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Chronicles of the Nephilim #8
Jesus Triumphant
A Theological Novel of Christ’s Victory Over the Powers
The story of Christ like you’ve never heard it before. Told through the eyes of the two thieves on the cross and the spiritual warfare hidden from mortal men.
It starts with the temptation in the desert by Satan and ends with Christ’s descent into Hades, his resurrection and his ascension. In between, we see Jesus’ ministry in the context of the Biblical motif of Christ taking back the inheritance of the nations from the rebellious Sons of God. The demons that rose up in that day were not random but were the spirits of the dead Nephilim, and part of a comprehensive battle strategy between Christ and the Powers. When it comes to spiritual warfare, Jesus was no pacifist.
Jesus Triumphant explains why most people misunderstood the deliverer to be a worldly warrior king instead of the suffering Servant he was. He was a warrior, but it was a war they could not see with mortal eyes. In Jesus Triumphant, we now see it.
Part of the Biblical Fantasy Series Chronicles of the Nephilim
Jesus Triumphant is the eighth book of the Biblical Fantasy Series Chronicles of the Nephilim, an epic story that begins with Enoch and Noah and tells the Biblical storyline of the Genesis 6 Nephilim giants, hybrid offspring of the angelic Watchers mating with human women.
Jesus Triumphant will…
Show the spiritual warfare hidden from mortal eyes that attended Christ’s victory over the principalities and powers. The gods of the nations fight back with demons and face their ultimate battle.
Tell the story of Christ’s descent into Hades to free the captives and proclaim triumph to the bound angels from Noah’s Day (1 Peter 3:18-20).
Use the fantasy genre to express theological truth. Just like Lewis and Tolkien did.
Maintain respect for the Biblical text, while filling in gaps with Biblical imagination.
Learn About the Historical and Biblical Research Behind the Novel
Author Godawa shares the scholarly research that undergirds the fictional adventure. Jesus Triumphant has an appendix that explores the Biblical theology of Christ’s descent into Hades, as well as the true nature of demons and their purpose in the Gospels, the binding of spirits, the Gates of Hades and how it connects with Mount Hermon. You will never read the Gospels the same again.
A NOTE ON THE AGE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE NOVELS
Some Christians have asked what “rating” the novels have in terms of the portrayal of sex and violence. I would say the series is rated PG-13. The Chronicles do deal with evil behaviors that would be appropriate for mature teens and above. The violence in the Chronicles is like the book of Judges. The sexuality is like Song of Solomon, alluded to poetically, but obviously. The description of sexual evil is like Ezekiel 16, sometimes shocking, but never glorified. There is an occasional profane word or vulgarity like in Ezekiel 23, revealing spiritual wickedness.
The story of Christ like you’ve never heard it before. Told through the eyes of the two thieves on the cross and the spiritual warfare hidden from mortal men.
It starts with the temptation in the desert by Satan and ends with Christ’s descent into Hades, his resurrection and his ascension. In between, we see Jesus’ ministry in the context of the Biblical motif of Christ taking back the inheritance of the nations from the rebellious Sons of God. The demons that rose up in that day were not random but were the spirits of the dead Nephilim, and part of a comprehensive battle strategy between Christ and the Powers. When it comes to spiritual warfare, Jesus was no pacifist.
Jesus Triumphant explains why most people misunderstood the deliverer to be a worldly warrior king instead of the suffering Servant he was. He was a warrior, but it was a war they could not see with mortal eyes. In Jesus Triumphant, we now see it.
Part of the Biblical Fantasy Series Chronicles of the Nephilim
Jesus Triumphant is the eighth book of the Biblical Fantasy Series Chronicles of the Nephilim, an epic story that begins with Enoch and Noah and tells the Biblical storyline of the Genesis 6 Nephilim giants, hybrid offspring of the angelic Watchers mating with human women.
Jesus Triumphant will…
Show the spiritual warfare hidden from mortal eyes that attended Christ’s victory over the principalities and powers. The gods of the nations fight back with demons and face their ultimate battle.
Tell the story of Christ’s descent into Hades to free the captives and proclaim triumph to the bound angels from Noah’s Day (1 Peter 3:18-20).
