Left Behind by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days (Left Behind No. 1) by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

This is the book that started it all.

Christian fiction isn't supposed to make the best sellers list. After all, they testify of Jesus Christ and most people don't want to read about that. Right?

Well enough people wanted to read about it to make it a bestseller and spawned thirteen more books in the series, another series geared for youth, several movies, and the writing careers of two men.

The book opens on a commercial jet during an overnight trip to Europe. In the darkened cabins no one notices that many of the passengers disappear leaving behind the clothes they were wearing, their jewelry, glasses, contacts, even tooth fillings.

Panic and fear set in with the remaining passengers and Rayford Steele the pilot receives permission to turn back home.

It turns out that millions across the world have disappeared, including all the children and even unborn babies. Not only have people disappeared but houses burn down, driverless cars crash, and accidents caused by the sudden disappearances kill many more.

Theory's abound as to what happened, but Rayford Steele knows when he comes home and find his wife and son have disappeared. He had been warned, and now it has happened, the Rapture where Jesus takes all of His people to heaven leaving behind those who were not completely converted.

In sorrow he turns to the church where his wife Irene had gone and discovers Bruce Barnes, a pastor who had missed the rapture as well but is determined to fix his mistake and bring people to the flock so they don't miss out again.

Meanwhile the world becomes enraptured by a handsome, intelligent and charismatic young man. Nicholas Carpathia seems to appear from nowhere. A wealthy businessman who has risen quickly through the ranks to become president of the small country of Romania, he has his eyes set on the United Nations.

With his promises of peace, his plans to destroy weaponry, his bid to unify the world into one nation, one currency and one religion, he convinces the people that he is the Savior they're all looking for.

Yet Cameron "Buck" Williams, a new convert to Christianity after the rapture, discovers the truth after one horrifying press conference.

There's a reason why this book is a best seller. It's a roller coaster ride, and the writers aren't afraid to delve into the ugly to get their point across. It's cleverly written so we can see how the Anti-Christ can deceive men and they use scripture to base their story.

My only quibble is the last scene where Rayford, his daughter Chloe, Bruce Barns and Buck Williams join arm in arm and march forward as the "Tribulation Force." Yes, it's that cheesy. Like a scene from a superhero movie or a music video using the cast of Friends. But other than that, the pacing is quick and there aren't easy answers. Although Rayford's heart is changed easily, and we understand why, Chloe is more cynical and takes a much longer time to accept the concept of a rapture. I liked that. Perhaps that scene was created because in the initial writing of the book they had no way of knowing if there would be more. If you notice with first books of an on going series, they tend to have some sort of ending where the other ones don't.

Buck the hardened journalist (okay he's not hard, he's actually a softie) takes some time convincing as well. Meanwhile he has his own problems as he realizes that someone has targeted him after a car he was supposed to be in blows up along with the friend that was in it. And he discovers that his own peers are involved in cover-ups.

Yes, things are tough and they're going to get tougher. And there's ten more books to go.

But at least I'm enjoying the ride.