Set the Trumpet to Thy Mouth

Rating:
Summary: Read with some caution
Review: But having said that....

A lot of folks will be tempted to give this book the push. I would not. If you omit the prophecy component, the book is useful because of it's call to holiness and faith, and that alone will help and encourage Christians fighting in the real world. Don't forget that David Wilkerson is possibly the most grass roots preacher ever, and his resolve to go on preaching and encouraging to the very end is very much in line with the whole of his (remarkable) ministry.

The prophecy part is interesting. You might think that the end of the cold war has effectively made a big fool out of David and quite a few others. I'm not surprised at hearing how many people have thrown away lots of Hal Lindsey books, but read this one carefully and you might start to recognize some extra pieces of information that at first were not so evident.

The first significant thing is that the reality of Russia and its relationships to the external world has changed changed several times and become quite alarming since the so called end of the cold war. Therefore, it cannot be so plain that these writings are obsolete - and certainly the relationship between Russia and Israel is very... changable. Russia as a state run almost entirely by organized crime / capitalists without any restraints is far more dangerous than the previous Russia, run under government - as many commercial concerns attempting trade relationships now know to their great cost.

"The Vision", the book, that is, contains prophecy which has now been (as far as I can tell) completely fulfilled except for possibly one (South America), or the Aleution Islands being hit by an Earthquake. Everything else has ocurred, and most particularly the weather perturbations.

Therefore I would expect this book to be equally applicable.

Many writers has observed and commented on the complete absence of America in End times prophecy, so I would expect a high degree of applicability in these writings.

Look at other mid century prophetic expositions of Daniel and Matthew for help on this (most of these believed in the rapture of the saints prior to a seven year tribulation). You will probably find a rapid convergence with the older writers on the bulk of the material here.

A good sign is that the bulk of his message is derived from the core scriptures, and no particularly striking emphasis is put on small parts, creating artificial contexts which could be termed "cultic".

Rating:
Summary: God loves America (a European speaks up)
Review: From a European point of view it is interesting to see how American Christianity tries to deal with its weaknesses and sins. For over a century many of the world most influential revivals and missionary movements have originated in the US. The results are the salvation, healing and discipling of literally millions across its borders. One just has to wonder what the world would have looked like without the American Christians who no doubt have many weaknesses and sins. Just like anywhere else in the world and in church history, by the way. The main question is: How does God deal with the sins of his people? Does He first save them by grace, then tell them to deal with all their sins as quickly as possible and if his patience runs out, pours out his anger? I don't see that in Scripture where God's patience is said to be a powerful agent for change for the better. This is what Romans 2:4. speaks about. I can testify to this truth in my own life (almost 27 years born again now) and in the lives of many children of God around me. If this is how God deals with individuals it follows that He does the same with groups of individuals in just the same way, including the United States of America.
God has been developing his Church worldwide for 20 centuries now. Simple statistics prove it. Anyone knowing church history will confirm it. Yes there may be temporary setbacks like in the book of Judges, but the overall line is one that goes up and not one that goes down.
God loves America, just like He loves the Netherlands (where I am from), Belgium, Germany, Russia you name it. Predictions about a nation's future first need to be held against the light of the Gospel, especially the nature of God as revealed in Scripture, to prove their validity.
Is God going to destroy America? No. Neither is He going to destroy the Netherlands, England, Russia. Instead He will continue to call and empower people to set the nations free, i.e. the people who will not allow themselves to be discouraged by books that are contrary to the nature and plan of God in this era of the New Covenant.

Rating:
Summary: What is wrong with the Church?
Review: I bought and read this book when it first came out some years ago. I hoped that it would be a follow-up to Wilkerson's book, The Vision - I was disappointed. Although a call to holiness is good (it will produce a wonderful and peaceful life), it is Jesus' holiness and righteousness bought with His precious blood that covers the Church - not our performance. No one is going to get any approval from God through performance (e.g., constant repentings, altar calls, tithes, fastings, prayer marathons, and other gimmicks - too many to mention here). It is trusting and (get this)BELIEVING that the blood (and nothing else) is enough. Through Grace we no longer act from fear and liability but from love and responsibility. We evangelical Christians need to forget about the old testament and move into the new one if we are going to convince others that our Jesus is "The Real Deal."

Rating:
Summary: Just sick
Review: It's amazing how wretched a person becomes after making previous false prophecies (The Vision), and not being repentant of them.

Wilkerson in this book takes so many OT prophecies of judgment, and applies them to America who he says will be destroyed in a nuclear holocoust. He takes OT (and NT) prophecy after prophecy after prophecy out of context and constantly applies them to America. He see's America as Babylon (as many do, but well as bad as America is, it's not sound doctrine.)

This book has a great call to holiness...however as much as I believe in holiness, Wilkerson goes beyond holiness to straight out legalism. Wilkerson somehow ends up mixing this "book of prophecy" that he has written with his opinion.

He tries to show folks that all Christians who watch any tv (or even own one) are idolaters (and indeed, it is an idol to some), and that all rock music (and I do mean all) is satanic, and is straight from Hell. And remember, Wilkerson wrote this book quite a few years ago, when TV had some decent programming on it. Remember show's on TGIF (on ABC) like "Full House" or "Family Matters" (that show with Steve Erkel). I guess all those shows were and are abominations.

Of course, false prophets & legalist often seem to forget the truth that is taught in the scriptures...sanctify all things by means of the Word of God, and prayer...

Wilkerson- like in his other books, is above accountability. He has the "I don't care what you say, this is what God says" attitude. Granted, I believe in the authority of geniune prophecy, and modern prophets that still speak "thus says the Lord...", but none are above accountability. Wilkerson says some very good things, but in his books he makes it clear that he will not hear anything against what he says is the word of the Lord, even though it is him speaking- not the Lord.

If you are like me, you will have a difficult time getting past half way in this book, it's just so crammed with false doctrine it's sad. Mature Christians will probably find their spirits grieved after reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Just sick
Review: It's amazing how wretched a person becomes after making previous false prophecies (The Vision), and not being repentant of them.

Wilkerson in this book takes so many OT prophecies of judgment, and applies them to America who he says will be destroyed in a nuclear holocoust. He takes OT (and NT) prophecy after prophecy after prophecy out of context and constantly applies them to America. He see's America as Babylon (as many do, but well as bad as America is, it's not sound doctrine.)

This book has a great call to holiness...however as much as I believe in holiness, Wilkerson goes beyond holiness to straight out legalism. Wilkerson somehow ends up mixing this "book of prophecy" that he has written with his opinion.

He tries to show folks that all Christians who watch any tv (or even own one) are idolaters (and indeed, it is an idol to some), and that all rock music (and I do mean all) is satanic, and is straight from Hell. And remember, Wilkerson wrote this book quite a few years ago, when TV had some decent programming on it. Remember show's on TGIF (on ABC) like "Full House" or "Family Matters" (that show with Steve Erkel). I guess all those shows were and are abominations.

Of course, false prophets & legalist often seem to forget the truth that is taught in the scriptures...sanctify all things by means of the Word of God, and prayer...

Wilkerson- like in his other books, is above accountability. He has the "I don't care what you say, this is what God says" attitude. Granted, I believe in the authority of geniune prophecy, and modern prophets that still speak "thus says the Lord...", but none are above accountability. Wilkerson says some very good things, but in his books he makes it clear that he will not hear anything against what he says is the word of the Lord, even though it is him speaking- not the Lord.

If you are like me, you will have a difficult time getting past half way in this book, it's just so crammed with false doctrine it's sad. Mature Christians will probably find their spirits grieved after reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Idiocy
Review: Throw rational thinking right out the window if you want to like anything Wilkerson writes these days. After reading his earlier book, "the Vision," you'd think he'd have learned that his ability to prophesy the future was non-existent. But no, having learned nothing from the errors he made there, he's back to try again. This time he tells us that America will soon (note: he wrote this book in 1985) be destroyed by a nuclear attack by Russia. He then goes on to decry such evils as watching TV and listening to Christian rock music, twisting logic and scripture to such a degree that I doubt God Himself could recognize it if he read this book. Wilkerson used to be a rational thinker, more focussed on ministering to addicts and gang members. Now all he cares about it making one false prophecy after another, seemingly without the shred of honesty he would need to know that they aren't coming true.

Rating:
Summary: Sadly, it's the truth
Review: Why do the spiritually blind insist on reading books without braille? This book by David Wilkerson takes no prisoners -- and that includes heresy hunters and "lukewarm" churchgoers (notice I didn't mention Christians). I believe one must be spirit-filled to fully agree with this book. The mood echoes that of a 20th century Jeremiah or Ezekiel -- and the finger of woe is pointed directly at America.
I, for one, believe that America is in great danger. I do not claim to be a doomsday prophet; I take notice of the signs of the time. Yes, you don't have to be a spiritual giant to see that TV is immersed in total trash. The author wrote this book back in 1985, and television was bad enough then. Now, just about everything on the screen is coated with sensual sinfulness and dipped in blasphemy and arrogance. And TV has become an undeniable idol for this nation. Nothing at all glorifies God on the big screen (or the "Babylonian idiot box", as the author writes).
Popular music and its artists bow down to the whims of society rather than to the Living God. I challenge anyone to dispute the fact that both music and television have slipped even further away from God since the 80's. Things have gotten worse dramatically since Elvis' 1950-ish gyrations -- now the hip-hop artists glamorize cop shootings and drunken orgies. Rock stars perform their shows under the influence of narcotics and intoxicants. The cross meanwhile is tattoed on their arms and worn around their necks. I've recently been to a so-called Christian concert and heard some of the bands that stood for Jesus. Personally, I couldn't tell the difference between Slayer and Pillar. It was all head-banging and moshing. The lead singer grunted and growled and wore ripped-up, grungy jeans. His body was covered with tattoos. If Jesus Christ was being glorified during the all the moshing and stage diving, I must have missed it.
I say David Wilkerson is right on the money when he prophesies God will judge this nation for such foolishness and rebellion -- and most of all, for making a mockery of His name. Remember, God will not be mocked. Hosea 4:6 says that God's people will be destroyed for lack of knowledge. Very often I see some supposed "born-again" Christian artist get on television and sing for Jesus in a video. But I notice the cherry-red lipstick and seductive eye liner and I see her strike lewd glances at the camera and blow kisses, and I say "Wait a minute! Isn't this supposed supposed to be all about Jesus? Why then do I need to see all the close-ups on her pretty face and slender physique?" That, to me, is a stumbling block for young men. All I see is cleavage, muscles and hair gel. Just insert "God" in the lyrics or a "thank-you, Jesus" and the artist becomes an instant Christian role model for some kid.
And as for Russia destroying America...it's not too late. It's never too late for stuff like that to happen. Cold War, Shmold War. All the reviewers here who automatically labeled the author of this book a false prophet when the USSR became the Russian Federation ought not to jump the gun. Ever heard of Gog and Magog? Read the book of Daniel. Remember, nobody knows the day or hour. It could happen tomorrow, or in another 500 years.
All in all, Set the Trumpet to Thy Mouth is an unpopular warning to all America, a warning of God's condemnation and subsequent punishment for all her harlotries. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, God will obliterate our society (in one hour) by virtue of a Russian nuclear assault (hydrogen holocaust).
Take it or leave it. I choose to take it, and cling to holiness. However it happens, we know this world will pass away according to Revelation, and tribulation is unavoidable. If you're washed in the blood of Jesus Christ none of it should matter anyhow. Books like this one, after all, are geared towards the unrepentant sinner and unsaved.