Lazer Beams is at his absolute best with this post about the different philosophical positions on the Jewish end times prophecies: (he's also changing the color of his blog like monthly, hey, what's with that?)

LB: Rebbe, how can one reconcile the view of the Sephardi Kabbalists that the war of Gog and Magog has yet to come, and will be a catastrophe of mega-proportions, with the view of the Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a, that Gog and Magog is already over?

Karlsburger Rebbe: Let me preface by saying that the Melitzer's views are not original; they are based on the views of the holy Rebbe Aaron of Belz zatza'l, who declared that the Holocaust was Gog and Magog. Chassidim are used to saying the Rebbe Elimelech of Lizensk (18th Century, Poland - LB) succeeded in rescinding the decree of world destruction. In addition, Rebbe Nachman of Breslev wrote than Gog and Magog would be a spiritual struggle.

LB: Does that mean that the Chassidic Rebbes, the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov, are merely wishful thinkers?

K. Rebbe: In a certain way, yes. You see, the Sephardi Kabbalists learn a more rigid pshat (direct interpretation) in the Prophets and in the Zohar, namely, that there will be worldwide calamaties. The Chassidic rebbes, including your own rebbe, may The Almighty bless him with long and healthy days, believe that the decree has or can be "sweetened", as we say.