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Tribulation Force (Left Behind #2)

by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins (Goodreads Author)

3.94 · Rating Details · 31,165 Ratings · 757 Reviews

In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear.

Those left behind face war, famine, plagues, and natural disasters so devastating that only one in four people will survive. Odds are even worse for enemies of the Antichrist and his new world order.

Rayford Steele, Buck Williams, Bruce Barnes, and Chloe Steele band together to form the Tribulation Force. Their ...more

Paperback, 452 pages

Published April 25th 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers (first published 1996)

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Dec 22, 2010 Lynda Loges rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lb-christian-fiction

Absolutely fantastic. My first taste of christian fiction and it made me want to read the Bible again. It left me craving more and turned me back to the Lord. Thank you!!

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Oct 12, 2009 Greg rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

Oh Left Behind books, our time is through with each other. I am going to send you all away from my house now. I just don't know what to do with you, you are not worth selling on Amazon since you are so common you fetch no money, but do I donate you and live with the guilt that maybe some poor gullible lost soul buys you and is influenced to believe in this sci-fi bullshit that is passed off as truth? I hate to throw books out, but you might just be heading towards the big recycling bin in the sk ...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Amanda rated it liked it

First, I must dispute some of the claims made by other reviewers. They claim that this series is sexist, mainly because of the character of Hattie Durham. That is ridiculous, not only because such women exist in the world, but especially because there are other female characters (Chloe, for example) who do not behave in this manner. Additionally, there are male characters who have impure sexual motives as well. So, calling this book sexist is utterly unfounded. Secondly, they have called this bo First, I must dispute some of the claims made by other reviewers. They claim that this series is sexist, mainly because of the character of Hattie Durham. That is ridiculous, not only because such women exist in the world, but especially because there are other female characters (Chloe, for example) who do not behave in this manner. Additionally, there are male characters who have impure sexual motives as well. So, calling this book sexist is utterly unfounded. Secondly, they have called this book "racist." Now that I didn't get at all, since race is not even mentioned in this book... so I can't fight fire with fire when there isn't any fuel. And lastly, they claimed that this book is "offensive to anyone who isn't a born-again Christian." Well, I'm not. I'm Catholic, and I'm not offended. But I also have more than half a brain to think with.

The authors' theology does come on a bit strong -- but really, consider the source. Both are established Christian writers. What did you think they would write about? Some sort of philosophy in which God doesn't really care about our ultimate fate? That seems to be the popular idea nowadays, but still not one everyone embraces. These authors are writing from their ideas and their life experiences, which surely are different from mine or yours. Additionally, if you are trying to compare this fictional work with the text of the Bible, this series will come up short every time -- it is FICTION for a reason! It is someone's idea of what COULD happen, not a definite foretelling of what will happen.

I enjoyed this book because it is a fascinating look at what COULD happen at the end of time. How the "Rapture" will effect the global economy, politics, and families. How easily people can be deceived and killed with kindness. It makes the reader reflect on what he or she would do in that situation. It was a very easy read, and very entertaining. I will absolutely be reading the next in the series. My only real complaint with this book, which to me was a noticeable step down from the first book, was that about 100 or so pages were devoted to Buck's and Chloe's relationship, which was filled with bumbling dialogue and halting narration. Clearly, romance is not the authors' forte. ...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Timothy rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

While slightly better written than the first book (which is like saying steer manure is slightly better smelling than cow manure), this second helping of the "Left Behind" series suffers even more from lack of storytelling ability and imagination. The first 1/3 - 1/2 of the book is mostly taken up with an insipid budding romance fraught with problems of mistaken identity and mixed signals that seems like it was lifted straight out of any bad sit-com you can name. And once that is finally resolve ...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Amanda Caldwell rated it really liked it

Shelves: made-into-movie, dystopia-apocalypse, the-midwest, new-york, christian-fiction, a-z-title-challenge-2013, 1990s, around-the-world-challenge-2013, 50-states-reading-challenge-2013

I really enjoyed this book like the first one. There were a few things that annoyed me though.

