Hal Lindsey’s Prophecies
A Study of The Late Great Planet Earth
By
David Mathews
“Now I am about to walk into the Lion’s Den. Perhaps it
would be wise to follow Churchill’s tactic when he said, ‘You know I always
avoid prophesying beforehand, it is a much better policy to prophesy after the
events have taken place.’”
Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth , p. 181
The modern day prophecy movement owes much to Hal
Lindsey, author of the best-selling book The Late Great Planet Earth.
Taking cues from Biblical prophecy, Hal Lindsey wove current events and
potential events into a reasonably likely scenario of World War III occurring
in the Middle East. The book became a best seller because Cold War tensions
were high and many people were wondering whether or not human civilization
would survive the nuclear age. Biblical prophecy itself had become a concern
for many people with the realization that a significant event was approaching:
The closing of the second millennium of history A.D.
Many people have sought to understand the world’s present
condition through insight into the future. Escalating Cold War tensions would
then become justified as a preparation for a final judgment against humankind
for its rebellion against God, a rebellion which is particularly exemplified by
the madness of Mutually Assured Destruction. Prophecy then would serve to make
sensible the senseless violence of nations and leaders for political and
military dominance. The United States of America and the Soviet Union were
determined to destroy each other, but were also apparently unwilling to
initiate the final confrontation. Confrontation was inevitable, however, and
that meant that a war between the two superpowers would inevitably occur.
Regional conflicts appeared like a necessary precursor of global war. Wars such
as Korea and Vietnam demonstrated that Western Democracies and the Soviet and
communists governments were willingly to die and kill for their respective
political philosophies. Yet, in spite of the active involvements of both government’s military, these wars were not allowed to
advance beyond the regional level.
For World War III to occur, another element was needed.
The war would have to occur in a strategically important area of the world
which was populated by nations or races which diametrically opposed and filled
with an overabundance of hate toward each other. The Middle East was an ideal
location, possessing the strategically important resource (oil), located at the
meeting point of three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa), and possessing
war-prone and hate-filled religious and racial hostility in the Arabs and the
Jews. Adding extra credence to the scenarios was the numerous wars occurring
between the Arabs and Israelis since the foundation of Israel in 1948, and the
military and economic involvement of the Soviet Union and the United States of
America. Scenarios which predicted that this region would see the beginning of
World War III were frighteningly logical. In several instances, the scenario
very nearly became a reality.
Modern day prophets, exemplified by Hal Lindsey, found a
ready source of potential fulfillments of Biblical eschatological prophecies in
the plausible scenarios of World War III beginning in the Middle East and
leading to global nuclear war. These modern terrors of war seemed to fit the allegorical
descriptions of warfare found in the prophecies of the Old and New Testament.
Motivated by a feeling that understanding of the Bible’s prophecies also led to
understanding of modern events, Hal Lindsey sought to interpret present and
past events of his time into the prophecies of the Bible. Following this, he
then created scenarios which would fulfill the unfulfilled prophecies and
logically fit within the reasonable (pessimistic) outcome of potential events.
By studying Hal Lindsey’s best-seller, The Late Great
Planet Earth, the success or failure of his scenarios may serve as an
accurate measure of the success of Hal Lindsey as a prophet. Some people may
feel that it is improper to test the accuracy of prophets as a means of
determining whether or not they are a true or false prophet. For that reason,
justification for this endeavor is now given.
The Bible Demands Testing of Prophets
“And Moses gave the answer -- the true test of a prophet:
‘When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to
pass or come true, that is a word which the LORD has not spoken’ (Deuteronomy 18:22).”
Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth,
p. 20
God has commanded, and Hal Lindsey acknowledges, that
prophets be judged according to the accuracy of their predictions. If a prophet
makes a prediction which fails to occur, that prophet becomes discredited.
Followers of God are not fear or heed the warnings of the false prophet. Hal
Lindsey cannot exempt himself from this test of a prophet, for he presents his
vision of the future with such confidence and zest that it is reasonable to
conclude that he anticipated the success of his message.
