This week on ‘The Hal Lindsey Report’What is happening right now in the Middle East is unprecedented as far as I’m concerned. Of course, if you just get your news from the American mainstream media, you’ve no idea to what I’m referring. 

If it’s not promoting the Palestinians or denigrating the Israelis, singing the praises of John Kerry or listing the transgressions of Benjamin Netanyahu, lamenting setbacks to the BDS movement (Boycott, Divest, Sanction Israel) or applauding Iran’s return to global acceptance, then it’s buried deep in the back pages, if it’s mentioned at all. 

But then, what else is to be expected? These are the times of the end. 

I’m talking about the stirrings of the powers predicted in Daniel’s 11th chapter: the king of the South and the king of the North. 

But it’s not even that vague. It’s actually quite impressive and, as I mentioned, unprecedented. Apparently, though, not impressive or unprecedented enough for the American media. 

I’m referring to “Northern Thunder.” That’s a cooperative military exercise — or war games — now underway in the northern reaches of Saudi Arabia, just below the border with Iraq. 

What’s unprecedented is its size and scope, the number of nations involved, and who those nations are. 

More than 25 countries, 350,000 soldiers, 20,000 tanks, almost 2,500 fighter aircraft, and more than 450 attack helicopters. All practicing how to coordinate their efforts to stage an attack. 

What makes this unique is that these are the nations described in Daniel 11 as the coalition led by “the king of the South” in the run-up to Armageddon. And they’ve never in history joined forces in this manner or on this scale. 

What makes it even more fascinating is who feels threatened by these war games: the king of the North. This coalition, specified in the Bible as led by Iran and Russia, is today concerned that “Northern Thunder” is either the beginning of an invasion of Syria or preparation for it. 

As a result, Russia’s Prime Minister has warned that the joint exercise by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt could lead to another “world war.” 

Folks, I do not believe this is Ezekiel 38, but it may be a dress rehearsal for it. 

And what makes it even more fascinating is that it actually has almost nothing to do with Israel. The showdown that looms between the “king of the North” and the “king of the South” is being set-up by centuries-old ambitions, fears, and animosities between the two dominant sects of Islam: the Sunnis and the Shi’ites. 

But WHY it’s happening is not as important as the sheer fact that it IS happening — this week — as predicted by the ancient Bible prophets thousands of years ago. 

That’s why the opening line of “The Hal Lindsey Report” each week is “Yesterday’s prophecies. Today’s headlines.” 

These are the end times springing to life in our headlines and on our TV sets. It’s time to get ready to leave this old world when Jesus returns for His true followers. 

But that’s not all I will be discussing on this week’s program. 

The recent abrupt death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia focuses attention on the looming fight for the rule of law upon which the United States of America is founded. What is at stake — literally — is whether the U.S. Constitution with all of its guarantees and protections will continue to be our firm foundation. Or will it become, as the Left in America wants, simply a rulebook that can be amended at the whim of any judge to reflect the prevailing mood of those currently in charge? 

I am not overstating this when I say that the selection of the next Supreme Court Justice may well determine how quickly America will fall from “a city shining on a hill” to the dystopian society foreshadowed in “1984.” 

Once again, the echoes of the predictions of the ancient Bible prophets are ringing in the halls of our nation’s houses of government. 

But you didn’t hear that from the mainstream media! 

Finally, when Pope Francis seemed to insert himself into the American presidential free-for-all, he probably invited an unwelcome examination of his own powerful political influences. And the results of the scrutiny are not flattering. Especially for the “Vicar of Christ.” 

His particular blending of political ideology with theological misinterpretation (or misunderstanding?) makes for a dangerous brew. Especially in these last days of the Age of Grace. 

As we have learned since her death, even the rightly much-loved and revered Mother Teresa struggled her entire life with the conflict between works and grace. 

And it is an incredibly important conflict that must be resolved in each believer’s life. In fact, it will literally determine your eternal destiny. 

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