Are There Hidden Messages in the Bible?

Every so often I meet people who have read and studied the Bible extensively, yet seem to have no clear idea of it's basic Gospel message. How can that be?

The Bible is a collection of books by some 40 different authors, written at different times and circumstances in several different languages and in different genres of literature, yet with the basic central message of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration in man's relationship with God. It does contain symbolism, foreshadowing of events, and prophesy fulfilled or yet to be fulfilled, but the general meaning of most passages of the Bible can be understood at face value. So why do some people make it so complicated?

One such person was a man named Tom, who started out answering my question about eternity with vague generalities and ended our conversation advocating universalism, and throughout had many strong opinions, often contradicting each other, about various aspects of the Bible.

One example of what I see as unnecessarily complicating the message of the Bible began at about the 20 minute mark in our conversation. Tom referred to the story of Jesus telling his disciples to prepare for the last supper by following a man carrying water to his house, where they would gather for the meal. Tom's interpretation was that this refers to the "Age of Aquarius" which will come in the final days of history, and at which we are now on the cusp of.

I've always thought of this passage as simply a sign that Jesus was not a victim of circumstances that led to his crucifixion, but rather in complete control up to his final hour. This would be a more straightforward reading of the Bible at face value, and doesn't lead to loose interpretations that give people "inside information" that leads them to believe they have an inside scoop on future events.

One historical event that I do believe carries greater significance than face value was the building of the Tower of Babel. I believe this because it taught us something about sinful human nature: that given the chance to communicate and organize we will naturally find ways to elevate ourselves to the status of God, while denying God's rule and sovereignty in the process.

I believe the internet has become that modern-day Tower of Babel. It brings together like-minded people into special interest groups even across language barriers, and promotes all sorts of different interpretations of the Bible and conspiracy theories that man can devise, so that someone like Tom can feel "in the know", much like the ancient Gnostics with their "secret knowledge". I checked Tom's interpretation about the story of the man carrying the water and sure enough, it's out there on the internet.

Jesus said we need to have faith like children, which implies a straightforward reading of scripture. Maybe this is why God's most common and effective means of building disciples is through the local church, where people of all ages, levels of spiritual maturity, and different understandings must rub elbows and either tolerate differences or come to agreement on scripture, rather than in some special interest groups on the internet in their echo chambers.

Toward the end of our conversation I asked Tom if he attends church regularly at this point in life. Sure enough, he does not, believing he has moved past needing to be involved. That fact alone explains a lot to me.