Much of The Late Great Planet Earth is written
about events which are supposed to happen in the near future relative to 1970.
References are made in the book about the dangers of predicting the future,
such as the statement quoted on page 14: “Two hundred years ago a
distinguished English statesman, Horace Walpole, said, ‘The wisest prophets
make sure of the event first.’” Another English statesman, Whinston Churchill, is quoted on page 181, “You know
that I always avoid prophesying beforehand, it is a much better policy to
prophesy after the event has already taken place.” These two quotes are
located at the beginning and end of the book and are meant to highlight Hal
Lindsey’s primary claim to significance: He claims to know the future, and is
taking a serious risk in predicting future events.
Hal Lindsey applies the Biblical standard to other
prophets. On page 13, he speaks disparagingly about astrology: “Astrologers
frequently guard their trade by predicting generalities. However, sometimes
they venture beyond vagaries and are explicit in attempting to foretell exact
happenings. The result may be acute embarrassment for the astrologer.” The
distinction between general predictions of the future and predictions of
explicit future events is very important and will aid in the study of Hal
Lindsey’s success or failure as a prophet. The failure of the astrologers will
also serve as a useful comparison between Hal Lindsey and the false prophets.
If Hal Lindsey is successful, then he is justified in disparaging the
astrologers. If he fails, then he is worthy of disparagement.
Now that Hal Lindsey has acknowledged the Biblical test
of a prophet, and he is conscious both of the counsel of wise men against
prediction and also the consequences of failed predictions, it is now time to
proceed to the test of his predictions and final determination of his status as
either a true or false prophet.
Success is Anticipated
The faults of astrologers which are
criticized so severly in the quotes above are not
present in Hal Lindsey’s predictions. In a section titled “ Tell it Like It Will Be”, the following
statement is made: “However, compared to the speculation of most that is
called prophetic today, the Bible contains clear and unmistakable prophetic
signs. We are able to see right now in this Best Seller
predictions made centuries ago being fulfilled before our eyes” (p. 17). Clear and unmistakable
signs should lead to accurate and successful predictions about the outcome of
future events. That is what Hal Lindsey expects, for he states on page 41, “The
remainder of this book will present the prophecies which are related to the specific
pattern of world events which are precisely predicted as coming together
shortly before the coming of the Messiah the second time -- coming in power to
rule the earth.” Note that these are a specific pattern of events which are
precisely predicted to occur.
Expectations of accuracy combined with confidence is
success characterize Hal Lindsey’s own evaluation of his own writings.
Twenty-eight years have passed since Hal Lindsey wrote this book, enough time
to check every single prediction and determine how precisely they were
fulfilled. Success at prediction will reveal that Hal Lindsey was correct in
his understanding of both the Bible and modern events. Failure of predictions
will disclose that Hal Lindsey did not possess the understanding that he
claimed to possess and will forever discredit him as a prophet or predictor of
future events.
Predictions from The
Late Great Planet Earth
The following study of Hal Lindsey’s predictions will
follow a sequential pattern according to their page in the book, each will be
numbered for future reference, and the page identified so that the reader may
verify the quotation. The future predicted by Hal Lindsey includes the broad
outline of worldwide events, particular details identifying the participants,
and a time frame defining the expected fulfillment of the predictions. The
beginning of predictions found in The Late Great Planet Earth is found
on page 13, in a prediction criticized by Hal Lindsey:
1. “For instance, in a national publication of 1968 an
article was featured that quoted a ‘renowned astrologer’ in her predictions
about the upcoming elections in November of that year. By reading the stars
this astrologer said that Rockefeller would be the next president of the United
States, and either Ronald Reagan or John Lindsey would be vice-president. As
for Hubert Humphrey, she stated, ‘I’ve studied his chart very carefully and do
not believe he will be considered as a serious contender even for the second
slot on the Democratic ticket.’” p. 13.
