New York Times bestselling author Michael D. Evans explains ancient biblical prophecies about current events that affect America's role and destiny in the 21st century.

"Why do they hate us?" That's the anguished cry of Americans seeking an explanation for the terrorist attacks on the United States and the continued political violence against US soldiers, diplomats, tourists, and missionaries. Today, Americans live in constant fear of the next major act of domestic terrorism--but instead of gaining international sympathy, the US finds allied support more tepid than ever. Now, Evans sheds light on political events from a prophetic perspective in a thought-provoking look at the biblical prophecies written more than 2,000 years ago. America is targeted, he says, because of its friendship with Israel, its foundation on Judeo-Christian principles, and its basis in democracy. He also warns that the attacks will continue and that Scripture predicts a demise for the United States if it compromises its allegiance to Israel and its constitution's moral foundations.

How is America tied into ancient biblical prophecies? According to author Michael Evans, a fundamentalist Christian minister, biblical prophets already predicted that America is doomed to collapse unless its government stops accommodating the Arab world for the sake of oil and instead offers full military and diplomatic support to Israel. He believes that God wants Israel to have full control of the West Bank and Gaza, and Americans are risking God's wrath by not fully supporting this biblical mandate. Evans also theorizes that much of America's problems--including the attack of 9-11--are indications of God's fury over America's split allegiance between the two famous descendents of Abraham: Ishmael and Isaac. "We are caught in a tug of war between two brothers--between oil, political expedience, and conscience in many ways--and it our decisions and polices concerning these two brothers that will determine whether the United States will survive or go the way of the Roman Empire," he writes. Evans's prophetic foundation begins with the parable of the fig tree (Matthew 24:32-44), in which he interprets the various signs Jesus gave his disciples to mark "the final age and his return." Obviously, the Bible can be interpreted many ways, and Evans uses 17 chapters to weave in interpretations of scripture that support his theory that America faces a mammoth choice--ruin or salvation. Although actual quotes from scripture are rather sparse throughout the book, he concludes with a five-page index of "Ancient Prophecies" that indirectly support his theory. One caveat--Evans (Beyond Iraq) does not hide his vehement anti-Muslim leanings. This book will probably be offensive to Christians who practice religious tolerance and lean toward a more-inclusive solution to American diplomacy in the Middle East. --Gail Hudson

From the time George Washington placed his hand upon a Bible and swore the oath to become the first president of the United States, the Jews-and more important, a Jewish homeland-have occupied a crucial place in America's history. The second president of the United States, John Adams, declared toward the end of his life, "For I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation." Now internationally renowned Middle East expert and biblical scholar Mike Evans traces the efforts of American Christians to help establish a Jewish State through a "prophetic memorial," a declaration presented to five successive American presidents outlining the biblical mandate for a Jewish homeland. Evans describes in fascinating detail the events that led in 1948 to the birth of the nation of Israel.

The hatred of the Arab world for the West-and toward America in particular-can be traced entirely to this nation's identification with Israel. America flirts with danger, Evans says, when it accommodates the Arab world merely for the sake of oil. As God said to Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse." America's prophetic future hangs on the nation's moral vision and clarity.

The hostility of Islamic fundamentalists toward America can be explained succinctly, Evans asserts: It is rooted in bigotry, the ancient prejudice against Jews. Yet, says Evans, "America is cursing what God has blessed (Israel) and blessing what God has cursed (rebuilding Babylon [Iraq]). Does the Bible reveal what will happen to a nation that does this? A thousand percent yes!"