Rating: 
Summary: Whose side is Jesus on, any way?
Review: Jenkins and LaHaye have Jesus, like a monster in a bad horror novel, do the following to the antichrist's army:"Men and women soldiers and horses seemed to explode where they stood... It was as if the very words of the Lord had superheated their blood, causing it to burst through their veins and skin... Even as they struggled, their own flesh dissolved, their eyes melted and their tongues disintegrated." First of all, why zap the horses? They aren't morally responsible for their riders' actions. Secondly, why couldn't Jesus just have all the bad guys die quickly and painlessly, instead of putting them through the gratuitous dismemberment? Or better yet, temporarily incapacitate them so that they have to surrender, reconsider their untenable position and possibly qualify for amnesty? Indeed, this portrayal of a returning Jesus would make conscientious converts wonder if they've unwittingly sided with the wrong deity. LaHaye and Jenkins present a Jesus that sounds like something the Ghostbusters, Buffy or Hellboy would have to fight!
Rating: 
Summary: Good book, I recommend this series.
Review: I just finished reading this book in one marathon Friday night sitting that lasted about seven or eight hours. While I disagree with some of the theology, et al, one need not complain that someone else's apples arn't your oranges.. Take it for what it is worth - opinion and "historical fiction". Can't anybody sit down and read a disargeeable book without feeling the need to go after the authors or complain that it doesn't fit your views? Complaining that it doesn't fit personal views is vain. This book in my opinion is the best of the series but cannot be fully appreciated unless the whole series is read (so get going on #1) The ending reminded me of Pilgrim's Progress and indeed stirred more emotion in me than Buyan's work. Some of the whining I see her reminds me of the Monday's after the Browns loose in Cleveland and grown men and women call up sports talk shows complaining with "that voice" making it seem like the team's loss was the most important and upsetting part of their week. Get over it, it's just a book.. The Psalmist said that if one loves God's word, nothing shall offend him or her - study it out it's in there (119:160's?) Anyway, this book is a treat just by itself even if ya don't read the rest of the series. I recommend it! :)
Rating:
Summary: Rejoice in Glorious Appearing!
Review: To all potential critics of the Left Behind series:
This series is surely produced by humans, promoted by humans, and certainly could have potential flaws that humanity can have. However, many report that God is glorified through these books and thousands have come to the Messiah through this series. God can use anything to bring Himself glory, and this series may be just that. (If God can use Balaam's ass, He can certainly use you, me, or Left Behind if He so chooses!)
I have personally read these books many times and found them to be engaging, light literature, some books enjoyed more than others. At times the writing is humorous. At other times very convicting as you read of those true to Jesus Christ even in the face of death. Within its pages there are many prophecies fulfilled, and those not familiar with Christ's victorious Kingly prophecies from the Old and New Testament, may be surprised at the bloody events in Book 12. Almost 2,000 years ago Revelation 19 revealed that Christ's
very words would judge those who rejected God's salvation so it certainly was not original with Jenkins!
On another point it does not take a rocket scientist to understand that all the critical players connected to this highly successful series have made a good chunk of change. To those who judge the "money-makers" perhaps if you knew the whole truth, you would see the good this series has promoted. I know for a fact that no small amount of Tyndale's profits and assets go to a foundation that does the Lord's work worldwide. The authors, as well, have reinvested their profits to expand the Kingdom. So for those who don't know all the facts, this presents a broader picture than what you are aware of. Guess what, they are not flaunting their giving because they await to hear "well-done good and faithful servant" not the praise of men!
If you do not like Christ receiving Glory from this series, maybe the issue is larger than the writing styles and plotlines, and fulfilled prophecies creatively written throughout this fictional series. The authors have always presented that this series is based on one eschatological viewpoint. If it gets anyone looking into the Scriptures for the truth, so be it! Enjoy Glorious Appearing!
Rating: 
Summary: First of all, to the guy ranting about LaHaye
Review: You're supposed to be reviewing the book. This is not a forum to voice your opinions about Tim LaHaye. This book was pretty good. I'm glad the series is finally over. I enjoyed the first few and then continued reading just because I wanted to find out what would happen next, even though I wasn't that impressed with the writing any more.