A principle is established in the above evaluation of the
astrologer which I will follow throughout the length of this treatise: Failed
predictions are those predictions which do not occur at the time they were
described as occurring. A specific prediction about Ronald Reagan becoming Vice
President in the 1968 is not fulfilled by a separate event at a later event.
Ronald Reagan became president in 1980 and again in 1984.
Neither
occurrence would fulfill the original predictions of the astrologer in 1968.
For those who test the predictions of prophets, determination of both the time
frame is as important as specifically defining the predicted event. When the
predicted event fails to occur within the time frame, the prophecy has failed.
2. “The only grade allowed [for a true prophet - dsm] was one of 100 percent
accuracy. Anything less would doom the prophet to death by stoning, which was
the method of capital punishment in those days (Deuteronomy
13:1-11).” p. 20.
A difficult task is awaiting Hal Lindsey is he seeks to
live up to Old Testament standards. How close is going to approach 100 percent
accuracy?
3. “A definite international realignment of nations into
four spheres of political power had to occur in the same era as this rebirth of
Israel. Each sphere of power had to be led by a certain predicted nation and
allied with certain other nations.” p. 42
Since the time of Hal Lindsey’s writings, the four
spheres of power have changed dramatically. The most dramatic of the changes is
the dissolution of the Soviet empire, which is very significant because of the
great role that the Soviets will play in the future outlined by Hal Lindsey.
4. “Many Bible students in recent years tried to fit the
events of World War I and II to the prophetic signs which would herald the
imminent return of Christ. Their failure discredited
prophecy.” p. 43.
A pattern is found here among the Modern Day Prophets:
Events of the present are fit into prophetic scenarios of the end, and these
scenarios invariably fail. Hal Lindsey does not differ in quality from these
failed Bible students. Where they attempted to fit World War I and II into
prophecy, he attempted to fit the Cold War into prophecy. In later years,
following the conclusion of the cold war, others would attempt to fit the Gulf
War (1991) into prophecy and they would witness the failure of these efforts.
Some today are imagining different scenarios for a future war which would
coincide with prophecies and provide an avenue for their fulfillment.
5. “’When the plain sense of Scripture makes common
sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary,
ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context,
studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths,
indicate clearly otherwise.’” p. 50.
Modern day Prophets speak about the same subjects, though
they have serious differences in their conclusions and expectations. No modern
day Prophet absolutely fulfills the above dictum. The desire to fit prophecies
into complicated modern events demands that allegorical interpretations and
misinterpretations occur. A careful study would reveal that the message of the
prophets resolves itself into a babble of competing “literal” interpretations
which are mutually exclusive and contradictory. Dramatic differences of this
sort would imply that the method of interpretation is wrong. If a study of the prophets reveal that an overabundance of
failed predictions have occurred throughout the movement’s history, that would
also lead to the conclusion that the movement’s interpretation of the Bible is
wrong.
6. “When the signs just given begin to multiply and
increase in scope it’s similar to the certainty of leaves coming off the fig
tree. But the most important sign in Matthew has to be the restoration of the
Jews to the land in the rebirth of Israel. Even the figure of speech ‘fig tree’
has been a historic symbol of national Israel. When the Jewish people, after
nearly 2,000 years of exile, under relentless persecution, became a nation
again on 14 May 1948 the ‘fig tree’ put forth its first leaves.
Jesus said that this would indicate that He was ‘at the door,’ ready to return.
Then he said, ‘Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things take place.’ (Matthew 24:34 NASB).
What generation? Obviously, in context, the generation that
would see the signs -- chief among them the rebirth of Israel. A
generation in the Bible is something like forty years. If this is a correct
deduction, then within forty years or so of 1948, all these things could take
place. Many scholars who have studied the Bible all their
lives believe that this is so.” pp.53-54.
