The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye--Countdown to the Earth's Last Days (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 3) [Paperback]

Tim LaHaye (Author), Jerry B. Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 2007

The final prequel will have the Rapture three-quarters of the way through the book and then following characters such as Irene and Raymie (and others) up to heaven and being able to see events in the Tribulation from heaven's perspective. The book will alternate between focusing on events on earth immediately after the Rapture (covering lots of things the authors wished they could have covered in the original volumes) and focusing on characters in heaven and how they view the chaotic events on earth. Now available in trade paper.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerry B. Jenkins, former Vice President for Publishing and currently Writer-at-Large for the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, is the author of more than 150 books, including the best-selling Left Behind series. Sixteen of his books have reached the New York Times best-seller list (seven in the number one spot) and have also appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly and Wall Street Journal best-seller lists.

Tim LaHaye is an internationally known author, teacher, and expert on Bible prophecy. He is married to Beverly, who is the founder of the largest women's organization in America, Concerned Women for America. The LaHayes live in southern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 351 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414305818
• ISBN-13: 978-1414305813
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Religious & Inspirational > Science Fiction & Fantasy
  • #81 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific entry, June 7, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye--Countdown to the Earth's Last Days (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 3) (Hardcover)

The countdown to the Rapture has begin and though he doesn't know it will happen soon, Nicolae Carpathia, is making plans with the help of his spirit guide (Lucifer) to take control of the world. He blackmails the president of Romania using intimidation and threats to his family into stepping down from his post and the outgoing president declares to the people that Carpathia should be the next president. Raymond Steele, enamored of flight attendant Hattie Durham neglects his wife and his young son Jamie, thinking they are fools for being so involved in the church.

Days before Carpathia makes his speech to the United Nations, the Rapture occurs and his sprit guide shows him how to use the disappearances to his advantage. Raymond's wife Irene has almost given up hope that her husband will turn into the man who showered her with love. When the trumpet sounds, Irene and Jamie are lifted into heaven given new bodies and minds. There they are judged for how they lived their life after they received salvation. They see and explore heaven and interact with God and his son. Irene, happy at last still prays that Raymond and Chloe, her daughter, will seek salvation through the Lord.

THE RAPTURE explores in depth the characters of the protagonists and the antagonists of the Left Behind series. It is a fulfilling novel that answers many questions not covered in the other books in the series like why Raymond's first officer committed suicide and how Carpathia persuaded the president of Romania to step down. The authors have written another fascinating and revolutionary work in a series that most readers wish will never end.

Harriet Klausner

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best of the 3 prequels (but not without fluff)..., July 22, 2006

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye--Countdown to the Earth's Last Days (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 3) (Hardcover)

While I was a fan of many of the Left Behind series, I've not been as thrilled with the prequels. They almost seemed like an after-thought, a way to grab a few more dollars off the concept. The Rapture: In The Twinkling Of An Eye, Countdown To The Earth's Last Days by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins is the last one before the real start of the series, and it's the first of the prequels. that seemed to actually contribute (in my opinion).

The story tracks the deteriorating marriage of Rayford Steele, and his likely-to-happen affair with Hattie Durham, a flight attendant who works the trips that Steele flies. We also have Buck Williams, who was in Israel when the all-out war started, and witnessed the miraculous destruction of the attacking force by supernatural means. And finally, there's Nicolae Carpathia... He's taking the steps and scheming to make his move from Romanian government official to worldwide leader. The actual Rapture occurs about halfway through the book, and then the remainder is split between action on earth and events in Heaven.

This book could have easily been cut in half and been the real start of the Left Behind series. The characters undergo significant development which explains much of what was going on in the first installment. From a pure story perspective, the last half was a bit fluffy. The scenes in Heaven spend quite a bit of time reviewing the stories of Christians throughout the ages. While interesting (and inspirational for Christians), it didn't do anything for the storyline. That's not necessarily bad, depending on the reason you're reading the book. It's just not essential to the plot.

Of any of the prequels. this was the best. I'm glad that we're finally to the point where the series can be put to bed. It's been a great run, but trying to go anywhere else from this point on would be difficult to imagine...

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, March 30, 2007

By 

Jimmy Ray Purser "zabricab" (pleasant prairie, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye--Countdown to the Earth's Last Days (Before They Were Left Behind, Book 3) (Paperback)

This is a very enjoyable book. I have read all of these books and enjoy them all(well, save for the Regime, which I thought was boring) It certainly fills in the gaps on Rayford's wife and his boy Raymie, as well as why Rayford and Cloe are so close. It enjoyed the the final 1/3 of the book when the church is Raptured and all of the wonderful things that happens. Man, if the Rapture is 1/10th this cool it will be a great day indeed.

Excellent writing, good flow, a real page turner. I went back and re-read Left Behind because I just enjoy the story.

You'll love it!