Kingdom Come (Left Behind, No. 13)

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He then constructs a new Temple for the people of the Earth and sets up Levites as his priests and his earthly apostles as civil governors, with a resurrected King David as their chief. Meanwhile, Natural and Glorified Believers Naturals being believers who lived to see the Glorious Appearing, and will still age slowly until the end of the Millennium, but not die; Glorified being believers who were raptured or died during the Tribulation and received Glorified Bodies, meaning they cannot age or die.

A young woman named Cendrillon dies at age , surprising the Williams' and their close friends, who employed her at COT and assumed that she was saved. Rumors surface that she may have had contact with a group called The Other Light TOL , which defies Christ even after his appearing and is growing in the world outside the Kingdom. This seems confirmed when Kenny Williams speaks to Cendrillon's cousins at the funeral, and sees that they wear garments announcing their dedication to TOL. The former members of the Tribulation Force decide to redouble their efforts in their new ministries, and Kenny Williams joins Raymie Steele and Abdullah's two children to form the Millennium Force, dedicated to share the Gospel to unsaved children before they turn a century old.

The Two strike up a friendship, before beginning a romantic relationship. Kenny tries to go undercover and infiltrate TOL, but his plans fall through when his older believing friend Abdullah Ababneh mistakenly thinks he is really a member of TOL. This causes Kenny's life to virtually fall apart, as his girlfriend Ekaterina deserts him, all his friends abandon him, and even his own parents can hardly seem to believe him.

Ekaterina soon feels guilty and talks to Kenny, and they discover the real infiltrator from TOL, another teenager named Qasim Marid. Qasim is fired and Kenny is reunited with his girlfriend and his family. Meanwhile, Rayford Steele and his first wife Irene, now in a glorified body, lead a missionary trip to Egypt. Tsion Ben-Judah stands before the Parliament and rebukes the people of that land for continuing to glorify the name of the Egyptian god Ptah in the very name of their country.

They preach the Gospel and lead many to salvation, but Rayford is captured by a pocket of resistance with goals similar to TOL. He experiences firsthand the power of God when an angel descends into the base and rescues him and his fellow prisoners. Rayford also leads a TOL operative named Rehema to salvation.

Friends and family gather at COT to celebrate the thousandth birthday of Mac McCullum, and every member of what was once the Tribulation Force makes an appearance. Rayford, who is now more than 1, years old, requests a picture of the original Tribulation Force, and is shocked to find how old he looks in contrast to his daughter Chloe, son-in-law Cameron and friend Bruce Barnes who are all in glorified bodies.

In the final years of the Millennium, the Other Light amasses its armies, a force a thousand times larger than the Global Community Unity Army that were present at the Battle of Armageddon 1, years before. All the billions of members of TOL gather all the weapons they can to battle against God, surrounding the city of Jerusalem during the final year of the Millennium where Christ reigns, with Lucifer himself leading their charge during the final day when he is released.

Jesus then speaks personally to Lucifer, shaming him for his iniquities and evils.

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At his final words he opens a hole to the Lake of Fire in spacetime itself in which the Beast Nicolae Carpathia and the False Prophet Leon Fortunato , are seen both writhing in agony and screaming "Jesus is Lord! All the Believers at the End of the Millennium are then taken to Heaven, with the Naturals finally becoming Glorified. Following the years of the Tribulation and Christ's triumphant victory over the Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia, believers have been reunited with their loved ones.

Set during the Millennial Kingdom, Rayford Steele and others who survived are enjoying the peaceful kingdom of Christ on earth. His grandson, Kenny Williams, has grown up and is working with his parents at a child care center. When he is asked to infiltrate a group of dissidents, he agrees. Though he realizes it could very cost him the love of the woman he is in love with. But with lies cast against his character and Kenny's parents and friends doubting him, Kenny must trust in Jesus in a way he never has.

Ok, so that's pretty much the synopsis. There is so much wrong with this book. I think I see why I've never actually read it when it came out. I didn't need to know what was going on. I think that the authors decided to capitalize on the success of the series and truly only wrote this for the money. From my understanding of Scripture, I've always been taught that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and that there is no need to offer the Old Testament sacrifices again.

In this book, it appears that life in the kingdom is like the Old Testament times - sacrifices and all - only with Jesus as the ruler of the world. It has also been my understanding of Scripture and I admit that I could be completely wrong! The authors have chosen to make even those who were either Raptured or martyred need food, drink, sleep, etc.

