In Defense of Israel, Revised Edition

by John Hagee

Why is the Middle East in such turmoil?
Is the modern State of Israel in the plan of God?
Can and should Christians do more than pray for Israel?
Does God’s Word contain instructions to Christians regarding the treatment of Jewish people?

In the near-thirty years John Hagee has been a lover of Israel, he has grappled with each of these questions. Most Christians today don’t know much about the Jewish faith or the history of the Jewish nation. They don’t understand what is truly at stake in the Middle East conflict and why Christians need to do more than just pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They don’t know the role they’ve been called to play in relationship with Israel, and they aren’t sure how God feels about Israel today, either.

As Hagee guides readers through the scriptures that explain why Christians need to stand with Israel and the Jews today with as much fervor as God does, they will encounter a man deeply passionate about loving this historic people of God. They’ll be inspired to take up that same mantle of love and play a part in extending acceptance and favor to the people of Israel, just as God has called them to do.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Judaism, Politics, Christian Living

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Pastor John Hagee and his wife Diana reach out and spread Christ's message throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They reside in San Antonio, Texas with their five adult children, their spouses and grandchildren.

Paster John Hagee is a scholar, musician, athlete, evangelist, and above all, a pastor with a pastor's heart. A fourth-generation preacher in the tradition of his father and grandfathers before him, Pastor Hagee not only shepherds the 17, 000 member, nondenominational Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, he is pastor to other pastors around the country.

John Hagee Ministries produces three television programs. Cornerstone is a weekly broadcast of the Sunday morning service at Cornerstone Church. John Hagee Today is a teaching program aired Monday through Friday. SundayNightLive is a live-via-satellite broadcast of the Sunday evening service from Cornerstone Church that can be seen in over 93 million homes.

Author to several books, Pastor Hagee is a dynamic conference speaker whose straightforward style of preaching, laced wit humour, brings refreshing biblical insight to contemporary problems.

Reviews

[Christopher Desruisseau · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible book, I only read it because it was given to me. Basically he was saying that the Jews don't need Jesus, because they have the Mosaic covenant, and then said he didn't have dual covenant theology even though that is what he's preaching in the book. Don't waste your time reading this book

[Joel · Rating 1 out of 5]

A symptom of the dangers in some parts of evangelical Christianity. Contradicts many well-known facts to fit his own agenda.

[Mohammed omran]

#its_plastine_not_isreal
#its_plastine_not_isreal
#its_plastine_not_isreal
#not_isreal_ its_plastine
#not_isreal_ its_plastine
#not_isreal_ its_plastine
#not_isreal_ its_plastine
same five time we pray
I speak to you in Arabic
Arabic, O land of Palestine,quds , cradle, covenant, and religion

Gospel of the Qur’an, bell and call to prayer, and anger uttered on the day of Hittin

The house of allah is the dignity of a people whose souls are sacrificed for you, my country, your name is permanent, Palestine

The most beautiful country in the world is my country, my country, my country, where you can see the joy of my children

O my country, my country, and its high palms are my strings, it is the father and it is the mother, it is the strength of war and peace is your name always, O Palestine

O my country, my country, and its high palms are my strings, it is the father and it is the mother, it is the strength of war, and peace is your name forever, O Palestine.

انا هكلمك عربي
عربيه يا ارض فلسطين قدس و مهد و عهد و دين عربيه يا ارض فلسطين قدس و مهد و عهد و دين

انجيل قرأن و جرس و اذان، وغضب ينطق يوم حطين انجيل قرأن و جرس و اذان، وغضب ينطق يوم حطين

بيت الرب كرامه شعب تفديك ارواحنا يا بلادى اسمك دايم يا فلسطين

احلى بلاد الدنيا بلادى يا بلادى يا بلادى فيها تشوف فرحه اولادى

يا بلادى يا بلادى، ونخيلها العالى اوتادى هى الاب و هى الام، وهى القوه حرب و سلم اسمك دايم يا فلسطين

يا بلادى يا بلادى، ونخيلها العالى اوتادى هى الاب و هى الام، وهى القوه حرب و سلم اسمك دايم يا فلسطين.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book “In Defense of Israel: The Bible's Mandate for Supporting the Jewish State”, John Hagee explores scripturally why Christians should stand by Israel and includes topics like the role of the Middle East in God’s prophetic plan for the future while even delving into the Anti-Semitic teachings that separated Jews and early Christians in the years after Christ’s death. The Pastor urges Christians to pray for Israel, a country central in Christ’s return at the end of the age.

