The End Begins by Sara Davison is a gripping, suspenseful, and compelling story, one that is relevant for today's times. I'm not usually a fan of suspense and rarely read end-times literature, but this story is very moving and thought provoking. There are some unexpected twists and turns, and nothing is easily predictable.
The setting is in Canada, approximately 35 years into the future. The tables are turned and supposedly a radical Christian group has been bombing mosques, resulting in hatred of Christianity, the imposition of martial law, and the placing of severe restrictions on personal freedoms. As one of the first laws is put into place â the confiscation of Bibles because they are deemed to be hate literature â two unlikely friends begin a growing relationship. Devout Christian Meryn O'Reilly owns a bookstore that carries Bibles and other Christian literature, and Jesse Christensen is part of the military that is enforcing those laws.
I enjoyed the developing relationship between Meryn and Jesse, especially Meryn's testimony and witness. There's also an uncomfortable realism to this story, with some element of torture and the threat of sexual assault.
For me, the greatest significance about The End Begins is that it both challenges and encourages our faith, forcing me to ask if government opposition to Christianity is actually such a far-fetched idea. Do I take my Bible for granted? Treasure, study and memorize God's Word like I should? How courageous would I be under threat of real persecution? On the other hand, God's sovereignty shines in this book, reminding that He is in control no matter the circumstances around us.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The setting is in Canada, approximately 35 years into the future. The tables are turned and supposedly a radical Christian group has been bombing mosques, resulting in hatred of Christianity, the imposition of martial law, and the placing of severe restrictions on personal freedoms. As one of the first laws is put into place â the confiscation of Bibles because they are deemed to be hate literature â two unlikely friends begin a growing relationship. Devout Christian Meryn O'Reilly owns a bookstore that carries Bibles and other Christian literature, and Jesse Christensen is part of the military that is enforcing those laws.
I enjoyed the developing relationship between Meryn and Jesse, especially Meryn's testimony and witness. There's also an uncomfortable realism to this story, with some element of torture and the threat of sexual assault.
For me, the greatest significance about The End Begins is that it both challenges and encourages our faith, forcing me to ask if government opposition to Christianity is actually such a far-fetched idea. Do I take my Bible for granted? Treasure, study and memorize God's Word like I should? How courageous would I be under threat of real persecution? On the other hand, God's sovereignty shines in this book, reminding that He is in control no matter the circumstances around us.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
