Interview with the Antichrist by Jeff Kinley

Interview with the Antichrist by Jeff Kinley ISBN-13: 9780785229834 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: February 11th 2020

Source: review copy from the author.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Julien is a young journalist in close proximity to a person the Bible calls the “Beast.” Julien will give us a window into the character of the Antichrist and how our last days could unfold according to Scripture’s ultimate plot. This imagined prophetic narrative will also reveal how this coming prince may alter reality and impact humankind--and eventually transform into the most malevolent human in history.

But what can be known about this man? What does the Bible actually say about this nefarious individual? How close are we to his unveiling? This speculative account will whet your appetite for more information, more solid biblical food on the subject. And you’ll find that in the last section of the book.


My Review:
Interview with the Antichrist summarizes what the Bible says about the Tribulation using a fictional structure. The point of view character is a journalist who thinks back about how he met and interacted with the man that the Bible calls the Antichrist. We jump back and forth between this later time and the progression of events throughout the seven years. As obvious from the title, much of the book is the characters talking about what has happened: how the mysterious disappearance of thousands of people left the world in chaos, how this opened an opportunity for the leader to take control, and some of his plans for future economic and political unity. The journalist also thinks back about the various wars, famine, etc., that happened during this time and how they impacted things. The journalist was an actual witness to some major events involving the Antichrist, like when Julien sees the Antichrist alive after he has been reported dead. The book ends right before the events of Armageddon, and I assume that this is intended to intrigue the reader into reading the Bible to find out what happens.

At the end of the book, the author talked about what the Bible actually says about the Antichrist. This book was a quick read. I'd recommend it to people who think this sounds like an interesting way to learn more about the Tribulation and the Antichrist.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Act Soon: Google Reader is discontinuing on July 1

About three months ago, I heard that "Google Reader was discontinuing on July 1, 2013." Then I didn't hear anything more about it, and I wasn't sure what Google Reader was. Apparently, it's where you "Follow" other people's blogs and then can see the new content on those blogs when you're signed into your blogger account. (Someone please correct me if I'm misunderstanding this.)

Anyway, 106 of you Follow me that way and will lose track of ChristFocus Book Club and my posts on July 1, 2013 if you do nothing.

One option is to sign up to have my new posts sent directly to your e-mail address. You can sign up for this using the below form (which can also be found along the right side of my blog):

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

I'd told that another option is to continue using an RSS reader to receive blog posts using a free service called Feedly. Feedly will transfer all of your feeds from Google Reader in a pretty simple process, and it's free. You can download the Feedly reader from Feedly's blog. That Feedly post includes tips on importing your Google Reader subscriptions.

So if you Follow me, please act soon so that you'll continue to get my reviews and giveaway posts.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

On Sunday, November 4, Christians around the world will participate in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This video can help you know what to pray for.

 

Walk the Land by Judith Galblum Pex

Walk the Land: My Journey on Foot through Israel by Judith Galblum Pex ISBN-13: 9780975961957 Trade Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Cladach Publishing Released: July 28, 2007

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Come with John and Judy Pex as they hike the 600-mile Israel National Trail from the Egyptian to the Lebanese borders. During 42 days of trekking through spectacular scenery, Arab towns and villages, past Jewish, Muslim, Druze, and Christian holy sites, they discover:

• Sights seldom seen by tourists
• Physical challenges and spiritual tests
• Cultural encounters and historical insights
• Lessons about peace, faith, and endurance.

Included are 16 pages of color photos of scenes from the Trail


My Review:
Walk the Land describes the travels of a middle aged couple as they hike the Israel Trail from the south of Israel to the north. It's not a hiking guide--the author didn't directly talk about what to bring or give hiking tips, though some of that information can be gleaned from the narrative. And while you can pick up information about what the land looks like and what hiking it is like, the narrative really focused on relationships.

She talked about how the lessons she learned on the trail were related to her walk with Christ. She talked about the various people they met on the trail and what they talked with them about (which was mainly about the upcoming trail and the fact that the author and her husband believe in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah). And she talked about the challenges of hiking with her husband--since they have very different personalities--and how it strengthened their relationship.

Overall, I found the book interesting and worth reading, though I'd been hoping for a more detailed description of the land. I'd recommend this book to those interested in the culture, the places, and the people of Israel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt from Chapter One.

Worth Watching: Reaching out to those in the sex industry

This made me laugh

When I see "evolution" in advertising, I've always wondered why the designers didn't object like in this cartoon!

(Cartoon from AiG newsletter.)

Something Interesting: The Mark of Love

I have not personally seen these, but the idea is an interesting one. Here's the promotional copy:

Have you been “Marked?” The Mend Mark is a mission, a movement, an entire revolution. It is a bracelet meant to remind its wearers of Christ’s love and sacrifice, and its message is the passion of its creator, Hunter Harrison.

The Mend Mark is an innovative and distinctive bracelet that is designed to reflect the scars and nail holes of Jesus. When worn, the band resembles the deep holes of the nail driven into the wrists of Jesus during his crucifixion. By bringing the story of Jesus’ life and death to constant awareness by wearing a bracelet, Mend Mark is meant to powerfully remind wearers of the ultimate act of love Jesus made for all of humankind.

Harrison’s mission is to remind all to remember Christ’s love in both his life and death. But more than only a poignant recollection, the Mend Mark is meant to inspire and motivate wearers to live a life of service. Harrison strives to bring people together around the simplicity and power of love as lived by Jesus. But this is no example of passive love. The Mend Mark calls individuals in all walks of life to love with a profound sincerity and commitment great enough to change a neighborhood, a community, a world.

Harrison leads this call to love and sacrifice by example and joins hands with each Mend Mark bracelet purchaser to take the first step in global change. A portion of each bracelet sold goes to support Living Water International, an organization combating the clean water crisis victimizing over one billion people worldwide. Each $5,000 given will result in one well drilled, providing a community with clean water.

But wearers should be prepared to be seen. Unique in its design, the Mend Mark is sure to be noticed and gives wearers an opportunity to share the story of the profound love of Jesus for each and every person. “It was important to me that the design was simple and generic enough that the observer had to ask about it to know what it meant. But I also wanted it to appear distinctive enough that it sparked curiosity,” reveals creator Hunter Harrison. “I wanted it to require the wearer of the product to engage in conversation about the love of Christ (and hopefully show that love to others) instead of just letting the product talk for them.”

Launched in late 2009 after a year and a half of packaging, material, and design development by Harrison, the bracelet has been sold across the United States, Canada, and the UK and has been featured in retail stores as well. The Mend Mark bracelet movement has grown to further fame after being worn during performances by American Idol winner Lee Dewyze, Idol runner up Siobhan Magnus, Decifer Down, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Pillar, and Finding Favour, to name a few. Says Harrison, “I want it to be more than just another bracelet; I want it to represent a movement.” Based on the way things are going, a movement is exactly what it is becoming.

Order online for $9.99 at www.mendmark.com.

BBAW Forgotten Treasure

For Book Blogger Appreciation Week, today's theme is "Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction. This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!"

The book I wish was getting more attention from (Christian) book bloggers is Discerning Truth by Dr. Jason Lisle. Why? Because it's always good to know how to defend your faith, and this book does an excellent job of teaching an often-overlooked aspect of doing this: logic! Before you go running for the woods, the other reason I picked this book is because Dr. Lisle does a good job teaching the subject so that the reader doesn't feel overwhelmed or confused.

If you're a book blogger interested in reviewing this book AND your blog is active with at least 4 posts a month AND you have a social media audience of at least 300 (including blog followers, twitter followers, facebook friends/fans, etc.), you can request this book for review here.

BBAW Wednesday Treasure

For Book Blogger Appreciation Week, today's theme is "...share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger. What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?"

A book I hadn't even heard of until I heard about it from another blogger is Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce A. Ware.

I initially almost skipped over the post since I personally don't have any children and I don't have any young children in my influence. But I think teaching theology to kids is important, so I read the blogger's rave review. I started thinking I could at least help get the word around if I read and reviewed it...and, hey, maybe even adult Christians who would otherwise avoid such books would think "kid-level" theology sounded do-able. So I bought it, read it, and loved it.

I encourage other people to check out this excellent book!