The End

I've read this book a couple of times and it's truly alarming. I don't believe that's the intent of the author, however. He is simply giving us the facts about which we may not be aware, and exhorting us to prepare for the end of earthly times. Now of course, we never know what God's timeline is, but the point is to be prepared at *any* time to meet our Heavenly Father. Scoff though you may at what Mr. Hatch tells us regarding the dark and possible misdeeds of science, I know some of them to be true from personal experience. I'll give you two examples. My daughter and her boyfriend both do research for a large university/medical facilities/research center. She is in the main facility, he works at the primate center. So you thought smallpox was erased from the face of the earth in 1977, did you? You thought it's no longer a threat to humankind, did you? Not so. Said boyfriend had to get a smallpox vaccination before he started at his new job, which is investigating post-HIV/AIDS infections on the little primates. He was given very explicit instructions on how to care for the oozing smallpox wound before it healed and scabbed over. An entire generation has not been vaccinated against smallpox, my daughter being one of them. Suppose something like smallpox was unleashed upon the world again, either accidentally due to a lab accident or by terrorists? The second example is from the same university/medical facilities/research center. They were to have a purported drill that would simulate a "dirty bomb" that went off in the city (it's a major U.S. city), and the medical facilities were to be tested for response, preparedness, personnel availability, etc. The entire test was a comedy of errors from beginning to end. Just think of how badly the federal government, or even a state government, responds in times of domestic crisis. Not a pretty picture, eh? Better say your prayers now, read the book, learn from it, and prepare to meet thy Maker.

This is a book about eschatology, the study of the end times. Well, sort of. More than being a study of biblical texts pertaining to the end times, it is a look at the present and future world in which we live. The author is a "futurist", which means he studies trends in technology, medicine, natural phenomena, etc., and makes predictions about where things are headed. Early on, he sets the tone with the statement, "I believe the Rapture will happen within our lifetime." Even if you do not share this position, the vast majority of the book is still fascinating. Using the thematic structure of "The good, the bad, and the ugly", he talks about nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, biodiversity, natural disasters, nuclear proliferation, etc. In each area, there is potential for both great good and great evil, depending on the moral character of the person utilizing the coming advances in technology. The author closed the book with the best chapter, exhorting Christians to godly, sacrificial, mission-minded living in light of the end of the world. I think we can all agree with him in this regard, no matter what eschatological position one holds. This book is like candy - hard to put down once you pick it up. However, I cannot imagine reading it a second time, and due to the nature of the content, it will be outdated within a year or two. So, read and enjoy it now... and catch the next edition in a couple of years.

I am the editor of a magazine for a faith-based organization and received a review copy from the publisher. I've now read it twice and had been carrying it in my breifcase until I gave it to a friend today. So I just bought a second copy! Frankly, this book frightened me more than anything I have read in a very long time. However, it ends with a focus on stewardship and evangelism and encourages readers to make a difference in our world in the time we have left. Author Mark Hatch's credentials are impressive; he also has the ability to make highly technical sujects easy to understand, so THE END is NOT difficult to read. Get this book-it is an absolute necessity! I am recommending it to ALL of my friends!

Genetic Engineering, Nuclear Neighbors, Religious Jihad. Are we living in the last days? Futurist, Mark Hatch shares an alarming wake-up call on why many believe the end is near. This is an amazing and enlightening look into the future and how it relates to End Times, Mark Hatch breaks all the scientific and political aspects down into bite-size pieces, for those of us not so inclined. He reveals startling procedures that are now in progress. With experts saying there is no way to determine whether our world will still be intact fifty years from now, Hatch has put together a collection of information about the end times that is short, to the point, and easy to understand. He gives accurate and succinct explanations of big issues in recent news and reveals the truth behind the hype. This book will appeal to those with an interest in futurist studies. Scientists and futurists, both secular and Christian, are pointing to the same events as indications that the world may be in its final season. He also discusses probable scenarios for the end times, andcompares those with Biblical references to the last days. The End is a call to attention for the people of the twenty-first century. Hatch sheds light on popular theories and addresses present-day concerns about the last days. Hatch explores what it means for Christians that the end is near and emphasizes the necessity for living committed lives with the end in sight. Armchair Interviews says: A reminder to live life right.