Use the fantasy genre to express theological truth. Just like Lewis and Tolkien did.
Maintain respect for the Biblical text, while filling in gaps with Biblical imagination.
Learn About the Historical and Biblical Research Behind the Novel
Author Godawa shares the scholarly research that undergirds the fictional adventure. Jesus Triumphant has an appendix that explores the Biblical theology of Christ’s descent into Hades, as well as the true nature of demons and their purpose in the Gospels, the binding of spirits, the Gates of Hades and how it connects with Mount Hermon. You will never read the Gospels the same again.
A NOTE ON THE AGE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE NOVELS
Some Christians have asked what “rating” the novels have in terms of the portrayal of sex and violence. I would say the series is rated PG-13. The Chronicles do deal with evil behaviors that would be appropriate for mature teens and above. The violence in the Chronicles is like the book of Judges. The sexuality is like Song of Solomon, alluded to poetically, but obviously. The description of sexual evil is like Ezekiel 16, sometimes shocking, but never glorified. There is an occasional profane word or vulgarity like in Ezekiel 23, revealing spiritual wickedness.
364 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2015
526 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Brian Godawa
110 books385 followersBrian Godawa has been a professional filmmaker, writer, and designer for over 20 years. His creative versatility was born of a passion for both intellect and imagination, both left-brain and right-brain. The result: Brian is an artisan of word, image, and story that engages heart, mind, and soul. Just think, "Renaissance Man."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 11, 2020
Wow
Another fascinating book. I plan on re-reading this series more slowly, studying a little more, after reading them all. His books just make the Bible come alive. I highly recommend them. I said earlier, I had gotten sucked into the Ancient Aliens “proof”, but these books in the Nephilim series changed my view, answered so many questions, and brought me back to Christ. Thank you!
Another fascinating book. I plan on re-reading this series more slowly, studying a little more, after reading them all. His books just make the Bible come alive. I highly recommend them. I said earlier, I had gotten sucked into the Ancient Aliens “proof”, but these books in the Nephilim series changed my view, answered so many questions, and brought me back to Christ. Thank you!
August 10, 2024
Awesome
I love it how he makes his fantasy with the biblical stuff and makes people of this generation more interested maybe makes help some of these younger kids look into the Bible since it seems like nowadays everyone will do everything but go to Christ or read the Bible where the truth is
I love it how he makes his fantasy with the biblical stuff and makes people of this generation more interested maybe makes help some of these younger kids look into the Bible since it seems like nowadays everyone will do everything but go to Christ or read the Bible where the truth is
September 2, 2020
An excellent book for the finale of The Chronicles Of The Nephilim series! The book opens with Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness and goes from there. Also, Like with Rahab in Joshua Valiant, Godawa has a whole backstory to the two thieves on the cross, and even the centurion who recgonized Jesus' divinity at the crucifixion! I didn't even know that that's who these people were until the crucifixion scene, which, I will readily admit, caused me to shed big manly tears. I'm glad I was listening to the audiobook version or my smart phone might have short circuited. It's always emotional reflecting on what Jesus did for us on the cross. None of us deserve atonement or mercy, yet He was brutally tortured and killed so that we could avoid God's judgment. He took the penalty for my sin upon Himself. I also loved how the "Bulls Of Bashan" showed up and Mary Magdelene was able to see them because having previously been an Ob, she had insight into the unseen realm. As is pretty obvious, divine council theology heavily influenced this novel series. And divine council scholars like Michael Heiser have said that "The Bulls of Bashan" mentioned in the messianic prophesy of Psalm 22 are actually demons from Mount Hermon which also went by the name The Mountain Of Bashan, which is where the GIANT king Og ruled. Godawa talks about all of this in the appendix.
