March 08, 2004
Hal Lindsey and the End of Time
Hal Lindsey is the best-selling author of several books including The Late Great Planet Earth. But, before talking about Lindsey, it’s important to understand dispensationalism. Dispensationalism is a unique view of interpreting Scripture that was first invented sometime during the late 1800’s. Basically it separates Scripture into various time periods, or dispensations, and uses this to understand the prophecies in the Bible. The biggest oddity about dispensationalism is its inherent assumption that we are on the edge of the end of time; in other words, Christ will return to earth in our lifetime. Obviously since the 1800’s many, many people have been incorrect in this assumption, yet it persists. At some point I’ll write an indepth article about the Biblical errors of dispensationalists.
Now to Hal Lindsey. I actually read The Late Great Planet Earth many years ago and was fascinated by Lindsey’s interpretation of Revelation through current events. It predicted the end of the world would occur somewhere around 1981. After this had passed, Lindsey redid the math and repeatedly came up with other dates, all of which eventually passed. But what really killed me the other day is that I noticed that Hal Lindsey is still writing books on the “end of the world.” How is this possible? Are there that many people out there that think, “Maybe this guy’s got it right this time”? I think Hal should spend more time reading the Bible than the paper:
2 Peter 1:20-21. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy every came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Now, I understand that Peter was referring to the Old Testament, probably Daniel, since the New Testament had not been composed (and partially not written) at this time. But I think we can surmise that the verse should be applied to Revelation as well. The verse, by the way, implies that you need the Church to help you interpret Scripture, since it is not “a matter of one’s own interpretation.” But Lindsey adheres to sola scriptura and probably would interpret this verse (along with Matthew 24:36) as applying to the Bible as a whole. So why would he think he personally can guide us to when time ends?
For those who aren’t aware, Hal Lindsey basically goes through the news of the day to find different things that indicate we are nearing the end of the world. He then takes these news clippings and attempts to fit them into the symbolism of Revelation, Daniel, and the other prophetic Scriptures. He’s obviously not very good at it, but he keeps going. I just don’t understand why people continue buying his books – he’s batting a big zero in terms of accuracy!
The fact of the matter is that it is very difficult to interpret the book of Revelation if you don’t understand the Catholic mass. John wrote Revelation to fit the mass and wrote it as a series of homilies (John was one of the original Apostles and a priest and bishop of the Catholic Church). Much of the symbolism ties directly into the mass. In addition, Revelation as a whole is not congruent with the beliefs of dispensationalists, which causes a big problem, since dispensationalists are primarily concerned with understanding Revelation.
In the end, it simply surprised me that Hal Lindsey can continue functioning as an end times’ specialist. Of course, I’m also surprised by the dispensationalist beliefs that have wormed their way into the normal protestant believer. More and more, I think it’s important for Catholics to point out the problems in these beliefs and call Christians to focus on God, rather than focusing on when He will return.
God bless,
Jay
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"The fact of the matter is that it is very difficult to interpret the book of Revelation if you don’t understand the Catholic mass. John wrote Revelation to fit the mass and wrote it as a series of homilies (John was one of the original Apostles and a priest and bishop of the Catholic Church). Much of the symbolism ties directly into the mass. In addition, Revelation as a whole is not congruent with the beliefs of dispensationalists, which causes a big problem, since dispensationalists are primarily concerned with understanding Revelation."
Firstly, anyone that would put faith in any other word then Christ Himself is at his own stupidity. When the disciples asked Christ when thy kingdom will come, Jesus reply was such;
"Matthew 24:36-37 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the
angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone"
This passage is so simple, a fool cannot err therein. It's okay to read people's predictions of prophecy, but to put faith in it. I follow what the Lord teaches, He is the truth, He said that for himself.
This is what God tells up about interpreting prophecy;
"O Daniel, shut up the words, seal the book, even to the time of the end:
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4."
God tells us that in the time of the End, if you read Daniel's prophecies, we (mankind) will be able to understand them. Notice the word "Many" this is not relating to the "Catholic Church" interpretations. The Catholic Mass? When I attended Catholic Church, many moons ago, that is the last place anyone can learn scripture, especially scriptural truth. I have only met, maybe a handful of Catholics that knew anything about the Bible, not the less The Book of Revelations. This is only due to their lack of desire to read the scripture, as with any Christian. God will give those who thirst understanding.
