Brent Crowe imaginatively retells the last twelve hours of Paul's life and along the way, readers will be encouraged to live with purpose, to redeem the time, and to embrace the awesome reality that they too are on a sacred journey.
Brent begins the first chapter , (Noon) with a short history of emperor Nero. Nero was extremely evil and he absolutely hated Christians. He blamed everything on Christians. To be honest ladies, I think he hated everyone, including himself. That just my personal opinion though.
Back to the book, Nero ordered the execution of countless numbers of Christians including Paul.
Brent describes what might have happened when Paul learned when he would be receiving his death sentence. He says that perhaps a note on parchment was smuggled illegally by a guard. The parchment would in a bucket on top of bucket of slop given to prisoners. Paul would read the note: "EXECUTION TO BE CARRIED OUT AT MIDNIGHT. Signed: Your brother on the journey." I can't imagine what that must have been like for Paul.
Instead of chapter numbers, each is a "countdown" of each hour leading to Paul's death, beginning at Noon ending at Midnight.
One chapter that stood out to me was the chapter called "Ten o'clock- Sanctifying Failure and Redeemed Regret"
Brent wondered if Paul, while in that dark dungeon struggled with guilt for persecuting Christians before his conversion. He also wondered if Paul struggled with depression after beatings or imprisonment.
And what was that thorn in the flesh Paul talks about?
After reading Moments til Midnight, I have a deeper appreciation for Paul. I also have a deeper respect for those Christians living in countries where Christianity is outlawed. I think every Christian should read this book.
I received a copy of this book from B&H Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
