One True Hope

Another interesting newsletter from Hal Lindsey.

October 10th, 2014 This week on 'The Hal Lindsey Report' Ebola, ISIS, and Israel, three names you probably heard on last night's newscast -- no matter what channel you watched. Ebola, ISIS, and Israel, three names you'll hear if you watch my television program this week. Not just because they're three of the hottest stories in the news, but because I believe each has a significant role in the end-times scenario. In chapter 21, Luke quotes Jesus as saying that in the last days, "there will be famines and pestilences." The Greek word used here and translated "pestilences" refers to both virulent plagues and pests. It fits a variety of outbreaks we've seen across the world in recent years, even months, including the bizarre monkey infestation in New Delhi, India, the AIDS pandemic, and now Ebola. The Washington Post reports that, "The virus could potentially infect 1.4 million people in Liberia and Sierra Leone by the end of January." That's just over three months, folks. Recently, Dr. David Nabarra, the United Nations Special Envoy overseeing its efforts to combat Ebola said, "This is a disease outbreak that is advancing in an exponential fashion." Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "exponential growth" as "characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase." Jesus described the signs of His return as being like a pregnant woman's "birth pangs," meaning that they would increase in frequency and intensity as the day approaches. I'm no rocket scientist, but I'm thinking those two descriptions are eerily similar. And lest we think the Atlantic and Pacific oceans protect America from this deadly pestilence, America's first Ebola death occurred just this past week -- and even now scores of people who had some contact with this one man, Thomas Eric Duncan, are either in quarantine or are being "observed" for symptoms. Modern transportation, global commerce, and politically correct national leaders guarantee that America is, indeed, no longer immune to the ravages of this modern-day scourge, or any of a variety of other pandemics. Speaking of scourges, is there any other way to describe ISIS or any of its burgeoning network of "affiliates?" Yes, there is. You've heard me say it many times before: demonic! These terrorist demons are committed to destroying anything that stands in the way of an Islamic Caliphate. That includes all secular or apostate Muslims, all Christians, all Jews, Israel, and the United States. So how do any or all of the above targets successfully combat this demonic, Islamic scourge? Here's a hint: Don't do what this administration (and most of the west) is doing. Infrequent, nighttime-only airstrikes of non-essential targets will not get the job done. Only when our leaders are compelled to recognize and actually acknowledge who the enemy is, then commit as completely to destroying them as as they're committed to destroying us, do we have any hope of defeating them. Oh yeah, as in the case of Ebola, don't be misled into thinking ISIS cannot pose a danger to Americans. Its influence on our shores has already been felt. A few days ago, a grandmother in Moore, Oklahoma, became its first victim. Did you ever believe you'd hear me say these words? Islamic beheadings have come to America. Of course, it doesn't help to have national leadership that can look at all the crises enveloping the world and our nation and decide that the issue that needs to be urgently addressed is Israel's decision to build 2,500 apartments in Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. First, it's none of our business. Second, we'd never tolerate another nation attempting to dictate where or how we provide housing and comfort for our own citizens. Here's a scary thought: A nation's survival often depends on its priorities because we expend our valuable efforts and influence on the things that are most important to us. I'm just saying.... Finally, you've often heard me quote the Bible's admonition that we are to be "watchmen on the wall," warning others of coming dangers, either spiritual, moral, or physical. Appropriate to the times in which we live, the Bible also has a warning regarding those "watchmen." In Psalm 127:1, the writer cautions: "Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain." Many of the "watchmen" that America has placed on its walls have done a good job of warning us about the approaching dangers. The unfortunate truth is that many of those warnings have fallen on deaf ears or have been blatantly ignored by our leaders. Lately, the blame has been flying thick and heavy over the "unexpected" rise of ISIS and the imminent threat posed by Ebola. Once again, the unfortunate truth is that our watchmen have been faithfully and regularly issuing dire warnings to our leaders. Plainly put, those warnings have been ignored, either intentionally or out of arrogance, ignorance, incompetence, or political correctness. I don't think you can deny that God has providentially protected our nation throughout its history. But I also believe that He will not remain patient with us forever. Dangers -- and enemies -- that we have traditionally assumed would never reach our shores, now walk among us or lurk in our shadows. Folks, there is only one place to be truly secure, and that is in Christ. In this crazy, mixed-up, and darkening world, we have only one true hope -- to fully put our faith in Jesus Christ and His power to redeem us and keep us until we join Him in heaven. If you have not chosen that place of safety by accepting Jesus Christ and the free gift of pardon that His death on Calvary purchased for you, do it right now. Please don't ignore this watchman's warning. Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, The Word Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings. God Bless, Hal Lindsey