Who amongst forum members is familiar with this ? The Left Behind books are some of the most popular adult fiction in the US and the authors have been minting it. The key things are:1. Rapture—the resurrection of believers at some point before Christ's second coming.2. Tribulation—a seven year period of severe judgment and persecution for non-born again Christians.3. Armageddon—a name that has come to mean the last great battle at the end of time, though in some views it is a great battle that will consume all of Israel at the end of the Tribulation. What is interesting is that the end of the world has been prophesised incorrectly (obviously) thus far many times. For example, in America, tens of thousands of followers of William Miller waited eagerly for Jesus to reappear on Oct. 22, 1844. Some of these Millerites had given away all their belongings, and the no-show was called the Great Disappointment.In more recent times, the best-selling nonfiction book of the 1970's was Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth," selling 18 million copies worldwide with its predictions of a Second Coming. Then, one of the hottest best sellers in 1988 was a booklet called "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988." Oops.Needless to say, I think its a pile of tosh. Just wanted to open the discussion to other froumers.

This is an old theme. Around the year 1,000 people got very worried since 1,000 years is the sort of number that you might think between the birth of Christ and the end of the world. The term "millennium" often means the end of the world (in a nice sense), I guess it came from this.I wasn't aware of the "Left Behind" books, but I have read a lot of SciFi, and this structure is almost exactly the historical framework for Star Trek. The ST universe is a variant upon heaven where almost everyone is pretty cool, and if they get stressed out their employers provide former soft porn actresses to comfort them. There are hazards, but they are more entertaining than fearsome. There is no struggle for money, and the nature of society is to allow everyone to fulfil their potential.1. Rapture : People from history are reincarnated as holograms. This leads to some fun dialogue when Commander Data expounds a bit of modern science to the reincarnation of Newton who responds "don't patronise me about physics sir, I invented it".2:. Tribulation The ST universe starts in the aftermath of World War 3. People who have rejected technology have pretty miserable existences. Their prophet Zefram Cochrane (rather biblical sounding name) leads them to the stars. 3:ArmageddonOccurs pretty much on a weekly basis. If it's not runaway probes, it's mutants, or small furry things.I rather think there are more practising Trekkies than Christians.

A couple of linksLeft behind books orend timesOne of the key things is that the endtimes believe that when the rapture begins, the true believers will be instantly taken away to be with God. Hence they believe that Bush will be the last US president 'cos god will want to take the Christian president as well... All is not lost. During the 7 years of tribulation, we the non-believers can gain salvation by fighting Satan.

The more I read the stuff the more frightening it gets...have a look at this link.Is America in Bible Prophecy ?

Left behind books seem to offer up a chance for people to endorse their desire to blow things up as moral duty, so I can imagine them being very popular in the USA. The bad guys are presumably very bad, and there's none of this liberal "he had a tough childhood " crap ?I'm intrigued by this, might even buy one.The idea of crossing Tom Clancy with the revelations of St. John the Divine is strangely appealing. Certainly there are things I can learn from this book to apply in my work, and I quote from "Apocalypse Burning", whose premise is that the world has ended and then things have started to go bad."Someone in his circle works for the Antichrist, and whoever it is won’t stop until Goose is destroyed."I know for a fact that's why we had problems with position reports last month. I am also deeply inspired by the first line of the first book"Rayford Steele's mind was on a woman he had never touched. With his fully loaded 747 on autopilot "

In the first book apparently passengers disappear from the 747 ... but only the born again.

I agree with ya dave, this whole phenomenon leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Very scary. It in someway seems tantamount to a self serving justification for anything against anyone, cause I'm a born again true believer and thus rapture awaits me. How this is different than 70 something virgins beats me. There is definately a cult like mentaility among a growing group in the US, who are "radical" christian who form part of the strong pro israel support in the US because, as they believe, armageddon must occur in israel and has to occur as a jewish state. I find it funny they think they are somehow the "chosen" people. Haven't they read their bibles just a little more carefully?

