HAL LINDSEY: 9.16.17

September 8th, 2017

Hurricane Irma is now bearing down on Florida. It is so powerful, the weather community doesn't even have an accurate classification for it. There's no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane, so they're calling it a "Catastrophic 5!"

Last night, a magnitude 8 earthquake rocked the southern coast of Mexico. It was felt in Cancun, 1,700 miles away.

Two weeks ago, Hurricane Harvey battered Southeast Texas. In its aftermath, an unimaginable flood fell on the U.S. Gulf coast. Experts are calling it a "thousand-year flood!"

Cedar Bayou, Texas, received the highest rainfall total ever recorded in the continental United States: almost 52 inches.

The Neches River in Beaumont, Texas, broke its previous high-crest record by 8 feet! Not 8 inches, but 8 feet!

And this has all happened in just the Western Hemisphere -- in just two weeks!

In Romans 8:22, the Apostle Paul described the earth in these days: "The whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth until now."

The earth is in travail.

Isaiah describes a time when, "The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard." (Isaiah 24:20 NASB)

This gives a sense of planetary distress. But it also describes what it's like during a monster earthquake.

The citizens of Mexico felt that last night. But Americans may feel it in the future.

As I reported in July, Yellowstone National Park has been suffering an "earthquake swarm." In June, Yellowstone experienced 878 small quakes in one month. It has continued and last week Newsweek reported that the swarm "is now one of the biggest ever recorded, with over 2,300 tremors since it began in June."

What makes this worrying is the fact that Yellowstone National Park sits atop a "supervolcano." That means it's thousands of time more powerful than a regular volcano.

Scientists say the magma (molten rock that we call 'lava' once it reaches the earth's surface) chamber below Yellowstone is mind-boggling. They estimate that it is 37 miles long, 18 miles wide, and 3 to 7 miles deep.

NASA is so concerned that it has proposed drilling into the chamber to relieve some of the pressure. But critics fear that it could touch off an eruption.

Yahoo News reported that if Yellowstone erupts, it is "capable of burying states like Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado in three feet of harmful volcanic ash...."

That could paralyze the nation.

I've often said that America does not appear to be a major factor in the end-times scenario. Something must occur to remove the U.S. from its superpower status. Is it possible that it could be a massive, staggering earthquake that cripples America?

But Jesus said that in these days, earthquakes would also happen in "various places." (Matthew 24:7 NASB)

A few days ago, a large earthquake hit North Korea. But the magnitude 6.3 temblor was not a natural occurrence. It was man-made.

We now know that North Korea apparently tested what it claims to be a hydrogen bomb.

Though the rest of the world has not officially confirmed that to be true, it is generally accepted as fact. This earthquake was ten times larger than the one that occurred when they conducted their largest previous atomic test -- just one year ago.

Less than one week before the alleged H-bomb test, North Korea launched a missile that passed over Japan and fell into the Pacific Ocean. The Associated Press reports that it rattled the Japanese so much that their leaders are now publicly discussing the feasibility of building and buying cruise missiles so that Japan can achieve "a limited pre-emptive strike capability...." AP goes on to note that this idea "was anathema in the pacifist country before the North Korea missile threat."

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently warned that North Korea and the United States are "on the brink of a large-scale conflict." The Chinese Foreign Minister said that war could break out "at any moment."

A high-ranking German official cautioned that a U.S.-North Korean war could result in more casualties than all of World War II.

How's that for a "rumor of war?" (Matthew 24:6)

Speaking of "war," that's exactly what the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is waging against the Bible, Christians, conservatives, and America's heritage.

Probably one of the most morally, if not criminally, corrupt organizations in recent memory, SPLC has positioned itself as the arbiter of "hate groups" in America.

In fact, it actually produces a "hate map" on which it identifies 917 "hate groups" in America. SPLC and SPLC alone determines what constitutes a "hate group." And Southern Poverty Law Center has no moral compass and no standards by which to make those determinations. All they have is their own opinions. And those lean hard to the far Left.

SPLC has no tolerance for people who believe the Bible. If you utter a word against Islam, you might be a "hater." If you speak out in favor of Biblical, traditional marriage, you almost certainly are a "hater."

Of course, that only applies to non-Muslim groups. Islamists enslave women and children and often respond to homosexuality with violence. In fact, in some Muslim nations they throw homosexuals off the roofs of tall buildings.

But Islam is not on the "hate map."

