The Last Temple

The Last Disciple #3

by Hank Hanegraaff, Sigmund Brouwer

Set in the turbulent years just before one of the most horrendous events in Jewish history, The Last Temple concludes the trilogy of The Last Disciple and The Last Sacrifice . Vitas is reunited with his wife and retires to Alexandria, determined to live a quiet, domestic life. But he can’t avoid the debts that he owes to the men who saved him, and he becomes a key figure in the plot to rid the empire of Nero. It sweeps him into the “year of four emperors,” when the Roman Empire is nearly destroyed, and takes him back to Jerusalem as Titus lays siege to the great city. Only then, as the prophecy of Jesus begins to unfold, does Vitas discover the true mission set before him and the astounding conspiracy behind it.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Christian Historical Fiction, Religion, Adventure

368 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2012

About the author

Hendrik "Hank" Hanegraaff, also known as the "Bible Answer Man", is an American Christian author and radio talk-show host. Formerly an evangelical Protestant, he joined the Eastern Orthodox Church in 2017. He is an outspoken figure within the Christian countercult movement, where he has established a reputation for his critiques of non-Christian religions, new religious movements, and cults, as well as heresy in Christianity. He is also an apologist on doctrinal and cultural issues.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read about the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the only thing that comes close to it was A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. In this novel there is an entire portion of the story devoted to Nero's demise as well as the rebellion in Jerusalem that Rome got involved in. I liked how the author tied it all to the book of Revelation that the apostle John wrote on Patmos. That was an interesting perspective.

It was obvious the book was not the first in a series and it did feel like some things would have touched me more if I had read the first two books, but I still enjoyed this one. The authors did hint at the historical information from previous books. I loved that Vitas had such a powerful role in this story and how he was on a faith journey as well as a quest to destroy Nero. The connection he had to the Ark of the Covenant was awesome, too.

This book was very man-friendly, and by that, I mean it had it's gruesome, descriptive parts. Most guys will love the battle scenes and I know part of the fall of Jerusalem had to do with stacks of corpses, people starving, women consuming their own children, etc. But, um, yuck.

Anyway, I found this story compelling enough to finish it. It was interesting to read about Vitas' love for his wife from his perspective. Oh, and I knew Nero was a sicko, but man, was his behavior gross. Isn't there a saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely? Nero was a prime example of that.

I love how at the end of this book the authors go into detail about history and what is true as well as what they fabricated for the story. It was like getting a mini history lesson about a turbulent time in the world. I didn't realize that after Nero came four more Caesars for a short period of time. It's amazing that Christianity and Judaism survived at all after that. It just shows how God has a plan and it will come to fruition. The question is just how involved do we want to get in that plan. Oh, and I loved the ending, but I don't want to post a spoiler so we'll leave it at that.

[Maurice Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two earlier books of “The Last Disciple” series were published in 2004 and 2005. Sales had dropped off after the second book was published due to lack of reader interest. It was many years before this third book of this series came out in 2012. I think what happened is the principle author, of “The Left Behind” series, Hank Hanegraaff, got into a public controversy with Tim LaHaye, principle author of the “Left Behind” series based on a futurist understanding of “Revelation” held by Tim LaHaye arguing against the preterist understanding held by Hanegraaff. I mentioned, when reviewing “The Last Sacrifice,” a flaw I though went a long way toward discrediting Hanegraaff's preterist position.

I found “The Last Temple” to be well written. “The Last Temple” novel begins in spring AD 67 with Vitas, one of the main fictional protagonists, posing as a slave owned by his brother Damian in order to escape recognition by Nero. When he arrives in Caesarea, Damian convinces Vitas to assume a new name, Novellus, and to allow himself to be sold as a slave. The book includes scenes of the assignation of Nero and the civil war in Jerusalem between moderate Jews who wished for Roman rule to return and the Zealots wanted independence from Rome.