After Jesus and the two thieves died, there was this weird scene in some kind of alternate universe that they had to treck through to get to paradise/Heaven. And the repentant thief had to wield the whip sword Rahab to fight off the souls of the damned if he lagged too far behind Jesus. The way Godawa described it, it kind of reminded me of The Reverse World from the video game Pokemon Platinum Version. I wasn't too crazy about this portion of the novel because it was just....bizarre. I expected him to cut right to the following Sunday with the disparaging disciples instead of this weird treck in this weird realm. I thought at first that this would be the novelization of Jesus "preaching to the spirits in prison", but Jesus didn't do any preaching to any spirits. which as scholars have noted that when Peter says this, he's making an allusion 1 Enoch and Enoch's giving the message to the Watchers that God will judge them. For Paul, Jesus is the second Adam. For Peter, Jesus is the second enoch. According to Peter's epistle, Jesus went to Tartarus/Sheol to tell the Watchers that they're STILL doomed. Their plan to crush the seed of Eve and prevent their ultimate destruction had failed. I thought this scene would be about that, but it wasn't.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the whole series.
After Jesus and the two thieves died, there was this weird scene in some kind of alternate universe that they had to treck through to get to paradise/Heaven. And the repentant thief had to wield the whip sword Rahab to fight off the souls of the damned if he lagged too far behind Jesus. The way Godawa described it, it kind of reminded me of The Reverse World from the video game Pokemon Platinum Version. I wasn't too crazy about this portion of the novel because it was just....bizarre. I expected him to cut right to the following Sunday with the disparaging disciples instead of this weird treck in this weird realm. I thought at first that this would be the novelization of Jesus "preaching to the spirits in prison", but Jesus didn't do any preaching to any spirits. which as scholars have noted that when Peter says this, he's making an allusion 1 Enoch and Enoch's giving the message to the Watchers that God will judge them. For Paul, Jesus is the second Adam. For Peter, Jesus is the second enoch. According to Peter's epistle, Jesus went to Tartarus/Sheol to tell the Watchers that they're STILL doomed. Their plan to crush the seed of Eve and prevent their ultimate destruction had failed. I thought this scene would be about that, but it wasn't.
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the whole series.
December 13, 2024
**I was expecting more**
On the plus side, the prologue in this thing was, I kid you not, fanTASTIC. Godawa did a great job with embellishing the well-known event of Jesus's 40-day fast and the devil's schemes. It was written in precisely the way I was hoping the remainder of the book would follow. I felt hopeful that he was truly saving the best for last in this series and was ready to devour it.
But it was simply not to be.
Oh sure, there were definitely great depictions of certain other events, what little of them Godawa provided anyway. But too many other events were left out, or written in such a way that had me going, "Seriously?" For example, his version of Jesus's walk on the water was especially disappointing and effectively skewered my eager consumption of the rest of the book.
Though this was the entry I was most looking forward to, it unfortunately didn't guarantee that it would blow me away more than the others. Even with Jesus himself as the "star" of the story, it was just more of the same, really. The parts of the series I was never fond of, such as the chaotic pacing and convoluted plotlines that superseded actual Bible principles, were still heavily present here.
It felt like Jesus's life was mostly presented to me in a slideshow fashion, giving me chunks in bite-sized pieces without fully satisfying me. I do think the events post-crucifixion were fairly memorable and decently explored, but in the end, they didn't really amount to anything that made me go, "Now THIS was a great story!"
All in all, this series, while inventive and thorough and generally entertaining, it just didn't deliver to me what I was craving. I don't think I can do any more of Godawa's style of writing, but I certainly commend him on his wealth of knowledge, which he promptly provides in all of these stories. I think these are good books to read, but I personally have had my share.
On the plus side, the prologue in this thing was, I kid you not, fanTASTIC. Godawa did a great job with embellishing the well-known event of Jesus's 40-day fast and the devil's schemes. It was written in precisely the way I was hoping the remainder of the book would follow. I felt hopeful that he was truly saving the best for last in this series and was ready to devour it.
But it was simply not to be.
Oh sure, there were definitely great depictions of certain other events, what little of them Godawa provided anyway. But too many other events were left out, or written in such a way that had me going, "Seriously?" For example, his version of Jesus's walk on the water was especially disappointing and effectively skewered my eager consumption of the rest of the book.
Though this was the entry I was most looking forward to, it unfortunately didn't guarantee that it would blow me away more than the others. Even with Jesus himself as the "star" of the story, it was just more of the same, really. The parts of the series I was never fond of, such as the chaotic pacing and convoluted plotlines that superseded actual Bible principles, were still heavily present here.
