Hal Lindsey dies

[Ransom]

Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, died on Monday at the age of 95.

Evangelical Prophetic Author Hal Lindsey Dies at 95: 'The End of an Era'

Well-known evangelical prophetic author Hal Lindsey has died.

cbn.com

Lindsey popularized Dispen-sensationalism, tying Bible prophecy to current events. Pity he got his prognostications all wrong, implying the Rapture would likely occurr some time before 1990. Well, unlike the Soviet Union, which figured prominently in Lindsey's Cold War-era interpretations of Bible prophecy, we're still here.

 

[Ekklesian]

'The End of an Era'​

We can only hope.

 

[biscuit1953]

Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, died on Monday at the age of 95.

Evangelical Prophetic Author Hal Lindsey Dies at 95: 'The End of an Era'

Well-known evangelical prophetic author Hal Lindsey has died.

cbn.com

Lindsey popularized Dispen-sensationalism, tying Bible prophecy to current events. Pity he got his prognostications all wrong, implying the Rapture would likely occurr some time before 1990. Well, unlike the Soviet Union, which figured prominently in Lindsey's Cold War-era interpretations of Bible prophecy, we're still here.

There are many shades of “Dispensationalism” just as there are of Calvinism and Covenant theology. I used to dismiss Calvinism outright without even checking into the Calvinism Spurgeon or R.C. Sproul and others promoted because of my upbringing. Before coming to a blanket condemnation of what Hal Lindsey or any other man may teach in trying to reconcile scripture, one should look at their own inconsistencies that make no sense as well. Pity many well meaning Christians believe according to Matthew 24 things were fulfilled in 70 A.D that obviously did not happen.

Mat 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” This did not happen in 70 A.D. but it will happen just before Christ returns with the help of angels (Rev 14:6).

Mat 24:21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” We are to believe the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. was a time of great tribulation not seen since the beginning of the world, nor ever shall be.

Mat 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:” We are to believe that shortly after the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. the moon quit shining, the sun was darkened and the powers of the heavens were shaken.

Mat 24:30 “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” We are to believe Jesus appeared in heaven and the tribes of the earth mourned as they saw the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. It didn’t happen in 70 A.D. but it will happen according to the Book of Revelation in the future because Revelation is referring to prophetic future events (Rev 1:3).

Mat 24:31 “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” We are to believe this took place shortly after the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

Mat 24:34 “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” The generation of 70 A.D. passed away over 2,000 years ago.

Once again I would point out that most “Dispensationalists” believe that revelation is progressive and a dispensation is merely a “dispensing of divine revelation.” One can find fault with Hal Lindsey’s interpretation but maybe one should pull the moat out of his own eye before harshly judging another Christian who may not have had a perfect understanding of how to reconcile prophetic events.

 

[Ransom]

One can find fault with Hal Lindsey’s interpretation but maybe one should pull the moat out of his own eye before harshly judging another Christian who may not have had a perfect understanding of how to reconcile prophetic events.

Well, that's a whole lot of nothing to do with anything I wrote. Who are you arguing with? Maybe you need to tell your imaginary friend to take the "moat" (lol) out of his eye.

 

[illinoisguy]

Mat 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” This did not happen in 70 A.D. but it will happen just before Christ returns with the help of angels (Rev 14:6).

Just wondering, what do the Dispies do with these statements, which were written before 70 AD:

"Ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world . . . the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven." - Colossians 1:5-6, 23

"Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." - Romans 1:8

The gospel had been "made manifest " and "made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." - Romans 16:26

"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad." - 1 Thessalonians 1:8

It is based on Dispensationalist misunderstanding of New Testament teaching that we got such predictions as the 1988 Rapture made by the Late Great Hal Lindsey: "What generation? Obviously, in context, the generation that would see the signs - chief among them the rebirth of Israel. If this is a correct deduction, then within 40 years or so of 1948, all these things could take place. Many scholars who have studied Bible prophecy all their lives believe that this is so."