By September, all Jerusalem was in flames. The total number of prisoners taken during the war was 97,000, and those who died during the siege 1,100,000. So great was the devastation of Jerusalem and its Temple that there was nothing left to make subsequent visitors believe Jerusalem had ever been inhabited. At the end of the novel, Vitas becomes Christian and salutes the Last Temple. Vitas thought of how much he wanted to believe in Christianity. Finally he fell to his knees and began to pray. "To the Christos! To the Last Temple!"

I think the book is very interesting and well worth the reading. I was already familiar with the historical account, but the way Hanegraaff and Brouwer added fictional characters to it makes the story much more vivid and interesting.

[John Otte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. A kind of silly end to an otherwise enjoyable series. For some reason, the "vision" of the story seemed to narrow to just one character when, in the others books, we saw multiple viewpoints. Seemingly important events took place "off-camera," only to have it revealed each time to, well, not. And the ending just was ridiculous in terms of historical accuracy.

All in all, the series is interesting. Christian fiction needs more "dissenting views." I think it's healthy to have a preterist "End Times" novel like these. But I wasn't impressed with this final entry. It'd be better to read the source material (Flavius Josephus) and Paul Maier's "Flames of Rome."

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know some of the main characters (other than John and Nero) were real people. The book's afterword, historical notes, etc gave me at least two more books to read. :)

[Justin Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Incredible ending to an incredible series!

Historical fiction is no easy task, but Hanegraaff and Brouwer just delivered one of the most well-written, intricate, compelling stories intertwined with true accounts that I've ever read (or watched or heard). I almost want to stick with only these kinds of novels from now on! (I won't hold to that, but this series almost convinced me, lol.)

The Last Temple was an at times beautiful, at times utterly gruesome telling of the Jewish and Roman civil wars, with the culmination being the final destruction of Jerusalem and burning of the temple in August of 70 AD. I've read countless accounts and historical texts about that time period, all the turmoil and horrendous happenings in and around the Roman Empire, but to follow a few people (real and fictional) around in story form, seeing it from their firsthand point of view, was almost like experiencing it for the first time.

The authors do an excellent job drawing the eschatological conclusions regarding that time and the symbols and types within Revelation. The 1st-century Jewish perspective is absolutely crucial to understanding that letter/vision and the theology behind it, so to go back to the minds and conversations of Jews (and Romans) of that day, and to get a sense of what those words would have actually meant to them living then, is one of the most important ways of scriptural comprehension and interpretation that someone can take part in. I was impressed with the intelligence of the dialogue and how/when it was delivered in adding cultural and historical context.

I enjoyed the interactions between Vitas and the real men and women of history-- Titus, Bernice, Ben-Matthias, etc... Even Nero, as absolutely despicable as he was.

All in all, an extremely good series. I liked it even more than I thought I would (and I was very excited when I found out about these 3 books). This has inspired and helped me in my goal of writing my own historical novel based in the first century. I highly recommend The Last Disciple, The Last Sacrifice, and The Last Temple.

[David Petray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and Soul-Searching

I read the entire series and I have to say I was moved. I’m a Christian so I believe but it is always nice to confirm that belief. If you are not Christian you may have difficulty with the book but I encourage believers and non-believers to read this. The book is well written and has well developed characters. The plot line is difficult to follow especially in volume 2 in which the author jumps between characters repeatedly from Alexandria to Rome to Patmos. I was grateful in the third volume he did not do so. The book can be tedious at time but the end is well worth it. It takes effort to build to the crescendo and Hanegraff takes you there one step at a time. Finally, I’m amazed that Amazon, who showcases a plethora of anti-Christian and anti-Semite books, would have such a pro-Christian book in its library. Thank you!

[Daniel Coutz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointed.

I started this series soon after the first book came out. The last disciple drew me in immediately and the last sacrifice was just as great. The was they weaved in and out of characters was great. Unfortunately the final book didn't have the mystery of the first two and stayed on one point of view the whole time. It was nice to finally finish the series and have it resolved but it was not what I hoped it would be all these years.