The authors have also chosen to make the main characters Rayford, Irene, Abdullah, Chloe, Cameron, Chaim, Tsion, etc even those who have glorified bodies be in need of food, drink, sleep, etc. Also, this book introduces a whole new cast of characters while not even mentioning some of the others Chang, Leah, Hannah, Naomi, etc. I've also been given the impression that the characters all of them including those who have been glorifed still go through the normal human emotions.

There are VERY large pieces of the book are basically retelling pages after pages of the main series. I don't mind the characters speaking Scripture, I really don't, but the large amounts of it, specifically within the heroes stories, I found to be very tedious and did nothing to move the plot along. The action scenes are really few and far between. When there is action, it does move quickly, but I've been bogged down in the rest of the "filler" that I'm like oh There's the story!

After the authors have invested twelve books developing the characters, they the characters had depth to them. They also had personalities and I felt like I knew them. Yet in this book, the characters are very flat. These are characters that have been fleshed out since the first book Rayford, Chaim, Chloe, Cameron, Tsion. I felt really cheated. Here were characters I'd come to really know and love and I'm left with really nothing to them. There are times when I really liked Kenny.

Oh and the ultimate final battle. It was like only a chapter long. What happened to the thrill ride of an adventure I'd come to enjoy and expect from the Left Behind series? Why did the authors write this book as if it's target audience was between the ages of ? I know that my reading tastes have changed over the years since I first read Left Behind. But even with my reading tastes changing, I can still recognize quality when I read it.

Yes, I forced myself to finish the book, mainly because I'd already invested in the series and I really don't like not finishing books I start. If I had to recommend this book to someone, I truly wouldn't. I've been left feeling very disappointed in a series I've enjoyed over the years. While I don't feel the same way about this one that I felt about Casual Vacancy by Rowling I felt really disgusted with that one , this is not one I'd recommend. I'd tell you, reader friends, that just read the 12 books in the main series and don't even waste your time or money on this one.

The rating I'd give this one is 1. This is my own personal opinion and I received absolutely zero compensation for sharing my thoughts. I'd actually read this book via Audible. Those who know me, know that I will very rarely go off on a rant like I just did. Because that's just not my personality. But every once in a while, I will need to get something off my chest. I will say that Audible gets 5 stars on customer service!

I had a problem with the playback on Thursday, and through a series of tweets, I worked with the people at Audible to figure out what I needed to do for the problem. They were very very helpful. And while this was my first time to seek help via Twitter, I was very surprised by the fast response.

Jan 10, Candy Atkins rated it did not like it. I have never given a 1 star review. However, if you make me trudge through a deteriorating 13 part story the ending better be phenomenal. I mean Jesus is coming back so it should be pretty easy to get to fantastic. This book is so dumb. I mean really dumb. To say it was a let down would be an understatement. I kept reading thinking "It has to get better. This can't be it. Oct 30, Michael Tesdahl rated it it was amazing. This is, no doubt,this is a book that anyone should read.

Of course i do not suggest this to anyone who has not read the first twelve books of the Left Behind series. The entire series is amazing, so starting at the beginning is completely worth it. This book begins about eight years into the Millennial Kingdom. The Millennial Kingdom is Jesus' one thousand year reign on Earth. Kingdom "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Kingdom Come shows, based on scripture, what this thousand year reign will probably be like. This is exactly what the author succeeded in doing. My favorite character was Kenny, because i can relate to him in many ways.

My least favorite, on the other hand, was Qasim Marid.

Kingdom Come: The Final Victory

He pretended to be a follower of God, but secretly wasn't. The entire book captivated my attention. It was a blessing having an idea of the kingdom that I will one day live in for a thousand years. I couldnt stop reading it for this reason. In general, I was able to predict the end of this book, due to my previous knowledge of the end times from reading the book of Revelations. More than anything, this triggered antcipation in my heart. I can't wait for these days to come. His kingdom come, His will be done. Jul 31, Misha rated it did not like it. To put it bluntly, this book disgusts me.

This is probably one of the most offensive, mean-spirited books that I have ever read. Admittedly, this series is definitely not for me, as I am not, and have never been a Christian. But I understand it. I get why people believe in it so strongly, I really do. That being said, the fact that books like these exist makes my heart ache. For the most part, this series is okay. The writing is average, I liked the characters, and the story is actually pretty e To put it bluntly, this book disgusts me.

