On August 21, 1992, Randy and Vicki Weaver, and their armed-to-the-teeth children faced off in a gunfight with even more armed-to-the-teeth federal agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. How the Weavers came to believe that the Bible foretold the standoff underpins the masterfully written book. Moreover, at the time, 15% of Americans believed that the Apocalypse as written in Revelations was not just literal, but imminent. The number is probably higher now, and among evangelical Christians, the number of believers in the literal word of Revelations is well over half. This book does its best to explain the degree of faith and “logic” that is pertinent to fundamentalist Christians.
What the author Chris Jennings does so excellently is place the Weavers in historical context, beginning with scripture as it was redacted in the first century, and then updating its application to adherents in the 19th century. Jennings follows influential preachers and writers whose expression of End Times gospel grew to include millions of followers who believe, no, KNOW, that a Zionist Occupied Government, called ZOG have implemented a New World Order that will cause the downfall of global civilizations. Preparation for armageddon is therefore religiously responsible. Adherents arm themselves in preparation, pray diligently, steep themselves in paranoid conspiracies, and as they have several decades — from the militia movement of the 1980s and 1990s (active here in Meadville, PA) to Trump’s supporters rallying to protect white rights (and killing opponents) in Charlottesville, VA — continue to vote for Republicans who support their world view.