[Michael Ann Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this series and learning about for ign cultures and how evil Nero was. The unbeliving Jews never could see Jesus as who he was and what he was telling them. Now 70AC has come and the Temple will be destroyed. I was a little confused about the two and a half years in the story because this time has not yet come. I will recommend this series to my friends at the library. It was very interesting to read about that time period.

[Lady Safari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book of the series.

This was the best book in the series. There was more information on the characters and I actually started to relate more to them.
I also loved the historical background of this book. It definitely ties in with Revelations. But, I'm always careful not to put boundaries on the Lord.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vitas is finally reunited with his wife. He wants to live a quiet and peaceful life but he gets up in Roman intrigue and a Jewish rebellion. Nero is dethroned and the Jewish temple is destroyed and somehow Vitas is caught in the midst of it. Those were dangerous times as prophesied in the Book of Revelation.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I don't necessarily agree with all of the author's interpretations of Revelation, there is no doubt that he weaves an exciting story, using authentic historical characters to populate the narrative of the first-century Roman Empire, and the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **

[DJ Fedorka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction

This was a very well-written trilogy. It kept true to the Bible and other historical documents. Characters were well developed. I enjoyed these books very much.

[Lias Wald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped reading after not one, not two, but three major pov characters (who I liked significantly more than the main protagonist) are unceremoniously killed off screen for no reason. Maybe they’re actually not dead and I got faked out but I guess I’ll never know.

[Snowangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the other 2.

[Lynda Offett-Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read

I do love Christian base historical novels with lots of facts that stays close to the truth. Very enjoyable to read.

[Patrice Suggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The last temple is the Christos."

[Waneta Hershberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is better then what I expected

[Andrew Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final installment in The Last Disciple trilogy, The Last Temple continues following Vitas in his quest for vengeance against Rome. The narrative picks up the threads of his story in Caesarea, where his brother has “sold” him into slavery in order to gather information. During his time as a slave, an unfortunate series of circumstances leads to Vitas being crucified. But while he hangs on the cross, he sees Sophia, his wife, passing by in the crowd of onlookers. Wonder of wonders! Could she be alive? As it turns out, Vitas is removed from the cross before he dies by an old acquaintance, Queen Bernice of the Jews, and she needs his help to save her people. But Vitas cares for naught save finding his wife, if she is indeed alive. And so the story continues.
The Last Temple is quite possibly the weakest installment of the trilogy. In form it is still good, but it lacks flow. The book is split into several parts, as the previous two books were, but there is almost no narrative connection between the various parts, save Vitas, the protagonist. The first part is quite engaging, primarily because it focuses on Vitas’ pursuit of his wife; but with this quest coming to resolution in the first part causes the first part to seem almost like its own story. The rest of the book has very little to do with his relationship with his wife.
The previous two books had a wealth of characters and a plethora of perspectives; but this book exclusively follows Vitas’ viewpoint, a change which greatly alters the narrative style. It takes away from the sweeping historical epic feel of the previous books and almost turns it into a mere historical documentary. In places, this is very much the case. Another pitfall of removing the varying perspectives is that some characters seem to fall out of the story, or their storyline is not resolved satisfactorily. For example, the Roman girl Valeria and her brother Quintus, both of whose eyes we see through at some point in the series, have their story concluded as almost an afterthought. Afterthought is actually quite a good word to describe the entire book, minus the first part. There was a rather key plot point in from the previous two books involving a letter and conspirators against Nero which seems to be insufficiently wrapped up. It seems as though the authors knew they had to finish the series, but did not feel like putting much effort into it, or ran out of ideas, so they simply rehashed the historical content in a narrative form and added their characters in. It is unfortunate, as the story as laid out in the first two books was very engaging, and the theological view put forth by the authors is one that seems to hold good weight from a biblical as well as historical perspective. If they had simply put more effort into the final installment, it could have been a much better story overall.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book ("The Last Temple") in the series, after book 1,"The Last Disciple," and book 2, "The Last Sacrifice." Originally, I had bought this series for my husband as a manly sort of Christian books, but he enjoyed it so much that he wanted me to read it. It's much gorier than my usual reading, but any story that does truth to persecution and war will be gory. The time frame of the series is from Nero's persecution of the Jews up through the destruction of Jerusalem, and particularly, the temple that Jesus predicted would not have one stone left upon another. (Matthew 24:1-2)

