The Omega Reunion. By Frank D. Carmical. Dallas, TX: Redencion Viva, 1986. 101 pp. Paper, $3.95.

Technically a short novel, The Omega Reunion combines the best features of fantasy, science fiction, and biblical eschatology and blends these features into a practical study of the speculative future. Those who enjoy this particular genre of Christian literature (after the manner of J. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and C. S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy) will find that this book makes for exciting reading.

Setting his story 150, 000 years after the Millennium, Carmical introduces the reader to Alcemene, a young married woman reporter who lives on New Earth. Her happy and peaceful life suddenly accelerates to rapid-fire frustration as she is commanded to whisk off to the New Jerusalem, the immense capital city of the universe in orbit over New Earth. Her assignment is to broadcast a live television feature on the Reunion that Jesus Christ, the King of the cosmos, plans to celebrate with the famed “Thirty-Seven.” Now resurrected men, these honorees were the baby boys murdered by the wicked King Herod in Bethlehem in “ancient times.” The grand celebration is to take place in a gigantic hall atop one of the fifty-mile high radial towers of the New Ephrathah Inn.

The reader journeys with Alcemene and beholds the breathtaking majesty of the universe of eternity future. Once in the Holy City, she meets the noble Aristocracy. These chivalrous magistrates possess powers of flight and instantaneous transport from one place to another at the speed of thought.

Amidst these stunning vistas and from these rulers of time and space, Alcemene learns the answers to some of the most puzzling dilemmas that have ever perplexed humanity. Her learning comes through personal and moving conversations with members of the Aristocracy. Also, Ben, one of the “Thirty-Seven” who bear the scars of Herod’s once mortal sword wounds, gently inspires her to comprehend the wisdom of God in allowing undeserved suffering. And just as these interviews leave her mind dizzy with excitement, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself makes His grand entrance to the Omega Reunion!

The greatest practical value of this little volume is that it gives both the young Christian or the more mature believer a glimpse of the future that is not only appealing and in harmony with biblical revelation, but specific and realistic. Readers will also profit from the explanations of perplexing problems such as that given for undeserved suffering. Carmical includes helpful endnotes of both theological and literary interest.

Although one might wish the author had developed the plot more and introduced greater conflict for a longer story, as it stands the book is an effective picture of things to come. No longer will the reader fail to find motivation for faithful living in the present because of a nebulous or fuzzy concept of eternity future. Carmical has done an excellent job of giving the reader a taste of the hereafter.

Glenn W. Campbell
Chaplain
Marketplace Ministries, Inc.
Dallas, TX