A renowned Biblical teacher and Pastor who has loved and respected Israel and her people for years, his book is well-written and inspiring. It is a must read for all Christian believers. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

[Sandra Hersey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian needs to read this book. Pastor Hagee teaches so much. Your eyes will be opened

[Skylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastor John Hagee's book, In Defense of Israel, is a great book that explores the Biblical mandate to support Israel.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it does have its flaws, this book was for the most part very good.

Since all I knew about Hagee was that he seems to write a lot of books about the end of the world - in other words, that he's one of those noisome "end is nigh!" American Protestants - I was pleasantly surprised to find his arguments mostly thoughtful, and often thought-provoking.

I never really have read a Christian book that argues so directly for the value of Judaism, Christianity's indispensable forerunner, its stubborn, disapproving but eternally admirable mother. I think Hagee does come across as a bit gimmicky sometimes (if that is the correct word?), and the hyperbolic language about Israel's imminent showdown with its Muslim neighbours sometimes sounds a bit silly, as well as somewhat poorly aged. It would be quite uncharitable to say his zeal for the Zionist cause, and the lives of Jewish Israelis, has a self-serving element to it, in as much as Israel's enduring existence vindicates much biblical prophecy. But it sometimes niggles at you.

The atrocious record of antisemitism throughout Christianity's history (largely, but not solely, within pre-Reformation Catholic times) is equally as depressing as it is embarrassing. It had always seemed to me - at least after first trying to read the Old Testament years ago and encountering its overtly Jewish flavour - that to see merely the Jews instead of humanity at large as blameworthy for the crucifixion of Our Lord is entirely missing the point. Not to mention, the idea that Jews ought to have been punished and persecuted for executing Jesus - as if His passion were not already ordained and vital to God's plan - screams theological illiteracy. As if Christ had hoped to do so much more - maybe sail out to the undiscovered New World - if only those bleeding kikes hadn't gotten in the way and ruined everything.

Hagee also seems a bit too comfortable in simply waving off the plight of the Palestinians, using questionable, legalistic technicalities to deny the suffering of many displaced humans. And I thought it was decidedly unchristian to try to justify the terrorist bombing of the King David Hotel in 1946, which resulted in 91 deaths.

However, he does provide a very readable (if limited) summary of the geopolitical context in which Israel and its neighbours tenuously co-exist. And he provides some interesting and challenging ideas regarding the question of Christ and His messiahship, seeming to propose that He really wasn't the long-awaited Jewish messiah, but rather that He came to bring the Gentiles into the fold, and to die on the cross for the salvation of all.

I certainly don't want to sound like I am taking away a heretical conclusion here. This just seemed to be Hagee's belief, and I am not entirely sure how I feel about it. But perhaps the Jews were right, and actually encouraged by Jesus not to take Him as their messiah. Perhaps it was not yet the time for Him to reveal Himself that way. When you think about what the term really means, you realise it isn't stripping Christ of anything. It is simply disposing with a term often associated with Him that isn't strictly necessary.

[Connie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read and brought to my attention many facts about the Middle East and the people who occupy those countries I wasn't knowledgeable about. He wrote in an easy & understandable manner regarding what qualifies one as Jewish. It was helpful to understand more about the other people of the Middle East & it brought out the biblical history of why there is such unrest, resentment and hatred among these peoples. I am very touched and see need to pray for and to defend Israel more than I ever have. Anyone who is a Christian can not question the land of Israel as a land God promised to Abraham by covenant and that covenant still stands today as much as it did when God told Abraham he would be the Father of many descendants and He chose them as a chosen Nation and He has and will continue to honor that. Great read!

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply, a book every Christian should read... and one of the first that a new Christian should have on their list.

