Breaking the Apocalypse Code [Paperback]

Mark Hitchcock (Author), Thomas Ice (Author), Chuck Smith (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2007

Breaking The Apocalypse Code: Putting the Bible Answer Man to the Test In his book, The Apocalypse Code, Hank Hanegraaff, host of the Bible Answer Man program, claims to have devised a new method of interpreting biblical prophecy that he calls exegetical eschatology or e squared. He claims to have found the code to Revelation. But has he? Breaking the Apocalypse Code is an eye-opening evaluation of Hanegraaff s book that answers these key questions and many more: Is Hanegraaff s new method valid? Does he apply his own method consistently? Where does his methodology lead? What does he actually believe? How should we interpret bible prophecy? Breaking the Apocalypse Code is much more than just a critique. It provides solid, biblical answers to questions that people everywhere are asking about the end times: Will the Antichrist die and come back to life? What about modern Israel? What s the identity of Babylon the Great in Revelation 17 18? Will Moses and Elijah appear in the end times? Breaking the Apocalypse Code will give you the practical keys you need to properly interpret Bible prophecy and will reignite your passion for the blessed hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In this refreshingly clear treatment of the pre-millennial position, Mark Hitchcock and Thomas Ice have done the Christian church a great service. They have provided a fair and historical evaluation of this biblical doctrine helping us see clearly its development and significance. In the face of unfounded attacks, these men provide a balanced hermeneutic that honors the integrity of scripture. I was challenged, strengthened, and edified reading this book and, what's more, it kindled a new excitement in the soon return of our great Christ. --Skip Heitzig Senior Pastor Calvary Chapel Albuquerque, NM

The impact of the book The Apocalypse Code has been far-reaching and disturbing to many Bible-believing people who have had a keen interest in Bible prophecy and end-time events. Dr. Mark Hitchcock and Dr. Tomas Ice have rendered a most valuable assistance to those who are looking for an answer to the book's preterist position. The attitude and statements of the book regarding the nation of Israel and its part in God's prophetic plans for the future are indeed disturbing and one wonders whether the author has truly understood the 2,566 references to Israel in the Bible! God has not rejected His people Israel of canceled His everlasting covenant to them! The apostle Paul has made it abundantly clear in the book of Romans that a partial blindness is upon Israel that will one day be removed! May God use this book to open the eyes of God's people to the truths of the Bible, and to expose the fallacies and arguments of The Apocalypse Code! --Dr. David Hocking Radio Bible Teacher Hope For Today Radio Broadcast

This is an excellent point-by-point critique of the fallacious claims in Hank Hanegraaff's preterist interpretations of end times events, revealing its ungrounded and unbiblical conclusions. It exposes his dangerous method of interpretation that, if applied to essential doctrines of the Scripture, it would undermine the historic Christian faith --Norman L. Geisler Co-founder and Dean of Southern Evangelical Seminary

About the Author

Dr. Mark Hitchcock. After serving as an attorney in the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Dr. Hitchcock began serving as the senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma in 1991. Dr. Hitchcock earned his Master's and Doctorate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and has since authored over 15 books on Bible prophecy. He lives with his wife, Cheryl, and their two sons, Justin and Samuel, in Oklahoma. Dr. Thomas Ice. Thomas Ice is executive director of The Pre-Trib Research Center located on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He also teaches Bible and Theology at the University and Seminary. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: The Word For Today; 1st edition (November 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597510351
• ISBN-13: 978-1597510356
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Attorney Mark Hitchcock thought his career was set after graduating from law school in 1984 and getting a job working with a judge at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. But after what Mark calls a "clear call to full-time ministry," he changed course and went to Dallas Theological Seminary, completing a masters degree in 1991 and a doctoral degree in 2006. Since 1991 Mark has served as senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has authored 15 books related to end-time Bible prophecy and was the contributing editor for the Internet-based Left Behind Prophecy Club for four years. Mark and his wife, Cheryl, live in Edmond with their two sons, Justin and Samuel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Weak Argument Easily Refuted, February 18, 2010

By 

Christopher M. Date "Chris D" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Breaking the Apocalypse Code (Paperback)

I've been reviewing this book chapter by chapter in detail at the Preterist Blog (100% Hyperpreterist Free). Hitchcock and Ice are correct in calling into question Hanegraaff's derisive and condescending tone and tactics. In a couple of cases they correctly refute Hanegraaff's views. But by and large, their argument against preterism is weak and flimsy, easily refuted. As such, the real value in this book is the confidence it will instill in a preterist who seriously investigates their challenges.

Here is a summary of some of the errors in Breaking the Apocalypse Code which I've reviewed in depth at the Preterist Blog:

1. Chapter 10: Hitchcock and Ice claim Hanegraaff is "without exegetical justification" for placing a 1,900 year gap in Revelation, but it is John the Revelator who does so.

2. Chapter 11: Hitchcock and Ice claim the internal and external evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of an AD 95 date for the writing of Revelation, but the reality is that the evidence is more in support of a pre-70 date, though not 100% conclusive.

3. Chapter 9: Hitchcock and Ice claim Babylon, the great harlot of Revelation, cannot be first century apostate Jerusalem. In reality, however, it MUST be.

4. Chapter 6: Hitchcock and Ice are correct in pointing out Hank's incorrect understanding of the 144,000; they are most certainly Jews, not the universal Church. However, it is clear from Revelation that they are Jews sealed and delivered from the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

5. Chapter 1: Hitchcock and Ice claim "the second error in AC" is that Caiaphas could not have been alive at AD 70 to see the "coming of the son of man" as Hanegraaff understands it. They are correct, but miss the point, which is that the "coming of the son of man" is NOT a reference to His final return. In fact, the Greek is absolutely clear that they would see His "coming" and "sitting" from that point onward.

While I appreciate Hitchcock's and Ice's exhortation to Hanegraaff that he learn to debate "with gentleness and respect," quite frankly I don't understand how they got scholars to give such glowing reviews as listed on the first pages of the book. When one takes just a few minutes to investigate their claims, one discovers how poor their logic and exegesis are.

I recommend this book as long as you read it critically and examine the claims they make closely, after which I believe you'll find yourselves wondering if perhaps there is something to preterism, after all.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understandable, March 20, 2009

By 

Camille - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking the Apocalypse Code (Paperback)

I truly appreciate these authors tackling the task of clearing up what was a confusing take on the end times. This book is written in a readable and understandable way. It not only points out what is an incorrect interpretation--but it also clearly explains the biblical perspective.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking the whole of scripture, March 31, 2009

By 

Roll-E Poll-E (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking the Apocalypse Code (Paperback)

I've got to hand it to Hitchcock and Ice, they use the whole of scriptures to back up their points. I'm not a big debate fan, but I feel that they are necessary to show the majority that there is another side. Hitchcock is hitting it on the money here. If you have never read the Apocalypse Code by Hank Hanegraaff, then this book won't have has much of an impact, but it is still going over the spiritual truths of scripture from the pre-millennial standpoint. This book can stand alone, but it is a rebuttal to the book by Hank. Very informative.