Any serious fictional interpretation of the Second Coming is a bold undertaking. Biblical integrity is obviously a major consideration, but creating a compelling and engaging account is arguably as vital. Without a gripping story, there is the danger of writing something that’s pure proselytization—a sermon of affirmation, conversion, or worse, self-aggrandizement.
“Vanished,” by David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal, offers a fascinating story about this scenario.
Arguably, the most famous foray into a fictional Armageddon was the wildly successful “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Lesser-known works, such as “The Days of Noah” series by Mark Goodwin, attempted to tap into broader eschatological audiences.
This subgenre has predominantly appealed to an audience of evangelical readers—the already converted, so to speak. In many cases, the writing quality fell short, with styles often veering toward moral melodrama. As a result, the subject has had limited general appeal.
“Vanished” attempts something different. At first glance, it seems to offer a personal, humanistic perspective on an Armageddon story, something that is almost indistinguishable from any secular thriller on today’s market. Yet it also must adhere to the spirit of the official prophecy to reach its core audience.
A Global Crisis
“Vanished” begins with the world unraveling from a cascade of crises, including a new and deadly pandemic dubbed the “Dirty Dozen.” Maj. Gen. John Haggerty is a former combat surgeon and hospital administrator. He’s currently in charge of the Potential Pandemic Task Force, a military group assigned to enforce quarantine and containment.
Although competent and eminently respected, Haggerty is also carrying a significant emotional burden. He has estranged himself from both his wife and his daughter after the death of his son, Ryan. Faith in God is no solace for him. His faith was poisoned by his deacon father, a raving alcoholic who savagely abused his family, before it could even be kindled.
Haggerty’s best friend and executive officer is Caleb Johnson, “a tower in uniform” with a “preacher’s voice” and professorial insights. Unlike Haggerty, Johnson’s faith is central to his identity, guiding his actions with quiet conviction. Haggerty respects him and his creed. He often leans on his friend for spiritual and moral grounding, though he refuses to surrender control of his own views, either emotionally or spiritually.
An outbreak of the Dirty Dozen jumps from the island of Crete to nearby Italy. Haggerty sees an opportunity to reconnect with his adult daughter, Sonya, who speaks Italian.
Johnson questions whether his friend really should be bringing his daughter into a virus hotspot, but Haggerty believes he can protect her. Besides, he’s desperate to atone for his failures as a father. On Sonya’s part, she’s hesitant to trust her father, but she hasn’t fully given up on him either.
The virus is just a taste of what’s about to happen. A major earthquake strikes Italy, nearly wiping out the task force. When the dust literally settles, Haggerty learns that all their plans have gone south thanks to a bloody and devastating attack in the Middle East. U.S. Army Command has pulled the plug on Haggerty’s task force. In essence, World War III has begun.
Armageddon Through a Fine Lens
Coauthor Jeremiah founded Turning Point, an “international broadcast ministry.” Having already written several nonfiction books about the Rapture, Jeremiah is well-versed in the subject. His writing partner, O’Neal, is credited with the fiction portion of the tale and with embedding accurate biblical elements into the plot.
On the basics of storytelling, “Vanished” is a top-notch apocalyptic thriller. Haggerty is a well-crafted, tragic heroic character with a complex and detailed background that is easily relatable. The same goes for the secondary characters.
The dialogue is natural, and the plot is as smart and exciting as any Tom Clancy or William R. Forstchen novel. Much thought went into transposing the biblical Armageddon into real-world possibilities, and it’s disquietingly effective.
The conclusion is unnerving and conflicting, but also somewhat abrupt. It creates the foundation for the next book in the series rather than providing a thoroughly satisfying ending as a standalone and leaves many questions unanswered.
While there are many moments when Christian doctrine is unambiguously on display, the book mostly avoids the trap of breaking reality for the sake of an agenda or messaging. Of course, that messaging is the main purpose of the book. Nobody should be shocked when a quintessentially biblical event occurs or characters occasionally proselytize.
“Vanished” is a milestone of the genre. More conservative Christian readers will find a great deal in this book to be excited about, and deservedly so.
If you like a tight thriller and don’t mind a little messaging (it is Christian fiction, after all), “Vanished” is definitely worth the time. It will also be very interesting to see how the authors interpret the Tribulations in the next novel, titled “Shattered.”
‘Vanished’
By David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal
Thomas Nelson: July 1, 2025
Hardcover, 336 pages
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