In the Twinkling of an Eye

by Sydney Watson

Excerpt from In the Twinkling of an Eye
So much for the letter. The moral of it lies on the surface. There are some persons who seem unable to see anything from the side of real, actual life - that Ladies' committee could not -whose vision is narrowed down to the tiny slit of their own cramped, cabined life and thought, they have no true outlook upon life, as a whole.
I preface this foreward with the above incident, because I am perfectly certain that the standpoint from which I have written this book will be utterly, absolutely misunderstood by many earnest, loving-hearted people, whose eyes, with my own, have caught the upward gaze from whence we look for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Religion

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1910

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a chance to get your hands on a copy of this gem of a book, I highly recommend you do so. I believe this book was written in 1918, and it is very interesting to read a story of the rapture that was written so long ago. Set in London, the language is writing style is definately from that time period, and little tidbits about horse-drawn cabs, lighting lanterns when they enter a house, etc. really add to the feel and charm of this book.

[David Bergsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic indeed...

That an endtimes book, published in 1911, could nearly match anything written today blows the mind. The signs shine even more clearly now. This book shares Truth though it does no service in allowing the instant repentance and redemption of souls left behind. I'm not at all sure this will work as easily as this type of book proposes.

[Jason Snelgrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Twinkling of an Eye" by Sydney Watson, a world in turmoil witnesses an extraordinary event: the sudden disappearance of millions of people, leaving behind a bewildered and shaken society. This classic novel of Christ's return is set in turn-of-the-twentieth-century London, offering a unique perspective on the rapture for those who appreciate end-times fiction.

The story follows Tom Hammond, an eyewitness and journalist, as he grapples with the implications of this extraordinary event. Watson skilfully weaves a tale that explores the profound questions surrounding the rapture. Who is taken and who remains? What happens to those left behind? These uncertainties form the backdrop for an engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked until the very end.

What makes "Twinkling of an Eye" a true gem is its historical context. Written in 1911, the book offers a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of that era, both in terms of language and culture. The quaint descriptions of horse-drawn cabs and the custom of lighting lanterns when entering a house transport readers to a bygone era, adding an extra layer of charm to the story.

Sydney Watson's writing style, firmly rooted in the time period, may require some adjustment for modern readers. However, this only enhances the authenticity of the narrative, immersing readers in the atmosphere of early twentieth-century London. The attention to detail and the rich historical backdrop serve as a testament to the author's dedication to capturing the essence of the time.

While "Twinkling of an Eye" primarily focuses on the rapture and its aftermath, the book also delves into the spiritual and personal journeys of the characters. Through their experiences, Watson prompts readers to reflect on their own faith and the implications of Christ's return. This introspective element adds depth to the story and fosters a connection between readers and the characters.

If you have the opportunity to acquire a copy of "Twinkling of an Eye," I highly recommend doing so. This captivating novel offers a unique perspective on the rapture, written during a time when such ideas were less commonplace. The historical setting and attention to detail create an immersive reading experience that will transport you back in time. Sydney Watson's storytelling prowess and the timeless themes explored in this book make it a worthwhile addition to any reader's collection.

[Calle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was difficult to rate but I’m being generous and give it 3 stars, not as much on merit as because it was interesting as a curiosity.

A christian end times novel written over a century ago (1910 or 1919, depending on source), it tells the story of a newspaper editor in London who hears about biblical prophecies of Christ’s second coming and starts to investigate. The plot relies heavily on coincidences (he runs into an old friend who gives him his dream job as editor of a new newspaper the same day he got fired from his old job, and once he gets interested in religion he seems to always be at the right place at the right time to get information he needs). The rapture finally happens (but not until near the end of the book, leaving room for a sequel.

It’s not a great book but it was interesting. The irony, of course, is that the book is over 100 years old and Christ still hasn’t returned, but Christian preachers are still saying it’s going to happen very soon (and their interpretations of the prophecies constantly change to fit into new historical events).

[GJ S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart opening story of future times

This is such a sad and heart breaking story of future events. I am so happy the main characters were turned to Jesus. This book is side by side with God's word. As hard as it is to face the facts it's time to live for Him. Thank you to the author for this easy to read and understand the tribulation.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Faith Classical, written in1910 about the 'End-Times' as a Fiction story. Watson's goal was to wake-up 'Careless' People' with true Biblical Scriptures from the King James Bible.

Amazing what Watson wrote which holds true today about the 'Rapture'; the second coming of Christ. When Christ comes in the air to gather His elect people from the grave and from the earth to Him.

What happens when 'one is taken (disappears) and the other is left' standing on earth? What horror will the people go through during the 'Tribulation? It's unbelievable that this book of fiction was written so long ago but holds true today just as God's Word teaches. I enjoyed the book, a good story with good substance.

[G Wayne W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maranatha

“It may be said that our position bears some likeness to that of the people who were destroyed by the flood. Those antediluvians had one hundred and twenty years’ warning; we, as professing Christians, have had...two thousand years’ warning...."

[Anna Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dated dispensationalism.

[Madge Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I believe it was written for the Biblical information he wanted to share about salvation, the rapture, and end times, and the story was used to get his point across. He presented It well. Hats off to those who kept these truths alive for future generations to build on.

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Around 85 years before Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye penned the enormously popular “Left Behind” series, Sydney Watson wrote a trilogy of novels about the end-times. In the Twinkling of an Eye was his first, coming out initially in 1910. Although not particularly well-written, it fascinated me to know that he wrote about the formation of the Jewish state 35 years before it occurred. He also wrote about the rebuilding of the Jewish temple… still waiting on that one.
This specific edition is edited and abridged. The original contained an additional chapter or two, many references of poetry and hymns, and a smattering of politically incorrect characterizations.
Dialog at times is stilted and stodgy, but I was charmed by the romantic Victorian style.
If you have interest in the development of end-times thinking, consider this one. It is a quick read.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late author Sydney Watson's first book in an "end times" trilogy gives Jenkins and LaHaye a run for their money. Set in 1910's England, it has the charm of an old-school live-action Disney movie, with a great plot and engaging characters! I sure hope the other books in the series are still in print!

[Venus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't really care for this book. It was written with old english, early twentieth-century talk. Once I got used to the speech, it still didn't hold my attention.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Rick]

I agree that the setting of the Rapture around theturn of the *20* Century majes this fun to read....