Rating:
Summary: Fair to middling, until the last 100 pages
Review: I have to admit I have read this series since about the time "Soul Harvest" came out, although back then it felt like they were pushing 2 books a year out the door. I believe it's been a year since the release of the last book, Armageddon, the conclusion of which left you thinking that the return of Christ was only moments away. And so, in this reader's humble opinion, you have the first half of the book as basically a continuation of a buildup that has spanned 11 books already, and one that I read dutifully through just to get to the actual Glorious Appearing. The single biggest praise and detraction I can give to this book and those prior are the sheer number of participants involved; on the one hand you have close to (it seems like) 40 characters to keep track of, and while this number slowly dwindles down by the time of this release it gets troublesome trying to keep track of the thoughts of all those people as they watch events unfold, although it gives a solid accounting of several different viewpoints as the story progresses. In addition there are obviously characters that I have connected with and feel more about than others, and so it gets a bit superflous at times. You'll note however that this small complaint didn't slow me down from snapping this book the second it became available. The only other major complaint that I ever had was with the portrayal of Carpathia and the False Prophet, Fortunato. My envisionings of them through reading of the Bible make me believe that they will be far more sinister and dangerous than they are portrayed in the books, which all too often has them behaving like buffoons. Yeah, it's fun to laugh at the bad guys' mishaps, but it starts to turn into the 3 Stooges sometimes. It's about halfway through the book though that the reader will hit the paydirt they've been really yearning for for so long, the return of Christ. I actually held my breath, I mean this is the moment that Christians have awaited for 2000 years and outside the Bible it's never been written about in a way that reads like solid prose narrative (unless you count CS Lewis' "The Last Battle", which yeah, I guess I do count :) ) and I was not let down, especially with the last 100 pages. If for no other reason one should get this book. It was worth the wait and had me yearning for more. It's one thing to be a believer and know that Christ is always with you. It is entirely a new and amazing experience to imagine (as Jenkins has here) what an unbelievable, "is this really happening to me?" thing it would be to see Christ physically standing before you and conversing with you by name. It was wonderful and will be wonderful to experience, and for a taste of it read the last few chapters. I agree with some of the other posters here, this was left wide open at the end for a sequel, which I don't think many of us would mind seeing, especially with the foreboding closing passage of Scripture, "But after these things [Satan] must be released for a little while. - Rev 20:3" And yes, I have to say that if #13 does come out the title "Millenium" has a great ring to it! You will definitely not be able to put this one down. I sure wasn't able to!
Rating: 
Summary: A Fitting End to a Famous Series
Review: Tim LaHaye once again presents here his dogmatic, dispensational ideology in storybook form. While his theology is flawed Scripturally, I must admit his series of "Left Behind" books has inspired millions to give more serious thought to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Because God has used these works so powerfully, I've read each of them. The title of this work is self-explanatory for anyone who has read at least one of the other Left Behind titles. Although Glorious Appearing is deemed to be the last in a highly popular, highly lucrative series, the epilogue leaves open the possibility of a sequel being published sometime in the future. Whether or not you agree with LaHaye's stance, these books have been a phenomenon in the secular marketplace. I recommend that all believers in general, and pastors in particular, read them. While we may disagree on the particulars, Jesus Christ IS returning in bodily fashion. These books, especially this last one in the series, focus attention on that reality.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Bother
Review: Here's the negative review Tim LaHaye knew he was bound to receive. One of my objectives is to condemn LaHaye's hypocrisy. I, not being one of the many hectoring, rotten schizophrenics of this world, have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people. I can therefore assure you that there is a simple answer to the question of what to do about his conclusions. The difficult part is in implementing the answer. The answer is that we must go placidly amid the noise and haste. Honest people will admit that LaHaye is capable of a large array of negative feelings. Concerned people are not afraid to search for solutions that are more creative and constructive than the typically callow ones championed by sadistic, bleeding-heart egotists. And sensible people know that LaHaye not only lies, but he brags about his lying to his flunkies. He may be reasonably cunning with words. However, he is utterly prissy with everything else. LaHaye appears to have found a new tool to use to help him pour a few drops of wormwood into our general enthusiasm. That tool is