[Clint Heitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic explanation as to why Israel deserves everyone's support, especially that of Christians.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

You think you know everything about the relationship between Israel & the US, read on. Christians need to support Israel now more than ever.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not religious at all, although I do love Israel as a country for its history. John Hagee makes a compelling argument in this book as to why "Christians" should support a Jewish state.

[Ernie Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very comprehensive and indepth look at the foundation, history and anti-semitism and how it has affected the Body of Christ and how we need to support Israel according to the Word of God.

[Rebecca Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book! I learned a lot of history and it helped answer many questions!

[Mark Clinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will never see the Jews or the State of Israel again after reading this in depth and well researched book.

[Mandi Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second reading of Pastor John Hagee’s “In Defense of Israel: The Bible’s Mandate for Supporting the Jewish State.” I stumbled upon it (perhaps God put it in front of my eyes) at a popular bookstore chain back when it was first published in 2007. Having both Jews and Christians in my family, and being a student of Judeo-Christian religious values, this book is a life saving buoy in an ocean of confusion, pain and suffering that has twisted Western Civilization since the time when a mysterious Jew named Jesus walked the Earth. Back in 2007, I hungrily consumed this book in several days. I thanked God for a man as brave as Pastor Hagee: for Pastor Hagee’s insight and courage in loving Judaism; for his founding of the wonderful organization “Christians United for Israel”; and for his writing such an easy-to-read and informative book. I tried to get some Jewish and Christian friends to read it. Most were either too afraid, too prejudiced, or too consumed with post-modern secularism to bother with the book; I pity them their loss of an enriching experience.

Why after 17 years did I just re-read this book—again rapidly consuming its every word? Because the Islamic terrorist group Hamas’s brutal murders, dismemberments, disembowelments, and burning of at least 1,200 Jewish men, women, elderly, children, and babies, on October 7, 2023, has changed everything. Because the rampant anti-Semitism raging across American campuses and major United States cities is unacceptable. Because the ugly hatred that is tolerated, even coddled, in many of America’s Blue States is loathsome. Because 80 years after the Nazi Holocaust systematically murdered 6 million Jews, the world in 2024 still makes excuses and looks away as Islamic extremists promise they will finish Hitler’s job by murdering the remaining Jews in Israel and around the world. This is evil and such evil demands attention. Those with souls must ask why this behavior is allowed to continue.

So I returned to the man, Pastor Hagee, who provided honest answers about anti-semitism and the Biblical reasons for supporting Jews and Israel when he first wrote this book in 2007. I fully expected this second reading to feel dated, perhaps simplistic. Was I ever wrong! Seventeen years later this book is even more powerful and relevant than ever! All the information Pastor Hagee relayed almost 20 years ago has absolutely stood the test of time.

I pray more people will read this book. For the millennial generation, it provides an important history lesson about the current Middle East conflict that began in the 20th century before your generation. Hagee clearly explains with quotations straight from the Quran why radical Islamists feel they have a mandate to kill Jews—and will continue to happily do so. For Christians, it provides a soul-searing recognition of the true history of Christian anti-Semitism since Emperor Constantine “Christianized” the Roman Empire around 325 AD. Pastor Hagee’s chapter debunking the myth of Replacement Theology (the false doctrine that holds that Israel no longer has a part in God’s plan, that God broke his covenants with Jews to replace them with Christians) is masterful—and indisputable if you believe God never lies or breaks promises. Finally, for Jewish readers, rest assured this is not a book trying to convert Jews into Christians. It is a book that provides Biblical proof on why Bible-believing Christians MUST defend Jews AND the Jewish State as God made them.

Thank you and amen, Pastor Hagee.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author makes a good attempt at defending Israel. This book comes basically with a crammed history lesson, a summary of everything that was and is Israel and everything that surrounds it. I enjoyed that part.