(Lindsey did not name any of the "scholars" who believed the Rapture would come by 1988, and his predictions were full of qualifiers - "if this is correct," "could take place," etc., etc. It's time for all of us to move on from the date-setting and from the faulty theology that bolsters such false prophecies).

 

[illinoisguy]

Christianity Today weighs in on the Late Great Hal Lindsey:

Died: ‘Late Great Planet Earth’ Author Hal Lindsey - Christianity Today

Hal Lindsey, who popularized end times theology by connecting biblical prophecy to current and near-future events, died on November 25 at the age of 95. Lindsey became a household name in America in the 1970s with the success of The Late Great Planet Earth, which he cowrote with journalist...

www.christianitytoday.com

"Lindsey’s second divorce—and subsequent third and fourth marriages—raised questions about his character for many evangelicals. But the biggest blow to his reputation was his failed predictions.

"In his early books, Lindsey said all of the Bible’s prophecy would likely be fulfilled 'within forty years or so of 1948,' when the nation of Israel was founded, based on his typological reading of Matthew 24. He qualified his prediction, giving himself an escape hatch with phrases like 'or so.' But few readers came away with the impression that Lindsey was unsure whether Christ would return by 1988.

"CT asked Lindsey about the risk of failed predictions when he published The Terminal Generation.

“'There’s just a split second’s difference between a hero and a bum,' Lindsey said. 'I didn’t ask to be a hero, but I guess I have become one in the Christian community. So I accept it. But if I’m wrong about this, I guess I’ll become a bum.'”

 

[biscuit1953]

Just wondering, what do the Dispies do with these statements, which were written before 70 AD:

"Ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world . . . the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven." - Colossians 1:5-6, 23

"Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." - Romans 1:8

The gospel had been "made manifest " and "made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." - Romans 16:26

"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad." - 1 Thessalonians 1:8

It is based on Dispensationalist misunderstanding of New Testament teaching that we got such predictions as the 1988 Rapture made by the Late Great Hal Lindsey: "What generation? Obviously, in context, the generation that would see the signs - chief among them the rebirth of Israel. If this is a correct deduction, then within 40 years or so of 1948, all these things could take place. Many scholars who have studied Bible prophecy all their lives believe that this is so."

(Lindsey did not name any of the "scholars" who believed the Rapture would come by 1988, and his predictions were full of qualifiers - "if this is correct," "could take place," etc., etc. It's time for all of us to move on from the date-setting and from the faulty theology that bolsters such false prophecies).

"Ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world . . . the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven." - Colossians 1:5-6, 23

The “gospel” simply means “good news.” All scripture must be kept in context. For example the “gospel of the kingdom” (Matt 4:23) deals with the good news of a kingdom that God was offering the Jews but never came about because the Messiah was rejected and crucified. This was not the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor 15:1-4) which has not been heard by every nation yet, else why do we still send out missionaries?. John Piper explains it this way, “Paul is emphasizing the fact that the gospel embraced by this little group of people in this little town of Colossae is the very gospel that is proclaimed in all creation under heaven. It does not say, “has been proclaimed” — it “is proclaimed in all creation.” Everywhere it goes, it is being proclaimed, and it is bearing fruit. Don’t think the global mission of preaching is complete. It isn’t. There is a great work to be done precisely because the gospel we love and preach is unbounded in its personal, cultural, and eternal relevance for every people on the planet. In other words having reached Rome, where Paul wrote Colossians, the gospel of 1 Cor 15:1-3 had reached the center of the known world. MacArthur

"Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." - Romans 1:8
Once again, as the center of the Roman Empire and the inhabited world, whatever happened in Rome became known universally.

The gospel had been "made manifest " and "made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." - Romans 16:26
Rom 16:25 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"
Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The gospel or good news , once a mystery, is now made manifest and is no longer limited to the nation of Israel but to the Gentile nations also.

"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad." - 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Every place they went their faith was manifested.

