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There's a New World Coming
Vintage Book.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
About the author
Hal Lindsey
105 books61 followersHarold Lee Lindsey was an American evangelical writer and television host. He wrote a series of popular apocalyptic books – beginning with The Late Great Planet Earth (1970) – asserting that the Apocalypse or end time (including the rapture) was imminent because current events were fulfilling Bible prophecy. He was a Christian Zionist and dispensationalist.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 7, 2019
Good lord, what a fever dream. I found this in a pile of old underground comics and assumed it would be satire. It's... not. Really gives you the sense of the scale of cognitive dissonance separating evangelical Christianity from the rest of the world.
Beyond being insane, there is no story, just a boring dialectic between three characterless white kids as the credulously observe the end-times floating in an unspecified empty space. The funniest parts were where it interpreted vague biblical passages as absurdly specific real-world analogies.
Generic description of a fiery conflagration (translated several times to modern English) == wow, the apostle Paul predicted the H Bomb perfectly!
More than anything this document underlines to me how difficult it is to change anyone's mind once they've been indoctrinated into a world view, and I mean that applying to myself as much as the misguided souls who wrote and consumed this comic.
Beyond being insane, there is no story, just a boring dialectic between three characterless white kids as the credulously observe the end-times floating in an unspecified empty space. The funniest parts were where it interpreted vague biblical passages as absurdly specific real-world analogies.
Generic description of a fiery conflagration (translated several times to modern English) == wow, the apostle Paul predicted the H Bomb perfectly!
More than anything this document underlines to me how difficult it is to change anyone's mind once they've been indoctrinated into a world view, and I mean that applying to myself as much as the misguided souls who wrote and consumed this comic.
January 2, 2026
Useful, Somewhat Anachronistic, 1980s Dispensationalist Prophecy Interpretation Classic
Hal Lindsay is among the most famous of the Bible prophecy writers of the 1970s thru 80s to mid 90s era, best known for his 1975 mega-bestseller, The Late Great Planet Earth. In his time he was a fundamentalist, dispensationalist, conservative commentator, and Christian media celebrity in the world of prophecy interpretation.
There's a New World Coming was originally published in 1973. However, the best-selling edition and the one I read was an updated version re-released in 1984. I originally read this shortly before becoming a Christian and it is among the books that influenced my faith journey. I recently decided to re-read some of Hal Lindsay's classics to see how his interpretations stood the test of time.
On the downside, this book contains many anachronistic tropes of dispensationalist prophecy interpretation circa 1984. This material takes up the first 50% of the book, is hard to get through, and somewhat tarnishes the good stuff in the book's latter half. These include the idea that the 10-nation European Economic Community was the revived Roman Empire Beast Kingdom with Ten Crowns (except that the European Union now has over 25 member states and is growing while not becoming a feared superpower); separating Revelation 17 and 18 into "religious Babylon" and "economic/political Babylon"; Mystery Babylon is probably either Rome or a rebuilt Babylon in Iraq and will be the Beast's headquarters; the anti-Christ is a European politician; the USA is in hopeless decline and will not be a world power when Christ returns; etc. These, plus his blind spot on the role of Islam in prophecy, reflect a 1980's era view of the world that is as anachronistic as the Soviet Union. *Sigh*
These anachronisms, along with his pat explanations for how the "seven-year tribulation" will look, are enough to discredit this entire book in the eyes of Second Coming skeptics, secularists, post-tribbers, progressive xtians, amillennialists, and post-millennialists. Which is unfortunate because there is some great material in the second half of this book.
The good stuff includes fantastic teaching on the differences between pre-millennialists, post-millennialists, and amillennialists; on the 1000-year reign of Christ on earth; and of the New Heaven/New Earth coming at the end of the millennial kingdom--information rarely presented in today's Church world of compromised, pragmatic preaching. I also credit Lindsay for having the courage to suggest that Revelation 17 and 18 "might" be another large cosmopolitan city (he even includes NYC in that suggestion).
Christians who follow a generally pre-trib rapture/pre-millennial view of prophecy will enjoy this book--if they can overlook the anachronisms. Other Christians should read this for the strong material in the book's second half.
Unbelievers? Well, it's easy to remain unconvinced after reading a Christian book having ANY flaw in it. I suggest you just read the Bible instead...
Recommended. Highly. But with the reservations spelled out above.
Hal Lindsay is among the most famous of the Bible prophecy writers of the 1970s thru 80s to mid 90s era, best known for his 1975 mega-bestseller, The Late Great Planet Earth. In his time he was a fundamentalist, dispensationalist, conservative commentator, and Christian media celebrity in the world of prophecy interpretation.