*spoiler*
What I did not like was the fact that the author said that Jesus was the messiah and that Jews don't know it yet but they will eventually. Even though he defends Judaism he rejects the idea that Jews will never recognize Jesus as their messiah. Even though his intentions are honest I think he fails at respecting what Judaism and the Jewish nation is and represents by even suggesting the foretold.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new understanding and appreciation for Israel and the Jewish people after reading this book. As a Christian, I highly recommend it to others.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutly Astounding I love reading this book to hear some of the history of Israel. . . It just astounds me. John Hagee Gives a great description of why we MUST DEFEND ISRAEL

[William Heneachon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. A must for the prophecy reader.

[Lisa Wich · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so relevant for people to understand Israel as it impacts our world everyday. This is an important book that explains the historical and current conflicts.

[Annabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a review I wrote a year ago, in the style of Thomas Macaulay.
Reviewed:
Hagee, John. In Defense of Israel. Lake Mary: Frontline, 2007. Print.
Also mentioned:
Hagee, John. Jerusalem Countdown. Lake Mary: Frontline, 2005. Print.

This book has greatly disappointed us. We had expected to find, at the very least, a sensible and humane reading of the history of Israel, and a useful explanation of the situation in the Middle East. Instead, we have found it filled with the most absurd claims and misinterpretations, of pernicious theories and misreadings, and over all, the pervading spirit of the enraged fanatic, who believes without a reason and hates without a provocation. Therefore, to do our part in defense of just principles, we have purposed to write this essay for the purpose of showing these manifold errors, lest that the loftiness of the titles and the sacred authority invoked by these works should deceive their readers into believing, what to us, and worse still, to the very Holy Scriptures to which Dr. Hagee defers, are flagrant errors.
John Hagee, we hardly need say, is the senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in Texas, and professes himself to be a "preacher, Bible scholar, and author", according to the back cover of the book before us. We know no more of him than what is vouchsafed on the covers of these two books, and what is revealed in his writing of these two books, Jerusalem Countdown and In Defense of Israel, in which he distinguishes himself by his zeal for the Jews, not merely to love them and treat them as we ourselves would wish to be treated, but to vindicate them of every crime, proclaim their accomplishments as far greater than reality, and exalt them above all other men. He chooses his thesis: the Jews must be perfect, and forthwith proceeds to prove that this is so, at whatever cost to facts, sense, and as aforesaid, the Bible, of which he professes himself a scholar. This desire to prove the Jews blameless and beyond reproach, a desire amounting to a ruling passion, has, as might be expected, led the author into a number of fearful errors. These may be divided into three categories: major errors that make the reader marvel at their scope, lesser errors which are still incredible, and minor flaws which might be overlooked in an otherwise good book, but in this, become the proverbial last straw.
The manner and style of these two books before us is very striking. They are written in the style of a fanatic, in phrases resembling those for which the author reproaches others. Over all is the spirit of the fanatic, in whom a reasonable and sensible idea becomes a ruling passion, to be carried to the uttermost in spite of all obstacles, including that of reason, good sense, and in this case, the Holy Scriptures. It might be supposed that anyone venturing enough to avow such opinions as these would approach his audience gently and humbly, lest both his tone and his flagrant errors drive them away; or at least, we might think that a scholar should treat with his subject with the academic reserve and formal tone which is both dignified and appropriate when concerned with a serious topic. But we must credit Dr. Hagee with boldness in his cause, at least. The tone which he adopts in these two books, most particularly in the Defense of Israel, far from the ingratiating manner of a skilled speaker expounding radical ideas, or even from the dignified scholar's voice, with its technical vocabulary and scores of long words, is one of burning fury, better felt than described, but employed in nearly every part of these two books. "I do well to be angry," seems to be his attitude toward all that he perceives as setting itself against his beloved Jews, including Egyptians, Rome, pagans, Ottomans, Nazis, Russians, and the Christian Church as a whole, St. Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, and Martin Luther, whom he hates most bitterly of all.
