The Prisoner in the Third Cell (Inspirational) [Paperback]

Gene Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Series: Inspirational | Publication Date: May 21, 1992

Imprisoned by Herod, John the Baptist struggles to understand a Lord who did not meet his expectations—a dramatic account offering insight into the ways of God.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“The blade is raised above you. Death stands beside you. Die, my brother John, in the presence of a God who did not live up to your expectations.”
Once more the pen of Gene Edwards has crafted a masterfully told and profoundly moving story. The Prisoner in the Third Cell is a book of comfort, told as an unforgettable drama, for those caught up in circumstances they do not understand.
As John the Baptist awaits his execution in prison, he struggles to understand a Lord who isn’t the Messiah he expected.
If you are a suffering Christian or know of one, this book will bring enormous comfort—and insight into the ways of God.

About the Author

Gene Edwards is one of America's most beloved Christian authors. He has published over twenty-five best-selling books, and his signature work, The Divine Romance, has been called a masterpiece of Christian literature. He has written biblical fiction covering nearly the entire Bible, with titles that include the following: The Beginning, The Escape, The Birth, The Divine Romance, The Triumph, Revolution, The Silas Diary, The Titus Diary, The Timothy Diary, The Priscilla Diary, The Gaius Diary, and The Return.

Product Details

• Paperback: 94 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 21, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842350233
• ISBN-13: 978-0842350235
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Fiction > General

More About the Author

Gene Edwards is one of America's most beloved Christian authors. He has published over 25 best-selling books, and his signature work, "The Divine Romance," has been called a masterpiece of Christian literature. He has written biblical fiction covering nearly the entire Bible, with titles that include the following: "The Beginning," "The Escape," "The Birth," "The Divine Romance," "The Triumph," "Revolution," "The Silas Diary," "The Titus Diary," "The Timothy Diary," "The Priscilla Diary," "The Gaius Diary," and "The Return." Gene grew up in the East Texas oil fields and entered college at the age of 15. He graduated from East Texas State University at 18 with a bachelor's degree in English history and received his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gene is part of the house-church movement, and he travels extensively to aid Christians as they begin meeting in homes rather than in church buildings. He also conducts conferences on living the deeper Christian life. Gene and his wife, Helen, reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two grown children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have you ever been disappointed by God?, May 27, 2002

By 

Jeffrey E Ellis (Naperville, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Prisoner in the Third Cell (Inspirational) (Paperback)

Have you ever felt like a failure as a Christian when God disappointed you? When God let you down?

What do you do when God doesn't live up to your expectations?

John the Baptist knew who Jesus was. They were cousins, acquainted with each other, maybe friends. Certainly God revealed Jesus in His glory when John baptised Him! Father, Son and Holy Spirit converge in a moment of spiritual manifestation.

But sitting in the third cell of Herod's damp, dark prison, day after day certainly didn't feel like deliverance. Where was this king? The powerful one? Where was the fire? Where was this Jesus?

If the "greatest [man] born of woman" had his questions, disappointments, frustrations, how much more might we have the same today? He knew Jesus face to face, as a man knows a friend.
Yet, his understanding was rocked by the God who answers many questions but rarely answers "Why?".

Edwards answers these issues, sort of, in an insightful, profound way. The book will lead you back to where you began but with a deeper faith and clearer insight toward this powerful, invisible God who will do what He will do.

"His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts." Thank you, Lord.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For every Christian who has asked God, "why?", March 5, 2002

By 

Dave Y. "nobody777" (Kennewick, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Prisoner in the Third Cell (Inspirational) (Paperback)

Wow! This is an amazing little book that presents the story of John the Baptist from a perspective I doubt that most people have ever considered! You will feel as if you are right there in the story with John and you will connect with him, not merely as a "hero of the faith," but as a real person. The story is a fictional account but it is based on the true story of John the Baptist from Scripture. In fact, it is more than just "based" on it because every element from the story here is consistent with Scripture and history. Gene is a wonderful story teller and has created dialoge and included historical elements to piece the story of John's life together in a way that introduces you to the real character. The story does not depart from Scriptural truth at all but actually will help the reader to see it in a clearer, more personal and meaningful light and apply it personally.

The message of this book will grip your heart and pull you closer to Jesus Christ. If you are struggling as a Christian, whatever your circumstance (be it sickness, emotional pain, depression, discouragement, or just feeling and wondering if God has forgotten about you or that He has not lived up to your expectations of Him... If you've ever cried out to God and asked Him, "why? Where are you? Why are You silent?") this is a remarkable book you need to read. It may change your entire perspective on suffering and give you strength and hope when all seems to be crumbling around you. I wish I could have shared this book with my father before he passed away. This book is not what you expect and it is not typical. Some people who have read through it have commented that it ends a little "dark." After reading it myself, I understand to some degree what they mean (though I wouldn't use the term "dark" at all myself), but sometimes life doesn't always have such a simple, happy resolve (at least to our human way of thinking). Sometimes we just have to bear our crosses and trust in a God we don't always understand completely.

Prisoner in the Third Cell is about a mind-renewal process concerning how we approach suffering. Sometimes this story gets a little deep and you have to think about it. When you're "going through it" it makes a lot more sense! Probably one of the most difficult lessons to learn through struggle and pain is that God's grace is really sufficient. In a world where so many televangelists tell you that all you have to do is give money and have faith and everything will be perfect, this book is a refreshing insight into the reality about suffering and true faith and how God's grace really is enough. In truth I have seen more people who have tried so hard to reach some high "position" of health, wealth and success by quoting this Scripture verse and that one and practicing positive confession until they're blue in the face and only wind up more discouraged, depressed, confused, angry and weary in the battle. This little book will open the reader's eyes in a new dimension of God's grace, love and purpose through enduring hardship and those seasons when we just can't understand why, and the heavens seem to be silent.

Gene himself is no stranger to suffering and brokenness and God has revealed much to this brother. Gene has such a tender heart for the Lord and this element of his life is so beautifully sensed in his writing. Highly recommended reading. In fact, all of the books by this author are quite good. Other good titles I found to be really a blessing were "A Tale of Three Kings" (get the video version of this book - much better seeing Gene himself tell the story) and The Highest Life.

4 Stars is my high grade for this title. I think I did not regard it as five only because it did kind of leave me hanging a bit at the end, but I suppose this was the point. Rather than just seek a simple answer, I need to learn the suficiency of God's rich grace. It's a contemplative resolve that's not so easy to swallow. I confess I wanted a brighter, simpler answer myself. I was left wondering, could there be more to it than this? But if you're going through some struggle or have a friend who is, this is a book that will be identified with and point you in the direction of grace. It's a great title, worth reading. It's relatively short and can be read in an evening or two.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, December 28, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Miami, Fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prisoner in the Third Cell (Inspirational) (Paperback)

Gene nails the issue of God's silent nature dead on. What more could be said on this matter after reading this book? Absolutely NONE. Gene wonderfully shows that there must be a "why" aspect in our lives. He writes that w/out the "why's", there would be no real inward transformation in our lives. I learned that the power of an unanswered question can truly change and transform something as evil and decietful as our hearts. Gene takes you from John the Baptist's "why" in prison to Jesus's "why have you forsaken me" on the cross. Very deep stuff here people. I particularly enjoy the way Gene transports the readers into the mind of the Lord as He walks through the corridors of time. After reading this book, you will never again ask God "why" w/out a slight understanding that sometimes silence is the highest way.