Mentioned earlier in connection with the failed
predictions of the astrologer was the significance of the time frame in
determining the success or failure of a prophet. Hal Lindsey has created a time
frame in the above quote which could conclude in the 1980’s, with special
emphasis on 1988 as the conclusion of one forty-year generation following the
rebirth of Israel in 1948. Some may desire to blunt the impact of the above
prediction by saying that Hal Lindsey was not dogmatic in the statement or that
it has another meaning. Contrary evidence of Hal Lindsey’s meaning is found in
another book written by him at the very outset of that decade. Titled, The
1980’s: Countdown to Armageddon, its message is obvious from the outside.
Somewhat was going to occur in the 1980’s: Tribulation and Armageddon.
Reasoning to support that expectation is found on page 12, where Hal Lindsey
answers a skeptic’s question: “Why do you think that all the various
prophecies will come to pass during this generation?” He answered: “The
answer is simple. The prophets told us that the rebirth of Israel -- no other
event -- would be the sign that the countdown has begun. Since that rebirth,
the rest of the prophecies have begun to be fulfilled quite rapidly. For this
reason I am convinced that we are now in the unique time so clearly and
precisely forecast by the Hebrew prophets.” Doubts are not found in this
quote: The rebirth of Israel had a definite prophetic significance, which meant
that a prophetic countdown had begun in 1948 and must conclude by 1988, and was
supported by the additional evidence of rapid prophecy fulfillments. These are
not vague speculations. Hal Lindsey is speaking about “clear and precise”
predictions based on the Hebrew prophets. On page 43 of the same book, another
statement is made which explicitly defines the time
frame for prophetic fulfillment: “It will be crucial if we are to understand
the events which have been predicted, and, I believe, will occur in the 1980’s.”
Hal Lindsey was confident enough in the time frame to place the fulfillment of
predictions found in The Late Great Planet Earth that he wrote an entire
book to support that claim and filled it with statements about dreadful events
which were approaching.
After the 1980’s concluded, these explicit predictions
have become an embarrassment to Hal Lindsey. In the Introduction to Planet
Earth -- 2000 A.D.: Will Mankind Survive?, Hal Lindsey summarizes his
previous works in a very positive manner, and carefully isolates himself from
his failed predictions. He speaks about the generation that followed the events
of 1948 in two different paragraphs, saying in the first:
”Jesus promised us that the generation that witnessed the
restoration of the Jewish people to their homeland would not pass until ‘all
these things’ -- including his return to Earth -- would be done. The Jewish
people declared the rebirth of their nation in 1948. They recaptured Jerusalem
in 1967. A Biblical generation is somewhere between 40 and 100 years, depending
on whether you take the example from Abraham’s day or from the discipline of
Israel in the Wilderness of Sinai. In either case, you do the arithmetic,
folks. No matter how you cut it, there’s not much time left.”
Certainties in 1969, such as the length of a generation
of the beginning of the prophesied generation, are no longer certain. To propose
that Jesus’ mention of a generation might mean anything from 40 to 100 years is
bizarre. No such knowledge was present in 1969, or have
the failure of those prophecies made necessary a revision of Biblical
interpretation? Further evidence of the modification of the prophecy is found
in the following quote:
”I also said that ‘if’ a generation was forty
years and ‘if’ the generation of the ‘fig tree’ (Matthew 24:32-34)
started with the foundation of the state of Israel, then Jesus ‘might
come back by 1988.’ But I put a lot of ifs and maybes in because I knew that no
one could be absolutely certain.”
As if revising the prophecy was not enough, Hal Lindsey
decided to misquote himself. He did not say “if” a generation was forty years,
he said: “a generation in the Bible is something like forty years.” He did not
say “if” the generation began with the rebirth of Israel, he said: “the
generation that would see the signs -- chief among them the rebirth of Israel.”
He did not say “maybe” anywhere, nor did he state “1988” in the original quote.
He did say, “Many scholars who have read the Bible prophecy all their lives
believe that this is so.”