As to material, both books are so similar, up to the second book borrowing whole paragraphs from the first, that In Defense of Israel may well be regarded as a later edition of Jerusalem Countdown, the volume much condensed and the errors greatly worsened. For instance, in Jerusalem Countdown, Dr. Hagee is content to say that the Jews have not yet accepted Christ as Messiah, being judicially blinded to his identity. In the Defense, he announces that Jesus is not the Messiah at all, since the Jews can do no wrong, and rejecting the Messiah would plainly be a great evil. This, he bases on nothing else, so far as we can see, than the idea that the Messiah which the Jews sought was the only Messiah there could be, and no one could be who did not answer to this notion. He informs us that "the Jews were rejecting Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews", and demands how "can the Jews be blamed for rejecting what was never offered?" [136]
Really, we know of no better way to refute these absurdities that to state them. Dr. Hagee, it appears, has much neglected his Hebrew education, since, in fact, 'Christ' and 'Messiah' have the same meaning, one being Greek, and the other Hebrew, for 'anointed' or 'anointed one.' Indeed, Dr. Hagee admits this very thing, but---we know not how---thinks it is a proof of his own theory. Nor is this the only occasion where it seems that any person with two eyes and the ability to read would have the better of this author. In proof of Jesus' denial of being the Christ, Dr. Hagee cites Mark 8:
And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. [29-30]
Now the meaning of this passage is so very plain, it can hardly be necessary for us to add anything further. Indeed, if Jesus was not the Messiah, and meant, according to the Defense, to deny being so by these words, why would there have been any need for the admonition to tell no one? Take, for instance, Superman confirming his true identity to a friend or confidant, while strictly requiring that they should not blazon it abroad. Does this mean he is not Superman anymore? Or if a secret agent should require secrecy from those who know his true identity, is he not a secret agent at all? Certainly not. But this is Dr. Hagee's logic in arguing against Jesus' Messiah-ship.
As if it were not enough for one who titles himself a "Bible scholar" to propagate error like this, we proceed to the next claim in expiation of the Jews, not venturing to state whether it be as bad, or worse than the first, but giving it in Dr. Hagee's own words:
One of those deadly New Testament myths is that the Jews killed Jesus, yet no justification can be found in the New Testament to support this lie.
Again, "Matthew states that the Jews as a people had nothing to do with the political conspiracy against Jesus."
He proceeds to quote Matthew 26:3-4, Mark 11:18, and Luke 22:2, in order to argue the scribes and Pharisees feared to strike against Jesus because of the people's response, and declares there was "a crucifixion plot...carried out by the high priest Caiaphas...a political appointment of Herod, who was himself directly appointed by Rome," before filling five pages with arguments and quotations intended to credit Caiaphas, Herod, and Rome with the crucifixion of Christ, and vindicate the Jews not only of all guilt, but of all suspicion, and all knowledge of this crime against the Son of God, as Dr. Hagee pronounces the Jews "were for the most part ignorant of, the events that led up to the arrest, trial, and conviction of Jesus Christ" [125]. The author has filled eight pages with arguments and quotations in defense of the Jews' innocence, and it would be possible for us to fill as many, perhaps more, in refuting them, but we consider that on this occasion, we can do no better than to defer to much weightier accounts than our own. The Apostle Paul:
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (1 Thess. 2:14-16, KJV)
No commentary is necessary for this passage, any more than for the next, spoken by the Apostle Peter: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36, KJV)
Also,
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (Acts 2: 22-23, KJV)
Was not Peter present for the arrest, trial, and conviction of Jesus Christ? Was he not one of the eyewitnesses to which Dr. Hagee refers us? It is also worthwhile to note that this was on the occasion of Pentecost, when "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost..." (Acts 2:4a, KJV). Now it might be supposed that these apostles and witnesses could be mistaken if the spoke on their own account, but it is only too plain that Paul, as the author of First Thessalonians, or Peter on Pentecost, did not speak on their own account, or from their own beliefs and prejudices, but as "the Spirit gave them utterance." And to these accounts, we feel that we can add no more of importance. Doubtless, Dr. Hagee, being no stranger to the use of sophistry, could find arguments and reasons, however flimsy they might be, to deny something that is plain as words can make it, as every objector can if he is clever enough or stubborn enough to devise them.
