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Prophecy 20/20: Profiling the Future Through the Lens of Scripture

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PROPHECY 20/20 by Chuck Missler will do for your insight into Bible prophecies about world events what carrots will do for your eyesight. It's been said that eating lots of carrots will improve your vision, and I believe it: ever seen a rabbit seeing an optometrist? See? Well, I think PROPHECY 20/20 will also help you to see where we currently stand on God's timeline. And I'll tell you right now what time I think it is: I think we're about to get that "wake up call"; I think the alarm clock is about to blare; I think it's later than you think. Anyone who believes that all is well with the world is dreaming...but not for long! We're about to wake up to a nightmare!

When one has read as many books on Bible prophecy about the End-Times as I have, they reach a point of diminishing returns. I thought, Do I really need to read another book on this subject? Well, I'm glad I did because Chuck Missler's PROPHECY 20/20 is so up-to-date, and Missler always organizes his material in such a logical fashion. I even learned a few more very important things - not bad for an old dog, eh? This is the fourth Missler book I've mentally digested and each one has been a memorable meal.

PROPHECY 20/20 will give you a sharp overview of past Biblical prophecies fulfilled and then explore those yet to come. And I strongly urge you to dig in now because that light you see at the end of the tunnel (if you've got your eyes open at all) is indeed an oncoming train!

Did you know that an Old Testament Bible prophecy certifiably written at least three hundred years before the birth of Christ foretold the EXACT DAY He would ride that donkey into Jerusalem and proclaim Himself the King of Israel? Did you know that an EMP attack could, in a matter of minutes, blast the United States back into the 1800s? (Do you know what an EMP attack is?) Did you know that Allah is not the Arabic name for God, but is the proper name for the moon god, and that's why the crescent moon adorns mosques throughout the world? Did you know that three thousand slave labor camps in China are presently exploiting tens of millions of slave labor prisoners to produce much of the $45 billion in Chinese goods imported by America, and that America still designates China as a "Most Favored Nation Trading Partner"? And did you think that America won't answer to God for this?

Although PROPHECY 20/20 examines far more than just America's place in the End-Times scenario, one of the things I most appreciated about this book was chapter 26, The American Challenge. Many Christian preachers and writers love to extol the virtues of The United States; they lay it on thick about how we're the last bastion of freedom, the warriors for Christ on the globe, the conscience and the example for the rest of the world, and all that other hogwash! Missler is one writer who doesn't shy away from pouring the truth straight out of the vial:

Where is the most dangerous place for an American to be? In his/her mother's womb; there's a one in four chance of being murdered. Over the last 30 years the United States has experienced a: 560% increase in violent crime; 400% increase in illegitimate births; 400% increase in the divorce rate; 300% increase in single-parent homes; 200% increase in teenage suicides; and a 75% DROP in S.A.T. scores. The deterioration of each of these indicators - and dozens of others - can be traced to the year we outlawed The Bible from our schools. Think God might have something to say to us about all this?

One area in which Missler and I disagree is the identity of "that great city Babylon" which is utterly destroyed in Revelation's 18th chapter. He is looking for a reemergence to world power of the original Babylon in Iraq. One reason (among many) I am sure New York City is "that great city Babylon" is that the 18th chapter of Revelation clearly marks her as a major seaport. This could hardly describe Iraq's Babylon! I'm as sure as I can be that either New York City is "Babylon" or else the End-Times are still 100 years or more into the future because it would probably require that much time for another city to attain the wealth and influence described in Revelation 18. I believe just as strongly, however, that we now stand on the edge of "The End." But as with all Bible prophecy, a "wait and see" attitude is the most prudent. (Although Missler's observation on page 238 that the United Nations may be seeking to relocate itself out of New York "for a number of reasons" certainly doesn't hurt my case any!)

I highly recommend Chuck Missler's PROPHECY 20/20. This book, along with END-TIME PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE by David Haggith, may be the only two you really need on this subject.

I'll end with the Billy Graham quote found on page 245: "If God doesn't judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah."

The brilliance of Missler's PROPHECY 20/20 is in its organization--rather than take a past, present, future approach, Missler first peruasively presents prophecy as a testable authenticator of God and the Bible (rather than speculation), then examines the fulfillments of prophecy past, skips the present to review prophecy future, and only at this point returns to analyze prophecy present, geopolitical trends and events. This approach is ingenious because of the logical progression built in the reader's mind, since upon reaching Missler's final section "Prophecy Present: Where Are We Now?," the reader has already developed confidence, even awe, in the Bible's prophetic track record plus he's been informed of the ultimate destination of God's prophetic plan, so that when the author hits the reader with 160 pages of geopolitical/current events point after point, the reader readily recognizes how so much of the stage is set for the coming tribulation and Second Coming that it's hard to imagine forestalling these events much longer. Specific prophecy topics covered include Israel, the Book of Daniel, Hermeneutics (interpretation), the Abomination of Desolation, the Great Tribulation, the "Harpazo" (rapture), and more common prophecy themes, but they are covered in a nontechnical manner that's clear, biblical, and exciting, making this a great book for gift-giving or an entry into prophecy book. The book does not get bogged down in scripture or external citations, but for documentation and further study employs footnotes detailed in the book's 13 pages of endnotes. As for the current events topics, they include WMDs, struggle over Jerusalem, Islam, Turkey, the rise of Asia, the European Union, energy, technology, the ecumenical movement, and more. Though this book can build the interest and understanding helpful for academic study of prophecy, in itself it is not an academic, seminarian type book, yet it's not of the other extreme seen today--sloppy, sensationalistic newspaper pop prophecy. PROPHECY 20/20 is the passionate yet responsible culmination of Missler's years of honed teaching ministry to the laity.

This book is a must read for all believers. From science to current events, everything is contrasted with the Biblical texts. I would only have wished that the author had used footnotes instead of endnotes. There's a huge amount of information here -all extremely interesting and important- that is very well digested for us.

I thank Encompassed Runner for recommending this book. I got to learn not only about biblical prophecy (fulfilled, on the process, and yet to come)but about many more things; things that were to me like loose threads.

Chuck has a great deal of theologoical, political, and military insight which is helpful to understanding Bible prophecy. What is this book about? It covers different aspects of current events and endtime beliefs topic by topic in a logical and easy way to learn. I was very impressed with his knowledge about terrorism and the weapons they have or are trying to get.

Chuck Missler doesn't pull any punches with his latest. This book tells you like it is. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knowing the hard cold truth as to the direction we are heading in this day and age. He is right up there with the likes of John Hagee, Tim Lahaye, Grant Jeffrey, Dave Hunt, Hal Lindsey, Joel Rosenberg, and many others!

Now seriously, what could be more alluring and enticing to learn about than our own FATE? Since finding my way (back in mid-90's), this Spiritual journey has developed within me a strong sense of RESPONSIBILITY that grows in leaps and bounds from time to time. Reading PROPHECY 20/20 nudged me forward. This is simply another tool that helped me seek out and utilize TRUTH in a manner that will progress my Faith, while remaining well-grounded and functional in everyday life.
PROPHECY 20/20 made things very clear of how to harmonize SCRIPTURE into my daily walk from a HISTORICAL standpoint but more than anything however, this book informed me of "where" we stand in GODs timetable.

PROS: Gained a deeper understanding of the traditional mindset & historical reasoning behind "some" Middle-eastern HATERS.
CONS: Invests a bit too much of his personal perspectives on International affairs.

This is a great book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down, but this is usually the case with books written by this most valuable author. I learn so much from reading books by Missler, and this particular one ranks right up there with his best.

Dr. Missler's years of experience in our country's military and business worlds, have given this book the background to tie together what is happening in the world today with the prophesies foretold in Daniel, Isaiah, Amos, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and all over the New Testament by Christ. He details the differences between the first fall of Jerusalem, the coming war of Armageddon, and the final battle. Phenomenally appended by a wealth of information from the sciences, as well as historical manuscripts and present day governmental studies. It helps one to see the entire picture of us and the world's future, instead of just the little corner we are presently residing in.

This is an excellent read for both, a novice regarding Bible prophecy, or someone more knowledgeable. It is not as detailed as Chuck's Bible studies which I highly recommend from KHouse. The book has many scripture references to keep you busy verifying on your own what the Bible says. Overall, I thought it was good book to learn about Bible prophecy outside of the Bible itself. Also, I think this would make an excellent book for any non-believer with strong curiosity. It can be a very quick read if one chooses not to investigate and cross reference the information.

Chuck demonstrates the uniqueness of the Jewish and Christian scriptures as God's fingerprint to the authenticity of His Word through the Bible, as well as who the God of the Bible claims to be. He references many fulfilled prophecies given to humanity as verifiable evidence today of 100% accurate predictions made for future events told by Jewish prophets hundreds and even, thousands of years in advance. This gives us the believer absolute hope and confidence that other unfulfilled prophecies will come true in the future according to God's timing. Reference: ...more sure word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:19), ...search the Scriptures and they are they which testify of Me (John 5:39), ...volume of the book is written of Me (Pslam 40:7), and ..Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy (Rev 19:10).

We are living in a very exciting times. While I don't think I may live long enough to experience the rapture, I do hope to be here for the Magog invasion. I suspect my children will have a greater chance to be part of the rapture. God is very patient and merciful, so I believe He will allow man as much time as is possible before sending the Son. The scriptures tell us that Christ's return will happen not because of God's impatience, but because we will be on the edge of self-annihilation.

Also, I believe the book presents our time as one which the scriptures mention more about than even the time comprising the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. It is easy to understand why many Jewish people did not see the first coming when they only expected the Messiah who will come like Thunder at His 2nd coming. Be watchful so His coming does not surprise you as a thief in the night (1 Thes 5:1-11, Luke 12:38-40, Luke 21:36, Rev 16:15); these are truly the last of days (Matt 24, Luke 21, Mark 13, 2 Thes 1:8-10, Zechariah 12 & 14, Ezek 36 - 39, Dan 9 & 12, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Psalm, and Rev), but they may continue for many more decades.

My only criticism are occasional points mentioned that I might consider "far reaching" for evidence. For these points, there seems to be a disporportionate lack of supporting references provided by the author, so why does he mention them? I'm not sure. However, as I've heard Chuck often says in his Bible studies... due diligence - don't believe anything that he says, read the Bible for yourself, and do your own homework and discoveries - Act 17:11. I believe that this book with Chuck's insight are a good start to help guide you onto a path toward more self-discovery about prophecy and current events. If it does this, then I think it is a very successful book.

I am by no means a prophecy expert. I have read a few books on the subject though, and this is by far my favorite. I really like the way Dr Missler insists you don't take his word for it and do your own research; which I did many times. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject matter. I do wish the footnotes were at the bottom of the pages instead of the back to make referencing much easier. Because the footnotes are in the back, I wish the chapter numbers were at the top of each page. Other than that, if you are even remotely interested in biblical prophecy, you really need to check out this book.