1. Rayford and Chloe's relationship. It didn't seem believable as a father and daughter relationship. I guess they were just very open and that's great, but I didn't fully buy it. I found myself wondering if perhaps the authors (both males) were living vicariously through Rayford and wishing their relationships with their own daughters were so amazing. A lot of times I kept feeling like I was stuck in a ...more

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Aug 20, 2009 Michael rated it it was ok

I read the first of the Left Behind novels a little over a year ago and never really felt any compelling need or desire to continue reading the series. But based on the recommendation of several friends, I picked up the second novel in the series and gave it a try.

And while I liked Tribulation Force and it was a fairly quick read, I can't say that I was overly impressed by it.

Please don't misunderstand me--the authors have done a great job of researching the end times as predicted in Revelations ...more

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Aug 15, 2016 Vanessa rated it did not like it

Why did I read two of these? Why are there so many good reviews? Surely the Antichrist is to blame on both counts.

I hate to leave reviews this brief and snarky, so I had to come back and elaborate. 20 years ago, when these books first came out, I was working in an office in Lexington, Ky, with a large number of evangelical type folks. They were nice guys, but given to starting arguments about evolution (it's all made up, have you heard?), singing Gospel songs at top volume in the office, and on Why did I read two of these? Why are there so many good reviews? Surely the Antichrist is to blame on both counts.

I hate to leave reviews this brief and snarky, so I had to come back and elaborate. 20 years ago, when these books first came out, I was working in an office in Lexington, Ky, with a large number of evangelical type folks. They were nice guys, but given to starting arguments about evolution (it's all made up, have you heard?), singing Gospel songs at top volume in the office, and one of them once told another one that a recently deceased family member would "burn in Hell" if she hadn't been saved. Honestly, that last bit even shocked the other evangelical guy.

Anyway, they were all reading these books and digging on them hard. I guess they thought, "Hey, let's recommend them to that Heathen girl." (<--that's me, your humble narrator.) The first book was no great shakes and nothing was going to onboard me with the End Times philosophy, but it did have a certain compelling flow. I did have to get through to the end to see what happened, even as I'm still embarrassed to admit it. They loaned me the second one then, this book. At this point, I noticed a disquieting sort of joy at this upcoming tribulation business emanating from the text. Maybe I was imagining it, but it sure seems like Tim LaHaye (the half of the writing duo that provided all the Rapture intel) was positively gleeful over the shitstorm in store for all those non-believers. I did finish the book before I returned it.

I don't know where exactly I'm going with this. I guess that the series is supposedly a conversion tool, but why would you want to woo people to your beliefs just by terrorizing them? Are they really going to be sincere practitioners of the faith, or just terrified that the Anti-Christ is hiding under their beds with a bunch of Ozzy Osbourne albums? (and if he is, does he have a spare copy of Bark at the Moon, because my version is really scratched up.) Also, there's the small matter that the Rapture is hardly universally accepted amongst theological scholars. In fact, almost no scholars-real ones-believe in it.

I remain an Atheist, so mission not achieved. I doubt in reality many minds were swayed by these books though.

The series was not only a tool, it was a serious cash cow. It spawned 16 books in this series alone. There is also a "Children's" series which sounds hideous. And there's a video game series where the players can either pray at or shoot non-believers. See? I was right. This whole phenomenon is offensive as shit. ...more

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Jan 31, 2015 Tad Callin rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: people I already hate

Recommended to Tad by: Mom

I wouldn't normally "review" a book I hadn't read, but I feel it's only fair in this case because publishers shouldn't produce a book that hasn't been written.

My mother, knowing that I'm a science fiction fan, sent me a big box full of these books, hopeful (apparently) that I would read them and share her great joy in their riveting depiction of the events in the book of Revelation as they unfold in a near-future (apparently not May 2011). I did try. I made it through the first chapter before I ...more

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May 03, 2008 Joel rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobooks

The story continues. The romance story line gets really intersting for a while, then ends up getting sappy toward the end of the book.

Suspense, intrigue etc. etc.