exclusionism, and if you watch him wield it, you'll unmistakably see why he must sense his own irremediable inferiority. That's why LaHaye is so desperate to lure the dour into his camp; it's the only way for him to distinguish himself from the herd. It would be a lot nicer, however, if LaHaye also realized that he is typical of vapid sybarites in his wild invocations to the irrational, the magic, and the fantastic to dramatize his double standards. I stand by what I've written before, that I recently received some mail in which the writer stated, "LaHaye makes decisions based on random things glamorized by the press and the resulting rantings of obscene fogeys." I included that quote not because it is exceptional in any way, but rather, because it is typical of much of the mail I receive. I included it to show you that I'm not the only one who thinks that I am offended by the way LaHaye talks down to me. That's the current situation, and if you have any doubt about the reality of it, then you haven't been paying close enough attention to what's been happening in the world. The obstreperous tone used by LaHaye in his cajoleries clearly shows what kind of person he really is. As long as I live, I will be shouting this truth from rooftops and doing everything I can to find the common ground that enables others to get LaHaye off our backs. He holds onto power like the eunuch mandarins of the Forbidden City -- sterile obstacles to progress who open the gates of hell. It is in LaHaye's nature to be a deceiver and a destroyer and a bloodsucker. No joke. LaHaye likes to compare his modes of thought to those that shaped this nation. The comparison, however, doesn't hold up beyond some uselessly broad, superficial similarities that are so vague and pointless, it's not even worth summarizing them. Anyhow, I guess I've run out of things to say, so let me just leave you with one parting wish: Together, may we stand up and fight for our heritage, traditions, and values.
Rating:
Summary: the very definition of a grande finale
Review: This book is, by far, the best of the series. The culminating event of the last 7 years is about to happen, and the authors do an incredible job of building up to it. The suspense is palpable as the series' surviving characters eagerly anticipate Christ's return while an incomprehensibly large army surrounds them.
When the build-up reaches it's climax and things finally get rolling, it is absolutely incredible to read through. The Battle of Armageddon. Christ's return. The defeat of Lucifer and Carpathia. It's a nonstop revelations rollercoaster as we are taken through the climax of the end of days.
this book isnt perfect, the beginning is drawn out, and while it does build suspense, you do get kind of antsy waiting for something to happen. But the payoff, which comes about halfway through, is soooo worth it. if you are a left behind fan at all, buy this book
Rating:
Summary: A great ending.....but.....
Review: First, let it be said that I have enjoyed the Left Behind series. I am not some wet-blanket who has scoffed at each and every book, and am now taking my stab at this one as well. I have read the book, and so my review comes from experience, and not from a religious bias. The Glorious Appearing brings to a close the anticipation of Christ's return. It is a bit slow at first, but it does pick up. This is a slight turn from the pattern of the previous books; where you have drama, scripture, drama, scripture, etc. This one is more like scripture, scripture, drama, scripture, scripture, drama. There is a lot more Biblical quotation in the final book, so anyone who picks this book up without an understanding of God's final plan is going to be a bit bored by all the "archaic" language..."Bible-speak". The book does come to a powerful ending, and it was definitely worth the read! The one thing I will pick on here, is that if this is to the LAST book in the series, the ending itself is rather unsettling. Like all the other books before it, we are left with a passage of scripture that practically screams "To Be Continued!" If this was to be the last book, the scripture at the end should have been left out. As it is, it is leading us to believe there is more to come from Lahaye and Jenkins...perhaps book #13. I would not be suprised in the least if within the next six months we hear news that that by popular demand, the series will continue...with book #13 called "The Millenium". Then book #14, called "The Beast". Then book #15 called "(insert title here)" This is not a bad thing. If the readers want more from the Trib Force, I see nothing wrong with the authors delivering it. If book #13 came out today, I'd buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Now that you have read the end...
Review: Now that you have read the end, let's here the rest of the story.
We have to remember that this is two men's projection of events to come. They have not happened yet. But! If you have not read
the Bible for yourself, then go do it. I would start with the book of Luke, then Acts. Followed by Matthew, Mark & John. Then Romans, 1& 2 Corinthians Ephesians, Then Genesis, Exodus, Isaiah, Daniel. Then Revelation. Then read the other books you missed.
Then you will know; the rest of the story. God's plan for man.
And his son Jesus Christ. Or if you don't want to do that; pick up your Bible and start reading from the first page you turn to.
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