Does the bible state not to run to the hills in the last day?

Answer 1

Actually... Jesus says to do just that:

"So when you see standing in the Holy Place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel -- let the reader understand -- then let THOSE IN JUDEA flee to the mountains." (Matt.24:15-16 NIV)

Jesus specifies the region around Jerusalem, where the focus of biblical end time events will take place. This happened, in part, in 70-71 a.d. when the Roman armies sacked Jerusalem, and those who fled to the mountains at that time survived the ensuing massacre.

But, as Bible prophecy goes... there is a second fulfillment to take place before Jesus returns. Chronologically, Jesus preceeded this warning with the Words:

"And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached IN THE WHOLE WORLD as a testimony to all nations, and THEN THE END WILL COME." (verse 14)

The Truth is that the "Kingdom of God" isn't being preached to the whole world to this day -- yet. To date... the vast majority of modern professing Christianity preaches stories about Christ -- but fail to preach God's coming Kingdom. Few believe His Kingdom is coming... being taught, instead, of "going to heaven."

There are other prophecies to consider, of course... but when it comes to terrifying, catastrophic times -- MOST PEOPLE CONSIDER HEADING FOR THE HILLS to try to escape what's coming.

If they're fortunate enough to live in mountainous or foothill country. Primarily, however... it's probably just a generally good idea to get out of the cities. During catastrophe... the conveniences of populated areas are lost, anyway: the utilities, electric, water, gas; police protection; economic meltdown.

The Bible tells us that "heading for the hills" and "ghost towns" will mark the end of religious ignorance in the world... when Jesus returns and all the nations of the world will see the King standing on earth with His saints and angelic armies. All doubts of His existence will vanish, then.

"...Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' ...Then I said, 'For how long, O Lord?' [how long will religious ignorance go on, Isaiah asks] And He answered: 'Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged..." (Isa.6:9-11 NIV).

Jesus is talking about total war... "world war," when He returns. That's when people "head for the hills."

But, other things cause people to head for the hills, also:

"I watched as He opened the sixth seal [the seal that precedes seal 7; the time of Jesus' return]. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place." (Rev.6:12-14 NIV)

This is some serious global terror at the time of the end, that's not according to man's doing... but, God's. God is bringing man's Satan-guided rule, and his war-making to an end. So, what do the people of the nations do?

They "head for the hills."

"Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man HID IN CAVES and among the ROCKS OF THE MOUNTAINS. They called to the mountains and the rocks, 'FALL ON US and HIDE US from the face of Him WHO SITS ON THE THRONE and FROM THE WRATH OF THE LAMB! For the Great Day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (verses 15-17)

Heading for the hills doesn't guarantee anyone safety... but it does afford a little opportunity to hide... as opposed to out in the open, where you're an easier target.

As for God's elect; His called-out-ones [His church] -- the Bible tells us that "the earth will help" some of them... while others will be martyred. [After all - if Jesus suffered and died... and nearly all of His Apostles were martyred... and persecution and death have followed God's elect down through the centuries: what makes anyone think that His church will all get off scot-free right at the end?

"The Woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time [3 1/2 years; the duration of the Great Tribulation], out of the Serpent's [Satan's] reach. Then from his mouth the Serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the Woman and sweep her away with the torrent.

"But THE EARTH HELPED THE WOMAN by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the Dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

"Then the Dragon was enraged at the Woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring [see seal 5. Rev.6] -- those who obey God's Commandments and hold the testimony of Jesus." (Rev.12:14-17 NIV)

Jesus never tells anyone not to head for the hills. He specifically tells those in and around Jerusalem to be ready to. Otherwise, "heading for the hills" [bolting] is a natural reaction of terrified people.

The Bible says, however, that God's elect [the Woman] will have a place [or places] "specially prepared" for them when the time comes. The Bible says "desert" places [secluded, lonely, wilderness places]... with no specification as to where. Jesus "hid right out in the open" on occasion when some Satan-maddened crowds tried to kill Him before His time.

"...they picked up stones to stone Him, but Jesus hid Himself, slipping away from the Temple grounds." (John 8:59 NIV)

So, when the time of God's plan approaches its end, some of God's elect may end up in the hills... or in the desert or wilderness. Or it could be right out in the open:

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His Faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day... A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but IT WILL NOT COME NEAR YOU. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked..." (Ps.91:4-9 NIV).

To God's elect... His refuge MAY manifest itself "physically." But, at all times... God's refuge is one's faith and trust and the inner Peace of His Holy Spirit that, although the First Death men suffer is appointed to us... God's elect know they will "not be hurt by the Second Death." Immortality and Eternal Life is theirs through Jesus Christ.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will NOT BE HURT AT ALL BY THE SECOND DEATH." (Rev.2:11 NIV)

In the end... although heading for the hills may hide someone for awhile... they will not save anyone. The prophecy says that those who shall head for the hills will call for the hills, mountains and rocks to both "hide" them... as well as to FALL ON THEM... because they know there's no hiding from God.

Answer 2

The Bible does mention a time when people will be advised not to flee to the mountains during the last days. In Matthew 24:16-18, Jesus warns his followers not to go to the mountains when they see certain signs, indicating the imminent destruction of Jerusalem. However, this instruction specifically applies to that historical context and does not necessarily have a broader application to all end-time scenarios.