None of these passages you raise explain how the great tribulation never seen before or since the beginning of time, the moon and sun going black, all the tribes of the earth mourning, and seeing the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and the gathering together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other took place in 70 A.D. It is obvious these are future events. While I can’t explain every detail of the Second Coming of Christ, I do know some aspects of what you believe are not 100% correct either.

 

[ALAYMAN]

"In his early books, Lindsey said all of the Bible’s prophecy would likely be fulfilled 'within forty years or so of 1948,' when the nation of Israel was founded, based on his typological reading of Matthew 24.”—Hal Lindsey

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”—Jesus

Really not that complicated of a decision on who to believe.

 

[illinoisguy]

For example the “gospel of the kingdom” (Matt 4:23) deals with the good news of a kingdom that God was offering the Jews but never came about because the Messiah was rejected and crucified.

I disagree with this standard Dispensationalist teaching, about how Jesus attempted to establish the Kingdom but failed in His mission. I prefer to believe the Bible:

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." - Colossians 1:13

"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." - Matthew 12:28 (If we are not in the Kingdom, does this mean that Christ was not casting out devils by the Spirit of God)?

"Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." - Mark 1:14-15. (Was it honest to tell the Galilean peasants that the Kingdom was "at hand" if it was really more than 2000 years in the future)?

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:21 (note the present tense)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17 (again, note the present tense)

"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." - Matthew 16:28 - If the Kingdom "never came about" in the First Century, this means that some of the disciples to whom this was spoken are still alive today, presumably quite old by now, patiently waiting for the Kingdom that Christ promised them but failed to bring in.

 

[biscuit1953]

I disagree with this standard Dispensationalist teaching, about how Jesus attempted to establish the Kingdom but failed in His mission. I prefer to believe the Bible:

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." - Colossians 1:13

"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." - Matthew 12:28 (If we are not in the Kingdom, does this mean that Christ was not casting out devils by the Spirit of God)?

"Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." - Mark 1:14-15. (Was it honest to tell the Galilean peasants that the Kingdom was "at hand" if it was really more than 2000 years in the future)?

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:21 (note the present tense)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17 (again, note the present tense)

"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." - Matthew 16:28 - If the Kingdom "never came about" in the First Century, this means that some of the disciples to whom this was spoken are still alive today, presumably quite old by now, patiently waiting for the Kingdom that Christ promised them but failed to bring in.

Jesus did not fail in His mission. If the Jews had received the good news then Bible prophecy would have been written differently. I think all can agree that whether one agrees with john Piper or John MacArthur there are aspects to prophecy Christians will always disagree on.

 

[brianb]

There are many shades of “Dispensationalism” just as there are of Calvinism and Covenant theology. I used to dismiss Calvinism outright without even checking into the Calvinism Spurgeon or R.C. Sproul and others promoted because of my upbringing. Before coming to a blanket condemnation of what Hal Lindsey or any other man may teach in trying to reconcile scripture, one should look at their own inconsistencies that make no sense as well. Pity many well meaning Christians believe according to Matthew 24 things were fulfilled in 70 A.D that obviously did not happen.

Mat 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” This did not happen in 70 A.D. but it will happen just before Christ returns with the help of angels (Rev 14:6).

Mat 24:21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” We are to believe the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. was a time of great tribulation not seen since the beginning of the world, nor ever shall be.

Mat 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:” We are to believe that shortly after the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. the moon quit shining, the sun was darkened and the powers of the heavens were shaken.

Mat 24:30 “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” We are to believe Jesus appeared in heaven and the tribes of the earth mourned as they saw the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. It didn’t happen in 70 A.D. but it will happen according to the Book of Revelation in the future because Revelation is referring to prophetic future events (Rev 1:3).

Mat 24:31 “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” We are to believe this took place shortly after the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

Mat 24:34 “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” The generation of 70 A.D. passed away over 2,000 years ago.

Once again I would point out that most “Dispensationalists” believe that revelation is progressive and a dispensation is merely a “dispensing of divine revelation.” One can find fault with Hal Lindsey’s interpretation but maybe one should pull the moat out of his own eye before harshly judging another Christian who may not have had a perfect understanding of how to reconcile prophetic events.