The time frame set by Hal Lindsey for the occurrence of
his predictions was the decade of the 1980’s. Failure in setting the date of
the events is significant and inexcusable.
7. “The point is this, in order for there to be a Temple,
there would have to be a repossession of the Temple site in ancient Jerusalem.
In March and April 1967 I was lecturing on this subject at many college
campuses on the West coast. I said that if this was the time I thought it was, then somehow the Jews were going to have to repossess old
Jerusalem. Many chuckled about that statement.” p. 55.
Without having records of what Hal Lindsey taught prior
to the Six-day war and Jewish repossession of Old Jerusalem, it is impossible
to verify that a prediction was made and fulfilled by events. Even if Hal
Lindsey did predict that such an event would happen, he was merely stating the
goals of the Jews in Israel. The consequences of the repossession, namely the
rebuilding of the Temple, did not occur. At the present moment, no Temple is
planned or possible on the Temple Mount because of the dreadful consequences
that any efforts toward that goal would bring: Immediate war with the Moslems
nations that venerate the Dome of the Rock and will resist to the death any
construction of a Temple on the Temple Mount. Hal Lindsey is aware of this
hindrance, saying on the next page: “There is one major problem barring the
construction of a third Temple. That obstacle is the second holiest place of
the Moslem faith, the Dome of the Rock. This is believed to be built squarely
in the middle of the old temple site.” That problem must have a solution,
as Hal Lindsey predicts ...
8. “The main points are these: first, there will be a
reinstitution of the Jewish worship according to the Law of Moses with
sacrifices and oblations in the general time of Christ’s return; secondly,
there is to be a desecration of the Jewish Temple in the time immediately
preceding Christ’s return.
We must conclude that a third Temple will be rebuilt upon its ancient site in
old Jerusalem.
If this is the time that the writer believes it is, there will soon begin the
construction of this Temple.” (p. 57).
Events which were “soon” to occur never happened. The
Mosaic system of worship with sacrifices and oblations offered at a Temple has
not become re-established. No Temple is currently built and hence no
desecration of that Temple has yet occurred.
9. “Shortly after the restoration of the Jews in the land
of Israel, an incredible enemy will arise to its ‘uttermost north.’ This enemy
will be composed of one great nation which will gather around it a number of
allies. It is this ‘Northern Confederacy’ that is destined to plunge the world
into its final great war which Christ will return to end.” (p. 59).
The Soviet Union was the great enemy of Israel which Hal
Lindsey predicted would plunge the world into the final great
war preceding Christ’s return. No prediction was made concerning the
identity of this northern enemy of Israel because Soviet enmity with Israel was
already well established long before the writing of The Late Great Planet
Earth. Hal Lindsey did not realize that the Soviet Union would collapse
before any invasion of Israel would occur, and that the “great confederacy”
would be demolished by a peaceful rebellion of the Eastern Bloc nations and
eventual dismantling of the Soviet Union itself into Russia and a host of independent republics. Russia’s military might declined
dramatically and its economy plunged to the levels of a third-world nation.
Instead of stockpiling weapons for future world conquest, desperate Russians
would sell them for cash as scrap metal or weapons for other nations.
10. “For centuries, long before the current events could
have influenced the interpreter’s ideas, men have recognized that Ezekiel's prophecy about the northern commander referred to
Russia.
Dr. John Cummings, writing in 1864, said, ‘The king of the North I conceive to be the autocrat of Russia . . . that Russia
occupies a place, and a very momentous place, in the prophetic word has been
admitted by almost all expositors.’” (p. 63).
Dr. John Cummings is quoted as corroborating evidence for
Hal Lindsey’s interpretation of prophecy. Dr. Cummings prediction has failed to
occur. Perhaps Russia does not occupy any place, much less a momentous place,
in prophecy fulfillment.
