Share    Print   Save    Become a Fan



The Last Disciple
By Maurice A. Williams   
Rated "G" by the Author.
Last edited: Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2007

The "Last Disciple" series rivals the "Left Behind" series in that different time eras are predicted for fulfillment of some visions in Revelation.

“The Last Disciple” and “The Last Sacrifice” have generated much interest and praise. These two volumes of a proposed series of volumes have provided a polarizing point between readers who accept the futurist interpretation of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins’ block busting “Left Behind” series and those who accept the preterist interpretation of Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer, authors of “The Last Disciple” series. Hanegraaff and Brouwer feel convinced that many of the Biblical prophecies were fulfilled during the early Church age.

Tyndall House, the publisher of the twelve-volume "Left Behind" series agreed to publish this new series. The first two volumes are “The Last Disciple” and “The Last Sacrifice.” “The Last Disciple” ends with John the Evangelist escaping Palestine with the fictional hero Vitas. Nero wants John captured because Nero is incensed that John depicted Nero as the beast with the number 666. “The Last Sacrifice” continues with Nero’s attempt to capture John. The authors introduce many historical characters and events along with some fictional characters. The second volume ends with Nero alive and the Temple still standing, so it’s certain that more volumes are coming. Three sequels are already planned.

One can see, by the reader’s reviews on Amazon.com, how people have taken sides on this dispute. The authors of the two series have also gotten into the dispute. Tim LaHaye feels betrayed by Tyndal House Publishing. He thinks they agreed to publish “The Last Disciple” series to continue making money like they did with his “Left Behind” series. He thinks Hanegraaff’s preterist interpretation is unbiblical and nonsense. Hanegraaff, in the afterword of “The Last Disciple” (pages 393-5) goes into some detail on what he thinks is wrong with LaHaye’s interpretation.

I've read most of the "Left Behind" novels and "The Last Disciple" and “The Last Sacrifice.” They are all well-written novels using fictional characters to capture reader's involvement while the setting of both series describes the author's interpretations. I think "The Last Disciple" series is at a disadvantage because the general public is not familiar with early Church history and does not recognize the names of real historical characters and real events. For those people, the whole novel might read as fiction. "Left Behind," on the other hand, does not have this disadvantage. The reader easily discerns between the purely fictional characters and the proposed, future fulfillment of the prophecies.

Has anyone read these novels? What do you think of them?