KIM LAWTON: It's a story many believe was ripped from the pages of biblical prophecy ... millions of "true believing Christians" are mysteriously taken to heaven. Those left behind face a cataclysmic time of suffering and tribulation brought on by the ultimate evil -- the Antichrist. It's a time that will culminate with the second coming of Jesus.

The premise that spawned the blockbuster, best-selling LEFT BEHIND book series is now a major motion picture featuring Hollywood notables such as former sit-com star Kirk Cameron. The movie soundtrack is also being marketed, along with two music videos ... all hoping to build on the phenomenal success of the books.

"The eight LEFT BEHIND books have sold a combined total of more than 25 million copies. Six of the eight have appeared on the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling lists. The latest installment, THE MARK, debuted at number one in November. And the NEW YORK TIMES doesn't even count sales at Christian bookstores."

DR. TIM LAHAYE (co-author): I think it's a God thing. God has just chosen to bless this series.

LAWTON: The co-authors' formula is both winning ... and controversial. Tim LaHaye, an evangelical minister, outlines theological themes, and then Jerry Jenkins spins theology into fictional thrillers, with plenty of action and suspense. LaHaye believes readers are attracted to the wholesome style and the unabashed religious message.

LAHAYE: They are looking for something real and since this is based on the Bible, I believe that they're looking to it for some answers about what does the future hold.

LAWTON: The turn of the millennium also fueled end times speculation and hooked LEFT BEHIND readers.

BRENDA BRASHER (professor, Center for Millennial Studies): Starting in '96 and going into '97, this was a time when we had a great deal of public interest in millennialism. I will say this for Mr. LaHaye and Jenkins, they certainly did catch the wave of trends. Millennial enthusiasm is an integral part of the fabric of American life and that's not going to go away just because year 2000 or 2001 has come and is passing.

LAWTON: Many Christians have long been fascinated by the notion of the end of the world and the return of Jesus. Much of Christian end times theology is based on the biblical Book of Revelation, a mystical text filled with strange imagery of beasts and battles and judgments. But within Christianity, there's a wide range of belief about what revelation means ... whether it's a literal prediction of the end of the world or a symbolic depiction of the battle between good and evil.

LaHaye and Jenkins take a theological position known as premillennial dispensationalism, which believes Christians will be taken to heaven or "raptured," before a seven-year period of earthly suffering or tribulation, and then the ultimate thousand-year "millennial" reign of Jesus.

BRASHER: There are lots of Christians who profoundly disagree with Mr. LaHaye about that and say that, in fact, he's inserting all kinds of elements of his own into the biblical story and not just the obvious fictional part. But some of the basic ideas that he thinks he's teaching, other Christians argue that it's actually a part of the fiction as well.

LAHAYE: Those who don't take the Bible literally come to a different conclusion. And I say, "God bless them," but I believe that God gave us the Book of Revelation to understand.

LAWTON: But cultural critic Steve Rabey, who writes about spirituality, says other Evangelicals who interpret revelation literally also disagree with LaHaye.

STEVE RABEY (religion writer): Some theologians and Christian leaders have really expressed problems with the fact that the books are using fiction to popularize one particular view, when really this is a much more complicated theological discussion.