The story has a great deal of intrigue and mystery about it. In the beginning, one of the characters suffers through a crucifixion, and I discovered that I should not be reading it during an MRI, when I wasn't supposed to squirm, even a little.

I like the Jerome character, although admittedly, he doesn't say much.

I had not realized that the historian Flavius Josephus had himself been present to witness the destruction of Jerusalem, (the Historical Notes at the end said that part of the story was true), and I had not recognized Josephus as a real person among the fictional characters, because at that point in time, he went by a different name. The destruction of Jerusalem was awful, but then Jesus had said it would be, and for the women to mourn it.

Lots of people in this story died for their mistaken beliefs. Some of the Jews in this story believed that Jerusalem could never fall because the Messiah hadn't come yet. But Jesus had already come, and had prophesied about the fall of Jerusalem. His prophecy being fulfilled about forty years after His crucifixion gave further credence to Who He said He was and what else He said. It is sad to me that these mistaken people could have believed so fervently that over a million people died protecting what could not be protected. It is an awful thing to believe the wrong thing, even fervently. Those who did what Jesus said and ran to the mountains beforehand survived.

As far as the interpretation of Revelation goes - that the book of Revelation spoke primarily of Rome as Babylon and Nero as the Beast, instead of yet to come - I had not heard that interpretation before this series. Apparently, our high school student has studied that interpretation of Revelation at the Christian school, and could supply scripture references from notes. It's an interesting premise, and may be right, as far as I know, but I may want the high schooler to read "The Left Behind" series for a different viewpoint to consider. The high schooler wants to read "The Last Disciple" series after me. "The Last Disciple" was written in response to "The Left Behind" series to supply a different interpretation on Revelation.

Other reviewers either found not enough included scripture for a basis or felt like it was mostly theology, with a thin layer of story line. I found that the story line was the vast part of the book, with just enough scripture to make it plausible, without enough to have a full debate on the issue. Also, I don't think we'll really know which interpretation the end time will follow until it's obvious, so I would suggest leniency and good will towards the various opposing viewpoints. It's worth considering, but not worth arguing, as long as we are all keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith.

Some of the story line seemed to make Revelation a personal interpretation for the characters, rather than a public interpretation for all. I am not really sure what I think of that, and I'm not really sure if the story reads that way.

Favorite quotes:

" ... unlike many of his gluttonous peers who, it was said, dug their own graves with their spoons."

"Through worship and sacrifices, the Romans did their best to make their gods serve them. He'd learned ... that for the Jews, it was the opposite: their worship was because their one and true God was worthy of it."

[Jorja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman Legions, Followers of the Christos, The Destruction of the Temple

Hanegraaff, Hank and Sigmund Brouwer. The Last Temple (The Last Disciple Book 3). Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House, 7/20/2012. (PG13-V)

Gallus Sergius Vitas was a renowned general of the Roman army; a former member of the inner circle of Nero, the Roman Emperor. Vitas finds himself in Caesarea posing as his brother Damian’s slave and daily mourning the death of his wife Sophia. Damian convinces Vitas there is no harm in carrying the scheme a step further. Vitas is sold into the household of the fiscal procurator of Judea where he can spy on the domestic situation in Helva’s home. He should have known better. Damian leaves for Jerusalem to find his friend and former gladiator, Maglorius.