The writing is average, I liked the characters, and the story is actually pretty engaging. That is, until we see just what the author's interpretation of "paradise" is. Or should I say "paradise for everyone who is a real person Christian. Does it matter if the nonbelievers are good people? They could fucking philanthropists and they would still burn in Hell for all eternity.

If that's what paradise is, then I don't want any part of it. I would rather die and go to Hell than give up the religion of my ancestors. My beliefs are important to me. They have shaped who I am, and they have guided me through the most difficult times in my life. Nobody's going to stand there and tell me that I'm somehow wrong and "unnatural," as the book so lovingly puts it, for believing in something other than Christianity. It just pisses me off to no end.

It makes me want to cry and scream and throw this book into a fire. By the end, I was rooting for La Resistance. I wanted them to win because they're fighting for their freedom to believe, which is something I can relate to more than fighting to protect a soulless, sexless "paradise.

Why can't the believers and nonbelievers live in peace? If someone can give me an explanation as to why they all deserve to be tortured aside from "they don't believe" or "they were being controlled by Satan," then I'll shut up. What kind of loving god would create a world where people aren't given the freedom to think and believe what they choose? So, in summary, this book just reeks of sickening self-righteousness. I wonder if the authors have ever actually talked to someone who is not Christian before. It disturbs me greatly that there are people out there who would wish eternal damnation upon millions of mothers, daughters, fathers, and sons just because those people are different.

View all 3 comments. Jan 19, J. Else rated it it was ok. The magical quality about this series is showing that its okay to have a flawed faith, God always loves you and accepts you. I like reading about characters who struggle day-to-day with faith and overcome those challenges. These characters have "glorified minds" and are all nice and sweet.

They no longer feel physical attraction towards one another, just brotherly-sisterly love, which is boring. The first chapters are very slow reads as its Jesus illustrating his kingdom. I mean, Jesus is the ma The magical quality about this series is showing that its okay to have a flawed faith, God always loves you and accepts you.

I mean, Jesus is the man, but its not really Jesus speaking, so its hard to feel enthraled and completely engrossed in his words like I would if he was really there. Overall, it seemed to really not go anywhere. The plot about trying to save the undecided children could have been much more emotionally done. It was all quick and easy conversions for basically everyone they were trying to convert. I wanted to see more struggles with people living in the millenial kingdom and how faith is never easy. I was pretty disappointed in this final chapter to the series because all the things you love about the characters, love, emotion, struggle, is all gone.

Everyone who you've gotten to know over the series is basically perfect in faith and deeds! It was fun reading the speeches given by the biblical heros. Otherwise, I was really left wanting more! Apr 27, Laura rated it really liked it. It's very little narration, and more speculation on what will happen at the beginning of the Millenium, which involves reading long passages of scripture and Raymond actually feeling weird about building his house.

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Not exactly the drama we're used to with these novels. But after that, the book becomes much more like the other books in the series, and although predictable, it left me feeling completely in love with God. Which in my book, is not a bad deal. I loved the character of Kenny Williams. He was one of the best written characters of the whole series. Mar 30, Joyce rated it it was amazing. I purchased this Book in Most of what I remember was that it was a series of around 13 Books I must say that I agree with Many who have read this series have indicated that they are now re-reading their Bible and or feeling much closer to God There is also comments about the Evil that exists among our population I totally agree with that statement May 11, Neil rated it it was ok Shelves: This book was a real letdown for me.

I would have thought, with it being the end of the series, it would have been "better" , somehow more triumphant than it was. I would have given it one star, but there were some moments in the book that did shine through and redeem the book view spoiler [especially the salvation of two members of the TOL just before the book ends hide spoiler ]. It did move at a fast pace; there is a lot of Scripture-quoting in the book which, on the one hand, was no big de This book was a real letdown for me. It did move at a fast pace; there is a lot of Scripture-quoting in the book which, on the one hand, was no big deal, but, on the other, seemed kinda lazy writing, to me.

It is the culmination of the series, and I thought it could have been and should have been better than what it was. Granted, I do not know how I would have written it, but it really seemed anticlimactic [especially the ending, which was actually almost hysterical in nature for such a 'serious' topic]. I was surprised at the dearth of characters in the book. Some new ones were introduced, but I did not develop any emotional attachment to most of them [and two of them not until the end].