[personal complaints]:
They actually moved the U.N. to a place called "New Babylon". I can't believe people, especially religious people (for example the Catholics, or especially the Jews that were left behind) would not see that there was something spiritually fishy about that idea, seeing how frequently the name of Babylon is used in ...more

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Sep 20, 2007 Amanda rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Christians/lovers of Christian fiction/fans of prophecy

Shelves: spiritual, disturbing

After the first one, I didn't really want to chew through alot of political stuff. I liked the first book, but parts of it moved really slow for me.

However, book 2 in the Left Behind series was great. While still slightly political, the action is much more fast paced. As the group of four who call themselves the Tribulation Force move closer to the signing of the treaty which will start the seven year Tribulation period, the world rejoices in the new world leader, Nicolae Carpathia. Even religi ...more

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Jul 02, 2016 Alexander rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-reads-2016, 2016, books-that-made-me-cry, books-that-make-you-think, favorites

Tribulation Force is the second book in the Left Behind Series. The novel picks up a few days later from where Left Behind left off.

The book was written very well and does a really good job portraying how events are occurring throughout the novel. The ending becomes very intense which prohibits you from being able to put the bookdown. Over all the book was extremely intense and is a excellent recommended read.

Pros

Character development
Plot development
Intense
Clift hangers

Cons

A bit slow at time ...more

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May 05, 2016 Sarita rated it really liked it

Shelves: library

Another great book in the Left Behind series. This book continues where Left Behind ended. We follow Bruce, Rayford, Buck and Chloe as they further make sense out of everything that is happening.

This series is pushing me to study Revelations.

A series to be read in order. Recommended for readers interested in the end times and who would like to break open Revelations.

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May 11, 2016 Allison Winchester bean rated it liked it

This one actually got a little more interesting to me.

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Mar 08, 2015 David Sarkies rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: Nobody

Recommended to David by: Some Christian Fundamentalists

Shelves: christian

Adventures of some post-apocalyptic superheroes
18 August 2012

There are two problems with me mentioning what happened in this book and it has something to do with having read it a while ago and wanting to actually put the book out of my mind. What I can say is that the book continues from where the last book finished where the main Christian characters decide to form some elite commando group called the Tribulation Force to go and tell as many people the gospel of Jesus as possible. A noble idea Adventures of some post-apocalyptic superheroes
18 August 2012

There are two problems with me mentioning what happened in this book and it has something to do with having read it a while ago and wanting to actually put the book out of my mind. What I can say is that the book continues from where the last book finished where the main Christian characters decide to form some elite commando group called the Tribulation Force to go and tell as many people the gospel of Jesus as possible. A noble idea and something that we should consider doing ourselves, except that while the gospel should be first and foremost in our lives, we should learn to balance our relationships with others so that we do not drive them away with them thinking that we are fundamentalist jerks.

I have known people that base their relationships purely on their success of sharing the gospel with others. A friend of mine once said that he met somebody in his university course whom he became friends with however as soon as this person discovered he was a Christian, she no longer wanted to have anything to do with him, and this person was a Christian. Others make friends and immediately launch into a gospel presentation, and when that person rejects the presentation, they simply dump that person and move on to a new person. I can understand some of the reasoning of the second person (though not the first) however I have always preferred to develop the friendship alongside my love of Christ so that while they know that I am a Christian, they can also see my Christianity in action and respond appropriately. I have had rabidly anti-Christians come to me and tell me that I am one of the best Christians that they have known, and with that, I feel that my role in their understanding of the gospel has been successful. Remember, sharing our faith does not come down to runs on the board, but rather our living relationships with others, both Christian and non-Christian.

Now, I will speak about the idea of pre-millennialism. This is the theory that there is a period in the future (usually the near future) in which all Christians will be taken from the Earth (the rapture) which will herald in a period known as the last days, or the Tribulation. During this period things will go from bad to very bad, namely because the moderating force of Christianity is no longer present. This period usually lasts for seven years, at which time Christ will return and rule for 1000 years. At the end of that thousand years the final battle between God and Satan will be fought with God being the ultimate victor.