11. “In the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries, such men
as Bishop Lowth, Dr. Cumming, and Rev. Chamberlain, were ridiculed by many of their contemporaries. After all,
who could have imagined that what we now see in modern communist Russia -- a
country founded upon Atheism?” (p. 65).
Ridicule of these prophets were justified, because the
menace of atheist Russia was only a temporary situation, lasting only seven
decades, and it failed to invade Israel. Atheist Russia no longer exist, for religion made a comeback once the oppression of
communism was removed.
12. “You need only to take a globe to verify this exact
geographical fix. There is only one nation to the ‘uttermost north’ of Israel
-- the U.S.S.R. . . . General Dayan’s statement that ‘The next war will not be
with the Arabs but with the Russians’ has a considerably deeper significance,
doesn’t it?” (p. 66).
You do not need a globe to realize that the great
U.S.S.R. no longer exist, and that Israel’s next great war was fought in
Lebanon against Arabs rather than in Israel against the Russians. In this case,
the failure of the predictions to occur within Hal Lindsey’s time frame is also
the absolute failure of them to occur at all. This fear of a war between Israel
and Russia was derived from the Cold War and at that time seemed likely enough.
Nonetheless, it did not occur, and will not occur.
13. “All authorities agree on who Persia is today. It is
modern Iran. This is significant because it is being wooed to join the United
Arab Republic in its hostility against Israel. The Russians are seeking to gain
footholds in Iran by various overtures of aid. In order to mount a large-scale
invasion predicted by Ezekiel, Russia would need Iran
as an ally. It would be much more difficult to move a large ground army across
the Caucasian Mountains that border Turkey, than the Elburz Mountains that
border Iran. Iran’s general terrain is also much
easier to cross than Turkey’s. Transportation, however, will be needed through
both countries.” (p. 67).
Whether or not Iran is Persia, the Russian attempt to
gain a foothold there was partially successful for a time but now has lost all
relevance. Iran’s next significant war would be with Iraq, crippling both sides
and revealing that the Arab nations were not united in their goals in spite of
their shared religion of Islam. Russia would have an even more difficult time
getting their army to Israel today because of the independent
republics between Russia and Israel which would not welcome a large Russian
army.
14. “The sobering conclusion is this: many of the African
nations will be united and allied with the Russians in the invasion of Israel.
This is in accord with Daniel’s graphic description of this invasion (Daniel
11:36-45).
The Russian force is called ‘the King of the North’ and the sphere of power
which the African (Cush) force will be a part of is called ‘the King of the
South.’
One of the most active areas of evangelism for the Communist ‘gospel’ is in
Africa. As we see further developments in this area in the future, we will
realize that it will become converted to Communism.” (p. 68).
Fears of the spread of Communism were proper during the
Cold War, but events were very much different than expectations: Africa did not
become Communist. There was no united Africa supporting or assisting Russia in
an invasion or threat of an invasion toward Israel. Note also that the passages
quoted mention Kings of the North and South. A strictly literal
interpretation of the prophecy would preclude fulfillment because that form of
government is no longer in existence in the nations discussed. No King of the
North can threaten Israel if no King of the North actually exist.
No King of the South will unite with the King of the North if the South has no
King. So these prophecies are not presently fulfilled, and events are quite
contrary to their future fulfillment.
15. “The conclusion is that Russia’s ally, Put, certainly
included more than what is now called Libya. Once again there are current
events to show the beginning of this alliance.
The territory of Northern Africa is becoming solidly pro-Soviet. Algeria
appears to be already Communist and allied with Russia.
As we watch this area in the next few years we shall see indications that it is
destined to join the southern sphere of power which will attack Israel along
with the ‘King of the North.’” (p. 69).
Events did not coincide with predictions. Hal Lindsey was
not the only prophet to see an involvement of Libya with the Russians. Ray
Brubaker worried about Libya in his booklet, What’s
Ahead: 2000 A.D.? . He quoted UPI sources who reported that the Soviet
Union had “massed thousands of tanks, armored cars and artillery pieces in
Libya” and then worried, “So this invasion could already be in
preparation.” Libya’s only military activity during these decades was an
ill-advised arrogance toward the United States, which led to a small
confrontation resulting in two downed Libyan fighter jets and then a
bombardment of Libya as punishment.