What happened to everybody who had been introduced in the first twelve books of the series? What were they doing during this time? I was wondering what happened to Amanda, and then I was reminded by the end of the book she had been previously married and was with her first husband. I mean, offensively stupid, in how they were written. The characters went from "so smart" to "incredible morons" in a very short period of time. Well, some of them did. The ones the story focused on the most [especially the 'glorified' members of the "Millennium Force"].

It just did not make any sense. Everybody was described as automatically "knowing how to perform new tasks" without any training, yet the primary characters were suckered in by pathetic ploys at misdirection and deception? It really angered me how fast everybody turned on Kenny, as it did not seem the least bit realistic. Here were these people who had been "glorified" and in God's presence during the Tribulation, and yet, when back on Earth after the Second Coming, so quick to resort to old habits and living out of "the flesh" with their doubts and accusations?

What in the world? I would have doubted any "bad reports" after the first one was clearly revealed to be a blatant lie. And then, the second one was believed for far too long and given waaaay too much credibility before its falsehood was also revealed. Don't these people take anything to God in prayer?

Why'd they wait so long to pray about it? Why didn't they pray about it to begin with? After the second note, why did they not institute security measures? Not only that, but somebody had already attempted to besmirch Kenny's character one time. When that did not work, it happened again, yet everybody still fell for it on some level!!!!! First Kat's character is attacked, then Kenny's twice, and that makes Kenny automatically the culprit? What ever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? It did not make any sense, whatsoever. I did like Kenny's response in his letter to all of his doubting friends - they would see on the day after he turned one hundred in two years and a day when he was still alive that he was telling the truth and they had willfully, easily believed a pack of lies about him.

How could they have believed these lies so easily? The fact that they believed the lies about Kenny says nothing good about their character in my opinion. There were other character-issue problems, but I think they are all similar in nature. It was just frustrating to read about these "supposedly so smart" people becoming so regressively stupid and idiotic in this last book.

Since when are sacrifices going to be reinstated? Since when do animals need to be killed, or meat sacrificed, for the "sins" of each generation of non-believers? If Jesus' death on the cross was the final sacrifice, why would there be one thousand years of sacrifices between Jesus' Second Return and the Final Judgment?

That did not sit well with me, and I do not recall any other "prophecy expert" claiming that the ancient sacrifices were going to be reinstated. Maybe I am wrong; it will be quite the surprise come that day if they are reinstituted. The "heroes" of the Bible coming to speak to the children - that was the worst! Please, correct me if I am wrong, but all the author s had these men really do when telling their stories was primarily quote Scripture.

I found myself wishing Noah, Caleb, Joshua, and David would have shared more of their personal stories and experiences and thoughts and emotions. I think the authors could have taken some more license, here, and expanded on what they had these "Bible heroes" share with the children. I think it would have been okay, and helped those parts of narrative.

I read this book because I wanted to see how the series ended, how they interpreted how things were going to happen. Most of the book, though, is quoting Scripture. Which is fine, on the one hand, but, still. When David was facing Goliath, he should have had more emotions running through his veins. He should have been excited and nervous, stepping out in faith like he did to face the Philistine giant! He knew he was on God's side and his faith was fully in God! Yet, as he "shared his story," it did not "feel real. Well, I take some of that back. Noah did make jokes about having to take care of all of the animals on the ark and having to clean up after them after they took care of their business and defecated.

Well, the defecation was implied; he talked about how stinky the animals could get. So, they were more personable with Noah than the other three heroes who came to share their stories. The lack of palpable tension in the book was horrific. The reader was continually reminded that the "true believers" could not be killed. If even the 'normals' cannot be killed, what kind of tension is there in the book?

What keeps it going? The believers were never in any real danger throughout the book. Perhaps if the members of The Other Light had threatened young children who had not yet become Christians, that might have made things dicier as the decisions of believers would now have potential real-world consequences. There was something else, but now I cannot remember what it was.

If it comes back, I will update my review and add it. They show up for Mac's birthday when he was. Nearly years old? They agree to keep showing up for the next two birthdays until the end of the Millennium. I thought that was a good idea even though the bodies of the "normals" were practically useless and I could not understand how they could not have died; it seems like letting them live as their faculties dwindled away would have been either punishment or torture.

Despite my intense dislike of this book, I do respect the authors for what they tried to do, even if I do not like how they went about and did it. They have tried to describe the indescribable for people to read about. People have a hard enough time trying to predict the future, which new inventions or fads or business will spring up in the next five, ten, or fifty years. I cannot imagine what will happen in two hundred years, five hundred years, or even one thousand years - all of the changes that could take place.

I think the book would have been "better" if they had focused on how advanced society was going to become over time. Also, after everything that happened in the Tribulation, how do you describe the "natural-born children" afterwards who still choose to reject God? How do you write about that or adequately describe it?

Especially since "non-believers" do die during this time, and they die when they reach the centennial mark. One hundred years of age. Yet, despite all of the miracles and judgments, there will still be people who harden their hearts and refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. Kinda like Anakin Skywalker's fall from grace. Everybody knows it happened, but everybody has the "story" of how it all went down in their own minds; no movie or book could ever do it justice as a result.

The actors had a hard time portraying his rise and subsequent fall in such a way that would please everybody. Kinda like the last few books in the series - can't please everybody all of the time. He reappears in this book and plays a bit of a big part in it, rescuing Rayford and some other captives in the process.

That being the case, I looked up "his" name to see if there was some kind of special meaning to it. Apparently, in Muslim it means "Companion; genial; close friend", which I found pretty cool. An interesting name for an angel. There were a couple of beautiful moments in it [towards the end], and there were some gems hidden throughout the middle of the story. I have to admit, the description of "the final battle" was so hilarious I was nearly in tears it was so bad and anticlimactic. I do not know if the authors meant it to come across the way it did, but I was laughing pretty hard when I read 'the final battle' and its results.

Even though I will probably never recommend this book to anybody, I am glad that I read it as it completes the series for me unless I decide to go ahead and read the first three books in the series - the three "prequel" stories. Nov 16, F. Atchley rated it liked it Shelves: It was a series that really got me back into reading. As a sequel, I enjoyed Kingdom Come, but there were points where it left me a little disappointed.

The subject of Kingdom Come is the much debated Millennial Kingdom, a prophesied 1, year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. Satan, also known as the Devil, is locked up for the duration and is unable to tempt mankind. At the end of the Millennial Kingdom he is set free or escapes to once again tempt man am a huge fan of the Left Behind series. At the end of the Millennial Kingdom he is set free or escapes to once again tempt man to follow him instead of the One True God. It has always amazed me that, according to Scripture, at the end of those 1, years with God in the person of Jesus Christ physically and personally ruling the earth that people and droves of them would side with Satan for a final, climatic battle.

What would motivate people to do that? High Points Kingdom Come answers the question of why people choose the sides they do extremely well. Jenkins and LaHaye remind us that even without the temptation from Satan, our desire to be in control of our own lives and not surrender that control to anyone, not even God, remains a powerful force.

The book also continues to accomplish something that the previous Left Behind books did so well. For me, there is something about seeing the events prophesied in Scripture portrayed in such vivid, living detail that gives them a greater reality for me. This stuff is real and its really going to happen.

It forces me to evaluate my beliefs and how those beliefs impact my life. I found the ending was especially strong.

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The imagery of the earth being destroyed and new heaven and new earth created was exceptional. It pointed me to a greater and deeper relationship with Christ. For that, I am greatful to the authors. Conflict and Filler [Minor spoilers below] My major issues with Kingdom Come center on conflict and filler. At various points in the story, three of these heroes give a detailed retelling of their story. While there are some interesting details thrown in, the vast majority of their monologues are taken straight word for word from Scripture.

They will know these stories well. Quoting so much scripture through these three retellings felt like a bit of filler to me. How would it come off to them? My issue with conflict comes as intrigue begins to build in the story. One such incident is a negative report about one of the characters that appears in an old style physical office inbox.

When a second report also appears, the characters wonder who could be leaving them. They ignore the blindly obvious idea of putting a security camera by the mailbox so they can see who is dropping off the reports.

The book lacks any twist whatsoever. I know to a certain extent that is difficult given the subject matter. There is little doubt the forces of Light will be victorious in the end. But even given that I thought more could have been done to make the investigation more interesting. I doubted the guilty party was who it turned out to be only because that would have been too obvious.

The problem with this book is that it lacks legitimate conflict. The main characters can't die, and the ending is telegraphed long before we even start this book. There's a little manufactured conflict towards the end, but overall not the most exciting installment in this series. The first couple of chapters are virtualy unreadable.

If you stick with it, it gets a little better. This book is really for die hard left behind fans if you've read the first 15 books, you mine as well read this one. If nothing else, it provides closure on the series, and the second to last chapter offers a nice tribute for characters that played an important role in the series for a short time, then disappeared.

I give this book two stars for failing to generate new excitement.

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