Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth – Israel & the coming of Jesus – The Christian Prophecy book that be came a massive phenomenon

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[I remember this book's name. But I never read it. This book was read by 35 million people. It tied the existence of stupid Jewish Israel to the coming of Christ and people believed they would be alive to see the return of Jesus. Jan]

Overview:
Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth is a Christian prophecy book that became a cultural phenomenon in the 1970s. It interprets current events through the lens of biblical prophecy, arguing that we are living in the end times and that Jesus’ return is imminent. Lindsey uses a premillennial dispensationalist framework, popular among evangelicals, to connect Bible passages with modern politics.

Key Points:
1. Prophecies Are Being Fulfilled
Lindsey claims biblical prophecies, especially from Daniel, Revelation, and the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24), are unfolding in the 20th century.

He believes the rebirth of Israel in 1948 marks the beginning of the "generation" that will see Christ’s return.

1. Rise of a Global Power (Antichrist)
   A coming world dictator (the Antichrist) will rise from a revived Roman Empire, which Lindsey associates with the European Economic Community (now the EU).

This Antichrist will initially bring peace, then plunge the world into chaos.

1. The Rapture
   True Christians will be raptured (taken to heaven) before a 7-year period of tribulation.

During the Tribulation, wars, famines, disasters, and persecution will spread.

1. The Great Tribulation
   Lindsey interprets this as a literal 7-year period of catastrophe.

Involves military conflict (including a war involving Russia and China), possibly nuclear.

Many judgments from God will strike the earth.

1. The Battle of Armageddon
   A final war in the Middle East, centered on Israel, will culminate in Jesus’ return.

Christ will defeat the Antichrist and establish a millennial kingdom (1,000-year reign).

1. Signs of the Times
   Lindsey connects the following to biblical signs:

Cold War tensions
Middle East conflicts (especially involving Israel)
Moral decay in Western societies
Technological advancements
Natural disasters

Cultural Impact:
Sold over 35 million copies, making it the best-selling nonfiction book of the 1970s.

Helped popularize end-times thinking, especially among American evangelicals.

Inspired films like A Thief in the Night and later influenced the Left Behind series.

Criticism:
Critics, both secular and Christian, accuse Lindsey of sensationalism, date-setting, and poor biblical exegesis.

His prediction that the generation born around 1948 would see the end proved false (he suggested the 1980s or early 1990s).

Still, his influence on Christian eschatology and American politics remains notable.