f you are watching events in the Middle East, or have an interest in prophecy or the end times as described in the Bible, "Armageddon, Oil and Terror: What the Bible Says about the Future" (by John F. Walvoord, Mark Hitchcock; Tyndale House Publishers, 2007) is a must-read for you. Including such events as the bombing of U.S. embassies, 9/11 and the war on terror, and other worldwide events as recent as six months prior to publication, this book clearly shows that no events on the world stage in at least the last 50 years are freestanding; they are all connected and are a part of events leading up to what the Bible describes as the earth's end times.

Chapter titles such as Oil Becomes the Ultimate Weapon; Israel: Ground Zero for the End Times; The Decline and Fall of America; Iraq: The New Babylon - Economic Center of World Power; and 10 other chapters, hint at some of the book's information.

The book discusses the roles of Iran, Russia and China in the near future. It provides an in-depth look at the role of oil and its worldwide importance in today's societies and in the end times. The authors' view is that a nation or alliance of nations will soon gain control over most of the oil and that whoever controls the oil will control the oil-hungry world. The authors include liberal use of scripture references from the books of Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation.

Dr. John F. Walvoord, an avid student of biblical prophecy, as well as President of Dallas Theological Seminary for many years, wrote the earlier version of this book. After his death two years ago, his son, John E. Walvoord, and his friend, Mark Hitchcock, updated that version to the current 2007 publication, including showing how events that Dr. Walvoord predicted 20 years ago have now taken place.

It makes no difference if you are not a student of prophecy; this is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about or is curious about the future of our world.

I have studied prophecy and have read Dr. Walvoord's past works. Even so, "Armageddon, Oil and Terror" made me realize how close the end times are and how things are lining up just as the Bible states they will happen. Reading Walvoord and Hitchcock's book made me more aware of the significance of current news events such as pushing for Turkey to be admitted into Nato and how important and central Iran's role is becoming.

The book also made me even more conscious of the need to pray for our governments and world leaders.

Your relationship to Jesus Christ will have a great influence on how you view the significance of events discussed in this book. Quite frankly, if I read this book and were not a believer in Christ, I would be scared spitless. The climax of events described in the book is the return of Jesus Christ to the earth to set up his kingdom and end the terrible battle of Armageddon. Your beliefs about the Rapture and whether Christians will be taken to heaven prior to Armageddon will also color your reaction to the book. Dr. Walvoord was a strong advocate for the belief that the Rapture will occur prior to Armageddon.

Read this book! No matter whether you are a Christian; someone curious about prophecies about end times; or someone concerned about current-day events in the Middle East, the war on terror, and the crucial importance of oil in today's world, this book is likely to alter how you view current and future events and is also likely to change your life.