There is a wonderful series of christian books called "Left Behind" and so many people have been telling me to read them. I haven't yet, but I will. A movie was made and is out of video and DVD, it is AWESOME!! I recommend it highly. You should be able to rent it at your video stores. My daughter and I saw it a few weeks ago, and it really touched our hearts for evangelism. The premise of the movies is that a 747 plane is flying from europe to the US and in midair half of the passengers disappear, leaving only their clothes. Every child on board is also gone, and this phenomanon is happening around the world, people are disappearing and leaving only their clothes. It is the story of the Rapture (when believers are called home.) After seeing the movie my daughter and I hugged each other and declared "We are not going to be left behind!" It really has inspired us with our evangelistic zeal to spread the great news of God. We are all so blessed those of us who believe. But we must tell others, and go forth into the world with the AME church, and not wait for everything to be perfect, go to your Presiding Elders, Bishops, churches, youth groups, Missionary societies, and say we have got to spread the news of Christ, so that there will not be anyone left behind. You must rent the movie, or read the book. Love to all of you wonderful saints

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2000

Answers

The movie is interesting in its distributtion. It is one of the few films distribtued to video BEFORE its thearic release (currently scheduled for Feb, 2001). If you don't buy the movie, please support its evangelistic thrust by turning out for the debut.

Pastor Rogers is right about the key message. Each of us should be so convicted of the redempive love of Christ that we should want none to be Left Behind.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2000

Hmmmmmm, interesting title and plot. I'll check about its availability at my local Blockbuster Video Store. This sounds like a wonderful resource which Church Schools can use as an alternative forum for Socratic teaching techniques. Back in the late 70s a Gospel Quartet group [Jackson Southernaires or Dixie Hummingbirds, can't remember now] sang a poppular song called "See You In The Rapture" This Quartet classic would be a natural fit for the movie's score. How long is the movie? Thanks for the info and review :-) QED

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2000

This movie is a good movie to watch...it scared most of my unsaved friends who I showed the movie to, however my saved friends who are not living right, feel that "oh yes, I wont be left behind when the rapture takes place" Why is there such an attitude in the Body of Christ that the Lord will accept anything that we throw at him, we live like we want to live, we go to church like paying God a bill. We have come to a point to address sin, as a weakness, justify it, or further not address the sin issue at all. Our attitudes towards one another needs to be dealt with, and the list goes on and on. Are we really rapture ready? Matter of fact, if the Lord Jesus Christ call us home, how many of us can actually say, by the way we have lived thus far, would Jesus want us to be with Him? I remember I was in prayer one day, the Lord told me this statement "I am not coming back for a whore." This puzzled me...I asked "Lord what are you saying?" He said, "I will not come back for a bride whose is not ready for Me. The present state of the Church is in a spirit of whoredom, the Body is running to and fro, seeking after other gods and forfilling their own agendas. I am a jealous God...my name means jealous, when my bride seeks pleasures other than Me, they are whoring after such. The Church, her dress must be white, her mind focused upon Me....she is not ready for Me, my bride isn't ready, she doesnt really love Me like she say she does, she is not waiting for Me to come" Left Behind, the movie, is a chilling eye-opening account of what will happen in the very very very approaching furture. Like or not, ,MANY MANY MANY CHURCH FOLKS, SO CALLED SAVED FOLKS.....WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2000

Hi, Bill, the movie is about two hours long. I just came back from my video store and they had only one copy to rent and today they had bought more for rentals, the movie is renting well. Plus they can't keep the video in stock for sale. If you can't find it, your local Christian book store will have it for sale. I can't wait to hear what you and Jenny have to say about the movie. It is best to watch it with someone. Because after the movie you will want to talk about what you saw.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2000

Rev. Rogers--

Reading the books are a must!!! I'm about to start the 6th in the 8 book series. I haven't seen the video, but can't wait to. Visit www.leftbehind.com. The books & I'm sure the movie as well are inspiring not only to bring other brothers & sisters to Christ before He takes his bride & comes again, but also those who already claim that relationship with Christ should check ourselves. Another response to this post asks the question: "Are we rapture ready?" Good question!! I know this--we should strive to live our lives according to God's word so that if we're already departed in the flesh before he raptures his church, then we'll be the dead in Christ who rise first!!

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2000

I've read all eight books in the series; however, I have not seen the movie. I will purchase the movie and take it to church for watch night service as one of the activities. We plan to spend New Year's eve at the church and fellowship in the church until New Years morning. This should promote interesting discussion.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2000

Dear Angela and Mary thanks for the feed back about the books, I am going to buy copies of the first book tomorrow for me and my daughter. I have been told that even if you see the movie you have to read the books. I have spoken to the manager of our local christian book store and we are going to have a book club on the book series, I am so excited about being rapture ready. Since you both have read the series do post about your reactions to some of the other books. I would love to hear from you. And let us all remember to be in "right relationship with God" so we will not be LEFT BEHIND! I hope to see all of you at the rapture.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2000

however my saved friends who are not living right, feel that "oh yes, I wont be left behind when the rapture takes place" Why is there such an attitude in the Body of Christ that the Lord will accept anything that we throw at him,

