Waiting for Armageddon

For America's 50 million evangelical Christians, the Holy Land—particularly Jerusalem—is the site of events foretold in biblical prophecy that will bring about the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it. Directed by Kate Davis, David Heilbroner, and Franco Sacchi, Waiting for Armageddon treats that provocative belief in an evenhanded, respectful manner as it explains the evangelicals' views and explores their sometimes uneasy relationship with Israeli Jews, including how those ties influence American policy in the Middle East. For example, Israel courts evangelicals to gain political support and tourist dollars, but takes exception to their religious conversion efforts and “triumphalism” (one individual expresses hope that Islam's Dome of the Rock, a Jerusalem landmark, will be destroyed by an earthquake or missiles). The documentary combines archival material and interviews with scholars, religious professionals, and others to depict the stages leading up to history's last battle: notably, the “Rapture,” or “snatching up” of true believers into Heaven; the “Tribulation” of a string of massive natural disasters; a face-off between the Antichrist and his followers and the forces of Christ; and finally, a restoration of the heavenly kingdom and a great reign of peace. Viewers also follow evangelical families both in the U.S. and during visits to the Holy Land, with baptisms in the Jordan River and treks to the Masada and the Sea of Galilee. DVD extras include an interfaith roundtable discussion. A thought-provoking film, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)