It is no great surprise that one whose partiality could lead him into seriously uttering such nonsense as that mentioned above, should fall into many other errors in the way, all inspired by a wish that a certain group of people who, however excellent, are subject to the same infirmities as other men, may have a fairer reputation than they deserve. The most glaring example is seen in Chapter 8 of the Defense, when the author calmly announces that, "one of the largest contributions from the Jewish people was made four thousand years ago...the concept of monotheism..." [102]. If these words are to be taken at their face value, we must suppose that Dr. Hagee believes that there was no God whatsoever, until the Jews came into being as a people and imagined one, as they must have in order to deserve any credit for the contribution of monotheism to the world. One might as well say a man falling from the top of a building contributed gravity to the world. This idea also has tremendous and deadly implications for Hagee's thesis that the Jews are perfect. Carried to its logical conclusion, if the Jews contributed the concept of monotheism to the world, and there was nothing at all before it, their history must be as follows: they invented the idea of a single holy God, then proceeded to conquer Canaan, murder its inhabitants, spoil its cities, and claim it for themselves under the guise that the God they had imagined had given it to them. These crafty and clever dreamers then devised the known canon of Scripture about the things their one God had done and commanded, including in its pages dire warnings against deceit, hypocrisy, robbery, and murder, incidentally being simultaneously guilty of all the crimes listed above.
We earnestly hope that we have mistaken Dr. Hagee in this matter---that what he intends to say is not that the Jews invented monotheism. But we fear that such gross error is not out of keeping with the author's character. In the same chapter, he lists twenty-two Jewish persons and their contributions to society. In this list, he writes, in all apparent seriousness: "William James Sidis: smartest person on earth, with IQ of 250-300," [101]. There is no such person on earth with an IQ this high, and if there was, we would be required to take his word for it, since there would certainly be no one of equal intelligence to test his claim. Sigmund Freud also makes an appearance in this list of remarkable Jewish persons and their contributions to the world, in company with DaVinci, Anne Frank, Jonas Salk, and Leonard Bernstein. We would highly suggest that Dr. Hagee undertake a study of Freud's work, and decide to his own satisfaction if the false, silly, and licentious ideas, now mostly dis-proven, which formed the basis of Freud's philosophy, constitute a worthy contribution to the knowledge and prosperity of man.
But this is no surprise. We have perhaps never encountered any other author with the gift of self-contradiction in such measure. Dr. Hagee not only contradicts his own statements, but manages to believe that he has just supported his claims by doing so. The most notable example of this appears in Chapter 13, in which Hagee undertakes to prove that Jews are not free moral agents, able to choose to serve either God or the devil, but Gentiles are able to choose. Likewise, Jews alone are divinely chosen, and Gentiles are not. As if this all were not extraordinary enough, it is supposed that Joshua's words: "Choose this day whom ye will serve" is a proof of free will for Gentiles! As everyone knows, these words were spoken by Joshua, an Israelite, to Israelites, the very people whom Dr. Hagee supposes to have no free will.
To enumerate all the flaws in these two books might well require a volume in itself, but we will endeavor to mention some of the more glaring ones. Dr. Hagee tells us that Jesus' words, "My kingdom is not of this world" were spoken to Jews asking him to be their Messiah. These remarkable words were in answer to Pilate's question, "Art thou the King of the Jews?"
In Chapter 8, he says that "Before Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants formed the nation of Israel, the rest of the world's civilizations were trapped in polytheism, the belief in multiple gods" [102]. Does Dr. Hagee believe that before Abraham, no one had ever heard of the idea of one God? Yet we read, "And the LORD spake unto Noah...And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him" [Gen 7:1a; 5,KJV]. And of Abel, "And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:" [Gen. 4:4b, KJV]. If Dr. Hagee means to say that Israel was the first civilization to serve the true God, this is quite correct. But a worse way of trying to say this can hardly be imagined than the version we have before us.
Nor is the manner of writing in these two books any of the best, and supplies any number of amusing sentences such as those we subjoin:
The fate of Hitler and the Nazis given in Jerusalem Countdown is as thus: "footnotes in the boneyard of human history" [201]. This is a mixed metaphor. Correctly, the first part must be "unmarked graves" (or a similar phrase), or the second part must be the "book of human history" (or a similar phrase).
We are also informed, on the same page that, "[Hitler] shot himself and ordered his fanatical lunatic Nazi followers to soak his body with fifty gallons of gas and then burn him to an ash" [201]. From this sequence of events, the reader must suppose Hitler shot himself, then, when this failed to produce the desired results, hastily ordered his followers to burn him in the hope that he would die on the second attempt.