I think that would be the known world probably not including North and South America.

"Ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world . . . the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven." - Colossians 1:5-6, 23

The “gospel” simply means “good news.” All scripture must be kept in context. For example the “gospel of the kingdom” (Matt 4:23) deals with the good news of a kingdom that God was offering the Jews but never came about because the Messiah was rejected and crucified. This was not the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor 15:1-4) which has not been heard by every nation yet, else why do we still send out missionaries?. John Piper explains it this way, “Paul is emphasizing the fact that the gospel embraced by this little group of people in this little town of Colossae is the very gospel that is proclaimed in all creation under heaven. It does not say, “has been proclaimed” — it “is proclaimed in all creation.” Everywhere it goes, it is being proclaimed, and it is bearing fruit. Don’t think the global mission of preaching is complete. It isn’t. There is a great work to be done precisely because the gospel we love and preach is unbounded in its personal, cultural, and eternal relevance for every people on the planet. In other words having reached Rome, where Paul wrote Colossians, the gospel of 1 Cor 15:1-3 had reached the center of the known world. MacArthur

"Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." - Romans 1:8
Once again, as the center of the Roman Empire and the inhabited world, whatever happened in Rome became known universally.

The gospel had been "made manifest " and "made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." - Romans 16:26
Rom 16:25 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"
Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The gospel or good news , once a mystery, is now made manifest and is no longer limited to the nation of Israel but to the Gentile nations also.

"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad." - 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Every place they went their faith was manifested.

None of these passages you raise explain how the great tribulation never seen before or since the beginning of time, the moon and sun going black, all the tribes of the earth mourning, and seeing the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and the gathering together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other took place in 70 A.D. It is obvious these are future events. While I can’t explain every detail of the Second Coming of Christ, I do know some aspects of what you believe are not 100% correct either.

I believe that the Bible teaches from Christian era that the events related to the second coming can be fullfilled at any time. They weren't looking forward far into the future. That's why Paul could say we which are alive and remain (he includes himself and he's been dead over 1900 years). For me it starts with the rapture.

 

[biscuit1953]

I think that would be the known world probably not including North and South America.

I believe that the Bible teaches from Christian era that the events related to the second coming can be fullfilled at any time. They weren't looking forward far into the future. That's why Paul could say we which are alive and remain (he includes himself and he's been dead over 1900 years). For me it starts with the rapture.

It should also be remembered that when John says the events of Revelation must “shortly come to pass” (Rev 1:1), the word “shortly” is the same Greek word used in Romans 16:20 where it says, “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Its been over 2000 years and we are still waiting for this event to happen. It will take place though (Rev 20:10). What seems to be a great time to us is a blip to God and eternity.

A good example of imminence is people in California know an earthquake is “imminent” because they know it can come at any time and there is nothing (as far as they know) which must happen before the earthquake strikes. This is how Jesus described His return in Mark 13:32-37. “But of that day and hour no man knows, not even the angels in heaven…” (v. 32); “take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (v. 33).

 

[Ekklesian]

Romans 16:20 where it says, “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Its been over 2000 years and we are still waiting for this event to happen. It will take place though (Rev 20:10). What seems to be a great time to us is a blip to God and eternity.

So Paul was just teasing them? They would never find relief from the troublemakers Paul described in verses 17 and 18? (Because that's who he was referring to by naming their master.)

 

[illinoisguy]

Hal's successful career demonstrates that there can be lots of profit in being a prophet - even a false prophet:

The Late Hal Lindsey Had Great Wealth from Nonprofit Ministry, Records Show

Hal Lindsey, known for his biblical prophecy books, died last week at age 95. He was one of the nation's wealthiest non-profit ministry execs.

julieroys.com

"Lindsey believed the re-establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948 was a fulfillment of Bible prophecy and the generation alive in 1948 would see a pre-tribulation rapture, the tribulation and Jesus’ return.

