I believe the Bible's version of what's to come on the earth.

The ancient Mayans were astute astronomers and are considered to have been far ahead of their time as students of the universe. They prepared calendars that extended thousands of years into the future and predicted events based on the movement of heavenly bodies.

They defined future "ages" based on the projected alignment of the stars.

What does that have to do with us here in the 21st century? Well, the ancient Mayan calendar predicts that the present "age" will end on Friday, December 21, 2012. It sounds ominous, but the Mayans didn't leave much information about what they thought would happen at the conclusion of this "age."

The Mayans' lack of "prophetic" specificity has opened the door to a wide range of speculation about what December 21 will bring. Unfortunately, most of that speculation has included some sort of scenario for the end of the world, or, at least, widespread and catastrophic global destruction.

On this week's edition of "The Hal Lindsey Report," we'll talk a little bit about the end of the world. More specifically, the end of the world as we know it. Someone devised an acronym to express that concept. It's TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It).

As usual, Hollywood jumped on the bandwagon. But there have been others talking about the end of the world as we know it for quite some time. A few come readily to mind: besides the Mayans, there's Nostradamus, St. Malachy, the Hopis, and others. For some years, Hollywood has had a whole genre of films that capitalized on the public's fascination with TEOTWAWKI.

However, as we approach December 21, 2012, this fascination has mushroomed. The Mayan Calendar seems to indicate that something dramatic will happen, but so does the Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. In November, 2009, Hollywood released a major motion picture based on that prediction. It was called "2012." I'll show you a snippet of what some filmmakers think might happen on the 'fateful' day -- next Friday!

How much stock should we Christians put in these types of 'prophecies'? Tune in this week and I'll let you know how much stock I put in them!

Over the last few years, a lot of viewers have written to ask about the various and sundry 2012 doomsday predictions. Many want to know about the Mayan calendar, Planet X or Planet Nibiru, Comet Elenin, Edgar Cayce, Nostradamus, and more.

Opinion about the Mayan calendar is split. Some experts believe the fact that it abruptly ends in what translates to 2012 indicates that there will be a positive physical or spiritual transformation of the earth on that day. Others -- especially Hollywood and the popular culture -- prefer the other theory: the world will literally, physically, and, apparently, very violently end on December 21.

The Planet X believers also promote a traumatic physical-destruction-of-the-earth theory. Planet X, or Nibiru, is supposedly four times larger than the earth and is headed on a collision or near-miss course with our globe. Obviously, if it collides with us, we're goners. If it passes near us, its size and gravitational pull on the earth will make us wish we were goners. Neither is a pretty picture.

(Just a marginal note for those who have never heard of Planet X. We "know" about it because a woman started a website in 1995 to reveal its existence. She "knew" about it because some alien visitors to earth had implanted a communications device in her brain so they could keep her posted about its arrival. Oddly, no reputable astronomers have been able to locate it in the universe. The ones who claim to have found it say that it's "hidden" behind other planets and will become visible as it gets closer to earth. Unbelievably, Planet X has gathered quite a following here on this planet!)

Obviously, I believe that neither will happen. That's because I believe the Bible's version of what's to come on the earth. And it does not entail the imminent destruction of the universe or the disappearance of our planet. And why do I believe the Bible's version? Because EVERYTHING predicted by God's prophets in the past has come true with amazing precision. If they've been 100% right so far, why should I believe they'll be wrong now? (See how that works? That's why I keep insisting that knowing and understanding Bible prophecy is important for the Christian -- and for the non-believer, too!)

If you want a glimpse of what the Bible says is headed our way, and what it means to the Christian, be certain to tune in this week. It's both exciting and reassuring.

One more thing, despite what the Mayans and the talking heads say, don't cancel your Christmas plans this year.

And don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, Inspiration, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Please check your local listings.

"PROPHETIC YEAR IN REVIEW - 2012": This may be of interest to those of you who live in the San Antonio, Texas area. I will be presenting the 2012 edition of my annual "Prophetic Year in Review" on Monday, December 31, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at Calvary Temple Church, 3000 Loop 534, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. I'll look back at the major events of 2012 and examine how they fit into the prophetic scenario. There is no admission charge, but seating is limited. So please call the church office during regular business hours to let them know you'll be attending and how many will be in your party. The Calvary Temple office number is 830-895-3000. I'll see you there.


God Bless,
Hal Lindsey