This may also serve as an amusing instance of Dr. Hagee's preference for multiplying adjectives. The "poisonous stream of venom" poured forth by the early Church fathers may also stand as an example. It may be useful for Dr. Hagee to note that while two adjectives to describe one thing may be necessary in some cases, it is quite superfluous to use one to describe what is perfectly obvious already, or when both mean the same thing and one could have served just as well as the two.
Let it be understood, however, that we are by no means sympathetic to the odious vice of anti-Semitism, in whatever form it may appear. It has no more place in the heart of a Christian, or of any reasonable and sensible person, than the hatred of any other people and nation has place there. The offenses of the Jews will not be expiated by hatred and violence, nor have we not so learned of Him who said "Love thy neighbor as thyself," and prayed for his enemies on the Cross. These books might have been much shortened if Dr. Hagee had been content to provide us with this reasoning for loving the Jews, and spared himself the strenuous exertions which he has undertaken in these two books, in order to prove them not only perfect, but exalted above all other men.Nor do we find it impossible to agree that for America, supporting the nation of Israel is wise and sensible. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and a friend to the United States. As with other sovereign states, it has the right to defend itself, to declare war, enter treaties and alliances, and ensure the welfare of its citizens.
Much more might be said on this subject. However, that we be not further tedious to our readers, we must stop. In closing, we must say of this author that we are actuated by no personal malice toward him, though we greatly regret that a man so obviously in the wrong should occupy a role of such influence over the minds of his congregants.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I originally thought I would give this book a one star rating, based on seeing what else Hagee has done with Biblical prophecy and exegesis, but I was surprised to find some interesting insights in his book. Let it be noted that I heavily skimmed most of the book and read more thoroughly in other parts. I did appreciate Hagee's attack and historical tracing of antisemitism within the church. Unfortunately, he seemed to say that if you are not an antisemite you will defend the state of Israel. On this point, I have not yet formulated my full conviction, but I will say that antisemitism and anti-Zionism are not necessarily one and the same. Also, it seems that Hagee is in such a hurry to affirm the Jewish people and the state of Israel that he fails to address the need for Christians to bear witness to Christ. From this book, I was unclear whether Hagee believes in a "Two Covenant Theology" or not. He spends a whole chapter building a case against "Replacement Theology," but I feel that both Replacement Theology and John Hagee make "the Church" and Gentiles synonymous rather than understanding that "the Church" is the Remenant of Israel (Romans). The Gentiles are grafted in as a part of it, but Jewish people are a part of it as well. Therefore, it is not the same to say that "the Church has replaced Israel" as it is to say that "the Church is the True Israel." To understand this, we have to realize that God's understanding of the Church is different than the idea of an institutional church. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, lord' will enter the Kingdom" (Matt. 7:21). All in all, I found this book to be worth skimming since it raised some interesting points for discussion.

[Ella Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVEEE! If you love God as well as want to expand your knowledge on the history of the Jewish people I highly recommend this book! All the information is sourced so it’s not just opinion. Really showed me things I never knew. Disregard the hater comments who literally didn’t even read the book. Kinda annoying that can even happen. Regardless. LOVE this book 100000/10 can’t recommend it enough! God bless Israel God bless John Hagee. God bless all reading this. Israel lives!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really easy reading book with clear outline of the Isreal-Palestine issue. A little too enthusiastically black and white in its perspectives for me to trust entirely, but a good introduction to the issues from a Biblical perspective

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!! Excellent source of the history of Isreal, exceptionally written as well!!

[Pamela]

Valuable information, has been a help to me.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good reminder of things I already believe.

[Cordellya Smith]

This is an excellent book that helps the reader understand more about the history of the Jews. It also clearly shows that Christianity could not exist without the Jewish faith.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling, well-researched and articulated reasons why Christians should not hesitate to defend Israel from her enemies here and in the Middle East.