"From 2013 to 2023, Hal and his wife JoLynne Lindsey received $18.5 million of compensation from Hal Lindsey Website Ministries. During those eleven years, the ministry spent only $1,105,360 in charitable assistance to groups and individuals.

"During these eleven years less than three percent of the ministry’s total revenue was spent on charitable assistance while 32.6% of all ministry revenue was spent on compensation for Hal and JoLynne."

 

[Ekklesian]

32.6% of all ministry revenue was spent on compensation for Hal and JoLynne."

As long as they tithed...

 

[illinoisguy]

This blogger does a hatchet job on Hal:

Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, 1929-2024

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/11/died-late-great-planet-earth-end-times-hal-lindsey/ It's tough to think of someone else who made s...

wenatcheethehatchet.blogspot.com

"It's tough to think of someone else who made so much money and being famous for being so wrong the way Hal Lindsey did. . . .

"It can be too easy for people who were never partisans of Hal Lindsey's brand of dispensationalist timeline shilling to make fun of just how many decades the Earth has kept going or how many marriages Lindsey went through or how many editions of his book got published. Existential panic that if the United States doesn't do the right things the entire planet will become an uninhabitable wasteland is just part of American civic religion whether we're talking about Christian fundamentalists or secularist progressives. . . .

"The personal paradox or irony for me is that my exposure to dispensationalist futurism had me doubtful there was any point in dating or marrying, let alone raising kids, if Hal's ideas held any water. What was the point of dating if Jesus was going to come back in a few months and the eschatological cataclysm that ended all space and time as we know it was upon us?"

 

[biscuit1953]

Hal's successful career demonstrates that there can be lots of profit in being a prophet - even a false prophet:

The Late Hal Lindsey Had Great Wealth from Nonprofit Ministry, Records Show

Hal Lindsey, known for his biblical prophecy books, died last week at age 95. He was one of the nation's wealthiest non-profit ministry execs.

julieroys.com

"Lindsey believed the re-establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948 was a fulfillment of Bible prophecy and the generation alive in 1948 would see a pre-tribulation rapture, the tribulation and Jesus’ return.

"From 2013 to 2023, Hal and his wife JoLynne Lindsey received $18.5 million of compensation from Hal Lindsey Website Ministries. During those eleven years, the ministry spent only $1,105,360 in charitable assistance to groups and individuals.

"During these eleven years less than three percent of the ministry’s total revenue was spent on charitable assistance while 32.6% of all ministry revenue was spent on compensation for Hal and JoLynne."

I know very little about Hal Lindsey other than reading his book The Late Great Planet Earth many years ago. If he was a crook he will answer for it just like everyone else regardless of whether one is a Covenant Theologian or Dispensationalist. Covenant Theologians like to make fun of Christians who are looking for the Second Coming of our Lord even though we are commanded to do so. I would suggest that anyone who thinks Jesus Christ came back in 70 A.D. is delusional and no better than the Jehovah Witnesses as far as understanding prophecy and the close relationship between John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul and others like him show that Christians can disagree without being disagreeable.

 

[Ransom]

I would suggest that anyone who thinks Jesus Christ came back in 70 A.D.

To whom on this forum do you keep addressing this foolish straw-man argument?

 

[voicecrying]

Covenant Theologians like to make fun of Christians who are looking for the Second Coming of our Lord even though we are commanded to do so.

You don't believe Covenant theologians are looking for the second coming of Christ?

 

[biscuit1953]

You don't believe Covenant theologians are looking for the second coming of Christ?

Then you don't believe the events of Matthew 24 are past events? What about Revelation? Why do you symbolize Revelation 20 where it plainly teaches a 1,000 year reign when there is no foundation for such an interpretation? Why do you make fun of the miracle of the re-establishment of the nation of Israel that had not been a sovereign nation for 2500 years? Once again, I don't understand all the details concerning Bible prophecy but I know enough that you don't either.