I used to subscribe to this idea, but not any more as I feel that there are a number of problems with this theology. First of all, where do all the bad people go for the millenium? They suggest that they are still present, only they are under the authority of God no matter how much they hate it. The second is that there is a focus on the rapture that could happen at any time, so we need to be prepared. Graeme Goldsworthy supports my view on this in that whatever the idea of the rapture, we must remember that we could die at anytime, and the fact that I could walk out onto High Street and get hit by a bus sort of makes the idea of the rapture a moot point. Yes, the rapture could occur, but then so could my cold blooded murder. I think we need to be aware of the fact that we all die more than the belief that all Christians could suddenly vanish. If that is the case, at least we get a second chance. There is no second chance where death is involved.

Another problem is Jesus' warnings about calculating times and dates. He specifically says that we should avoid trying to pinpoint a time when he is coming. As he says, he will come like a thief in the night, suddenly and unexpected, and that we should actually avoid those people that try to tell us when he is coming, or even pointing to events and saying that these events say that he is coming soon. Of course he is coming soon, he told us that when he was on Earth, and he has been coming soon for the last two thousand years. Time to God is not time to us. God is patient, and to God a thousand years is a day and a day is a thousand years. We should be aware, just like death, Jesus could come at anytime, and there is no actual event that will signal this, beyond his death and resurrection.

It is also interesting that in one of the epistles (I cannot remember which one) we are warned against focusing on times and dates as it is distracting. It seems that even as far back as the early church people were caught up with times and dates, whether it be when he would return, or the exact age of the church, or whether God created the world in a literal or figurative seven days. We are told that this is not only irrelevant, it is also very distracting. It takes us away from the centrality of Christ's death and resurrection, and gets us caught up in fringe arguments that have nothing to do with our salvation. ...more

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Oct 04, 2016 Nola rated it it was amazing

The book is a page turner. Some of the things happening are true today. One world order! I recommend this book to Christians or anyone who likes stories that could be true.

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Sep 10, 2016 Sara Parker rated it it was ok

Shelves: religious, fiction, science-fiction, meh

Hey, Nicolae is the Antichrist.

Did you know Nicolae is the Antichrist?

I'm certain Nicolae is the Antichrist.

That is how the first third of this book went. It was repetitive and boring. The repetitiveness didn't end. Fortunately, the plot picked up - in the last chapter.

Raymond was a badgering nut. I get wanting to share your faith, but at the cost of pushing people away? At the cost of repelling them from Christianity forever? His character is the epitome of why the world holds us Christians in ...more

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Jan 25, 2016 Darrell Marshall rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: NO ONE.

Shelves: christian-false-doctrine

If the whole series of the "Left Behind" books were not based on a very deceptive teaching that was NEVER taught in the early Church, and in fact, originated less than 200 years ago, I may have given them 3 or 4 stars, because they are not that bad as works of fiction.

But because Tim LaHaye teaches in supplementary books and group study workbooks, that the "Pre-Tribulation Rapture" is Biblical Doctrine, his multi-million dollar bestselling series is no longer just a "Christian Fiction Thiller", ...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Elle rated it liked it

In the second book in the Left Behind series, Tribulation Force, we continue following the lives of those left behind after the rapture. Rayford Steele, his daughter Chloe, and Buck Williams have all become followers of Christ and along with other new followers have committed to fighting off the Antichrist Nicolae Carpathia and introducing as many people as they can to Christ.
Throughout this book Buck and Chloe have married, and Buck and Raymond have each taken their own assignments in finding ...more

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Dec 15, 2014 James Rieser rated it it was amazing

This is a great book. In this book Buck Williams, a reporter for GNN, is working on spreading the good news. After Nicolae Carpathia asked Buck to join his team, Buck has to chose his decisions carefully because if he picks poorly, Nicolae might find out his secret. While this is going on the rest of the gang are trying to recruit more people to become Christians to join the tribulation. This is an exciting sequel to the book Left Behind; I loved it.
This story has a great plot and I hope you e ...more

