Step back into New Testament times--to Ancient Jerusalem at the time of Christ and of the historical Roman Empire, and ask: What could a cynical, non-conformist dry-goods salesman, a disgruntled blacksmith, and a musing mendicant all have in common? The answer: Down deep, they all seek something better; and eventually, they all find the childlike faith and humility required to enter God's kingdom and find true fulfillment. The non-conformist, Manaheem, Herod’s foster brother, helps Herod foment an insurrection against Pontius Pilate, using the blacksmith, Barabbas, as insurrection leader, to the dismay of Barabbas' Godly but fearful wife. The mendicant, a young man named Timotheus, joins with an older mendicant completely unsympathetic to his musings. Meanwhile, Pontius Pilate’s wife pushes him to take over Herod’s kingdom. When the insurrection fails, Non-conformist, Manaheem, tries to blackmail Herod, and Barabbas turns to robbery, enlisting the aid of our two mendicants. Manaheem almost loses his one true love, his former wife Claressa, also a non-conformist, with whom Manaheem is trying to re-unite. The robbery goes bad, and Barabbas and the mendicants are caught, tried for murder and sentenced to death by crucifixion. Barabbas is also charged with the insurrection against Pontius Pilate.
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REVIEWS:
1) Review by Viviane Crystal of Crystalreviews.com
Beneath every human beings virtues and foibles, a singular hunger lies waiting for a revelation which will create a powerful direction that supercedes all other human goals. James M. Becher takes the reader back to the lifetime of Jesus Christ, into the homes, conversations, and deeds of ordinary and extraordinary individuals who were so deeply affected by the birth of this man. Meet Manaheem, Herod's foster brother, who on one hand attempts to influence history by helping his brother to unseat Pontius Pilate, the Roman Procurator, and on the other hand who knows there is something more to life than the grasping machinations he plans and which his brother carries out. Observe Pilate, the ruler who holds a most undesirable position of authority in a world so unlike the Rome he loves and whose spiritual wife attempts to influence her husband from committing acts sure to doom his political career and damn his all too human soul. Watch Timotheus, a beggar, who is deeply affected by Jesus' appearances but whose openness is constantly redirected by his companion, Lucas's, desire for more money.Finally, meet Barabbas, a simple blacksmith who is engaged to carry out a coup against Pilate and who turns to robbery after the political plot fails. On the one hand he is portrayed as any ordinary crook but on the other hand has the same innate needs that will promise less futile struggling and more peacefulness and security. The man whose death sentence replaces that of Barabbas continues to haunt him so much that he follows the condemned prisoner's path and demise to its very last moment.Earthly plots fail and the horrendous dying process Jesus experiences, accompanied by a desperate plea to God, compassionate words, and a moving surrender to his mission, affects everyone involved in this momentous event. Read this book to discover the fictional yet all too probable, and powerful, effect of one man sent to speak to the heart of every human being within this novel and those who read it.Very nicely written, J. M. Becher!
2)Review by A reader from Yorkshire England
A Novel of Substance; a gripping and powerful read that held me in Intrigue and suspense. A book that could be enjoyed by Christians and non Christians alike. I would not hesitate to recommend it to my friends.
3)Review by Rudelle Thomas in the January issue of Divine Eloquence: http://divineeloquence.divineministries777.net
Of Such Is The Kingdom is a fictional novel based on Biblical truths. James Becher has artfully taken the events surrounding Jesus' time here on earth and told what could have been from each characters perspective. The story has a powerful message that has clearly been displayed throughout the novel. Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end. As you turn the final pages having just been taken through Jesus' last days on earth, you are left not only feeling grateful for what He's done for us, but also hopeful and joyful, knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ affects and changes the lives of all who hears it. This is a great novel that I'm sure you will enjoy!
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NOTE: This novel has just been re-published by the original publisher in 2 new volumes, (1)a newly REVISED AND EXPANDED 2-PART 2nd edition, called, "Of Such Is The Kingdom, Parts I&II, A Novel of the Christ and the Early Church, available HERE , and (2), the sequel, "Of Such Is The Kingdom, Part III, Power and Persecution, A Novel of the Early Church and the Roman Empire," available HERE. ("Part III," deals with early church and the reaction of the rulers to this new sect called Christians.)
NOTE: TO SEE WHY YOU SHOULD ESPECIALLY GIVE the 2-Part volume of MY BIBLICAL NOVEL THIS CHRISTMAS, GO HERE. OR, get it from AMAZON HERE. You can still get the complete 3 part version from Amazon (while they last) HERE: Of Such Is the Kingdom : A Novel of Biblical Times
You can also GET THE 2nd EDITION E-VERSIONS FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR E-READING DEVICE OR FOR ONLINE READING from SMASHWORDS.com. THE COMPLETE 3 PART VERSION IS HERE, with links at the bottom of the page to the other versions (click on the book cover). You can READ THE FIRST 27% FOR FREE before deciding to buy it. And get 25% off a future purchase (for a gift) when you purchased my self-help book "Principles of the Kingdom," for only $2.99 (FOR KINDLE, click the AMAZON link above.) OR subscribe to LISTEN FREE of charge to episodes of the first edition (un-expanded PARTS I & II ONLY) HERE
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