There's a New World Coming was originally published in 1973. However, the best-selling edition and the one I read was an updated version re-released in 1984. I originally read this shortly before becoming a Christian and it is among the books that influenced my faith journey. I recently decided to re-read some of Hal Lindsay's classics to see how his interpretations stood the test of time.
On the downside, this book contains many anachronistic tropes of dispensationalist prophecy interpretation circa 1984. This material takes up the first 50% of the book, is hard to get through, and somewhat tarnishes the good stuff in the book's latter half. These include the idea that the 10-nation European Economic Community was the revived Roman Empire Beast Kingdom with Ten Crowns (except that the European Union now has over 25 member states and is growing while not becoming a feared superpower); separating Revelation 17 and 18 into "religious Babylon" and "economic/political Babylon"; Mystery Babylon is probably either Rome or a rebuilt Babylon in Iraq and will be the Beast's headquarters; the anti-Christ is a European politician; the USA is in hopeless decline and will not be a world power when Christ returns; etc. These, plus his blind spot on the role of Islam in prophecy, reflect a 1980's era view of the world that is as anachronistic as the Soviet Union. *Sigh*
These anachronisms, along with his pat explanations for how the "seven-year tribulation" will look, are enough to discredit this entire book in the eyes of Second Coming skeptics, secularists, post-tribbers, progressive xtians, amillennialists, and post-millennialists. Which is unfortunate because there is some great material in the second half of this book.
The good stuff includes fantastic teaching on the differences between pre-millennialists, post-millennialists, and amillennialists; on the 1000-year reign of Christ on earth; and of the New Heaven/New Earth coming at the end of the millennial kingdom--information rarely presented in today's Church world of compromised, pragmatic preaching. I also credit Lindsay for having the courage to suggest that Revelation 17 and 18 "might" be another large cosmopolitan city (he even includes NYC in that suggestion).
Christians who follow a generally pre-trib rapture/pre-millennial view of prophecy will enjoy this book--if they can overlook the anachronisms. Other Christians should read this for the strong material in the book's second half.
Unbelievers? Well, it's easy to remain unconvinced after reading a Christian book having ANY flaw in it. I suggest you just read the Bible instead...
Recommended. Highly. But with the reservations spelled out above.
August 29, 2021
Hal Lindsay is incredibly well-versed in scripture and eschatology, I love his works!! The only reason this got three stars instead of five? He’s pre-trib rapture and I’m pre-wrath. He would explain what will happen in the end of days and say “but we don’t need to worry - thank god we’ll be raptured” and it irritated the F out of me because why would he study and explain something he doesn’t even think we’ll be here to experience 😂😂 it made no sense 😂😂 still an incredible read though!
June 4, 2026
There are many mainstream evangelical books on Revelation, and they’re pretty much the same.
This is a good thing. It shows that a literal interpretation of the Bible leads to solid conclusions. The only differences are in readability, and a few very small prophetic viewpoints.
Lindsey’s book is extremely readable. (Like Late, Great Planet Earth)
He often has insights and uses illustrations I haven’t seen elsewhere, making this book worthwhile, even for someone who’s read many books on the subject.
I have one misgiving. And it’s common to most mainstream Christian books. Lindsey insists on bringing the “Triune Godhead” dogma into his commentary where the text doesn’t warrant it.
In fact, the entire book of Revelation doesn’t warrant it.
I’ll give two examples.
1. Revelation 1:1-4 speak of God, Jesus, and the seven spirits. Somehow, by tortured logic, he gets a “Triune Godhead” out of that. This, in spite of Revelation 1:1 specifically saying God gave Jesus the revelation, clearly showing they are two separate, UNequal Persons.. (Lindsey dodges that)
2. Revelation 21:22 says the temple is the Lord God Almighty AND the Lamb. Again, showing that God Almighty and Jesus are two DIFFERENT Persons. And Holy Spirit isn’t even mentioned there. (Nor is Holy Spirit mentioned in John 1:1-18 or in ANY of the epistolic salutations)
Yet, by pretzel logic, Lindsey describes those vss as portraying a “trinity” and a “Godhead”.
First off…”Godhead” just means “deity”. Compare Romans 1:20 in the KJV with the NASB.
This may be a dated reference, but the Trinity dogma is like the classic episode of MASH, “Tuttle”, in which Hawkeye and Trapper invent a “Captain Tuttle”. They sell it so well that Col. Blake, Hot Lips etc., all believe Tuttle is real without ever having seen him.
And without ever having seen a single verse describing Yahweh as a co-equal, co-eternal Triune Godhead, most Christians accept the dogma as truth because that's what they've been told. Yet, everything written about the dogma assumes facts not in evidence, including Lindsey’s comments throughout this book.
