What is the correct order to read the Joshua Jordan books?

You should read them in chronological order: Edge of Apocalypse , Thunder of Heaven , Brink of Chaos , and finally Mark of Evil .

Is the Joshua Jordan series connected to Left Behind?

No, they are set in separate universes. However, both are co-authored by Tim LaHaye and share themes based on Christian end-times prophecy.

Who is the main character in Mark of Evil?

While Joshua Jordan is the primary protagonist of the first three books, the final book, Mark of Evil , focuses on his protégé, Ethan March , and the group of believers known as the Remnant.

Can I read these books out of order?

It is highly discouraged. The series is tightly serialized, and each book builds directly on the events, character arcs, and geopolitical shifts of the previous installment.

What is the "Return to Sender" (RTS) system in the books?

The RTS is a state-of-the-art national laser defense system developed by Joshua Jordan to protect the United States from missile attacks, which becomes the catalyst for the political and military conflicts in the series.

Joshua Jordan Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Joshua Jordan (The End Series)

The Joshua Jordan series, officially titled The End series, is a tightly serialized political thriller and apocalyptic saga co-authored by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall. Because the series follows a continuous narrative arc detailing global conspiracies, domestic betrayal, and escalating biblical prophecies, it must be read in order. There are no deviations or spin-offs that alter the timeline, making both the chronological order and publication order identical.

Edge of Apocalypse (2010) – Introduces Joshua Jordan, his groundbreaking laser defense system, and the initial geopolitical conspiracies threatening the United States.
Thunder of Heaven (2011) – Follows the physical and political fallout as global threats escalate and Jordan's defense systems are put to the ultimate test.
Brink of Chaos (2012) – Features Joshua Jordan in exile in Israel as a nuclear crisis reshapes the globe and a mysterious world leader rises.
Mark of Evil (2014) – The final chapter, shifting focus to Jordan's protégé, Ethan March, as the Global Alliance implements high-tech controls like the BID-Tag implant.

Breaking Down the Books

1. Edge of Apocalypse (2010)

The saga begins by introducing Joshua Jordan, a former U.S. spy-plane pilot and legendary war hero who now operates as a weapons designer. Jordan has developed a revolutionary laser missile defense system known as "Return to Sender" (RTS). While the technology is designed to protect a weakened America, it becomes the target of both foreign adversaries and corrupt domestic politicians. Joshua finds himself framed for treason, forcing him to fight to protect his family, his country, and his tech.

2. Thunder of Heaven (2011)

In the second installment, the global situation deteriorates. Global terrorists target the United States, placing Jordan and his RTS system directly in the crosshairs. As Joshua battles on the geopolitical stage, his family faces intense personal peril. This book ramps up the military action and integrates more elements of prophetic scripture, particularly regarding conflicts in the Middle East and the shifting alignments of global superpowers.

3. Brink of Chaos (2012)

Following a devastating nuclear strike, the geopolitical landscape is permanently altered. Joshua Jordan is forced into exile in Israel, where he works to secure the nation against imminent threats. Meanwhile, in Babylon, a charismatic global leader begins consolidating power under a new world order. The book heavily features themes from the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation, setting the stage for the final showdown.

4. Mark of Evil (2014)

The final book shifts the spotlight from Joshua Jordan to his younger protégé, Ethan March. The world has succumbed to the control of the Global Alliance and its sinister leader. The story centers on the "Remnant"—a group of faithful believers, including Ethan, Jimmy Louder, and Rivka Reuban—who must navigate a society dominated by the BID-Tag, a bio-synthetic chip implant. It is a story of resistance, faith, and the ultimate culmination of end-times prophecy.

How The End Series Compares to Left Behind

Many readers discover the Joshua Jordan series through Tim LaHaye's famous Left Behind series (co-authored with Jerry B. Jenkins). While both series deal with dispensationalist end-times theology, they differ significantly in structure, timeline, and tone:

The Timeline: Left Behind starts immediately with the Rapture, focusing on the seven-year Tribulation period. In contrast, The End series acts as a "pre-apocalypse" or early-stage apocalypse thriller. It spends the first three books exploring the geopolitical and technological buildup leading up to the end-times events.
The Tone: The Joshua Jordan books are written as high-tech military and legal thrillers, combining Craig Parshall's background in law and media with LaHaye's prophecy concepts. They read more like a Tom Clancy novel with a theological foundation.
The Scope: While Left Behind is a massive 16-book epic, the Joshua Jordan saga is a concise, focused four-book series.

Practical Reader Advice

If you are planning to jump into this series, here are a few key details to keep in mind:

Can they be read as standalones? No. The overarching narrative depends entirely on the events of the previous novels. Reading Mark of Evil or Brink of Chaos out of order will leave you confused by the character relationships and political backdrop.
The Protagonist Shift: Be prepared for a shift in perspective in the final book. While Joshua Jordan is the undisputed lead of the first three novels, Mark of Evil pivots to Ethan March and the broader group of believers left to navigate the global regime.
Real-World Realism: Despite being written in the early 2010s, the series touches on themes that remain highly discussed today, such as digital currency, electronic tracking, national sovereignty, and laser defense grids.