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Feb 23, 2014 Connor rated it really liked it

After reading Book One of the "Left Behind" series, I read the second book "Tribulation Force" hoping it would be better than the first one. It was! I liked the first book, but parts of it moved really slow for me. I know part of that was because they had to build all the characters, but in Book Two the story really gets going. Book Two was great for me because it moved faster and had a stronger story line. If you're a religious reader and you want a good series, even though I have only read two ...more

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Nov 04, 2009 Mike (the Paladin) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I don't have a problem with these books, i don't know if the Book of Revelatuion will be worked out as literaly as these stories picture it. They require as a necessity of their telling a certain amount of interprition, for example, who the "Beast" will be, where he will arise and so on. I am a Christian and believe that the Book of Revelution is in the Bible for a reason, Like I said, i'm just not sure of some of the literalness here. they could very well be right, but I I'll wait and see.

The r ...more

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Feb 01, 2010 Tori Hoeschler rated it did not like it

Although I am of a secular world view, I admit the hype surrounding this series sparked my interest. This spark quickly expired and I am confident in saying I will not be reading any materials from LaHaye and Jenkins again.
I read this book shortly after completing Left Behind. I found Left Behind to be somewhat entertaining and thought, well, let's give the rest of the series a go. About half way through Tribulation Force I regretted this decision and cursed my inability to put abandon a book o ...more

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Dec 10, 2014 Tyler Sellers rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: [email protected]

The "Tribulation Force" was an amazing book filled with suspense, romance, drama, and action. I love how it actually matches up to scripture when it talks about prophecies and the events happening during the Tribulation. The authors did a great job of portraying the characters to what I believe was spot on to how they would have acted in the end times. Even though its just a science fiction book, it still moved me at points and I can say that it is the best christian book I've read let alone may ...more

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Feb 03, 2016 Talia rated it really liked it

Now we're seeing what life will be like in this "new" world for Rayford, Chloe, and Buck. Nicolae is gaining power, and Rayford and Buck have first row seats. (view spoiler) I just saw that there are 13 books in this series. Wow. That seems a bit much! Hopefully they won't be too depressing.

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Dec 26, 2008 Christina rated it did not like it

I needed to be saved from this thing called a novel. Talk about preachy, boring, predictable, etc. I was actually rolling my eyes during this book because the characters were so unbelievable and the story was too thin. Ugh. Worse than the first for sure and I will not read any more of these. Ever. Even if there is nothing else to read.

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Oct 05, 2009 Giovanni rated it it was amazing

Chaos rules the world as panic and grief stricken survivors continue to search for their lost loved-ones. Suicide rates are sky-rocketing, businesses and homes are being looted, and martial law is in effect. A desperate world looks to the leadership and guidance of UN President Nicolae Carpathia, the only person offering any answers, hope, and plans to restore peace and order.

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Jan 27, 2016 TheReadingKnitter/ Kasey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, library, 2016

Overall this book was pretty good. I do think with the way they go back and cover what has happened in the first book that you could pick up any of the books in the series, start reading and not be lost.

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Jan 14, 2016 Halley Hopson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016

Noooooooooo

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May 08, 2014 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bard

Love this book and series. Looking forward to the next one.

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Dec 11, 2016 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: modern-inspirational-fiction, science-fiction

This was my first re-read of the stores since they first came out, just before 9/11. Jenkins and LaHaye are strong writers, and back up their fiction with scriptural prophecies. I did find myself wishing the characters would just get on with things... (ahem, Chloé!) when entire chapters were created from simple misunderstandings. but alas, that's what sells fiction, right? these books challenge me to take end times more seriously and to redouble my efforts to warn my loved ones about their futur ...more

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About Tim LaHaye

Timothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins.

He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.

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“Sure, he was lonely. Sure, they had a lot in common. Sure, he was attracted to her, and it was clear she felt the same about him.” — 15 likes

“He imagined them sitting somewhere, just enjoying each other's company, her head on his chest, his arm around her. And he realized how desperately lonely he had become.” — 14 likes

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