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Review: Vanished - Vanished #1

Vanished book cover on blue background

After being blessed by the ministry of Dr. David Jeremiah over the course of my Christian walk, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to read his fictional debut called Vanished, the first book in what looks to be the Vanished series, written with Sam O'Neal. If you've read Dr. Jeremiah's non-fiction books, you'll be in for a treat with this title, especially if you're also a fan of Joel Rosenberg's books.

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

The end of the world . . .

As leader of a special military unit charged with stopping potential pandemics before they spread, John "Haggs" Haggerty has a front-row seat to the sharp increase in natural disasters that precede the Rapture--including plagues, earthquakes, famines, wars, and rumors of war. And each crisis is becoming more intense.

Meanwhile, his own world feels like it's falling apart. He's still caught in the grief of messing up his relationship with his ex-wife, and he's trying to keep it together so that he can show up for his adult daughter before she wants him out of her life entirely. As both personal and professional situations push him to the brink, Haggs finds himself stretched further than ever in his desire to be the kind of good person he knows he should be.

Just when it seems as if things might turn around, Haggs is forced to decide between his need to find solutions and his need for personal redemption.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This is a riveting book that I was able to read within a day based on its fast-paced and suspenseful action scenes. It's hard to believe that this is Dr. David Jeremiah's fictional debut with Sam O'Neal as we follow John "Haggs" Haggerty into this engrossing story of the end times. I appreciate that this book touches on more modern-day crises that we have faced, including pandemics, natural disasters, and forced migrations of people groups. The scenarios depicted of worldwide taskforces are both plausible and relatable, with government agencies working to stem further disasters from taking place. As students of prophecy well know, these efforts are in vain, bringing us into the unrelenting catastrophes that the characters in Vanished face. While it's evident that circumstances are culminating into the Rapture, I love that readers have the opportunity to get to know the people in the story through multiple perspectives that offer greater depth to their emotions and motivations. As a result, Haggs comes across as a complex man overcoming grief, guilt, and pride in order to better love and serve those around him.

To say that this book has whet my appetite for more is an understatement. The authors are able to provide clear teaching through natural conversations, making biblical truths approachable and digestible. The geopolitical forces described create a fascinating setting that will intrigue anyone curious about the intersection between history and prophecy, which simultaneously grants readers the space to evaluate current world issues through a biblical lens. This book is an excellent and thoughtful introduction to eschatology by focusing the story more on God's Word than merely a series of events to be executed and endured. If you are interested in biblical prophecy and are looking for a fresh take on how God may be working through recent world events, Vanished will captivate your mind and propel you toward deeper faith in Him in these last days.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📖
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

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