QuoteOriginally posted by: daveangelWho amongst forum members is familiar with this ? The Left Behind books are some of the most popular adult fiction in the US and the authors have been minting it. The key things are:1. Rapture—the resurrection of believers at some point before Christ's second coming.2. Tribulation—a seven year period of severe judgment and persecution for non-born again Christians.3. Armageddon—a name that has come to mean the last great battle at the end of time, though in some views it is a great battle that will consume all of Israel at the end of the Tribulation. What is interesting is that the end of the world has been prophesised incorrectly (obviously) thus far many times. For example, in America, tens of thousands of followers of William Miller waited eagerly for Jesus to reappear on Oct. 22, 1844. Some of these Millerites had given away all their belongings, and the no-show was called the Great Disappointment.In more recent times, the best-selling nonfiction book of the 1970's was Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth," selling 18 million copies worldwide with its predictions of a Second Coming. Then, one of the hottest best sellers in 1988 was a booklet called "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988." Oops.Needless to say, I think its a pile of tosh. Just wanted to open the discussion to other froumers.I think I read "The Late Great Planet Earth" when I was a nipper ... oh boy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________the difference between born again christians and muslim extremists is that born again christians don't hijack planes and fly them into buildings or capture and behead hostages on tv. agreed that they are both extremists (they're in every culture/religion). while the born again christians may be annoying and try to push their beliefs on others, they generally do not physically attacks their opponents. maybe they would if the situation changed, but at this point i think the difference between the two groups is the extreme to which they are willing to enforce their beliefs on others. _________________________________________________________________________________________No they just start wars in the middle east hoping to speed up the process of Armageddon

How bad was it ? I have not had the pleasure of reading it myself !

the difference between born again christians and muslim extremists is that born again christians don't hijack planes and fly them into buildings or capture and behead hostages on tv. agreed that they are both extremists (they're in every culture/religion). Being a martyr is a basic bit of Christianity. BA Christians don't seem to have any problem with skipping the bit in the Bible where it says "Thou Shalt not Kill".Moslems flew jets into buildings not because they are evil, not even because they are Moslems, but because they're crap at war.Being fundamentalists they just want to strike at their enemy, and don't care much that it does their cause more harm than good.Christians seem to be better at killing people.You can see that as good or bad.Vast numbers of Christians have undertaken military missions where they knew the chances of them coming back were essentially zero.Alas, most of these Christians were also Nazis, or Fascists...le the born again christians may be annoying and try to push their beliefs on others, they generally do not physically attacks their opponents. Isn't George Bush a BA Christian ? You''re saying he isn't trying to push his beliefs ?maybe they would if the situation changed,Indeed. Currently Christians are fighting a 3rd rate enemy. One wonders what will happen if they turned on Britain or France ?I don't think the BAs will get the sort of power that some people around here fear. But war with post Christian nations in Europe gets a scary amount more probable. Moslems are of course merely "wrong" in Christian eyes. In Europe abortion, stem cell research, gay marriage are common. Both France and Britain have WMDs, trust me on this, the Germans invented the ballistic missile, an Italian the chain reaction, and Britain was gassing Kurds when America was trying to work out how to build bombers.Those Europeans who believe in anything seem to pick whichever bits of Buddhism, Christianity and Astrology fits their mood. I rather suspect they will hate us rather more. but at this point i think the difference between the two groups is the extreme to which they are willing to enforce their beliefs on others. Are there any Christians in camp Xray ? I personally call torture extreme, but of course since they're coloured Moslems, they don't count as people ?

I've always found eschatology to be a fascintating subject. When I was a kid I always watched shows about Nostradamus and the end of the world and stuff like that. Various eschatological myths are intriguing to me--from the Egyptians to the Mayans to Muslims and Christians. The themes of these stories can be pretty fun to learn about.I'm not too familiar with these books, though I've seen them on bookshelves. I do know however that Kirk Cameron, a big TV teenage icon back in the day, starred in the movie adaption for them. Also, Cameron's sister is married to Valeri Bure, an NHL hockey player (who is the younger brother of the much more famous Pavel Bure, who once dated tennis star Anna Kournikova).Connections, connections

The difference between Muslim extremists and born-again Christians is the same as the difference between any two religions, or the difference between men and dodo birds: We're kicking their ass!And the reason for that, is that Christianity pays the bills. And the reason for that is a small one, mostly dictated by luck: We're right, they're wrong.If you're willing to accept such suggestions as that two objects are "both cars," I'd like to be selling you one!Sometimes, in the rain at night, a person will think maybe an oncoming car is a motorcycle. That is how Muslims see Jesus - as in the distance through a rainy night. I see Jesus clearly and know what is coming.

QuoteSometimes, in the rain at night, a person will think maybe an oncoming car is a motorcycle. That is how Muslims see Jesus - as in the distance through a rainy night. I see Jesus clearly and know what is comingdude - you smoke real sh*t dont you ?