However, the Family Research Council (FRC) is. The FRC is one of the most respected promoters of the family in America. It was co-founded by Dr. James Dobson. It was once led by conservative Presidential candidate Gary Bauer. The FRC opposes much of the LGBT agenda, but does so with thoughtful argument, not violence.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is on SPLC's "hate list." ADF is a moderate Christian legal-rights group. It was founded by Dr. Bill Bright, who also founded Campus Crusade for Christ. Dr. Bright was my friend. He dedicated his life to spreading the love of Christ and the Good News of the Gospel to millions of college students over several decades.

Another founder of ADF was Dr. D. James Kennedy. Is there anyone on the religious right or left who did not respect and appreciate the gentleness and thoughtfulness of Dr. Kennedy?

Apparently the fact that Dr. Kennedy was a forceful advocate for traditional family values earned him a spot on SPLC's "hate map."

Imagine the gall of anyone who would place these men of God on a "hate list" with the Ku Klux Klan and neo-nazis! It's disgusting and should anger every American!

If the SPLC had the integrity to apply their standards consistently, then the Catholic Church would be on the list. The Republican Party would be on the list. Practically every Muslim mosque in America would be on the list. You and I would be on the list, too!

Though they promote themselves as teachers of tolerance, they ignore the fact that they are biased, too. But despite their obvious flaws -- and hypocrisy -- SPLC's statements go unquestioned. Their pronouncements are accepted by the mainstream media, the entertainment industry, academia, and a huge portion of the U.S. government.

SPLC placed an organization called "Jihad Watch" on its "hate list." Then PayPal banned Jihad Watch from receiving donations using its service.

After SPLC designated D. James Kennedy Ministries a "hate group," Amazon kicked that ministry out of its charity donation program.

With their "hate map," SPLC is hurting real ministries that are helping real people.

But we knew this time would come. Jesus Himself warned that one day we would not be the haters, but we would be the hated. He said, "You shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." (Luke 21:17 KJV)

Folks, those days are just around the corner. Are you ready?

Finally, this week I will continue my study of "Law and Grace." As the end-times draw nearer, it's more important than ever that we live our lives in the freedom that Jesus purchased for us with His death on the cross.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that your salvation depends on your own efforts. It's a burden you can't possibly bear.

Galatians 3:3 asks, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now perfected by the flesh?" A flesh-centered approach to holiness dooms us to frustration.

Don't trust the determination of your weak flesh over the mighty power of God. Commit your ways to Him and rest in His promises and His power to keep those promises.

Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.

Please continue to pray for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and pray for God's protection and mercy on those who are in the path of Hurricane Irma. And remember those who are suffering because of yesterday's earthquake in Mexico.

Only God can bring peace to those in such distress.

God Bless,
Hal Lindsey

September 15th, 2017

Last week, Hurricane Irma slammed into several Caribbean islands with a force that promised unprecedented destruction when it finally hit Florida.

Thank God the possible didn't happen. Irma made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, not the Category 5+ that it had been while over the Atlantic.

Further, at the last moment, it veered to the west and moved up the less densely populated Gulf coast of Florida rather than the Atlantic coast and the population centers extending north from Miami.

Though still powerful and very destructive, it moved so quickly that it never wreaked the devastation that most forecasters feared.

While Irma was bearing down on Florida, on the other side of the Gulf of Mexico another natural disaster was unfolding. A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico. It was felt up to 1,700 miles away. It caused damage in Mexico City, 700 miles away from the epicenter. Almost 100 died.

Less than 24 hours later, Hurricane Katia made landfall on Mexico's Gulf coast. Though it weakened to a Category 1, it still did considerable flooding and caused at least two deaths.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Jose had formed in the eastern Atlantic and was headed toward the Caribbean. Fortunately, it, too, weakened and then veered north into the Atlantic.

And all of this occurred hard on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, the costliest storm in U.S. history.

Lost amid the hurricanes and the strongest earthquake in the last century in Mexico, was the biggest wildfire in the history of the city of Los Angeles.

Just a few hundred miles to the north, San Francisco was experiencing a deadly heatwave with temperatures up to 36 degrees higher than the seasonal normal.

The Associated Press observed, "With four big hurricanes, a powerful earthquake and wildfires, it seems that nature recently has just gone nuts."

One of the founders of Weather Underground said, "Nature's gone crazy."

The Apostle Paul wrote about these days. In Romans 8:22 he said, "The whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now." (NASB)

Paul wrote these words in the first century. Creation has been in severe stress ever since sin entered the world. It was already groaning in Paul's day.