It felt like Jesus's life was mostly presented to me in a slideshow fashion, giving me chunks in bite-sized pieces without fully satisfying me. I do think the events post-crucifixion were fairly memorable and decently explored, but in the end, they didn't really amount to anything that made me go, "Now THIS was a great story!"
All in all, this series, while inventive and thorough and generally entertaining, it just didn't deliver to me what I was craving. I don't think I can do any more of Godawa's style of writing, but I certainly commend him on his wealth of knowledge, which he promptly provides in all of these stories. I think these are good books to read, but I personally have had my share.
Read
February 22, 2022i have never imagined Jesus in the way Mr Godawa brought him to life in this book! Warrior, yet having a bit of the 'joky' side! and the way the Angels are portrayed as having been submissive to him, Man! this is just a brilliant piece.
Secondly, the 2 thieves story is so alive and real, the way their back story is built, leading them to the cross, is just phenomenal.
Well done Mr Godawa
Secondly, the 2 thieves story is so alive and real, the way their back story is built, leading them to the cross, is just phenomenal.
Well done Mr Godawa
April 6, 2022
I've enjoyed most of the other books in Godawa's various series, but I just couldn't appreciate the tone of Jesus Triumphant. I'm sorry, but the depiction of the archangels put me strongly in mind of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the journey through Hades was confusing. So, I can't recommend this book, but DO commend the others in the various series.
March 24, 2016
it was OK for the end,of the series. As usual Godawa put explanations in the back for why he put in things he did. I am holding judgment for the next series.
February 15, 2025
Spiritual warfare is very apparent and taught.
The book takes you through what is happening in Jesus ministry on earth and historical Rome. It also shows the spiritual warfare that has been going on since Adam and Eve and how it connects with the Nephilim of Genesis. I highly recommend this book to those who want to know more about spiritual warfare but it really helps the reader to know Old Testament stories. I think it might be hard to follow for new Christians who do not have a solid understanding of how the Old Testament prophecy and Jewish faith and customs are all fulfilled by Jesus.
The book takes you through what is happening in Jesus ministry on earth and historical Rome. It also shows the spiritual warfare that has been going on since Adam and Eve and how it connects with the Nephilim of Genesis. I highly recommend this book to those who want to know more about spiritual warfare but it really helps the reader to know Old Testament stories. I think it might be hard to follow for new Christians who do not have a solid understanding of how the Old Testament prophecy and Jewish faith and customs are all fulfilled by Jesus.
June 29, 2021
When the King of Kings is BA
Whoever thinks God is boring needs to read this! This is the climax to the Chronicles of the Nephilim series and it is AMAZING!!!
Some parts are a little more tell than show, but I believe the intent is to clarify things in Scripture that rarely made sense before as well as enriching the action.
In the spirit of Wendy Alec, Brian Godawa does an awesome job drawing a picture of the battles Jesus wages on our behalf and beautiful homage to His gift to Man. I may have cued the Avengers Theme during the battle sequences.....
Christa
Whoever thinks God is boring needs to read this! This is the climax to the Chronicles of the Nephilim series and it is AMAZING!!!
Some parts are a little more tell than show, but I believe the intent is to clarify things in Scripture that rarely made sense before as well as enriching the action.
In the spirit of Wendy Alec, Brian Godawa does an awesome job drawing a picture of the battles Jesus wages on our behalf and beautiful homage to His gift to Man. I may have cued the Avengers Theme during the battle sequences.....
Christa
July 23, 2018
Wonderful!
If you adore the story of Jesus and enjoy attempting to understand more of how it could have been during his strife for our benefit, I recommend you read this book (and the whole series). The storyline of his spiritual war while doing everything the Bible already tells us it captivating and, of course, this is a fiction book, it’s still wonderfully written and really makes you think. Thanks for this amazing series!!
If you adore the story of Jesus and enjoy attempting to understand more of how it could have been during his strife for our benefit, I recommend you read this book (and the whole series). The storyline of his spiritual war while doing everything the Bible already tells us it captivating and, of course, this is a fiction book, it’s still wonderfully written and really makes you think. Thanks for this amazing series!!
