Showing posts with label Tribulation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tribulation. Show all posts

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Shattered by Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O’Neal – Interesting and Compelling Fictional Account of End Times Events

 

Shattered, written by David Jeremiah along with Sam O’Neal, is the second book in the Vanished series.  I’m familiar with Dr. David Jeremiah as a pastor and teacher.  I’ve heard him preach and know about some of his theology books about the Bible.  The first book in the series was Vanished and is about the rapture of the church and the events before and after the rapture.

 

Shattered continues the story of doctor John “Haggs” Haggerty and his best friend’s daughter Abgail Hart.  Both John and Abigail had family and friends who were raptured, while they were left behind.  Readers are also introduced to an Israeli scientist Saul Katz who, with his friend Caleb, had developed super computer that evil forces would love to get their hands on.  Another interesting character was scientist Li Fan who was monitoring the increasing world-wide seismic activity that threatened to be deadly.  She was desperate to make sure world leaders pay attention to her warnings.  When millions of people suddenly vanished from sight there is bound to be a vacuum of government power and world leaders.  Filling that vacuum is Matthew Vilks, leader of the powerful company the Trident Group. 

 

In Shattered, the fictional characters who are experiencing the post-rapture and Tribulation events are woven together with events and people referenced Scripture.  Since this is a fictional account of the Tribulation post rapture, readers who have read the Bible will find a few people that are referenced in Scripture, like the Two Witnesses, the 144,000, the anti-Christ and the false prophet.  I found myself looking back a Scripture to see if things were lining up with what the Bible says about these End Time events.  Keeping in mind this is a fictionalized account and there are various views on the events and timing of things that will take place in the End Times.

 

I found the characters of John, Abigail, Li, and Saul interesting and what they were going through captivating.  I liked John and was hoping and rooting for his character to pick a side, hopefully the right one.  For Abigail to develop a well secured computer system that would enable new Christian believers to communicate with one another around the world, she would have to be a very intelligent person.  But her character didn’t come across that way.  I would have like to have seen Li more developed.  Saul didn’t match what I would have expected for someone who might be one of the 144,000.  Since the 144,000 are devoted to the Lord and will boldly proclaim the Gospel of Christ, I was expecting someone a little different.  Perhaps these characters will be further developed in the next book of the Vanished series. 

 

This is a fictionalized account of some what the Bible reveals will take place at the End Times.  Shattered ends with a cliff hanger and the story and characters will likely pick-up in the next novel in this series, when things will only go from bad to worse.

 

As a Christian, I found this fictional account of the post-rapture Tribulation times very weighty.  It’s hard to imagine what our loved ones who don’t know the Lord may experience after the rapture of the church.  It was interesting to see how various elements of the Tribulation were depicted and incorporated things we’ve seen in recent years.  Things like drones and pandemics. 

 

If you read the Bible and find End Time prophesy fascinating, you may find Shattered by David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal an interesting read. 

 

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Shattered by David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.  


Saturday, September 11, 2010

Revelation

This year it seems that so many pastors and ministries are going through a study in the book of Revelation   Hearing the studies is exciting, thrilling and horrifying.  Exciting and thrilling for the believer to contemplate what awaits us in heaven and horrifying at the thought of what awaits unbelievers once the church is raptured and the world enters into the seven years of tribulation prophesied in the Bible.
 
When I hear the sermons and Bible studies on Revelation I remember back to the time in my life before I was a believer in Jesus Christ and the fear that I had as I read the book of Revelation.  
 
I came to Christ late in my life at the age of 32.  I had some exposure to Christianity even as an unbeliever…through friends who were Christian and what I had seen on TV or heard on the radio.  I even read the Bible.  But in my unbelief I was blinded to the truth in the Bible.
 
I clearly remember reading Revelation when I was an unbeliever…and I was terrified.  Though I may not have fully comprehended my lost state, there was something in me that knew that if the church were raptured at that time…I would be left behind and face the tribulation. 
 
When I read chapters 4 through 19 in the book of Revelation, it is amazing that anyone can survive the disasters that will come upon the earth.  These are not natural disasters and calamity that just happen in a small area of the country, but rather the wrath of God being poured out upon the earth and sinful man who have rejected His Son.
 
Amazingly enough…during the time of the tribulation some people will survive and some will even come to a saving faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  But the price for their faith will likely be execution.  The destruction and horror that is forthcoming is beyond comprehension. 
 
Praise God that those who chose to believe today will be saved.  Those who repent of their sins, ask for forgiveness and have been cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross will be saved.  Saved from their sins and saved from the wrath to come.
 
These days when I read the book of Revelation…I find comfort in the knowledge that whether I die now or if I am raptured with the church that I will be in heaven with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I am saved…and nothing can snatch me from His hand. 
 

Sunday, January 14, 2007

1/13/07 At the End of the Day…Rooted and Grounded


During the school year...on most Saturday nights you will find me working on my Bible Study Fellowship lesson. Tonight is no different. This year is my most favorite because we are studying the book of Romans. If one can say that they have a favorite book of the Bible…I would say Romans is my favorite…and this week’s chapter, chapter 8 is my favorite. But to narrow it down ever further…we studied vs. 28-39.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:28-39

I do believe that out of the entire Bible…if I could fully lay hold of these verses, comprehend them and live by them…they would transform my life. I’d say that this last year has taught me more about the truth of these verses in a more personal way…than ever before. As I reflect back…I now know God in a more personal way…as He stood with me and walked with me through every trepid and lonely step.

I must confess that many a time during this process…I did not feel His presence or His ever present help in times of trouble. But looking back at the wake my ship that sailed…I can see God’s presence and help along the way.

At times…the seas I sailed on were stormy and tumultuous and at other times peaceful and smooth as glass. There were many days…that felt like torpedoes…one after another were coming my way. Little did I know it but my lifeboat was at hand. Many a time…I was resting comfortably and safely in it as the storm assailed my tiny boat. But the Master was at the helm.

At times…my ship sailed ever so close to treacherous shoreline…when the storm threatened to dash my ship upon the rocks. However…oh Captain, my Captain with ease brought me safe into a calm harbor.

I found two questions in this week’s lesson most compelling. 1) We were to read through chapter 8 of Romans and tell which two statements we most wanted to remember and why? 2) What difficulty has Christ’s love helped us to conquer this year?

Reviewing chapter 8 and writing my responses…was both moving and difficult in the fact that it brought back painful times in my very recent past.

To the first question…there were two scripture verses that stood out to me the most.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31b

The obvious answer is that if God is for us…it is insignificant and it pales in comparison who stand against us…because God and His love is so powerful. In essence their opposition amounts to nothing. As much as some stood against me…more so, there were those people who did not stand with me. Even in that…I had the one Person…the One who matters most that stood and remains standing in my corner. He never left me, nor forsook me.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

It surprised me that this scripture verse meant a lot to me when reading chapter 8 this year. Normally vs. 8:28 is my favorite. In fact I consider it my life verse:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

But right now…verse 18 means a lot to me. To know that even though my present burdens seem very heavy that one day…I will look back and see that they were very light indeed. That God will repay me more than I can ever imagine or deserve for the troubles I’ve endured.

To the second question…what has Christ’s love helped me to conquer this year? Well…I guess all of the above is what He helped me to conquer. That which a year ago…I could never have imagined and I am most grateful to have not known beforehand was coming my way.

In some respects…it kind of scares me…because I know today is preparation for tomorrow. These recent difficulties were meant to help me grow stronger and prepare me for tomorrow.

That is why it is essential that I be rooted and grounded in the Word of God and be ever mindful of His work and presence in my life.

If any of you are in need of a good, strong, foundational Bible study…I would highly recommend Bible Study Fellowship. You will grow in wisdom and knowledge through God’s Word…and you will know God in a more personal way through the study of His word.

“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].” – Hebrews 11:6 Amplified Bible

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