Vitas, assigned to protect Helva’s wife Dolabella with three other slaves, is vigilant as they pass through the market place to see the governor. A trumpet sounds three times. Dolabella stops. Vitas, now Novella, finds himself drawn into a dispute over dishes, becomes distracted. Suddenly, burning camels appear lumbering through the marketplace followed by assassins focused on Helva.

Vitas is once again rescued, this time from crucifixion as he is dying. He has in his hands a piece of a letter written by the last living disciple of the Christos. Many of the prophesies John has cryptically written in Hebrew, have already come to pass. Jerusalem will fall to Rome? Jerusalem totally destroyed by fire? Not one stone of the Temple left upon another?

Hank Hanegraaff, The Bible Answer Man, and now president of the Christian Research Institute the conservative Protestant counter-cult and apologetic ministry,* and Sigmund Brouwer, bestselling author of more than forty novels, join together to use the Disciple John’s Book of Revelation to describe the last days of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

Although The Last Temple is the third in The Last Disciple Trilogy, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Hanegraaff and Brouwer have tied the events of the first two novels like mystery writers salt their books with clues. There are no long reviews of previous plots. They only provide enough of a hint of the characters’ positions and past events through short flashbacks or dialogue that this story makes sense.

The deft use of sights, sounds, and smells places the readers in Caesarea and Jerusalem between the years A.D. 67 to the fall of the Temple in August of A.D. 70. They take the time to share the motivations, inner flaws, and revealing traits of the characters, credibly revealed through descriptions and dialogues. The authors are careful not to overload the book with the obstacles and complications of the earlier novels except as they apply to the tensions, conflicts and development of the plot of this novel.

While Vitas seems to lead a charmed life, his story creates a platform for the historical events to play themselves out. Current novels and non-fiction similarly focus on the end of the world, the Mayan apocalypse of December 12, 2012. The end time prophecies of the Bible seem to support this approaching date.

Instead, the authors have chosen to provide the prophecies of the end times to explain the years leading up to the Roman Army’s crushing defeat of the Jews and the Roman General’s move into the political theater of Rome. The book is well-researched and deftly written.

*Hank Hanegraaff - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Han... (accessed September 5, 2012).

http://jorjaadavisreadsomemore.blogsp...

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE LAST TEMPLE
by Hank Hanegraff and Sigmund Brouwer

Before His death the Christos prophesied that the Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed. But how can this impregnable structure ever fall? But Jewish rebellion continues as the Roman Empire is caught up in the turmoil of Nero's reign.

As the Jews continue in their defiance after Nero's fall, Rome again turns her attention on the chosen nation. Confident that the Temple will never fall before the long awaited Messiah comes, Israel refuses to submit or surrender to Roman authority. But Rome won't be stopped.

Vitas is conflicted - he is Roman and yet his heart belongs to Sophia a Jewish follower of Christos. Could the Nazarene crucified all those years ago truly have come back to life? As events unfold, it appears that that the Letter of The Revelation is being fulfilled before his very eyes. Does this mean that the Temple could indeed fall?

When the imminent destruction of Jerusalem seems certain, Titus son of Emperor Vespasian offers the Jews a compromise that could save the Temple. But Titus's offer of peace and surrender are rejected.

But throughout Vitas is being directed by a secret benefactor who has entrusted him with a token to both identify himself and to identify one to whom he would have to repay a debt if the Temple were to fall.

As time grows short Vitas finally learns of the debt he must repay, a debt that could cost him his very life. Can Vitas fulfill his obligation or will he fall before he comes to know the Christos?