Yahweh is God Almighty, Jesus is His Son, and Holy Spirit is just what the phrase means, “Sacred Breath/Wind” or the power of God.
This point deserves to be made because the Trinity has been an obstacle to Christianity since the 4th century, when it was cooked up by pretentious theologians in a cauldron of Platonism.
Otherwise, this is a fine commentary on Revelation.
Ps...one interesting factoid in this book: the first case of Roman emperor worship was in 29BC when the citizens of Pergamum made a statue of Caesar.
Worth noting when just weeks ago false prophets made a golden idol of a politician and prayed over it...
This is a good thing. It shows that a literal interpretation of the Bible leads to solid conclusions. The only differences are in readability, and a few very small prophetic viewpoints.
Lindsey’s book is extremely readable. (Like Late, Great Planet Earth)
He often has insights and uses illustrations I haven’t seen elsewhere, making this book worthwhile, even for someone who’s read many books on the subject.
I have one misgiving. And it’s common to most mainstream Christian books. Lindsey insists on bringing the “Triune Godhead” dogma into his commentary where the text doesn’t warrant it.
In fact, the entire book of Revelation doesn’t warrant it.
I’ll give two examples.
1. Revelation 1:1-4 speak of God, Jesus, and the seven spirits. Somehow, by tortured logic, he gets a “Triune Godhead” out of that. This, in spite of Revelation 1:1 specifically saying God gave Jesus the revelation, clearly showing they are two separate, UNequal Persons.. (Lindsey dodges that)
2. Revelation 21:22 says the temple is the Lord God Almighty AND the Lamb. Again, showing that God Almighty and Jesus are two DIFFERENT Persons. And Holy Spirit isn’t even mentioned there. (Nor is Holy Spirit mentioned in John 1:1-18 or in ANY of the epistolic salutations)
Yet, by pretzel logic, Lindsey describes those vss as portraying a “trinity” and a “Godhead”.
First off…”Godhead” just means “deity”. Compare Romans 1:20 in the KJV with the NASB.
This may be a dated reference, but the Trinity dogma is like the classic episode of MASH, “Tuttle”, in which Hawkeye and Trapper invent a “Captain Tuttle”. They sell it so well that Col. Blake, Hot Lips etc., all believe Tuttle is real without ever having seen him.
And without ever having seen a single verse describing Yahweh as a co-equal, co-eternal Triune Godhead, most Christians accept the dogma as truth because that's what they've been told. Yet, everything written about the dogma assumes facts not in evidence, including Lindsey’s comments throughout this book.
Yahweh is God Almighty, Jesus is His Son, and Holy Spirit is just what the phrase means, “Sacred Breath/Wind” or the power of God.
This point deserves to be made because the Trinity has been an obstacle to Christianity since the 4th century, when it was cooked up by pretentious theologians in a cauldron of Platonism.
Otherwise, this is a fine commentary on Revelation.
Ps...one interesting factoid in this book: the first case of Roman emperor worship was in 29BC when the citizens of Pergamum made a statue of Caesar.
Worth noting when just weeks ago false prophets made a golden idol of a politician and prayed over it...
December 12, 2025
If you're a dispensationalist, this is a good book for you. If you believe in a seven-year tribulation, this is a good book for you. If you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, this is a good book for you. It explains the book of Revelation along these lines. If you're interested to learn what people believe (who are pre-seven-year-tribulation-rapture believers), this is a good book for you.
I read this book between 8-10 years ago... I was a firm believer in all of the above. Now? I'm not so confident in these interpretations of Scripture. I've learned about all pre-trib theories, mid-trib theories, pre-wrath, etc... down to the feast of trumpets theories as well as the marriage ceremony theories. (If you don't know what those are, don't worry about it.)
I'm giving this 3 stars because the author truly believes what he's writing, and has put a lot of effort and research into this book. I'm not giving it more stars because I don't 100% believe it to be true.
I read this book between 8-10 years ago... I was a firm believer in all of the above. Now? I'm not so confident in these interpretations of Scripture. I've learned about all pre-trib theories, mid-trib theories, pre-wrath, etc... down to the feast of trumpets theories as well as the marriage ceremony theories. (If you don't know what those are, don't worry about it.)
I'm giving this 3 stars because the author truly believes what he's writing, and has put a lot of effort and research into this book. I'm not giving it more stars because I don't 100% believe it to be true.
March 7, 2020
Moeilijk te volgen redeneerwijze.
Traditioneel en zeer conservatief. Heeft niets met eigentijdse theologie.
In de hoofdstukken 2 & 3 een panorama over [vroege] kerkgeschiedenis.
