"The Last Disciple" is a fast-paced thriller set in the first century in Rome. It follows a multitude of characters, but these are characters who either personally or intersect with someone who has intersected with Vitas. Thus its leading character is most decisively Vitas, a powerful and respected Roman and a member of Emperor Nero's inner circle. Vitas falls in love with Sophia, a Jewish former slave who becomes a Christian, and marries her. That appears to be the climax of the first novel, along with Vitas amazing and seemingly unrealistic escape from the arena, prompting the next book.
But the most important theme of the book is the different perspective on the book of Revelation, the last book of what we now know as the New Testament. This perspective is different from other interpretations of Revelation, generally seen as the events of The Last Days before The End of the World and the Return of the Christ, when God will right all wrongs and completely destroy Satan and His influence on the world forever (which will happen in some way or another).
It also brings up good points - to modern readers the significance of seven hills or seven stars doesn't mean much, but in the ancient world it would have been symbols of divinity and kings. Imagining a slain Lamb would have been different to the Jews than to the Romans or even modern readers. And, since the events of the crucxification were in their memories and John had actually seen it, it adds even more relevance. I'm interested to see how he handles the rest of the text in the later novels. And the characters are certainly memorable, Nero with his insanity, Helius with his overtures of promiscuity and obsesession with physical appearance and his insecurity in his own power as Nero's right hand, the bruteness of Tigellinus, Chayim and his betrayal. The others, Sophia, Valeria, Maglorious, Quintus, Vitas, even Jonathan who exchanged his life for Vitas' and his family's, are all realistic. All in all, an engaging, invigorating read with a twist.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
But the most important theme of the book is the different perspective on the book of Revelation, the last book of what we now know as the New Testament. This perspective is different from other interpretations of Revelation, generally seen as the events of The Last Days before The End of the World and the Return of the Christ, when God will right all wrongs and completely destroy Satan and His influence on the world forever (which will happen in some way or another).
It also brings up good points - to modern readers the significance of seven hills or seven stars doesn't mean much, but in the ancient world it would have been symbols of divinity and kings. Imagining a slain Lamb would have been different to the Jews than to the Romans or even modern readers. And, since the events of the crucxification were in their memories and John had actually seen it, it adds even more relevance. I'm interested to see how he handles the rest of the text in the later novels. And the characters are certainly memorable, Nero with his insanity, Helius with his overtures of promiscuity and obsesession with physical appearance and his insecurity in his own power as Nero's right hand, the bruteness of Tigellinus, Chayim and his betrayal. The others, Sophia, Valeria, Maglorious, Quintus, Vitas, even Jonathan who exchanged his life for Vitas' and his family's, are all realistic. All in all, an engaging, invigorating read with a twist.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
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