Hastening

No Place Left #1

by Steve Smith

IN A BUZZING COFFEE SHOP on a chilly Los Angeles evening, a young pastor and his two companions make the fateful decision to leave a life of ordinary and embark on a quest that will change the course of history. Christopher Owen’s eyes gleam as he recites Jesus’ “This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all people groups, and then the end will come ... THEN THE END WILL COME!” Arising from the shadows, an ancient conspiracy challenges the trio’s best efforts, drawing them into a web of political intrigue and murder. Apocalyptic events unfold relentlessly as a global coalition mounts a final assault on the gates of hell. COULD THEIRS BE THE GENERATION THAT FULFILLS THE DESTINY OF HISTORY? WILL THEIRS BE THE LAST GENERATION— THE ONE THAT WELCOMES JESUS' RETURN? Hastening is Book One of the two-part No Place Left saga, inspired by actual events—past, present, and future. It paints a vision of the future, and how every Christian can leave a life of ordinary to join the quest. Could this be the real story unfolding in our world?

Genres: Fiction, Ecclesiology

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2015

About the author

Steve [11^] Smith

Reviews

[Michael Toleno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a dubious (and, arguably, potentially harmful) interpretation and application of Matthew 24:14 that is often (but not always) used by dispensational premillennialists. It has a lot of good discussion of missions and church planting, emphasizing planning, prayer, organization, and logistics. See, e.g., https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/th... for a good analysis of the potential problems associated with the idea that we can somehow hasten the parousia (Second Coming) by taking this specific approach to world evangelism.

The characters are wooden, unidimensional, and stiffly written. Much of the dialogue seems forced and unrealistic. The plot lines are interesting, holding the reader's attention. The book isn't well edited—it has several editorial errors that a decent editor would have caught. There are also some weird turns of phrase that might have seemed artistic or poetic to the writer, but which just don't make sense.

Nonetheless, I found it interesting enough so that I plan to read the second (final) novel of the series. Oddly, the second book cannot even be found in WorldCat, so I purchased a used copy on Amazon, cheap. I had never before come across a book that I couldn't find in WorldCat.

[Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice work by Steve Smith. He introduces the reader to effective mission strategies and the challenges of global evangelism wrapped in an fast paced, intriguing story. Well worth the time to read if you enjoy Christian novels and have an interest in global missions. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual writing was more like a 2.5 or 3 but the reminder about our invitation to be a part of advancing the Kingdom was timely and what ultimately bumped this up to 4 stars for me. A much needed reminder about the necessary intentionality and importance of both sharing our faith and equipping others to do the same. Lord, may we really believe your good news for ourselves and then care enough to tell others about that good news as well - no matter the cost. 💕

[Rachael Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read and most of my favorite books are dystopian novels. This is basically a Christian dystopian novel about what it might be like when Jesus returns and revelation finally happens! I’ve never been so excited and on fire to share the gospel and reach the ends of the earth than when I was reading this book. My favorite book I’ve ever read.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher is a visionary - with a vision to see no place left without a witness to Christ. His first team is launched and Steve Smith takes us on that journey to be part of the "adventures". It becomes a page-turner.

[John McNorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivating, Convicting and Inspiring

Motivating, Convicting and Inspiring. With the issues going on around the world, the story line fits todays narrative perfectly. Matthew 24:14 #noplaceleft2025

[Troy Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about getting the Gospel out at all and at any costs!

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written and was hard to stop reading. I was very engaged in the story, actually stories because there are several story lines. In the story of the Christians, I liked the characters and so appreciated their passion and willing to give their lives to God's kingdom cause. As a Perspectives on the World Christian Area Mobilizer, I appreciated that Perspectives was included, though I would liked to have seen the whole team take Perspectives before their boot camp. Everything they did seemed a bit rushed to me, but that was probably necessary for the sake of the book. I liked how the group trained the nationals to take the gospel to their own people - that was well done. The part that seemed to be unclear is why they didn't go through an already established missions agency (though that would have taken longer). I don't think one small group is going to finish the task; it will be completed by many groups going to the hard places to reach the unreached. Partnerships are key. God works in different ways, so multiple ways of doing God's work is great. This book shows us one way.

Regarding the other two story lines regarding the Senator and The Ten I wasn't always clear on why they were doing some of the things they did. It was very intriguing, but some of this part was a bit too violent for me, though I know things like these may really happen more in the end times. It was interesting to see some parallels between some of what happened in this group and the Christians.

I definitely want to read the sequel!

[D. L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well done book that combines faith, risk, and a dangerous new world order with insights on church planting. A strange combo that worked well for me.

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift from one of my colleagues at work and I read it in four days. I have read Steve Smith's T4T book and enjoyed it, yet was skeptical if he could pull off writing fiction. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised!

The story pacing was really good and the dialogue banter was easy to follow. If I was a non-believer reading this I would totally find some of the references bordering on Christian propaganda. However, when you realize the goal was to fictionalize what many mission agencies are seeing happen around the world, it's easy to look past the "forced" references. I am looking forward to reading the second book when it is published!

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve, writing out of his own life experiences, gives a compelling vision for seeing the Great Commission fulfilled in this generation. In the story, he paints a picture of church planting movements erupting quickly and broadly. Through personal knowledge of much of what Steve has been involved with and studied, it appears he has combined parts of the story from several UPGs in creating the Tuxiang people and how the gospel exploded among them. I don't think it has happened among any one UPG in the dramatic and rapid manner as he presents among the Tuxiang, but who is to say it couldn't?

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing fiction! The story was so engaging I read it in two days. I can't wait for the second book to come out.