May 24, 2025
This has been a fun guilty pleasure series to read. Fascinating to reimagine Biblical stories through a supernatural lens. However, they’ve never been particularly well-written. The dialogue is corny, and the author over explains things. And that’s taken to the Nth degree in this finale. Some of the worst, cheesiest dialogue I’ve read since rereading some of my middle school creative writing pieces. I’m glad I finished the series because I’m not a quitter, but this one was baaaaad.
September 19, 2025
When I read the part towards the beginning of the book that said when Jesus walked on water he was walking on leviathan I about threw the thing in the garbage...except I was reading it on a Kindle so I couldn't. There were a lot of concerning things throughout this entire series. I read it because it was recommended to me by several people and I want to be able to talk to them about it. I definitely won't be recommending it though.
May 3, 2020
Not your normal bible story
Astoundingly good!! If you haven't read the series stop and start with the 1st book. But, what a end to such a wonderful series. I saw Jesus as never before and yes, it had to end just as it did. Once again, thanks for sharing your research and thoughts on how you developed this story. It clears up so much.
Astoundingly good!! If you haven't read the series stop and start with the 1st book. But, what a end to such a wonderful series. I saw Jesus as never before and yes, it had to end just as it did. Once again, thanks for sharing your research and thoughts on how you developed this story. It clears up so much.
November 4, 2022
hey fictional story of Jesus
This is a fictional story of Jesus‘s last days on earth. The book uses verses from the Bible and the old and New Testament to tell fictional story of how Jesus and god father guns the false gods of the earth. I found the book very interesting and somewhat follows the Bible. I recommend this book for those who like to read biblical fiction.
This is a fictional story of Jesus‘s last days on earth. The book uses verses from the Bible and the old and New Testament to tell fictional story of how Jesus and god father guns the false gods of the earth. I found the book very interesting and somewhat follows the Bible. I recommend this book for those who like to read biblical fiction.
March 26, 2024
Amazing interpretation!
This book gives a great and wonderful insight into biblical history. The imagination and inspiration really bring Jesus’ story to life in a way that makes it more digestible to everyone! I have really enjoyed this whole series “The Chronicles of the Nephillim”. It truly gives the reader a broader and more complete idea of what happened in biblical times.
This book gives a great and wonderful insight into biblical history. The imagination and inspiration really bring Jesus’ story to life in a way that makes it more digestible to everyone! I have really enjoyed this whole series “The Chronicles of the Nephillim”. It truly gives the reader a broader and more complete idea of what happened in biblical times.
April 17, 2024
Chronicles worth your time!
I absolutely loved these books! Brian Godawa presents an action packed yet Biblical rich with God's Truth story that will keep you reading from one book to the next! They're that good! Check them out. I know they blessed me in my walk with Christ and I pray they do the same for you.
I absolutely loved these books! Brian Godawa presents an action packed yet Biblical rich with God's Truth story that will keep you reading from one book to the next! They're that good! Check them out. I know they blessed me in my walk with Christ and I pray they do the same for you.
May 22, 2025
Jesus Triumphant
This book started out with Jesus walking through the desert being tempted by the devil himself. I really enjoyed the descriptions and backstory of how the accuser came to be with his fallen angels.
As for the Archangels, love the humor that is added. Really enjoyed this book.
This book started out with Jesus walking through the desert being tempted by the devil himself. I really enjoyed the descriptions and backstory of how the accuser came to be with his fallen angels.
As for the Archangels, love the humor that is added. Really enjoyed this book.
January 22, 2018
Best series that I have read in years
I would recommend this series of books for anyone wanting to see what life was like in bible times. Very exciting and full of details. Love this series.
I would recommend this series of books for anyone wanting to see what life was like in bible times. Very exciting and full of details. Love this series.
June 23, 2021
Thought provoking and context immersing- I enjoyed the interaction and character of Jesus in this one.
I appreciate his research and understanding of end times events and how it pertains to the end of the old covenant.
I appreciate his research and understanding of end times events and how it pertains to the end of the old covenant.
