I purchased this book in college at a bargain barn, and it sat on my shelf for years. For whatever reason, I just didn’t expect much from it. Comparing it to the other Frank Peretti books I’ve read (like The Oath), I guess my gut instincts were right.
I began the book highly unnerved by what was going on in the story–crying crucifixes, “Jesus” speaking to people, “Jesus” walking around…it was sacrilegious and disheartening. I should have expected, however, from Peretti’s constant themes, that events in his stories are not generally what they appear to be on the surface. The events in Antioch, Washington, soon proved themselves to be the fulfillment of Christ’s words in Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.’
The Visitation had its exciting moments and mysteries–like who the “Christ” actually was–but I felt the book dragged on, much like a biography would about someone I don’t really care about. The main character’s Pentecostal background complete with healings, a dead wife, and a seemingly failed ministry, held nothing to which I could relate, so there was no hook to draw me in.
Of the Peretti books I’ve read so far, this has been his weakest offering. If you’re looking to start on Peretti, go with This Present Darkness instead. That book definitely does not disappoint.
©2011 E.T.
Read More from Frank Peretti:
- The Door in the Dragon’s Throat (1985)
- This Present Darkness (1986)
- The Oath (1995)
- The Visitation (1999)