Voor wie een veel dynamischer en kritischer intro in vroege kerkgeschiedenis wil : lees G. Quispel's commentaar op Het Thomas Evangelie, uitgegeven in de Pimander serie (#10) van de Ritman library ( https://www.worldcat.org/title/evange... ).
Het ISBN van de tweede druk is 90-245-0259-4 & 978-90-245-0259-2 bron :
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/63869925
https://www.worldcat.org/title/op-weg... .
Informatie over de auteur geeft
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Lin... .
Traditioneel en zeer conservatief. Heeft niets met eigentijdse theologie.
In de hoofdstukken 2 & 3 een panorama over [vroege] kerkgeschiedenis.
Voor wie een veel dynamischer en kritischer intro in vroege kerkgeschiedenis wil : lees G. Quispel's commentaar op Het Thomas Evangelie, uitgegeven in de Pimander serie (#10) van de Ritman library ( https://www.worldcat.org/title/evange... ).
Het ISBN van de tweede druk is 90-245-0259-4 & 978-90-245-0259-2 bron :
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/63869925
https://www.worldcat.org/title/op-weg... .
Informatie over de auteur geeft
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Lin... .
Read
May 8, 2026“One of the most compelling and accessible explanations of biblical prophecy I’ve ever read. Hal Lindsey breaks down complex end‑times themes with clarity, conviction, and a sense of urgency that keeps you turning the pages. Whether you’re new to prophecy or have studied it for years, this book offers insights that stay with you long after you finish.”
February 19, 2025
There are two factions of professors in my art department: the ones that think my exhibition is this week and the ones that think my exhibition is next week. Neither side has bothered to try to confirm with me. This is due in large part to a new top-down initiative led by the Noort administration to combat the rising cost of electronic mail. Since the beginning of 2025 faculty and staff have pledged to reduce emails between members by 90% and to stop emailing students altogether. I, for one, couldn't be prouder to be unincluded.
(The book sucks btw I just had this rant rattling around in my head and I needed to write it down somewhere.)
(The book sucks btw I just had this rant rattling around in my head and I needed to write it down somewhere.)
September 22, 2018
So good.
June 7, 2019
Meh, same old crap he's always preached.
August 16, 2019
Very plausible. Follows scripture.
October 18, 2019
You may agrer or disagree. I never find him boring.
October 26, 2023
Great review and explanation of the book of Revelation and the many symbols .
Easy read.
Highly recommend.
Easy read.
Highly recommend.
June 25, 2016
A brilliant explanation of the events in Revelation.
For a while the prophecies and events in Revelation and throughout the Bible continually confused me. I found Hal Lindsey's step by step explanation very insightful and helpful in understanding biblical representations and allegories.
I love how the constant theme of Revelation is shown in the book; Judgement, mixed with mercy. Even though God is punishing the world for it's unbelief, God still gives every opportunity for mercy and grace. Our God is amazing!
Thank you and blessings to Hal Lindsey, for writing this book.
For a while the prophecies and events in Revelation and throughout the Bible continually confused me. I found Hal Lindsey's step by step explanation very insightful and helpful in understanding biblical representations and allegories.
I love how the constant theme of Revelation is shown in the book; Judgement, mixed with mercy. Even though God is punishing the world for it's unbelief, God still gives every opportunity for mercy and grace. Our God is amazing!
Thank you and blessings to Hal Lindsey, for writing this book.
October 4, 2013
A couple of verses of Revelations is read at a time, in order, until the entire book of Revelations is completed. I read this book, like many of Mr. Lindsey's books, many years ago and then again recently. It is amazing just how many of the things I could not see long ago are blatantly clear now. Excellent book!
July 21, 2015
I can't speak for how theologically sound his book is, but an elder's wife of a sister church told me if was not. I enjoyed reading it, though. If nothing else it gave me an absolute love for the Book of Revelation that I didn't have before. While always fascinating, I'd never read it before this book.
June 13, 2008
Hal is a very smart man and he obviously took an extremely long time digesting the book of revelation, I just don't feel like I can take that whole road with him. Sorry, there's too many problems with decoding "the last days" for me.
December 9, 2008
Another Hal Lindsey book that I read during college.
Not really as in depth as the title and cover would suggest.
A decent overview of the Dispensationalist view of Revelation with references to present day parralels to the images inthe Book of revelation.
Not really as in depth as the title and cover would suggest.
A decent overview of the Dispensationalist view of Revelation with references to present day parralels to the images inthe Book of revelation.
October 21, 2010
This is the best book that I've read by Mr. Lindsay (and I've read several). He takes us verse by verse through the book of Revelation. Very provocative!
June 3, 2015
Good treatment.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews