Hidden Places

I will try to go into more detail later, but for now, I want to do a quick overview of what the Bible has to say about the End Times. I would also like to point out that my views are not the mainstream Christian views of the end times. While I disagree with many commonly taught points, I do not hold a dogmatic position on prophetic fulfillment because all too often we do not really understand until after the fact (if even then).

First, the most notable thing is how little it actually says through most of the New Testament. There are only a few select passages, and outside of the book of Revelation, most of the New Testament is focused on how we should live and other doctrinal issues regarding who Jesus Christ is. Revelations itself is a very difficult book to interpret, and it is unlikely that anyone really understands what it is saying.

Perhaps some of the
The Apostle Paul wrote the following in a letter to the church in Thessalonica:

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2Th 2:3-12 ESV)

In an apocryphal book (not included in the official cannon but quoted and used in the early church), we get a good overall view of the end times:

For lawlessness will increase and they will hate and persecute and betray one another. And then the deceiver of the world will appear as though he were the Son of God, and he shall do signs and wonders and the earth shall be delivered into his hands; and he will commit immoralities which have never been done since the age began.

Then shall the race of men come into the fire of proving trial and many shall be made to stumble and perish. But those who remain established in their faith shall be saved under the very curse.
And then the signs of truth shall be revealed. First, a sign spread out in heaven; then a sign of the sound of a trumpet; and third, the resurrection of the dead, but not all of the dead. But as it was said, "the Lord shall come and all His Holy Ones with Him. Then the world shall see the Lord coming in the clouds of heaven."

(Didache 16)

Jesus spoke the following prophecy:

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
(Luk 21:25-28 ESV)

Now many Christians today believe in what is called the pre-tribulation rapture, but I do not believe that the Bible really supports this view. I look at the passages above and then read this following passage from Revelation:

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
(Rev 13:5-10 ESV)

The beast, the "deceiver of the world", will come, take over the whole world and "make war on the saints". I believe that the pre-tribulation rapture is actually a deception that has been perpetrated to lull Christians into complacency since they will not have to face the trials of the tribulation. I believe a thorough and honest reading of scripture dismisses that thought entirely.

So how does this play into current events? I don't know for sure, but the moves to create a New World Order certainly would work in well with the establishment of a one world government and a new religion under the beast (aka the Anti-Christ). This must come to pass before the return of Jesus Christ and the judgment that comes with His return.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
(2Pe 3:8-10 ESV)

Next time I will try to go into more detail about the book of Revelations and the story that it unfolds.