"Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist" is little more than make-believe

Our critic's review of the latest in the Revelation-based franchise

Religion Unplugged

Feb 8

Cross-post

Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,

The “Left Behind” franchise is a staple of evangelical culture. It began as a successful series of thriller novels and has since been adapted into four movies, an audio drama and four PC video games.

It’s inspired by the book of Revelation, albeit a very specific one that’s generally only believed by some evangelical Christians. There are three key parts of that interpretation:

It’s pretribulation: the rapture, the biblical event in which all Christians are called to heaven, happens before the seven-year tribulation.
It’s premillennial: the 1,000-year reign of Jesus described in Revelation 20:1-6 will play out to the letter as it’s written, and that 1,000-year reign hasn’t started yet.
It’s dispensationalist: Israel and Christians — both described in the Bible as God’s people — are considered two separate groups. This theology believes that Christians will be brought to heaven during the rapture, but Israel won’t; however, other rewards and restoration will be brought to Israel.

Each of those has implications for the beliefs of this group, but in short, it’s a very literal interpretation. There’s nothing wrong with that, seeing as beliefs and interpretations about Revelation are many, but this interpretation is often spoken of as law.

It’s overdone to the point of frustration in the most recent movie “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist.” Our culture reporter Jillian Cheney calls the movie “horrible” — see why in today’s top story.

“Left Behind: Rise Of The Antichrist” Is The Latest Installment In The Apocalyptic Thriller Franchise. It’s Little More Than Make-Believe

(REVIEW) “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist,” the new movie about the end of the world as told in the Bible, has it all: boring action sequences, jokes about the COVID-19 vaccine, altar calls, a postscript message from former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a joke about former president Barack Obama being the Antichrist, a painfully clunky script and even a Romanian politician who has a bland American accent. by Jillian Cheney

In a country as economically and socially unstable as Argentina, with almost 47 million people, 100% annual inflation in 2022 and 40% of the population below the poverty line, when a messianic figure capable of changing daily frustrations for joy appears, he is charged with that responsibility: He gives the right not to suffer during the hour and a half that a soccer match lasts. by Cesar Dergarabedian

The Crisis Of Schism In The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

(ANALYSIS) The schism in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), one of the most ancient and largest churches in the world, is another symptomatic evidence of the twin threats that Ethiopia is currently facing, namely ethnocentrism that results from fusing ethnicity with politics, and religious extremism that results from fusing ethnicity with religion. by Desta Heliso

Super Bowl Quarterbacks Jalen Hurts And Patrick Mahomes Both Playing For Christ

There will be more prayers at the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Patrick Mahomes taking on Jalen Hurts will mark the first time that the starting quarterbacks for both teams are Black. It is also a milestone because both men are practicing Christians not afraid to publicly talk about their faith and how it helps them succeed in the NFL. by Clemente Lisi

Opinion

💔 ‘Heavy Hearts That Can Only Be Healed By The Grace Of God’ 🔌

In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. covers the case of Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old Black man who died after a beating by Memphis, Tenn., police. Plus, as always, catch up on all the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!

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