The Beginning by M.J. Thomas has been reviewed by Focus on the Family’s marriage and parenting magazine. It is the first book in the “Secret of the Hidden Scrolls” series.
The Beginning by M.J. Thomas has been reviewed by Focus on the Family’s marriage and parenting magazine. It is the first book in the “Secret of the Hidden Scrolls” series.
Nine-year-old Peter and his 10-year-old sister, Mary, stay with their Great-Uncle Solomon while their parents travel to Africa for a month. Solomon, an archaeologist, has made many discoveries that prove the Bible is true. He tells them he’s recently made the most exciting one of all.
Solomon has found some scrolls. Legend says the chosen one can only open these scrolls, but he apparently isn’t that person. Whoever can open them will be able to travel through time to witness amazing Bible events.
One night, the children chase their dog into the room that houses the scrolls. Things get overturned, and Peter accidentally breaks the seal on a scroll. He and Mary find themselves in darkness. They begin to witness the creation of the world, hearing the voice of God speaking things into existence.
They are on a boat in rough water when the angel Michael visits and rescues them. He tells them they must translate the three Hebrew words on their scroll within seven days or they will be trapped in that time period forever. He gives them two other rules: They can’t tell anyone where they’re from or that they’re from the future, and they can’t try to change the past.
The children play in the sea with dolphins and on land with other animals. They enjoy the produce of Eden. They even encounter a snake that tries to tell them that God didn’t create everything.
They’re especially excited to watch God form man and woman. A word at a time, they discover the message on the scroll: “God Created Everything.” Each time they figure out a word, the Hebrew word starts to glow and changes into the English word.
When they solve the final word, they’re transported back to Great-Uncle Solomon’s library. They discover the sealing wax has turned into a gold medallion with a tree on it. Solomon asks what happened. After they tell him, he reads the account of Creation to them from the book of Genesis. The kids plan for future adventures through the Bible.
The children hear God’s voice as He is creating various parts of the universe. Michael tells the kids that God has sent him to protect them from Satan. He explains that Satan used to be an angel himself, but now he wants to mess everything up. Solomon reads the account of Creation to the kids from the Bible. They’re enthusiastic about learning more.
Satan tries to convince the kids that God didn’t create everything in the world.
Michael, at God’s order, protects and guides the children. Great-Uncle Solomon reads the Bible to the children and shares their excitement about their adventure in Bible history. God creates the world and sets in motion His perfect plan for mankind.
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