I'd like to address the questions various points individually. The notion of acceptance comes from hymns such as "Just as I am", and from parables that show Jesus embracing everyone except the religious. His personal walk with the downtrodden, the tax colectors, the trash of Jewish society was an indication of the redemptive power that God intended for love. Thus, if you mean by "what we throw at him" our intiial unsaved state, it stems from examples like that.

we live like we want to live, Now is where I have a problem with "Churchus Automaticus." Many of us who gre up churched go through much of the service on auto-pilot. Church, Christiantiy, and faith are not quickened within, but are more habits than anything else. This usually stems from a generational problem of inertia, since it doesn't all happen at once. I think contributors to this mindless execution of ritual include pulls fromt he world that are more appealing to our senses, and the absence of substance in the midst of our church exposures. This may not be a universal problem, but I have seen some congregations where the fire was dwindled to a flicker.

we go to church like paying God a bill. I sometimes refer to it when teaching as the Dry CLeaning experience - in by 11, out by 1, home in time for the Big Game. Again, the absence of substance, the lack of direction over a period of time, the fading of a commitment to change lives can leave churches bereft of spirit and floating in socialization. We go less because it's what we need to do and more because it's the thing to do.

We have come to a point to address sin, as a weakness, justify it, or further not address the sin issue at all. Prayerfully our churches are still preaching against sin. But with so many competing factors for the attention of the congregants, SUnday 11AM may not be enough teaching time. We should probably encourage in-depth teaching that takes our parishioners beyond milk and pablum to the meat of the word and the fullness of Christian Living.

Are we really rapture ready? Jesus pointed out in Matthew 24 that not all will be rapture-ready. It is incumbent on each of us as believers to check ourselves, and to be very sure of our faith and commitment to God. It is then our mission to carry out his will, best expressed in Matthew 28:17-20. With these elements in place, I am less concerned about when the rapture is or whether it's pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib. I want to live each remaining day ready to be "beamed up", but ready to carry on the Prime Directive while awaiting the "day or the hour" that none of us knows.

Matter of fact, if the Lord Jesus Christ call us home, how many of us can actually say, by the way we have lived thus far, Fortunately my salvation is not dependent on my moment-by-moment behavior, but on His propitiation and Grace. It is for this reason that Christ died. If I could assure my own redemption trhough works, then Christ would have died in vain. But it is not by works of righteousness I've done, but a gift of God, trhough faith, lest any person shold boast. Conversely, this saving faith does not give me license to live an antinomian existence. Because of the saving grace, and the great sacrifice of Christ's own blod for me, I feel compelled to give back the love, sharing it with others, growing more patient daily, embracing the sinner with compassion while teaching against the sin with conviction. My works are a result of my faith, not the other way around.

would Jesus want us to be with Him? I believe it is His desire that none should perish. "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, butt htat the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17). Nevertheless, the true manifestation of His Spriit within us is a changed heart, one that leads to a changed life. For some, this change is overwhelmingly immediate. For others, change is a process, as the Spirit reveals to the stubborn, resisting carnal nature its true intent for the believer (Romans 5-8). But I do believe that the mark of a true believer in this life is a change in charactyer, patience, and love to the example given to us by Jesus Christ.

Left Behind, the movie, is a chilling eye-opening account of what will happen in the very very very approaching furture. Like or not, ,MANY MANY MANY CHURCH FOLKS, SO CALLED SAVED FOLKS.....WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. Sadly, except we/they repent as described in Revelation 2-3, I must agree. (See also Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 24:30-end)

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2000

Jerryl......you worked that out!!! I must give a high-five on that statement I couldn't say it better!!!

God Bless

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2000

Dittos again, Brother! I'm saved by grace, but as James ch 2 tells us, the fruit of a Christian life is good works.

I've read all but the latest book aloud to my family. What a great outreach tool! I know of several non-Christians who eat the series up. Fact is, there's a tremendous interest among the unsaved concerning the last days. In fact, I've seen more than once the first Book of the Bible they want to discuss is Revelation. Personal opinion: The movie doesn't do the books justice.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2000

One other point about the series author, Tim LaHaye. He's been around for a long time writing non-fiction. Teaming up with his wife, Beverly, he's written some excellent books on Christian marriage. Before I was married 16 years ago my mother (of all people) gave me their book, "The Act of Marriage". It was a very explicit, and entirely Christian treatise on marital sex. This included the how-to's. Wouldn't you rather have your son or daughter get this information from a Christian source? If it's still in print, I recommend it as a pastor's resource for pre-marital counselling.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2000

The movie is very good and there's not much to say about it. The only things pop out of my mind is that we all believe what we believe in regardless of who we are. Just think of this way though, so many churchs around these days tend to believe in so many way but what really is only one God. My question is why can we have only one name church instead of so many different kind? I believe that if you are a good man/woman, God will never punish you. Some bible says that you have to go to church in order to be save by the Lord. But what about those who that don't even know about the Lord. Where do they go after they died? For what i believe is the Lord is everything and the biggest of all living things then his heart mus as big as himself.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2002