16. “The conclusion is that Gomer
and its hordes are a part of the vast area of modern Eastern Europe which is
totally behind the Iron Curtain. This includes East Germany and the Slovac countries.” (p. 70).
The Iron Curtain seemed so impenetrable that no one
anticipated its downfall. A day would come when the East Germans would chisel
at the barrier and knock it down completely. Shortly afterwards, countries
demolished the barrier and ended the long sorry history of communist oppression
in the Eastern Bloc. Now some of these nations are joining NATO and creating
fear among the Russians.
17. “The conclusion is that Togarmah
is part of modern Southern Russia and is probably to origin of the Cossacks and
other people of the Eastern part of Russia. It is interesting to note that the
Cossacks have always loved horses and have been recognized as producing the
finest army of Calvary in the world. Today they are
reported to have several divisions of Calvary. It is
believed by some military men that Calvary will
actually be used in the invasion of the Middle East just as
Ezekiel
and other prophets literally predicted. During the Korean War the Red Chinese
proved that in rugged mountain terrain, horses are still the fastest means of
moving a large attacking force into battle zones.
Isn’t it a coincidence that such terrain stand between
Russia and the Israeli?” (p. 70.)
A strictly literal interpretation of the prophecies would
demand that the Northern enemy attack Israel with horses and use ancient
weapons and ancient methods of warfare. Hal Lindsey is ready to abandon the
literal interpretation since it is absurd to predict that Russia will suddenly
abandon modern weapons and modern warfare in its attack upon Israel. If the
Russians were to do so (utilizing Southern Russian forces which are now no longer
available to Russia), they would meet an untimely end without afflicting
material harm upon the Israelis. As for the “need” for horses in attacking
Israel: The Arabs did not feel a need to use horses.
18. “From the standpoint of this study of alliances which
make up the King of the South we saw a valuable link in the alignment of
several black African nations with the Arabs in their determined plan to
‘liberate’ Palestine from Israel. This is another confirmation of prophecy as
we have seen from Old Testament prophets.” (p. 74).
Alliances between black African nations and Arab nations
to liberate Palestine never did materialize. A liberated Palestine would
eventually occur, following extensive negotiations between the Israelis and the
Palestinians.
19. “At the time this is being written Nasser is reported
to be in poor health. Whether he continues to lead Egypt, or is replaced by
some other leader or dead by the time this is published, the clearly predicted
course of the Middle East will not be changed. There will be continual crises
there and a great involvement of the world’s major powers.” (pp. 76).
The Middle East was a continual source of crises and
involvement for the world’s major powers long before Hal Lindsey wrote his
book. Positive changes have occurred, including Jimmy Carter’s Camp David
Accord with Egypt and Israel, and negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the
Palestinian problem which are happening presently.
20. “Current events in the Middle East have prepared the
stage for Egypt’s last act in the great drama which will climax with the
finale, Christ’s personal return to earth.
We are not attempting to read into today’s happenings any events to prove some
vague thesis. This is not necessary. All we need to do is know the Scriptures
in their proper context and then watch with awe while men and countries,
movements and nations, fulfill the roles that God’s prophets said that they
would.” (p. 77).
Egypt never committed the “last act” which would lead to
Christ’s return. A more important realizing in the above quote is that Hal
Lindsey has denied that his present work of predicting the future is
speculation. He claims that the Scriptures (in their proper context, which he
presumably has) predict the exact outcome of present events. He is apparently
incorrect in saying so, for the majority of his predictions (so far) have
failed to occur.
21. “Our interest here is the revelation that Egypt will
attack the revived state of Israel, which will them be
under the control of a false Messiah. This man will probably be a Jew who works
closely with the world dictator who will them come to power in Rome.” (p. 77).
