Left Behind Series

[Niteshift]

Has anyone read this series? If you have, couple of questions:

I've seen 2 movies made of the first 2 books so far. Are they worth watching?

How Biblically correct are the books? Is it loosely based on Revelations or does it stay pretty true to it?

[Traffic_Goddess]

I have read every single one of these, avidly! I think that they stay pretty true to the Word. I've only seen the first movie, but I think that I liked the book better.
I can't wait for the next one to come out, this summer.
Remember....I live in the center of the bible belt, it is just about required reading here!

[Niteshift]

The second movie is out. I saw both Left Behind and Left Behind 2- Tribulation Force at Wal-Mart tonight.

[nickg]

still haven't seen the movies yet. but i am looking forward to seeing them.

[Niteshift]

Have you read the books Nick.

[nickg]

no, haven't read the books either. i've always wanted to get the series and just haven't gotten around to doing it, though i do have some other books written by tim lahaye regarding bible prophecies.

i do think that too many people are failing to realize that the "left behind" series are novels based on prophecy and NOT actual prophecy themselves, THOUGH based on future biblical prophetic events. too many people have criticized the series as bunk, but then again if you want biblical prophecy go to the actual source, The Bible, and not novels. some people just don't get it i guess.

[Niteshift]

I guess my concern is whether they are so far off that it will be distracting or are they close enough that small differences won't be a big deal.

[retired]

I haven't read the books, but saw the movies, and didn't like either one of them.

[CinaC]

It's been my experiences that the book a movie is based on is usually much, much, much, much, much better then the movie itself. I've yet to see a movie that is better than the book it is based on.

PS: Nite, when I read the title of the second movie, I said to myself "why is the Tribulation Force at Walmart?!" :D

<small>[ 12-03-2002, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: C in a J ]</small>

[Spiderman]

I've read the whole series to date. Loved everyone of them. I'm a pretty fast ready when I find it interesting so they don't even interfere with my Bible study. From my reading they stay pretty close to the Word. Of course there are areas where artistic license has been taken but, as these events have yet to happen, what else can be expected. Speaking of prophecy, has anyone been watching current events in Europe, Middle East and Asia? Intersting coalitions forming between the Islamic nations and Russia. Also check out 'Temple Mount Institute' on the web. Aside from nearly all of the required implements for the sacrifice, they also have a red heiffer (numbers 19). I think we're close.

[Oregon Mike]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by C in a J:
<strong>It's been my experiences that the book a movie is based on is usually much, much, much, much, much better then the movie itself. I've yet to see a movie that is better than the book it is based on.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">For the most part I agree, but I think The Green Mile was better in movie form. The book seemed to go on a little longer than necessary, and was a little hard to follow (still a very good book though). The movie was just about perfect.

Mike

[nickg]

SPIDERMAN SAID:
"I think we're close"

you sho' got that right!!! :D

[DesertRat]

Haven't read the books. Saw the first movie and thought it sucked pretty much as bad as something could suck. The acting was hidious.

[Watchman]

Ive read the books and they are a good read.

The thing is, if you dont have at least a little understanding of the Book of Revelation then you might not have much of a clue as to what is happening.

Havent seen the movies.

[Spiderman]

Watchman has a good point. Some familiarity with Revelation is somewhat important. Also try Exekiel, specifically chapters 37-39. Chapter 36 was already fulfilled in 1948. Also Daniel 2:31 as well as Isaiah.
As for the acting, remember that Hollywood and the big-budget producers are not interested in promoting anything that does not promote loose sexual morals, righteous standards and especially anything that will point out that what they do promote will lead to destruction. Therefore, Kirk Cameron gets the part instead of Ben Affleck, Frank Oz quality special effects rather than Lucas, etc. I still want to see any films they release from the series nevertheless.

[nitram]

I've read the series and I think it's pretty much in line with how end times will be. I have only seen the first movie, I didn't know the 2nd movie was out! Thanks for the tip. I thought the acting was awful, but when you don't have the BIG MONEY to make a movie what can you expect? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[D. Harper]

When does the next book come out? I saw the 2nd movie about a month ago. Nothing grand, but not too bad either. The books, however, are wonderful.

[JB]

The books are great. I personally believe that they're pretty accurate as to how biblical prophcies will unfold. The first Left Behind Movie was ok. I haven't seen the second one so I can't really comment. If you want to see a really good movie based on Revelation, I highly reccomend Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 . The first one sucked but the second one is incredible!!

