""Nero really is a beast""

The Roman Emperor, Nero, claimed to be God and insisted all people acknowledge his divinity under pain of death. It's easy to believe that the early Christians viewed him as the Antichrist. He killed so many of them. The authors of THE LAST DISCIPLE mix historical facts about Nero and other first century people and events with purely fictional people and events. They do it so smoothly that, unless you know the history, you won't be able to distinguish between the facts and the storyline. Gallus Sergius Vitas, the main fictional character, a former military hero and now a member of Nero's inner circle, gradually becomes disgusted with Nero's bestiality. Vitas saves John the Evangelist, the last disciple, along with three other Christians from Nero's cruel plot to murder them. John, the main historical character, escapes to continue warning Christians of the beast with the code number 666.

Vitas and his brother, Damian, are friends with the historical figure Titus (who will become Caesar after the destruction of The Jewish Temple). They meet Maglorius, ex- gladiator, a fictional character, and save a newborn infant left outside to die of exposure, a common practice in ancient Rome. Vitas befriends Sophia, the infant's defenseless nurse and falls in love with her. They marry even though she is Christian. Nero finds out and tries to humiliate Vitas by publicly seducing Sophia at one of Nero's banquets. Vitas intervenes, and both Vitas and Sophia are sentenced to die, Sophia by opening her veins, Vitas in the arena.

Friends save both of them. The novel ends with Vitas and John, the last disciple, smuggled out of Rome on a ship headed for Alexandria. This very interesting adventure story will capture your interest and teach you much about early Christian history. It is easy to see why the early Christians might have considered Nero as the Antichrist. The authors have put together a fascinating story showing how the predictions of Revelation might have been fulfilled during the early Church age rather than at a time future even to us as do some interpretations by other authors.

Maurice A. Williams

Reviewed by Maurice A. Williams
Posted July 18, 2006

Summary

What if the Antichrist has already been revealed? The first book in a gripping new series by best-selling authors Sigmund Brouwer and Hank Hanegraaff explores the lives of Christians who struggle to survive and spread the Gospel during the climactic turbulence of "the last days." With the enemy seeking to decipher the code of John's letter, Revelation, and destroy the church, believers must cling to the hope Revelation provides as they face the greatest of all persecutions. A spellbinding story of faith and fulfillment of prophecy. ﷯﷯Discover﷯﷯ the "code" of Revelation as you begin to see it through the eyes of the persecuted believers to whom it was written.