The Late Great Planet Earth Revisited

What Hal Lindsey wrote in ƒ_oThe Late, Great Planet Earthƒ__ 35 years ago is worth looking at again today.


Thirty-five years ago Hal Lindsey wrote a book called ƒ_oThe Late, Great Planet Earth,ƒ__ which became a huge best-seller and influenced thousands of readers, including me. The title alone jarred a lot of people, as a whole generation became energized and inspired by biblical prophecy and the relevance of current events. When many of us were young, Israel hadnƒ_Tt been a nation all that long ƒ_" only since 1948. The Cold War became the constant backdrop for our lives, and the threat of nuclear holocaust became real for the first time.

Then along comes this book, and with it the early Jesus Movement and a great revival as Godƒ_Ts Spirit was poured out on a whole new generation of believers. We were all sure Jesus would return by the end of the 80s ƒ_"and Iƒ_Tm afraid the fact that we are all still here has disappointed and disillusioned some of those early, fervent believers. A few even resent that they didnƒ_Tt finish college or follow through with goals and plans for the future, thinking their only immediate future would be in heaven.

What Hal Lindsey wrote 35years ago is worth revisiting today ƒ_" which he does in a very interesting article which I would encourage you to read by clicking here.  I donƒ_Tt believe I can put into words any better than he does the significance of what is going on today in Europe, Israel, and the Muslim countries, and a very interesting world leader named Javier Solana. What Hal wrote has proven to be more prophetic than even he realizedƒ_"not so much because his words were prophetic, but because they were based on events foretold in the Bible, which are coming to pass in Godƒ_Ts timing, and proving day by day to be even more specifically and literally true than many of us could have imagined.

If you are a new believer or new to studying prophecy, then you are in for a fascinating time of revelation and being drawn closer to the Lord. If you are a ƒ_oveteranƒ__ who perhaps has grown weary of waiting or wondering if it was all hype and nothing ever changes, then I believe you will be encouraged and excited to see how God is fulfilling His plans and purposes.

Throughout the book of 1 Thessalonians, which I encourage you to read, Paul wrote extensively about the return of the Lord, talking to believers about how to live their daily lives even as they watched for Jesus to come back: ƒ_oTherefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing...Be at peace among yourselves... warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good...ƒ__ (1 Thessalonians 5, NKJ).

Jesus told us a parable, ƒ_oDo business till I comeƒ__ (Luke 19:13, NKJ). As we wait for His coming, He wants us to make wise use of our time and talents. So it is right for you to go to college, go to work, take care of your families, serve the Lord here on earth, ƒ_odo businessƒ__ ƒ_"even as you pray with the rest of the body of Christ, ƒ_oCome quickly, Lord Jesus.ƒ__

In His grace,

Pastor Ray

media@maranathachapel.org