Hal Lindsey’s geopolitical future: towards a cartographic theory of anticipatory arrows

Abstract

Hal Lindsey & Carlson’s, 1970 book, The Late Great Planet Earth, was the best-selling non-fiction book of the 1970s. In it, using the eschatology of premillennial dispensationalism commonly believed by American evangelicals, he conflates biblical prophecy with current geopolitical conflicts. He exploits the uncertainty of the nuclear age, civil rights movement, and ‘wars and rumours of wars’ in Asia by giving readers a certain explanation: Christ will soon return. Within his book, Lindsey provides two maps depicting his narrative for the battle of Armageddon. The maps are devoid of borders, and only show troop movement via thick black arrows. This article focuses on these arrows and their geopolitical function. The article argues, beyond symbolizing mobility, that arrows on maps also symbolize future anticipatory cartographic temporalities. It is theorized that Lindsey’s arrows potentiate and help actualize a narrow geopolitical future.