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Showing reviews 1-5 of 255
 Timely, well researched, and Bible-based analysis you wont want to miss December 2, 2006
Albert Cerussi (Lake Forest, CA United States)
153 out of 158 found this review helpful
I have to admit when I first heard that Joel Rosenberg had written a series of novels, I wasn't very excited to take a look at his work. Im generally not into "end times" books because many of the ones I have seen are essentially a few facts scattered thought a matrix of wild speculation. And I never did catch on to the "Left Behind" genre. However, being involved in the leadership of a Messianic Congregation, and having a general interest and concern for the Jewish people, I was nevertheless curious.
Then I noticed then this book, which is a sort of "cliff notes" to Rosenberg's novels, providing key highlights and most importantly, the basis for his novels. After reading a few sections, I found myself being quite impressed at the content. Before long, I was hooked; this is a very well done book. The thoughts are clear, speculation is generally noted (rather than affirmed as fact), copious references are provided, and I believe that the book is generally faithful to its Biblical roots.
The central theme of the book is the literal fulfillment of the prophecies of Ezekiel in chapters 37/38. The author takes these prophecies, and tries to interpret them in light of current world events. When he wrote the novels, some of his "predictions" had apparently not yet been fact, so that in some ways his views offer some testable hypotheses. Rosenberg is not a "date setter (thank G-d)," though he believes that we are rapidly coming to the climax of these prophecies. Especially important is his use of primary sources; in most cases he talked to many "in the know" people across the word, and didn't just quote sound bytes from the internet/TV/radio. The book as a very investigative feel to it, and the high quality of the effort here is rather evident.
The author tries very hard to "stick with the text," and is very respectful of the Scripture. Given some of the titles of his novels, you might think this work is a diatribe against Islam, but it surely isn't. In fact, the first third of the book lays the groundwork as to why the author feels that Russia is the country to watch, although he uses the Scripture to outline why several major players in the Middle East have a role as well in the unfolding of Ezekiel's prophecies. The Russia section is truly eye opening, and you will start to develop an eerie feeling as you read it. This was perhaps the most intriguing and scary part of the book; you wont want to miss it.
In short, this is a well-researched and Biblically sound treatment of the Ezekiel prophecies. Of course you may not believe all of the links the author has made between the Scripture and current events, but at least there is integrity in the work. Epicenter is highly recommended for anyone who has an interest in Israel and the role that she will play in G-d's plan of redemption.
A Thought-provoking Book on Very Important Issues September 16, 2006
David De Sousa
282 out of 311 found this review helpful
In his first non-fiction book, New York Time's best-selling novelist Joel Rosenberg, an evangelical Christian from an Orthodox Jewish background, takes the reader on a journey that includes interviews with Israeli, Palestinian, and Russian leaders, previously classified CIA and White House documents, complemented with a powerful narrative that will fix your attention on how events are connected, from biblical prophecy to recent headlines.
Absolutely an excellent book on a very delicate topic that is affecting and will affect our world. Rosenberg shows us the power of the Scripture in understanding the past and the present, and even more important: in predicting the future. A Thought-provoking reading that is well worth for Christian Readers and any reader as well.
With everything that is going on in the middle east and around the world, in such places like Iran, Iraq, Russia, and China: the invasion of Iraq and the violence of the post Sadam's Iraq, Iran's president vows to wipe Israel, and more it is nice to have the analysis and the point of view of a well respected Christian writer.
Joel Rosenberg; Uncanny Visionary! October 2, 2006
Gandalf (U.S.A)
151 out of 170 found this review helpful
Joel Rosenberg a former Jewish convert to Christianity seems to have the most uncanny grasp on recent modern events. His Jewish background gives him a greater than usual empasis on old testament teachings and prophency. When the fiction books he was writng began to come true after he wrote them he and his associates were surprised to say the least. I saw him in a seminar relate the events of 911 that eclipsed the writing of his book The Last Jihad. Then he stated his next fiction book came true while he was writing it! Now he has released a "non fiction" book! We must keep an eye on the events unfolding, and if indeed we see things happening that this book forcasts not only will it prove its prophesy, but will certainly as he says change our future. i think the jury is still out, but these events indeed bear careful scrutiny and watching, and if proven by time demand a Christian response.
Excellent!!!!!!! October 31, 2006
Richard D. Cappetto (Moodus, CT United States)
35 out of 37 found this review helpful
Over the years (since the late 1970s) I have studied the scriptures and have read many many books on the end time prophecies (well over 100). While I though that every possible angle had been taken, I was wrong. Joel C. Rosenberg takes a different track, He gets inside the governments of the world and shows how there are fulfilling Bible prophecy; weather they know it or not (and in most cases they do not know it). Rosenberg uses a style much like a detective novel, the book is very interesting, exciting and engaging. He sites the Major News Media, He uses Quotes from Religions and Political leaders; and intelligence experts from all over the world; Its amazing who is quoted hear. One thing is Rosenberg is in the process of witting a fictional series, based on the end times prophecy's of the Bible, the book's include the Last Jihad; The Last Days; The Ezekiel Option; and The Copper Scroll; He refers back to those books many times, showing us how, and why, he wrote what he did. Rosenberg has an uncanny ability to predict the feature, in his fiction, such as has in his first book, the last Jihad, he has Airplanes being used as weapons to fly into Buildings. He has had many such predictions like this. Now he will readily admit he is not a prophet, he does not claim that, what he claims is in reading he bible, studying the news and geopolitical events & trends its not hard to predict what might happen. Rosenberg covers the prophecy of Ezekiel chapters 35-39 very well, with almost a line by line exposition of Chapter 38. he also brings in many other prophecy's from both he Jewish and Christian scriptures (Old and New testaments). He talks pretty thoroughly about the Iran's 20 year nuke program, he covers Russia's move back to dictatorship, he discusses the Iraq war and how and why it fulfills bible prophecy, he covers all of Israel's modern wars, treaties etc., and covers the Israel and Palestinian trouble. Rosenberg also makes ten predictions of future headlines based on his understanding of the scripture and I will let you read the book to see what they are. Rosenberg goes on to show us that Christ is being accepted as Lord and Savior all over the world in amazing numbers even in Muslim country's. This is a must read for everyone. If you really want to know what and why the world is heading in the course it is headed read this book and study the Bible.
A Must Read! December 4, 2006
Wall Nut (MN USA)
28 out of 30 found this review helpful
I have been a student of Biblical prophecy for a long time, and have read many books concerning the end times. Some of the books have wildly speculated about what will happen in the last days. Some have cherry-picked verses from different books and used them to justify the author's preconceived notion of the end. Others have been shown to be wrong after world events proved them so.
This is the first book I've read that seems genuinely in the realm of probability. It is well-researched, with extensive documentation of resources. It reads like a political thriller, which makes it difficult to put down. While not exhaustive in its description of end times events, it does point the reader in the direction of which news and countries to watch. As the days go by, I find the headlines confirm what Joel Rosenberg has written. There are those who have described him as a psychic or modern-day Nostradamus. However, he himself says that he is simply writing what God has shared in the book of Ezekiel. Don't miss this one!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 255
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