A new “Left Behind” sequel is preparing to offer a fascinating exploration of the biblical end of days, with the writer and producer explaining why he believes the end times are near.
Listen to the latest episode of CBN’s Quick Start podcast 👇
Paul LaLonde, writer and producer of “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist,” which hits theaters Jan. 26 as a Fathom Event, recently joined CBN’s “Faith vs. Culture” to explain the film, the theology behind it, and what he’s hoping to accomplish through its release.
“The vast majority of people still don’t know anything about … prophecy, and that includes the church,” LaLonde said. “People have, as the Bible prophesied they would, turned away from prophecy.”
The filmmaker said this is a theme he will address throughout the movie’s marketing. Despite being a fictionalized story, he said “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist” is based on real biblical theology and what could unfold during the end of days — a topic LaLonde is passionate about exploring.
“The reality is: we do not have the option of just not worrying about it. We are told that prophecy is important,” he said. “Between a third and a half of the Bible is prophecy.”
Watch LaLonde break down the end times and “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist”:
Biblical prophecy, he said, is “a great tool for evangelism” and a way to help people intellectually and spiritually understand what’s unfolding in Scripture.
The new chapter in the “Left Behind” saga follows the 2014 release of the popular series’ reboot; that newer version starred actor Nicolas Cage.
LaLonde said the new movie will differ from the previous film in tone and aim.
“The most obvious change is: we have a whole new cast. I’m really excited about the cast,” he said, noting the new film will star “Hercules” alum Kevin Sorbo (who also directs) as well as Neal McDonough and Corbin Bernsen. “This movie’s different than the 2014 movie because the objective is different. In 2014, the objective was to try and get the word of prophecy beyond the choir.”
Watch our interview last year with some of the cast:
This time around, LaLonde said he’s focused on reaching Christians with a prophetic message, helping to “wake up” pastors and believers alike. LaLonde said he believes people are missing something important: that we’re purportedly in the “very, very last days.”
“I think people aren’t seeing that we’re in the very last days because they’re watching for the wrong things,” he said. “But we live in a world where all of this can happen like that. We’re living in the days of Noah. We have unlimited seats on our ark.”
LaLonde hopes to help fill as many of those proverbial seats as possible, using “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist” to spark spiritual intrigue in the Bible while entertaining the masses.
The filmmaker said people gravitate toward prophecy in times of turmoil and tumult, with today’s chaos serving as perhaps one of the last big opportunities to use prophecy to point people toward Christ.
Find out more about “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist” and get tickets here.
***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***