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The Armageddon Code: One Journalist's Quest for End-Times Answers
Through a thought-provoking, journalistic voice, Billy Hallowell, faith editor for theblaze.com, provides objective one-on-one interviews with various leading voices in Christian ministry to explain what they believe the Bible teaches us about the last days. From its easy-to-understand writing style to other helpful tools, everything about this book was created to allow you to educate yourself on what the Bible says, compare what the experts believe, and draw your own conclusions about the end times.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 6, 2016
How do you take a subject which is inherently complex such as Bible prophecy, add differing world views, interpretive methods, and opinions, and still manage to provide a readable work which challenges and enlightens?
Frankly, I’m not sure, but Billy Hallowell in his new book The Armageddon Code: One Journalist’s Quest for End – Times Answers managed to accomplish that feat.
Mr. Hallowell’s book, while not groundbreaking, delves into various aspects of Bible prophecy and the diverse views held by many of today’s scholars and teachers.
The book starts out with a general exploration of why Bible prophecy engenders so much debate. Chapters 2-8 deal with specific topics related to Bible prophecy and the various opinions associated with them. Some of the topics included:
• The Rapture
• The Tribulation
• The Antichrist
• The Beasts
• The Millennium
If you’re tempted to throw up your hands in confusion after reading the first few chapters which reflect so many differing opinions, then I encourage you to stick with Mr. Hallowell’s investigation until chapter 9 on Understanding Scripture and Eschatology. In this chapter Mr. Hallowell explains how our world view helps shape our interpretive methods. And it is these various interpretive filters which give rise to the diverse opinions.
Of these differing perspectives I believe it is safe to say, that they fall into two main categories. Those who believe the Old and New Testament prophetic record should be interpreted in literal manner whenever possible and those who believe a more poetic or metaphorical approach is warranted.
After the pause in Chapter 9 Mr. Hallowell once again returns to the controversy by exploring:
• Preterists
• Gog, Magog and the Reestablishment of Israel
• Israel’s Role in the End Times
• Blood Moons
• The 2nd coming in light of the first
• Date Setting
The book is rounded out in the final two chapters by looking at where today’s laymen, pastors, priests, and ministers stand on specific aspects of Bible prophecy. Finally, Mr. Hallowell closes on a more personal note which in my opinion was one of the best parts of the book.
* * *
I do have a bit of respectful criticism. After reading the various points of view in this book, two issues stood out which I believe my own futurist peers could do a better or more thorough job of articulating.
• 1. Prophecy of 70 Weeks
It’s amazing to me the extent to which the prophecy of Daniel 9 (the 70 weeks) influences our eschatological world view. In many ways it is that unifying factor or framework, if you will, upon which many aspects of futurist’s eschatology rests. Ironically, it is also a major pillar in the historicist’s world view which falls at the other end of the spectrum.
What intrigues me about this subject is how little care either side puts into establishing this incredibly influential prophecy upon a solid Biblical chronological foundation in the 2nd temple era. In my opinion it’s the weak link in both futurists’ and historicists’ eschatological framework.
• 2. Gog and Magog.
In this book Mr. Hallowell spent some time digging into various opinions of the Gog and Magog debate. One aspect of the discussion completely missing from the debate was the status of Israel as dwelling securely in the land at the time of invasion. Ezekiel, in chapter 38 & 39 uses the terms dwelling securely (yashab betach) to describe Israel’s status preceding the invasion.
This is important because in the Old Testament this Hebrew phrase, when used to describe Israel, is nearly exclusively used to describe a yet future time when the Messiah rules over Israel. (Lev. 26, Jeremiah 30, 32 & 46, Ezekiel 28, 34, 39 and Zechariah 14) Building upon the promised blessings of Leviticus 26, each of these passages speaks of a time when Israel has been gathered back into the land in the Messianic age. I just think, for the sake of contextual congruency, it is another question that we as futurists need to address more thoroughly.
* * *
In summary, I thoroughly appreciated reading the diverse points of view Mr. Hallowell brought together in this book. To be sure this book is not for the faint of heart. But if you are one who truly appreciates being challenged by another believer’s point of view then you’ll enjoyed this well written exploration of Bible prophecy. Once you’ve read this book I encourage you to open your own Bible and see if these things be so!
Frankly, I’m not sure, but Billy Hallowell in his new book The Armageddon Code: One Journalist’s Quest for End – Times Answers managed to accomplish that feat.
Mr. Hallowell’s book, while not groundbreaking, delves into various aspects of Bible prophecy and the diverse views held by many of today’s scholars and teachers.
The book starts out with a general exploration of why Bible prophecy engenders so much debate. Chapters 2-8 deal with specific topics related to Bible prophecy and the various opinions associated with them. Some of the topics included:
• The Rapture
• The Tribulation
• The Antichrist
• The Beasts
• The Millennium
If you’re tempted to throw up your hands in confusion after reading the first few chapters which reflect so many differing opinions, then I encourage you to stick with Mr. Hallowell’s investigation until chapter 9 on Understanding Scripture and Eschatology. In this chapter Mr. Hallowell explains how our world view helps shape our interpretive methods. And it is these various interpretive filters which give rise to the diverse opinions.
Of these differing perspectives I believe it is safe to say, that they fall into two main categories. Those who believe the Old and New Testament prophetic record should be interpreted in literal manner whenever possible and those who believe a more poetic or metaphorical approach is warranted.
After the pause in Chapter 9 Mr. Hallowell once again returns to the controversy by exploring:
• Preterists
• Gog, Magog and the Reestablishment of Israel
• Israel’s Role in the End Times
• Blood Moons
• The 2nd coming in light of the first
• Date Setting
The book is rounded out in the final two chapters by looking at where today’s laymen, pastors, priests, and ministers stand on specific aspects of Bible prophecy. Finally, Mr. Hallowell closes on a more personal note which in my opinion was one of the best parts of the book.
* * *
I do have a bit of respectful criticism. After reading the various points of view in this book, two issues stood out which I believe my own futurist peers could do a better or more thorough job of articulating.
• 1. Prophecy of 70 Weeks
It’s amazing to me the extent to which the prophecy of Daniel 9 (the 70 weeks) influences our eschatological world view. In many ways it is that unifying factor or framework, if you will, upon which many aspects of futurist’s eschatology rests. Ironically, it is also a major pillar in the historicist’s world view which falls at the other end of the spectrum.
What intrigues me about this subject is how little care either side puts into establishing this incredibly influential prophecy upon a solid Biblical chronological foundation in the 2nd temple era. In my opinion it’s the weak link in both futurists’ and historicists’ eschatological framework.
• 2. Gog and Magog.
In this book Mr. Hallowell spent some time digging into various opinions of the Gog and Magog debate. One aspect of the discussion completely missing from the debate was the status of Israel as dwelling securely in the land at the time of invasion. Ezekiel, in chapter 38 & 39 uses the terms dwelling securely (yashab betach) to describe Israel’s status preceding the invasion.
This is important because in the Old Testament this Hebrew phrase, when used to describe Israel, is nearly exclusively used to describe a yet future time when the Messiah rules over Israel. (Lev. 26, Jeremiah 30, 32 & 46, Ezekiel 28, 34, 39 and Zechariah 14) Building upon the promised blessings of Leviticus 26, each of these passages speaks of a time when Israel has been gathered back into the land in the Messianic age. I just think, for the sake of contextual congruency, it is another question that we as futurists need to address more thoroughly.
* * *
In summary, I thoroughly appreciated reading the diverse points of view Mr. Hallowell brought together in this book. To be sure this book is not for the faint of heart. But if you are one who truly appreciates being challenged by another believer’s point of view then you’ll enjoyed this well written exploration of Bible prophecy. Once you’ve read this book I encourage you to open your own Bible and see if these things be so!
September 28, 2016
I had no idea the end times/last days discussion was so complex!
The first few chapters are dedicated to defining the many positions and sub-positions people take. I think a detailed chart would have been helpful for me to flip back to as I read the later chapters, which go into more detail. As it is, I sometimes flipped back to the earlier text for clarification, but most often I simply kept reading in my confusion because it was a pain to find the right spot in the the text to flip back to. That having been the case, I probably did not get as much out of this book as I could have.
I also came to it from the perspective of believing in the LDS (or Mormon) perspective of the Second Coming. If I didn't already have clear doctrinal direction, this would have been a pretty good starting point for studying the end times topic. I did really appreciate the emphasis on using scripture to see where the differing views come from.
Overall, I found this book interesting, but not really super helpful. It is a good jumping off point.
The first few chapters are dedicated to defining the many positions and sub-positions people take. I think a detailed chart would have been helpful for me to flip back to as I read the later chapters, which go into more detail. As it is, I sometimes flipped back to the earlier text for clarification, but most often I simply kept reading in my confusion because it was a pain to find the right spot in the the text to flip back to. That having been the case, I probably did not get as much out of this book as I could have.
I also came to it from the perspective of believing in the LDS (or Mormon) perspective of the Second Coming. If I didn't already have clear doctrinal direction, this would have been a pretty good starting point for studying the end times topic. I did really appreciate the emphasis on using scripture to see where the differing views come from.
Overall, I found this book interesting, but not really super helpful. It is a good jumping off point.
December 31, 2016
This book's release was brought to my attention as a result of following the author on Twitter. Since this subject always fascinates me, I purchased it the day of it's release.
If you want an impartial discussion on the End Times from different viewpoints, this is an interesting read. Hallowell, a reporter (formerly of The Blaze), interviews many different pastors and theologians to learn their views on the Rapture, Tribulation and Millenium - and why they believe what they believe.
Even if your views are set as to what you believe is the correct interpretation of Revelation, this book is an important read in order to understand the other side. It may confirm what you believe, but it may also make you think twice. It did not change my views, but I did learn more about church history, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the importance of this book in the Bible.
A more thorough discussion on this book can be found at my blog: musesofamom.com
If you want an impartial discussion on the End Times from different viewpoints, this is an interesting read. Hallowell, a reporter (formerly of The Blaze), interviews many different pastors and theologians to learn their views on the Rapture, Tribulation and Millenium - and why they believe what they believe.
Even if your views are set as to what you believe is the correct interpretation of Revelation, this book is an important read in order to understand the other side. It may confirm what you believe, but it may also make you think twice. It did not change my views, but I did learn more about church history, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the importance of this book in the Bible.
A more thorough discussion on this book can be found at my blog: musesofamom.com
June 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book so much. I have read a lot on end times prophecy over the years, to the point where I became oversaturated, and had to cut back, so it has been quite a few years since I've delved back in again. I'm so glad I did with Mr. Hallowell's book.
Unlike most books that concern the Tribulation, the Rapture, Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, et cetera, Mr. Hallowell's book is not one man's best educated guesses on the subject. Rather, Mr. Hallowell interviewed multiple Christian theologians and compared and contrasted their views. Except for a couple of short pages at the end of the book, Mr. Hallowell is careful not to reveal his own opinion on whether the Tribulation is going to be a real event, or it is only allegory, or whether there will be a Rapture; and, if so, when.
Unlike most books that concern the Tribulation, the Rapture, Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, et cetera, Mr. Hallowell's book is not one man's best educated guesses on the subject. Rather, Mr. Hallowell interviewed multiple Christian theologians and compared and contrasted their views. Except for a couple of short pages at the end of the book, Mr. Hallowell is careful not to reveal his own opinion on whether the Tribulation is going to be a real event, or it is only allegory, or whether there will be a Rapture; and, if so, when.
May 4, 2016
Hallowell gives a broad survey of modern Christian eschatology centering around pre-tribulational, premillennialism. Three of the four men named on the top of the cover are pre-tribbers. I guess that makes sense in light of the fact that it appears to be the most popular view. Some page space is also given to preterism, but there's not much on historic premillennialism or other points of view. Neither is there much on the history of eschatology or how the various ideas developed except for a brief discussion of Montanism.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews