There is money to be made in prophecy—especially the dispensational premillennial variety. An entire industry has been spawned by the wildly successful LaHaye-Jenkins Left Behind prophecy-thriller series.

And now, with Hezbollah locked in battle with Israel, we can expect a fresh round of sermons, articles, DVDs and books showing how these events—foreseen by the biblical writers 2000-plus years ago—are inexorably driving us toward Armageddon.

But despite the too-often profit-driven sensationalism of many prophecy titles, the subject is critically important, harbouring profound implications for the millions living in the Middle East, and around the world for that matter. Lives are being destroyed daily, and we do need to be informed.

Christians who understand biblical prophecy as prewritten history will appreciate Mark Hitchcock’s End Times Prophecy Series, published by Multnomah Publishers. The seven volumes: What On Earth is Going On? (2002); Is America in Bible Prophecy? (2002); The Coming Islamic Invasion of Israel (second edition, 2006); Is the Antichrist Alive Today? (2003); Seven Signs of the End Times (2003); What Jesus Says about Earth’s Final Days (2003); and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (2004) could easily have been written as one book. Nevertheless, as stand-alone titles, each provides an entry point to the entire series.

Steeped in classic dispensational premillennialism, Dallas Seminary graduate Mark Hitchcock is “one of the most sought-after authorities in biblical prophecy for a new generation” (publisher’s blurb).

Is he destined to be a 21st-century John Walvoord? Reading Hitchcock reminded me of dispensationalism’s genetic ability to adapt its hermeneutical conclusions to fit current events—whatever happens, it can be found in the pages of Scripture. And while Hitchcock is no Lindseyian speculator, he does have a fascinating take on the Antichrist’s arrival and on America’s prophetic future.

If you are seeking a fresh presentation of standard dispensational premillennialism, these volumes are excellent choices.

Christian Zionism—the belief in the divine right of Israel to inhabit the land God gave to Abraham—finds its strongest support within the dispensational stream of evangelicalism. And their view has significantly influenced the Middle East policy of the U.S. and Britain, and to a lesser extent, Canada.

That concerns Stephen Sizer, Anglican Vicar and chairman of the International Bible Society (UK). In Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon? (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2004), Sizer assesses the movement, presenting what John Stott describes as a “ground-breaking critique of Christian Zionism.”

Sizer begins by tracing the history of Christian Zionism, demonstrating that many notable leaders within 18th- to 20th-century Christianity were proponents of the Zionist project. Some of these leaders apparently placed greater value on restoring Jews to their ancient homeland than to bringing Jews to know Jesus, their Messiah and Saviour—a problem that continues among more than a few Christian leaders today.

The second section of the book explores the theological emphases of Christian Zionism. Sizer demonstrates how Christian Zionism grows out of a literal futurist hermeneutic and is concerned with restoring the Jews to the geographical land of ancient Israel, with Jerusalem as the eternal, exclusive Jewish capital. They look for a rebuilt temple, including a re-instituted priesthood and sacrificial system. Dispensational Christians make the strongest Zionists.

Sizer is pointed in the third section where he discusses the political implications of Christian Zionism. He is concerned that many evangelicals have ignored or stereotyped Palestinians, especially Palestinian Christians caught in the Arab-Israeli conflict and teetering on the edge of extinction.

For Christians, according to Sizer, this is a “contradiction of our faith, and ultimately immoral before God. It is nothing less than to perpetuate the evil of the Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan who walked by on the other side.”

Though Sizer harshly criticizes dispensationally driven Zionism, he does support the legitimate rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians—rights that include safety and security for both peoples within internationally recognized borders.

Sizer presents a fair critique of the history, theology and implications of Christian Zionism. One does not have to agree with all Sizer’s conclusions to benefit from his work. Even as I question some of his conclusions, he forces me to question some of my convictions. This book needs to be discussed widely.

David Daniels directs the ministry of New Covenant House in Toronto. He also serves as book reviews coordinator for ChristianWeek.