[Hanson]

My wife has read the entire series to date and I read through about the first two or three books. They are very entertaining and have a basis in Scripture. Just remember, they are not Scripture. They simply tell a story that has Scripture as a backdrop. If you get too caught up in whether they are Biblically accurate, etc... you wont enjoy them. As for the movies, my wife told me they really did not follow the books that well... what's new about that!? A movie just cant show all the underlying themes and thoughts as a book can (Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are great examples of movies which closely follow books, yet still leave out so much!).

[DesertRat]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Spiderman:
<strong>
As for the acting, remember that Hollywood and the big-budget producers are not interested in promoting anything that does not promote loose sexual morals, righteous standards and especially anything that will point out that what they do promote will lead to destruction. Therefore, Kirk Cameron gets the part instead of Ben Affleck, Frank Oz quality special effects rather than Lucas, etc.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I agree, but, there's bad acting and then there's BAD acting. Us Mormons are starting to get into the movie business too finally (Brigham City & Singles Ward are the only two I've seen but there are others) and are using no name actors and directors and they are good movies just on an entertainment level, not scripturaly based movies. My point was, they could have gone to a high school theater group and gotten better actors. That was literally painful to watch.

<small>[ 12-26-2002, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: DesertRat ]</small>

[DesertRat]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by JB:
<strong>If you want to see a really good movie based on Revelation, I highly reccomend Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 . The first one sucked but the second one is incredible!!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">OK. It's up next on my NETFLIX list. Do I need to see the first one to get the sencond?

[huff317]

Yes, stay on your toes. We ARE indeed close. Probably much closer than many of us even realize.

Out

[shooter1201]

Care to elaborate on just HOW close you think we are?

[Spiderman]

Shooter:
I have no idea how close we are. All I can tell you is that we are instructed to "watch" and "be ready". Here's an example: In Numbers 19, the Isrealites are instructed to take a red heifer, slaughter it and burn it outside the camp. Someone else (ceremonially clean) is to gather the ashes into a vessel. Num 19 tells why. It states that if a man who is in the field comes into contact with the body of one who has been slain by the sword, or the body of one who has died, or touches a grave or the bone of a man then he is unclean. He is to stand in a vessel and someone who is clean is to pour some water (containing some ashes from the heifer) over his head. They are also to sprinkle some of the water on him with hysop branches. A perfect image of a HAZMAT decon site. Fastforwarf to Ezekiel 39. This is after Gog, Magog, the armies of the far north along with Persia, Libya and Ethiopia attack Israel. God says that he will strike them down and their bodies will block the passage from the East...that's a lot of bodies! Then, "regularly employed" crews will go out and bury the bodies. Others will go and mark the remaining bones. With that many bodies they are certain to come in contact with the body of a man who was slain by the sword, ...a grave, etc. Conclusion: They're gonna need a red heiffer. Guess what...they got one. Check out the Temple Mount on the web. I don't know much about bovine genetics but they seem very excited about it. As soon as I find out how rare it is, I'll post it here. As for the time line? It only says they are to have the ashes, it does not give an expiration date. So...watch (the news) and be ready. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[shooter1201]

Sounds sorta like the 'white buffalo calf' Native Americans watch for.....

[Guard Dog]

I have read the first three books and stopped after starting the fouth. I really liked the first two, three was OK but I think they are getting two much like science fiction. First two books were actually pretty true to the Revelation and other Bible prophecy.

I saw only part of the movie and it was BADDDDD! Needs a budget to put some real decent special effects into the scenes. TOO LOW BUDGET..... If a top notch movie producer signed on it could be quite interesting. The books let the imagination really see the things happening. The movie left me empty.

<small>[ 12-31-2002, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: Guard Dog ]</small>

[Traffic_Goddess]

Guard Dog-

I agree, I didn't like the movie...but I can't wait for the next book!

[Bob A]

I finished the 2d book yesterday and remembered this thread. I read the first 2 books in less than 7 days. I thought it would be preachy, and it was, but not obnoxiously so. All in all, I think they were very good books. I just picked up #3 (Nicolae) tonight and am already more than 50 pages into it.

As far as how closely it's based in scripture, I can't say. I haven't read much of the parts of the bible it references. Most of my reading has been Exodus, Matthew, Mark, and John. But, hey, I've only been going to church regularly for about 19 months. Except for weddings, I hadn't seen the inside of a church more than 20 times since I was a kid.

I can't recommend it to you, because I don't know what kind of books you like, but I like it so far. BTW, if you start reading this, post some of your thoughts.

[MadMax]

I read the 1st two in about 10 days. I made it 3/4 of the way through Nicolae and got bored of it. I do plan on finishing it.