It's interesting that the Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to use the words Jesus used to describe the last of the last days -- "the pains of childbirth." We know from this (and from the characteristics of childbirth labor, that is, the pangs steadily increasing in intensity and frequency as the time for birth nears) that creation's groaning and travailing will get worse and worse as we near the end of the Age.

The Bible also speaks of other manifestations of this travail: famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and wars and threats of war. All coming faster and with greater intensity as time advances.

Though weather forecasting is an inexact science, I am thankful that modern forecasters are able to save lives by providing warning of the approaching danger. When the great hurricane hit Galveston, Texas, in 1900, about 12,000 people died. Mostly because they were caught by surprise.

But as thankful as I am for the life-saving benefits of modern weather forecasting, Jesus said there are other signs even more important than the weather -- the signs of the times.

He said, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?" (Matthew 16:2-3 NASB)

I believe these are the days the ancient prophets longed for. The signs they foretold are unfolding before our eyes. Yet relatively few Christian leaders are pointing them out to their followers.

Everyone pays attention when the weatherman gives weather warnings. We should give even more urgent heed to God's warnings for these days.

In 2012, President Barack Obama issued a stern warning to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He said that if Assad used chemical weapons in Syria's civil war, it would mean that he had crossed a so-called "red line." That would incur a military response from the United States.

The next year, Assad used chemical weapons.

I think Obama intended to respond, but when he sensed reluctance from Congress, he backed down.

So Russian President Vladimir Putin happily stepped in and saved the day for President Obama. He made a deal with Assad to allow Russia to remove Assad's chemical weapons from Syria to parts unknown.

Obama accepted the opportunity to save face and even reminded the world a couple of years later that, indeed, all of Assad's weapons had been forfeited. He said, "Assad gave up his chemical weapons. That's not speculation on our part...."

Well, it may not have been speculation, but it wasn't true. In fact, Assad used his chemical weapons again just last April.

The United Nations confirmed that fact just this week.

If you recall, though, President Trump didn't wait six months for U.N. confirmation. Within days, he ordered 59 Tomahawk missiles fired upon a Syrian airbase as warning.

Fast forward to last week. Israel launched an airstrike against a factory inside Syria. Contrary to the usual international brouhaha that usually accompanies an Israeli action against any of its adversaries, the world has been silent.

That's because everyone knows that Syria was producing chemical weapons at that plant. Apparently, they were also developing precision missiles there.

A former Major General in Israel's Defense Forces thinks that the lack of response to the strike from Syria and Hezbollah indicates another retaliation is underway. Yaakov Amidror said, "I think the main response will be an acceleration of Iranian efforts to entrench themselves in Syria."

Recently, Israel's Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said, "Everything will be done to prevent the existence of a Shi'ite Corridor from Tehran to Damascus."

I fear that it's too little, too late. The corridor exists and it's already longer than the one Lieberman described.

Hezbollah largely controls Lebanon. Iran controls Hezbollah. Hezbollah is actively fighting in Syria on behalf of Assad. It gets most of its money and all of its high-tech military hardware from Iran.

That means the Shi'ite Corridor already extends from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal noted, "Iran is using Syria's civil war, and the battle against ISIS, as cause to gain a permanent military foothold in Syria...."

That puts Iran on Israel's northern border.

Russia used President Obama's reluctance to act as an invitation to establish a military presence in Syria. And we know that Russia's war there against ISIS is allowing its military entrenchment in Syria to quietly solidify.

That puts Russia on Israel's northern border.

2600 years ago, God revealed to the prophet Ezekiel that in the last days, Iran and Russia would be part of a huge assault on Israel. Today, the actors have taken their places on the stage.

Finally, this week I will conclude my discussions of "Law" and "Grace." I want to share with you what I believe is one of Satan's cleverest tricks to deceive sincere believers: Legalism.

We must realize that "Law" and "Grace" are completely different systems in themselves. And, they are mutually exclusive.

To mix these principles robs the law of its bona fide terror, and grace of its creative freeness. What does this mean to us in a practical way?

It means that, after receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior, there is nothing we're required to do to earn God's favor. Under grace, our acceptance with God is based on the fact that we are IN Christ and God accepts HIM completely. Our acceptance is based solely on Christ's performance for us.

If we insist on relating to God by the principle of law (legalism), then our acceptance with God is based on our own performance.

And trust me, it is impossible for you to perform to the level that God (the law) requires to earn His acceptance.

That is why I thank God every moment of every day for GRACE!

Hal Lindsey

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