If you look into the current thoughts roiling around in the collective mind about the end-times, then it is likely you will come across a healthy dose of conspiracy theories regarding the New World Order. These conspiracy theorists range across a broad horizon of speculation that are drawn by the gravitational pull of ideas like the Illuminati, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderbergs, Skull and Bones, Zionists, and yes I've even run into the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, a masterwork of antisemitism that refuses to die.

Many of these conspiracy-minded people are "strong" Christians, meaning they announce the fact that they are Christians with great strength and conviction, and they may be that in fact. I cannot see their heart and judge them, but I can see their behaviors--hence, "strong" Christians.

But here is what I don't get. There are many prophetic descriptions of the end-times, but none of them give prominence to the notion of a conspiracy gaining control of the world. Daniel's fourth and final kingdom, before the establishment of the kingdom of God, was an empire that became a confederacy of nations or kingdoms. Where is the conspiracy in that? Instead of a conspiracy the prophets depict a replay of what has happened countless times throughout history. A State attempts to conquer the world, or conquer its region of the world. The first kingdom did it (Babylon, as did the second (Medo-Persia), as did the third (Greece) and as did Rome (the fourth and final kingdom). This fourth kingdom was merely a part of a continuing series and it has yet to re-emerge in its final shape, although the EU is definitely a part of this evolutionary culmination.

There is another strand of weirdness entering this mix. Nephilim. These are fallen angels who have the ability to appear as men and procreate with women. Their offspring are giants. And, according to this theory, the flood was to destroy this perversion of the human species. Noah was chosen because he was both righteous and "perfect in his generations" according to the King James version. This strange idea is found in the Old Testament and those who profess it have convincing material to support it. Before you dismiss this idea, research the facts they have supporting this However, does this apply to our New Testament time? They say it does, and cite a verse that transports this Old Testament past into the New Testament. "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." (Mt 24:37). 

There is a problem with this verse and it is the ones that follow it show what Jesus meant when he quoted it. People will be eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage and they will know nothing about the "flood" that is coming to destroy the earth. In other words, there is no mention of giants, or fallen angels procreating with mortal women. There is, instead, a description of people living their daily lives without a clue that their vapid pursuits are about to collide with the kingdom of God.

I recently heard Patrick Heron on Derek Gilbert's blog talk radio show. Derek's show is an excellent one and he introduces people to ideas that are challenging and under-reported. Mr. Heron believes that the Great Beast will be a fallen angel and he cites his verses which he claims supports this notion. And then he said that the seven heads of the beast are actually angels. This appears no where in Scripture. It cannot even be arrived at by the most liberal of interpretations. The Bible tells us they are both seven hills upon which the woman (Babylon) sits and they are also seven kings. (Rev 17:9-10). Whenever an argument is weak its proponent tends to buttress its crumbling walls with statements that are not facts but are, being generous, a stretching of the truth, an over-reach. And as for the Beast being a fallen angel, isn't that an important detail that should be made explicit by the prophet? And if he is an angel why is the number 666 described as the number of a man?

This is not to say that fallen angels will not play a role in this drama. I have few doubts that the Great Beast will be demon-possessed, thoroughly in the grip of Satan. But making him a fallen angel is a bit of a stretch as well.

The end-times are probably near, but with "Pastor" Camping serving as our guide, we would do well to stay away from predicting when it will come about. We would also do well to adopt the view of the early Christians who believed the return of Jesus was imminent. Christ may come tomorrow. Even so Lord, come quickly. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Tom