What's the best order to read the Left Behind series?

[edison2000]

Publication order or Chronological order?

 

[Michae1]

I read the whole series in the publication order. If I had read it in the chronological order I do not think it would have been as good.

It would be like someone who has never seen Star Wars, watching it for the first time starting at Episode I.

When you get to the 13th book 'The Rising', you may have to force yourself to read through the first few chapters because they seem to spend too much time setting up the characters histories. But persevere. It will be worth it.

 

[Strangelove]

I've never read them but I'm told they heavily promote the pre-trib rapture so my advise would be not to read them at all.

 

[Michae1]

My advice would be to make your own decision.

:whip

 

[inhopeofglory]

I agree with Michae1 on both counts (although I'm not pre-trib myself). Definitely read them in publication order - the writing's significantly better by the time of the three prequels, and the first few "main" books will lose their impact if you don't read them first. Be prepared for a slowdown at Book 4 (Soul Harvest), but it picks up again in Book 5 and onwards.

 

[sherri2]

I've never read them but I'm told they heavily promote the pre-trib rapture so my advise would be not to read them at all.

I second this. You're reading theology whether you realise it or not, and it's unbiblical at that. Reading christian fantasy is a dangerous game to play at.

 

[Fembot]

What is pre trib rapture?

 

[Strangelove]

What is pre trib rapture?

One of Satans most devious plans to force misguided Christians to lose their faith when the troubles start. At first I was just amused by it but now I've realised that it's pure genius.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Publication order.

The FIRST book is the best one of the lot, substance wise - and by the third one they're getting VERY sparse, and repetitive. I ran out of interest in the middle of #5, and decided not to waste any more time on 'em.

I recommend the "Christ Clone Trilogy" by James Beauseigneur for a MUCH BETTER written "Christian fiction" covering the same period/events, also from the "pre trib" orientation - but from a whole different perspective. It's a really GOOD "study in deception" (a bit like C.S. Lewis' "The Last Battle") in it's complexity.

The Books are "In His Image", "Birth of an Age", and "Acts of God".

 

[cyberjosh]

Re: Publication order.

The FIRST book is the best one of the lot, substance wise - and by the third one they're getting VERY sparse, and repetitive. I ran out of interest in the middle of #5, and decided not to waste any more time on 'em.

I recommend the "Christ Clone Trilogy" by James Beauseigneur for a MUCH BETTER written "Christian fiction" covering the same period/events, also from the "pre trib" orientation - but from a whole different perspective. It's a really GOOD "study in deception" (a bit like C.S. Lewis' "The Last Battle") in it's complexity.

The Books are "In His Image", "Birth of an Age", and "Acts of God".

Ah, Beauseigneur actually finished writing his trilogy?! I've been stuck with the first two forever and I never thought he would finish - I thought he just abandoned it because I never saw the release of the last book! Maybe I should go back and read the first two again if there is a finish to it all.

Even if it wasn't entirely convincing (hey, it's fiction) the whole dialogue about the shroud being placed in the Ark, and the multi-dimensional aspects of the Ark made for a fascinating piece of reading as I recall. I couldn't stop turning the pages. It's been a long time since I've thought about those books.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[Caroline H]

One of Satans most devious plans to force misguided Christians to lose their faith when the troubles start. At first I was just amused by it but now I've realised that it's pure genius.

I love how you didn't even answer her question, but just posted your opinion on the matter...

Fembot, Pre-trib rapture is referring to an End Times view that some Christians hold to, that says that the rapture (when the Christians will be taken out of this world) will happen before a 7 year tribulation period. There are several other views that differ on this position, some stating that there is no rapture at all, and some stating that it will occur after the tribulation period, etc... If you want to know more about the different views you can find threads in A&T about it. Basically, there are so many differing opinions out there that I hold more of a "we'll see what happens when it happens" view.

If anyone else has any questions about this view please refer to other posts, this is about a book discussion.

 

[Strangelove]

I love how you didn't even answer her question, but just posted your opinion on the matter...

With over 1300 posts and 1 year on the forums I was assuming she was being humorous? :

 

[stovebolts]

Strangelove,

I learned a long time ago that it's not always a good idea to assume things.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

The big finish -

Ah, Beauseigneur actually finished writing his trilogy?!

Yup, and the last book is probably the best one.

If you remember, he WARNED in the first one that we would be REALLY tempted to Scream "HERESY!!!!!" and burn the books on the spot. But he brings it out nicely in the last one. The whole series shows an understanding of "What MAN (in his ignorance) will do and believe".

 

[aprillove20]

Well, the writing's significantly better.

 

[jasmine]

It's been a while since I've read the Left Behind Series. I've read it during lock down due to covid. I also remember seeing the movies (the original trilogy with Kirk Cameron, I haven't seen the most recent with Nicholas Cage).

I've listened to the dramatic audio presentation of both the adult and kids versions recently. It follows the books closely even with some changes.

As for what is the best order, I would say publication. There's a lot better experience with it. How many book series has original stories followed by a prequel (or three prequels, that is) then a sequel? It doesn't happened that often.

 

[follower]

I love how you didn't even answer her question, but just posted your opinion on the matter...

Now over a decade later (old thread)
it has proven many times that the series is anti-Bible. It harmed many people and churches by deception.
So the "opinion on the matter" is perceptive this time.

One of Satans most devious plans to force misguided Christians to lose their faith when the troubles start. At first I was just amused by it but now I've realised that it's pure genius.

Multitudes fall into the pit.

 

[jasmine]

Well, you do have to keep in mind that the Left Behind series are a work of fiction with one's idea of how the End Times are going to happen.

In some aspect, it's an overarching narrative, where each of the books will pick up where the previous ones left off. Though I would say it's best to read them in publication order.

If you read it chronologically, especially where it explores on Carpathia's upbringing and setting things up for his rise to world power and the rapture, it doesn't have the same effect. If you read Left Behind and beyond after reading three prequels, then you're like, "Well, I already know why millions of people disappeared. I already know who Nicolae Carpathia is."

So reading the 12 original series first then reading the three prequels is perhaps the best experience. Then read the sequel Kingdom Come, which explores on the millennial kingdom. What other series has an original set of books, then a prequel (or three prequels in this case), followed by a sequel.