When studying End Time Prophecy, yes people have to do what Hal Lindsey and others do, watch the news, politics and the goings on around the world. The important thing is, are you saved, excepted Christ as your personal savior, this is the important thing, not arguing over who's got the End Time prophecies down pat, this is the least of God's worries. Everything will be fulfilled in His time.
Secondly, prophetically speaking, yes, it is being fulfilled under our eyes. In Isaiah, God said He will use prophecy to show that He, is God.
God Bless,
Rebecca
"The fact of the matter is that it is very difficult to interpret the book of Revelation if you don’t understand the Catholic mass. John wrote Revelation to fit the mass and wrote it as a series of homilies (John was one of the original Apostles and a priest and bishop of the Catholic Church). Much of the symbolism ties directly into the mass. In addition, Revelation as a whole is not congruent with the beliefs of dispensationalists, which causes a big problem, since dispensationalists are primarily concerned with understanding Revelation."
Firstly, anyone that would put faith in any other word then Christ Himself is at his own stupidity. When the disciples asked Christ when thy kingdom will come, Jesus reply was such;
"Matthew 24:36-37 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the
angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone"
This passage is so simple, a fool cannot err therein. It's okay to read people's predictions of prophecy, but to put faith in it. I follow what the Lord teaches, He is the truth, He said that for himself.
This is what God tells up about interpreting prophecy;
"O Daniel, shut up the words, seal the book, even to the time of the end:
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4."
God tells us that in the time of the End, if you read Daniel's prophecies, we (mankind) will be able to understand them. Notice the word "Many" this is not relating to the "Catholic Church" interpretations. The Catholic Mass? When I attended Catholic Church, many moons ago, that is the last place anyone can learn scripture, especially scriptural truth. I have only met, maybe a handful of Catholics that knew anything about the Bible, not the less The Book of Revelations. This is only due to their lack of desire to read the scripture, as with any Christian. God will give those who thirst understanding.
When studying End Time Prophecy, yes people have to do what Hal Lindsey and others do, watch the news, politics and the goings on around the world. The important thing is, are you saved, excepted Christ as your personal savior, this is the important thing, not arguing over who's got the End Time prophecies down pat, this is the least of God's worries. Everything will be fulfilled in His time.
Secondly, prophetically speaking, yes, it is being fulfilled under our eyes. In Isaiah, God said He will use prophecy to show that He, is God.
God Bless,
Rebecca
"The fact of the matter is that it is very difficult to interpret the book of Revelation if you don’t understand the Catholic mass. John wrote Revelation to fit the mass and wrote it as a series of homilies (John was one of the original Apostles and a priest and bishop of the Catholic Church). Much of the symbolism ties directly into the mass. In addition, Revelation as a whole is not congruent with the beliefs of dispensationalists, which causes a big problem, since dispensationalists are primarily concerned with understanding Revelation."
Firstly, anyone that would put faith in any other word then Christ Himself is at his own stupidity. When the disciples asked Christ when thy kingdom will come, Jesus reply was such;
"Matthew 24:36-37 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the
angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone"
This passage is so simple, a fool cannot err therein. It's okay to read people's predictions of prophecy, but to put faith in it. I follow what the Lord teaches, He is the truth, He said that for himself.
This is what God tells up about interpreting prophecy;
"O Daniel, shut up the words, seal the book, even to the time of the end:
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4."
God tells us that in the time of the End, if you read Daniel's prophecies, we (mankind) will be able to understand them. Notice the word "Many" this is not relating to the "Catholic Church" interpretations. The Catholic Mass? When I attended Catholic Church, many moons ago, that is the last place anyone can learn scripture, especially scriptural truth. I have only met, maybe a handful of Catholics that knew anything about the Bible, not the less The Book of Revelations. This is only due to their lack of desire to read the scripture, as with any Christian. God will give those who thirst understanding.
When studying End Time Prophecy, yes people have to do what Hal Lindsey and others do, watch the news, politics and the goings on around the world. The important thing is, are you saved, excepted Christ as your personal savior, this is the important thing, not arguing over who's got the End Time prophecies down pat, this is the least of God's worries. Everything will be fulfilled in His time.
Secondly, prophetically speaking, yes, it is being fulfilled under our eyes. In Isaiah, God said He will use prophecy to show that He, is God.
God Bless,
Rebecca