The Last Temple is the concluding novel in the series that includes The Last Disciple and The Last Sacrifice



I received a copy of this book through the Tyndale Blogger Network for the purpose of this review. A favorable review was not required.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I had heard only two interpretations of the Book of Revelation. The dominate one I heard was the end of the world for us and it hadn't happened and the Left Behind movie(I also heard Catholics don't believe in the Rapture theory so I never thought about that one much). I had also heard that there was a theory that Revelation was about the 2nd fall of the Temple. I didn't know much about that event so I just accepted them as theories and had no idea what I thought and found Revelation confussing but willing to hear the theories. After this book, I might be more inclied to the Revelation prophicising the fall of Jerusalem.

Now about the book. The story really pulled me in. Vitas was a sympathetic, honorable hero that I just conected to. He, as well as all the other characters, was well developed and realistic. The building of the story as also good, slowly working up to the exciting, action parts and mystery unfloding just enough to keep the reader wondering what was going to happen. There were times I got confused and didn't understand all the conections but the intricacy kept me involved. I was almost not happy with the ending. The action went really close to the final page and I thought there wouldn't be enough time for a wrap-up. But, it was done beautiful and left with some hope for the characters in the future.

In exchange for an honost review, I received this book through the Tynadle Blogging Network.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice conclusion to the trilogy. Representing a different take on eschatology in fictional format. The other more well known being the dozen or so volume series - the "Left Behind" books by Tim Lahaye. Gives a perspective of the interpretation of Revelation as being intended for 1st century Christians (largely Jewish believers) on their needing to persevere against their persecution by "the Beast", being the Emperor Nero. It takes the fear and mystery out of a book from the Bible that has been greatly misunderstood for generations and offers a theological perspective that encourages and confirms our faith in Jesus as Messiah!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my typical fiction.

However, I was really surprised about how well this series and especially this last book handled the Book of Revelation. It was enjoyable and intellectual. Those don't typically go hand-in-hand.

I just loved the Arc of the Covenant , the fictionalized accounts so went well with the scriptures and history.

I am impressed. I'll probably dissect this book later.






The only negative is the obvious negative when reading these...so close, but why be so rational and biblical and then throw it out?!? The Sinner's Prayer, really?!?

[Roger Sigmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long awaited conclusion to the trilogy really delivers! A page rapid pace page turning historically accurate account of the Jewish war with the Romans. You will come away with a myriad of questions about the book of Revelation as well. The reader will want to study further into Revelation , 1st century history, and Roman/Jewish history in order to explore whether parts of John's prophecy might actually have been fulfilled in the 1st century.

This is a great book for the above reasons or if you just enjoy action packed adventure.
I hate to see this series come to an end :(

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has led me to really think about my position on Revelation. It was an interesting series. That said there were just a few things that drove me a bit nuts about the writing. Seriously, the man gets crucified, has a nail put through his palm and a little while later is grasping someone's arms? Nero doesn't have enough breath while dying to say "I know you!" but a second later has the breath to say something. It was annoying to me and probably more so just for the mood I was in. Glad I finished the series though.

[Margaret Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A culmination of events, Vitas, ex-soldier who had been in service to Nero, has been thrown into a journey unlike any other. He travelled from Rome to Caesarea and from there to Alexandria. Twice his life is spared and he finds himself in a complex of mysteries with only a letter of apocalyptic visions to guide him. He longs for a quiet domestic life and and an end to the mystery but when one mystery is solved, another is found until at least the end-the end of the last temple.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Temple had a compelling plot, vivid descriptions (the lightening storm stays with me), and likable/dynamic characters. I can't say I enjoyed this read though because I felt that the story's theological perspective promotes empire and some of the underling values expressed deeply offended me. A very well-written story from a theological and values perceptive that is very different from my own.

[Frode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigmund Brouwer has a gift for revealing just so much at a time to keep the mystery going as it unravels. This was #3 in the series, and I had read the other two some years back, so things were a bit dim, but it was a good story with multiple mysteries. It was a good read and is an answer to the Left Behind series that was so popular some years back.

[Danyelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

To win a copy of this book check out my review at my blog between August 20, 2012 and September 2, 2012: danyelle0423.wordpress.com