettes famous Christians in the past. The guesses of what heaven would be like were cool as well. ( )

Of the entire series, I'd have to rate this book at the bottom. It doesn't really advance the story at all; it does little to explain the background of the original books; and it reuses a lot of material from those books.

The descriptions of heaven actually manage to make sitting on a cloud playing a harp sound exciting by comparison. Picture being stuck listening to a monotone history professor drone on and on while you check your watch, sure that you've been there for ages, only to find that the time is passing by excruciatingly slowly. That's how heaven is described, and is also an appropriate analogy for this book. If you ever wrote reports in elementary school that you padded with lengthy copies of encyclopedia entries to make up the word count, you'd have written something similar. ( )

In the moments leading up to the Rapture, nobody knows it is coming as the clock silently ticks down. Choices are made. The stage is set as Nicolae Carpathia ruthlessly eliminates any obstacles in his rise to power. In the twinkling of an eye, loved ones disappear without a good-bye. Heaven rejoices as millions are welcomed into the unspeakable presence of God. The darkest days may lie ahead for those who have been left behind. ( )

There's a lot of repetition from previous books - obviously "Left Behind," but the post-rapture judgment scene is too similar to "Glorious Appearing." Story telling is much weaker than the other prequels (which are overall better than the main series). Too much telling, not enough showing.

I don't share the writer's theological viewpoints, but it was surprising to me to hear Irene state that only Rayford can bridge the gap between himself and God, and that Mary (Jesus's mother) was chosen by God because of her righteousness. The first smacks of Pelagianism/works-righteousness. The second does as well, but as a Catholic, I would assert that Mary was "highly favored" not because of her own merits (works-righteousness/Pelagianism) but because of the singular grace given to her by God from the moment of her conception. It's no surprise to me that the authors reject the Immaculate Conception, but it is surprising to hear Pelagianism semi-overtly in its place. ( )