2012, the Bible, and the End of the World

by Mark Hitchcock

In 2012, the Bible, and the End of the World , bestselling prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock explores a fascinating last-days controversy that is gaining the attention of millions all over the globe.
What should Christians make of the rapidly spreading speculations that the world will end on December 21, 2012? The ancient Mayans were expert astronomers and their advanced calendar cycles predict 12/21/2012 as a catastrophic day of apocalypse. This prophecy has spawned a growing number of fringe-element books, Web sites, and even a major movie—complete with all-star cast—scheduled to release in July 2009.
Missing in the furor is a biblical perspective. Bible teacher Mark Hitchcock—whose books have sold more than 300,000 copies—examines the following This book provides a fascinating survey of both the historical past and the prophetic future. Readers will discover how to effectively counter baseless speculation with biblical fact.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Mark Hitchcock was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from law school in 1984. After working for a judge at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals for four years, Mark was led to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating in 1991. Since that time, he has served as senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He completed his PhD at Dallas Theological Seminary in 2005 and serves as an associate professor of Bible exposition at DTS. He has authored over thirty books related to end-time Bible prophecy that have sold over one million copies. His books have been translated into over ten languages. Mark is a frequent speaker at churches and prophecy conferences both in the United States and internationally. Mark and his wife, Cheryl, live in Edmond, Oklahoma. They have two sons, Justin (married to Natalee) and Samuel, and two grandchildren..
You can also connect with Mark on Facebook

Reviews

[Wyndy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the hysteria to come over all the prophesies about 2012 Mark Hitchcock has written a book about what to expect the world rumours to be and what the Bible actually says about it all. I must admit that it took me a long time to read the first half of this book. I expect that that was because I already knew about all the different myths and prophecies so I found that first section rather tedious. I think that those people who are not familiar with all the different versions and views will find it very interesting and enlightening. The last half I found very interesting for it focuses on what the Bible says about the end days and what we should be paying attention to. The last chapter gives constructive instruction on how the Bible says we should prepare for the end days and concrete arguments about why we should ignore most of what will be broadcast about the 2012 myth, where these myths differ from the Bible, and what to expect.

[Canny Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's get to know a little bit about the Mayan culture.

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very curious about what a religious writer would have to say about the 2012 hoopla, but this was quite disappointing. Most of the the points the author made that I did find interesting he was quoting from other works. I am not a regular "church every Sunday" type of person, but I'm very spiritual and do believe in God and Jesus. But I also believe that the Bible, like any other book, was written by humans. And although the information that was taken down came from God, a human put it in their words. And there is a saying, to err is human.

For Mark Hitchcock to say that the Bible is the only book that has accurately predicted future events because God is the only being that knows what the future holds is flawed. Yes, God is the only one that can know what the future holds. But the Bible is open to interpretation like anything else. He says it's not, that it's very clear and precise. But in another chapter he will say how some religious leaders believe this passage means that and that passage means this, but they're wrong. They're not wrong...they are interpreting the passage differently than him. That does not make them wrong. I find that very smug and arrogant for him to think he's the only theologian who has interpreted the Bible correctly and as it was intended.

As for the Bible being precise, I'm going to point you to Chapter 9 in this book titled Future Tense, sub-chapter The Seven-Year Tribulation. Yes, the time Jesus laid out is precise, but alk about interpretation. The author even uses the word "interpret" in this chapter.

The book gets the two-star rating from me based on the other works Mr. Hitchcock cited that I found interesting. Definately not for his "opinion" that he called "fact".

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book to see what the Christian perspective was regarding the Mayan calendar and December 21, 2012. Mr. Hitchcock did spend time to clarify what we know about the Maya in regards to their calendar, the aforementioned date, their belief system, their history, and this 'prophecy.' The truth (which I already knew from being a student of Maya culture and history) is that the Maya did not prophecy the end of the world. This belief has been perpetuated by westerners and New Agers who are looking for something to believe in and point to in their search for a life belief/faith. The author speaks of this at length and provides a listing of previously failed movements and predictions of the earth's demise. He digs into the current paranoia and obsession and gives some reasons for this. The latter part of the book delves into the Christian belief of the Return of Christ and the Second Coming. Mr. Hitchcock meticulously shows the difference between the Christian beliefs and the suppositions of those who are interpreting the Mayan calendar end date. He lays out the principles and basis for the Christian belief of the end of the current age and what those beliefs are based on. In the end, the author lays out the vast differences between the current popular belief and the established age-old Christian belief. It is a good read for this who want to compare the two beliefs. It is basic enough that the uninformed of either ideaology will understand the concepts.

[Luciano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book this morning and finished it this evening. It was given to me by a friend at work who was concerned about my fear/paranoia as it concerns December 12, 2012. I haven't built a shelter nor do I have a years supplied of food stored anywhere, but yes I have been concerned.

By definition I am a Christian, although I feel that organized religion has done more harm than good in the world. The truth is that more people have died for their belief in "God" than for any other reason out there..

Although Hitchcock makes some good points, he has this tendency of getting on people for interpreting certain books and writers a particular way as it pertains to 2012 and prophecies in general, but stating that that only in the Bible do we see material presented in such a way that makes it irrefutable. Yet on more than one occasion he states he disagrees with how a fellow theologian interprets parts of the Bible. It's this glaring glaring inconsistency that undermines his arguments.

In the wake of reading the book I am more convinced then ever that we may be dealing with some significant environmental changes in a few days. How bad is anyones guess, but even Hitchcock states that we may be in store for some "unusual" conditions come December 12, 2012.

Perhaps having some extra water, food, and some loaded arms at the ready might not be a bad idea. As they say, better to be safe than sorry,

[Vladimir Lugo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I read not necessarily for personal growth, even though I learned some details about what people think in connection with the topic. I read this from a pastoral perspective. It can help us guide others who may be doubtful or even fearful about the future with all the buzz around 2012's end of the world. It is a good book from that perspective. I am planing to give it away to someone in need.

[Guy Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about the Mayans and all they had done. Great book on all the "hype" about 2012

[Sarah Risner Gilpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, it gives you the biblical view, and the history on the mayan world and other religions and etc...

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives good straight forward information regarding our present time in history and great information based on the bible for the end times of the world.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining book. Guess the world won't end in 2012.