Egypt did not attack Israel. The false Messiah never
gained control over Israel. No world dictator ever attained dominance in Rome.
22. “This immediately triggers another invasion of Israel
by Russia who is here called ‘the king of the north.’” (p. 77).
Russia never did invade Israel.
23. “As we saw in the last chapter, the Hebrew words
‘Cush’ and ‘Put,’ which are translated Ethiopia and Libya, represent the black
Africans and the African Arabs, respectively. Aside from the obvious evidence
of a Russian double-cross of the Egyptians, this passage also indicates that
the ‘black-African’ and ‘Arab-African’ countries will be involved with Egypt
and in line for Russian conquest as well. The statement, ‘. . . the Libyans and
Ethiopians shall be at his (the Russian invader) steps,’ indicate one of two
things: they will be next in line for conquest, or they will submit totally to
the Russian will and be assimilated into the northern confederacy.” (p. 78).
Aside from the fact that these events never did occur,
Hal Lindsey’s prediction seems to have become either confused. Russia is going
to double-cross Egypt? Why would the Libyans and Ethiopians care about any
double-cross of Egypt? Russia is going to conquer (or attack) Libya and
Ethiopia? Why would they attempt to conquer a continent, if their goal is the
conquest of Israel? That is not a sensible military strategy. The
interpretation of the verse quoted (conquest or submission) is too vague to
permit any valid predictions about the events in question or the outcome of
those events.
23. “Are you discovering more pieces of this stirring
prophetic puzzle? The Egyptian plan to unite the Arabs and black Africans into
a ‘third world force’ seems to be fulfilling what the prophets have said.” (p.
79).
If the Egyptian plan to unite the Arabs and Africans was
a “fulfillment” of prophecy, the failure of that effort is a repudiation of
those same prophecies.
24. “If you think the famous Aswan Dam, which diverts the
main channel of the Nile River, will help the Egyptian situation, you’re
mistaken. Somehow the headwaters of the Nile will be diverted and that
important river will be a parched piece of real estate. Imagine the terrifying
implications of this to an Egyptian.” (p. 79).
This prediction is based upon an interpretation of Isaiah
19:5-6. That passage says nothing which would directly relate it to the events
predicted above. The Nile itself has not dried up. An extraordinary (even
miraculous) cause would be needed to stop the Nile. Needless to say, it has not
happened.
25. “Isaiah warns of a powerful dictator who will invade
and take them over: ‘. . . I will give over the Egyptians into the hands of a
hard master; and a fierce [merciless] king will rule over them’ (Isaiah 19:4
RSV). This refers to the Antichrist of Rome who will possess Egypt after Russia
is destroyed.”
Since Isaiah 19:4 precedes Isaiah 19:5-6, it is
reasonable to conclude that the Nile will dry up after the Antichrist takes
possession of Egypt. At this point, the sequence of events in the end time is
becoming more complicated and much more difficult to place. Needless to say,
the above prediction has not occurred.
26. “We have seen that current events are fitting
together simultaneously into the precise pattern of predicted events. Israel
has returned to Palestine and revived the nation. Jerusalem is under Israeli
control. Russia has emerged as a great northern power is the avowed enemy of
revived Israel. The Arabs are joining in a concerted effort to liberate
Palestine under Egyptian leadership. The black African nations are beginning to
move from sympathy toward the Arabs to an open Alliance in their ‘liberation’
cause.
It’s happening. God is putting it all together. God may have his meaning for
the ‘now generation’ which will have a greater effect on mankind than anything
since Genesis 1. Will you be ready if we are to be part of the prophetic ‘now
generation’?” (p. 80).
Current events were not compatible with Hal Lindsey’s
interpretation of prophecy. The “Now Generation” would wait decade after decade
for the fulfillment of predictions which would never occur. The situation
describes no longer exist and is now not possible.
as of 12-2007