Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist (Left Behind #3)

Rating:
Summary: Dracula on speed
Review: As I write this, the FDA has just dropped its previously strict packaging regulations in order to give pharmaceutical companies (like the one George Bush the First had a huge stake in) the opportunity to plant radio frequency identification (RFID) chips into packages of medicine. Last year the FDA authorized their use in human beings. Why, I wonder, haven't Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey, and the other right wing fear mongers who terrify people with stories of the imminent "end times" told their readers to do something PRACTICAL to stop the real-life, non-fiction, happening-as-you-read-this implementation of a system which would allow the denial of access to medicine and medical services to people based upon whether or not they have the "correct" microchip implanted in their bodies? Do the chips have to have "666" stamped on them before these guys start telling people that George Bush the Second has implemented more Antichrist-like policies than any fictional Romanian? By "something practical" I mean counseling their readers to maybe ... oh ... maybe ... NOT VOTE FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY WHICH IS DOING THIS? Until they do THAT, I'll continue to regard LaHaye, Lindsey, and others like them as fear-mongering hucksters making millions from rubes who are so busy reading this FICTION that they don't pause a moment to look at the real world around them. (As for the villain in this book: Oooh! A monster from Transylvania! How original.... Bah! I'm *through* with these lousy LaHaye books.)

Rating:
Summary: ROMANIA IS CONSIDERED THE GARDEN OF THE HOLLY MOTHER OF GOD
Review: Dear Friends,

I am so sadened to see that the name of my country is identified as being the place from where the AntiChrist will come... I am stuned to see the degree of ignorance of this man...not only related to my country but also to Christian values.

He tipically promotes a mental excitment based on western cultural templates (see Dracula, etc) without considering for a moment to take some time and read about the country he indentifies as birth place of AntiChrist. I invite you all to have a look at our Romanian Christian-Orthodox Church website, there is an english version there. Please read WHO WE ARE: http://www.crestinism-ortodox.ro/. People in Romania are 88% Christian-Orthodox, there are 12% from our population which are Catholic and Protestant.

We are the OLDEST of Christians, on our lands had preached the Saint Apostle Andrew, in south of our country. A land where the churches are built on top of the Holly remains of Saints and Martyrs of Christianity. A place where many Saints which died like martyrs in other parts of the world, and they could not be buried in their homeland (their coffins could not be lifted for burial), but when they tried to cross them over the Danube river their coffin could be lifted and passed into Romania... That's Romania... We have been the defenders of Christianity for centuries. Read the history Mr. Lahaye... and don't spill your ignorance over the name of OUR NATION.

I think people should be free to write but NEVER TO TOUCH the sacred simbols of a nation such as:
1. Name of the Country
2. Faith
3. History
4. Language
5. Culture
6. And other cherised simbols

When you read these books ask yourself if is Christian to demonize a country like Romania which in fact is exactly the oposite which this man describes.

+In Iisus Hristos Our Lord and Savior+
Your Christian Orthodox brother Gheorghe




Rating:
Summary: A LOOK AT THE NOVELS OF REVELATION
Review: I am a very big fan of novels that deal with the Biblical Apocalypse and, with so many different types, thought it would be worthwhile to give an overview of the ones I have read.

Left Behind, by Tim Lehay- The series that started it all. These novels are, in truth, somewhat boring, but it covers the bases with a depth that none of the others do, probably owing to the fact that there are so many of them. They lack character development and deep theology, but are a fun, if shallow read

The Christ clone Trilogy by James Beauseigneur- Well written novels that focus on the scientific and political. Tom Clancy meets Left behind is not too far off the mark. I greatly enjoyed these books although I felt a little let down by the ending. Overall, a good political take on the End.

We All Fall Down by Brian Caldwell- Certainly the most controversial of these novels. The focus here is the individual and why someone would ever in their right mind reject salvation. Very brutal, although probably more realistic, in its depiction of the End. This is certainly not a book for the timid, but for the rest, I found it the most intelligent, well written, and, oddly enough, spiritual of the bunch. It's hard to walk away from this book with feeling to need to take a fresh look at one's own relationship to Christ.

Blood of Heaven, by Bill Myers- These are intelligent, character focused novels. I found the theology again to be a little weak, but really enjoyed following the distictive characters.

The Last Gentile Trilogy by Cary Bybee- Better written than Left Behind, but lacking the scope of that work. Like conquest of Paradise or Christ clone, it it based in science, but perhaps too much. Not enough religion for my taste.


Rating:
Summary: No Compromising!
Review: I loved this 3rd installation to the "Left Behind" series. What keeps me so interested is not the action scenes or sometimes long dialogue. It is the fact that the premise of the book is based on basic biblical Christian principals. We as Christians have been charged by God to spread the good news of the gospel and the authors, through their dialogue, allows an unsaved person to examine themsleves and say the sinners prayer if they feel led to do so, while at the same time entertaining them. Some may disagree with their stands, ie abortion, but if God said it (Bible) then we as Christians beleive it and do not have to apologize for it, alter it, compromise our stand, or be politically correct. I think the real point behind these books is that although entertaining to some, these events will happen because scripture tell us so. The question is, will you believe or will you be left behind.

Rating:
Summary: great series, best book of the first three
Review: I started the Left Behind Books a couple weeks ago and I love this series so far. I have really enjoyed the first three and this was my favorite so far. I disagree with people when they say it is, or these books are slow. I think there is always something happening of some importance or some new secret revealed making it hard to put the book down.

These books are so easy to read, which I think is a good thing. They way they are written is perfect for the message they are getting across. Sure, I suppose they could have been written better, but still, they are excellent books.

Not only have these books been very entertaining but they have really helped me along in my Christian walk. I want to be sure than I am not "left behind". I think these books are a great tool for spreading the word. I would believe that if a non-believer were to read these books they would have to be curious about what they've read and search for some more answers. I really enjoy them for that fact and I recommend these books to everyone.

I really enjoy the characters in these books. I feel like I know them personally and I've only read the first three. I can't wait to finish the series and read it again. They are so enjoyable and easy to read.

I noticed on thing about this book though. It is called Nicolae - The Rise of the Antichrist, but I think this book had the least of Nicolae in it so far. I thought that was kind of strange. Not that it really matters, I guess they could have chosen a better title for the book, one that matched the plot.

Anyhow, read Nicolae and all the other Left Behind books. If you wanted to, and I know people who have, you could read the entire 12 books and about 2 weeks, they're that easy. But I guarantee you'll be hooked on each book.

Rating:
Summary: I read the first 3 books of this series in one week!
Review: I'd seen this book at the christian book store several times but always thought "that's a guy's book". Last week I was going out of town for a business trip and decided to give "Left Behind" a try. I had to go find a christian book store in the city where I was in on business just to get the second book "Tribulation Force". Then I was headed to the airport to head home and had to stop by the christian book store yet again so that I could get "Nicolae". This series has not only been entertaining but I have learned and now understand the book of Revelations so much better. I look forward to reading "Soul Harvest". If they do make this series into movies, I sincerely hope the integrity of Lahaye and Jenkins is kept high by not only the script but by the actors who are chosen to portray the characters.

Rating:
Summary: Hold the Horsemen!
Review: I've been doing some research on the name Nicholae Carpathia and I found out that it's a Romanian name! The Carpathians are some mountains between Romania and Russian and Poland. I think there are some forests there too, but what's really surprising is that The Romanians are all Gatholics and so it's only natural that the Antichrist should come from them. Because Judas, I think he was a Gatholic too. There's also a connection with Ghostbusters II, so maybe that's what the authors were getting at instead. I also heard somewheres that Dracula was called Nicky Crapathia or something and that on top of being a Vampire, he was a real count named Vlad Carpathian and that he was an Agnostic before the villagers put a stake in him. Which I heard was worse than Gothlic!

Anyway, great books, keep making them please.

Rating:
Summary: BOOK THREE: NICOLAE
Review: The ongoing saga of Rayford Steele, Buck and Chloe Williams and the rest of the beleaguered Tribulation Force as they struggle to survive not only the wicked machinations of Anitchrist Nicolae Carpathia but World War III and the Tribulation itself. Having firmly established the current cast of characters in the previous two books, the authors turn the screws tight in ths one and the result is non-stop action from start to finish. Not necessarily a better all-round book than LEFT BEHIND or TRIBULATION FORCE, but definitely more exciting. Buck Williams's flight through the desert with renegade scholar Tsion Ben-Judah is an atompsheric heartstopper, but that's nothing compared to the awesome power of the Wrath of the Lamb. Great entry in the landmark series blends Christian theology and first-class thrills almost flawlessly. And you'll jump straight from this one's tumultuous cliffhanger ending to the next book, SOUL HARVEST. Obviously recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A Little Quicker Paced Than The First Two
Review: The third book in the "Left Behind" series. Fast-paced novel which moves even quicker than the first two books. Some definite, well-written action - especially in the desert chase and evasion sections and the earthquake sections. The character development is slowed a bit with more emphasis placed on the action of the books - and on some rather preachy sections. Aside from those preachy sections (one disturbing section involves a rather slanted abortion view - but this is a book written by a pair of Right-Wing Christians, so what should one expect?), this particular book raises the bar from the first two. It will be quite interesting to see where the writing style will go, especially now that some action has been injected heavily into the storyline.

Rating:
Summary: Non-Stop, Edge of your seat thriller
Review: The third installment of the Left Behind series starts at the begining of the tribulation. After the start of World War III, the Tribulation Force struggles for survival as Nicolae Carpathia (The Antichrist) unleases his war machine against those who oppose the newly formed Global Community (formally the UN). Adding a particularly good twist to the story. two of the core members of the Tribulation Force are now employed buy the Antichrist creating a high amount of tension that serves to be very infomative for the reader. The members of the trib force in this third installment are now without a leader due to their previous leader dying under mysterious conditions. The book escalates and proves to be a page turner that you will find difficlut to put down. Action and suspense are ever present, as the reader is taken to locales such as Iraq were the throne of the antichrist is, Chicago, and a harrowing escape/rescue from Isreal which is perhaps some of the best suspenseful writing of our time.