July 10, 2024
Godawa brings Scripture to life!
This is the 8th book I’ve read of the Nephilim/Watchers series in 6 weeks. I can’t put them down. Godawa skillfully weaves facts with adventure and fantasy. Tolkien himself would be impressed, I think.
This is the 8th book I’ve read of the Nephilim/Watchers series in 6 weeks. I can’t put them down. Godawa skillfully weaves facts with adventure and fantasy. Tolkien himself would be impressed, I think.
January 26, 2025
Excellent
Speculation at it's very best with plenty of Scriptural inclusions to justify the speculation. Twists the mind around in profound ways that leads me to the Scriptures more often than I recently have done.
Speculation at it's very best with plenty of Scriptural inclusions to justify the speculation. Twists the mind around in profound ways that leads me to the Scriptures more often than I recently have done.
November 7, 2016
This whole series is amazing. But, this was my least favorite and I was really looking forward to it more then any others. It just didn't grab me and suck me in like the rest of the books did.
June 2, 2017
Fantastic reading.
Another great book. It gives more lite into what was going on around Jerusalem at the same time the Apostles were called by Jesus.
Another great book. It gives more lite into what was going on around Jerusalem at the same time the Apostles were called by Jesus.
August 26, 2018
Good, but...
I had a hard time reading this book. It was very hard to follow. It definitely picked up in the last few chapters but very slow going at first.
I had a hard time reading this book. It was very hard to follow. It definitely picked up in the last few chapters but very slow going at first.
February 13, 2019
Insightful
It gives you a different view into the life of Jesus and the Jewish and Roman culture at the time.
It gives you a different view into the life of Jesus and the Jewish and Roman culture at the time.
March 15, 2021
Yes sir
This was enjoyable. Gives glimpse of the unseen realm.
Highly recommend for those looking for deeper truths in God’s word.
This was enjoyable. Gives glimpse of the unseen realm.
Highly recommend for those looking for deeper truths in God’s word.
April 10, 2024
Well, this series has been...interesting.
November 8, 2024
Another amazing story.
Hard to put down. New spins on old stories. Love his writings. I keep coming back for more. Will be reading the next.
Hard to put down. New spins on old stories. Love his writings. I keep coming back for more. Will be reading the next.
March 12, 2017
PLEASE Remember, THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION!
The best book of the Nephilim series ! told from the view of Barabbas and the two thieves on the cross, combining Pagan myth and Catholic tradition, yet retaining the essence of the Gospel.
you are encouraged to read the rest of the series, before tackling this book.
The series is controversial in parts; not for young readers.... praise for The Chronicles of the Nephilim series.
The best book of the Nephilim series ! told from the view of Barabbas and the two thieves on the cross, combining Pagan myth and Catholic tradition, yet retaining the essence of the Gospel.
you are encouraged to read the rest of the series, before tackling this book.
The series is controversial in parts; not for young readers.... praise for The Chronicles of the Nephilim series.
December 30, 2015
I enjoyed this book like I have the others in this series. I'm interested in seeing how the final book Jerusalem Judgement is going to be. It seems the author has possibly a partial preterist view which I tend to not agree with preterism. But I still am very interested to see how he concludes the series. My only complaint about Jesus Triumphant was I just wished we would've seen more of Jesus & his interactions between Him, the disciples, & of course the supernatural characters of the Watchers & Angels. Don't get me wrong, there definitely is a certain amount of focus on this, but I feel a good portion of the story was on the Jewish uprising
& zealots like Barrabas & the characters Demas & Gestas. I was interested in that part, but not as interested as I would've been to see more of Jesus' interaction with others. I did really love how the author told Mary Magdelene's story! When Jesus freed her from those 7 demons it was so powerful & awesome to see His love & compassion for her. All in all I really enjoyed this book & recommend it.
& zealots like Barrabas & the characters Demas & Gestas. I was interested in that part, but not as interested as I would've been to see more of Jesus' interaction with others. I did really love how the author told Mary Magdelene's story! When Jesus freed her from those 7 demons it was so powerful & awesome to see His love & compassion for her. All in all I really enjoyed this book & recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews