What's Next: God, Israel, and the Future of Iraq

Rating:
Summary: An updated look at the Middle East in Biblical prophecy
Review: Charles H. Dyer, author of the best-seller The Rise of Babylon, addresses the future of Israel, the Middle East, Iraq, and basically the whole world in the aftermath of America's defeat and capture of Saddam Hussein. It is always interesting to see how an expert's interpretation of Biblical prophecy stands up against significant changes in the political and religious landscape. To Dyer's credit, he has remained markedly steadfast in his prophetic musings on the future of the Middle East. Saddam Hussein will not finish the rebuilding of Babylon which Dyer addressed in The Rise of Babylon, but the ancient city will be rebuilt. Babylon will play a major role in the End of Days, as Dyer explains, but the major emphasis of What's Next? is not Biblical prophecy so much as the complex nature of the Middle East and its peoples.

Dyer takes a noticeably inclusive approach to the subject at hand, seeking to explain the position of both major players as well as forgotten voices in the perpetual Middle East crisis. I was actually somewhat surprised by his even-handed treatment of both Israelis and Palestinians, and I definitely picked up bits of fresh knowledge here. The bewildering degree of hatred that Islamic fundamentalists hold toward Israel is difficult for me to understand, as are the charges that the United States is somehow under the control of Jewish manipulators. To me, such beliefs are nothing short of ludicrous, but Dyer shows just how central such beliefs are to the mindset of Islamic fundamentalists. He also puts a human face behind such beliefs and provides a relatively simple yet illuminating look at the differences between Shiite and Sunni Moslem beliefs. Basically, he argues, Moslems believe any land captured and dedicated to Allah is Allah's forever, and this is one of the prominent reasons for Islamic hatred for the existence of Israel.

When Dyer addresses the nation of Israel, he questions some of their anti-terrorism tactics and shows how the Israelis do not truly conform to any stereotypes, be they good or bad, in which they are often viewed. He hearkens back to God's instructions for the people of Israel to treat non-believers living in their nation as equals under the law; this helps explain why a segregationist policy will not work for the Israelis. He also speaks to some of the abuses and restrictions handed down by orthodox Jews (a rather small minority of Israeli citizens) toward not only the Palestinians but also Jews who have come to profess Christ. This gets right to the crux of the matter, really. Dyer argues that Christians should certainly support the nation of Israel despite the Jews' failure to accept Jesus as the Messiah, for God has said He will judge the nations largely upon their treatment of Israel. Going further, Dyer describes the men and women truly caught in the Middle East crossfire - Christian Arabs and Christianized Jews. These are voices never really heard in the ongoing debate - until now.

In terms of the prophecy for the future, little has changed from Dyer's arguments in The Rise of Babylon. The city of Babylon will be restored to power, most likely by a new strongman in Iraq, who will establish a special relationship with a new, powerful European confederacy, the leader of which will exploit the oil and economic power of Babylon in pursuit of his own military objectives. This leader will bring peace to the Middle East, brokering a seven-year agreement guaranteeing an end to Palestinian-Israeli hostilities. This peace will not last - for anyone, even though Israel will exchange its swords for ploughshares and leave itself vulnerable for the ultimate betrayal addressed in the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelations. Islamic fundamentalists from countries not bordering Israel will not accept the brokered peace, and they will amass an army with which to attack Israel. God Himself will intervene to destroy the enemy armies by means of a giant earthquake, and it is at this point that the nation of Israel will begin to recognize and worship the God who sent Jesus to earth as the Messiah. Islamic fundamentalists will be in shock at the defeat of their armies, and in their crisis of faith they will turn to the European leader who brokered the peace. This leader (the Beast of Revelations) will - after forty two months of peace - declare himself God inside the rebuilt Jerusalem temple . Over the course of the next three and a half years, this Anti-Christ will hold and exercise matchless power over the world, setting the stage for Armageddon. After turning on and destroying Babylon, his forces will move to destroy Jerusalem, at which point the final battle described in Revelations will take place.

Dyer's What's Next? is a relatively short book which can easily be read in one sitting. I think it helps to have a familiarity with Biblical prophecy going in, though, as Dyer never truly goes into detail in these pages. The prophetic message differs little from standard Biblical interpretations. Surprisingly, it is Dyer's brief but insightful look at the full context of the Middle East crisis that makes this book such a rewarding and enlightening read. I should also mention the impressive inclusion of eight pages of beautiful color photographs of important sites in the Middle East.

Rating:
Summary: Great grasp of the Mid-East situation
Review: There is no shortage of books that describe the events leading up to the end of the world and ultimate restoration of the Kingdom of God on earth as described in the Bible book of Revelation. On the one hand, "What's Next" doesn't add anything new to one of the interpretations that has been around for a long time. But it does describe it in a simple, straight-forward way without getting the reader all involved in the details of specific verse translations and the like. It presents the view that the events of Revelation are still yet to occur, a great leader will come out of Europe to bring a temporary peace to the Mid-East, the battle of Armageddon will occur, God will establish his kingdom on earth, and similar.

What makes this book unique is the beginning where author Charles H. Dyer provides a very even-handed and reasonable treatment of the Mid-East situation. At a time when many Christian authors are decrying the evilness of the Arabs and Muslims without any factual knowledge of their religion or culture it is refreshing to find a voice crying in the wilderness that these are our neighbors too and they are real people. He provides welcome insight into the religious and cultural history of people whom he knows personally in contrast to the few radicals that we always hear about on the news.

"What's Next?" is a highly recommended read that provides an insightful view into the Mid-East situation in addition to a basic overview of the end-times as understood by the author and many other Christians.

Rating:
Summary: Great grasp of the Mid-East situation
Review: There is no shortage of books that describe the events leading up to the end of the world and ultimate restoration of the Kingdom of God on earth as described in the Bible book of Revelation. On the one hand, "What's Next" doesn't add anything new to one of the interpretations that has been around for a long time. But it does describe it in a simple, straight-forward way without getting the reader all involved in the details of specific verse translations and the like. It presents the view that the events of Revelation are still yet to occur, a great leader will come out of Europe to bring a temporary peace to the Mid-East, the battle of Armageddon will occur, God will establish his kingdom on earth, and similar.

What makes this book unique is the beginning where author Charles H. Dyer provides a very even-handed and reasonable treatment of the Mid-East situation. At a time when many Christian authors are decrying the evilness of the Arabs and Muslims without any factual knowledge of their religion or culture it is refreshing to find a voice crying in the wilderness that these are our neighbors too and they are real people. He provides welcome insight into the religious and cultural history of people whom he knows personally in contrast to the few radicals that we always hear about on the news.

"What's Next?" is a highly recommended read that provides an insightful view into the Mid-East situation in addition to a basic overview of the end-times as understood by the author and many other Christians.