The phrase “last days” is a common biblical expression. We use it and similar phrases such as “last times,” “end times,” “end of days,” or just “the end.” In the Old Testament, it refers to a future period when God would fulfill His purposes, often involving the Messiah and the restoration of His people. Sometimes it is used in short-term prophetic statements, such as in Gen 49:1ff. Jacob uses the phrase (translated there as “in days to come”) to refer not to the last days of all but to the future of his family. We see a similar use in Num 24:14-17 and Deut 4:30; 31:29.
The more common way we think of this is in an eschatological manner. Remember from a previous article that eschatology is the study of last things or the study of the end times. By this we mean the period when God brings an end to this world, judges this world, and takes us to our eternal home. With that comes countless Old Testament passages related to that day, such as Isaiah 2:2, Micah 4:1, Jeremiah 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:39, Ezekiel 38:16, and many others.
The New Testament also uses this phrase to speak of the eschatological end of this world and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Think of passages such as 2 Timothy 3:1 or James 5:3. The New Testament clearly speaks about the period when those climactic events will take place. This would be the whole of the New Testament, not just the Book of Revelation. From the Gospels to the Letter of Jude, the last days are a familiar topic.
We naturally go to events in the future even as we seek to be “watchful,” as Jesus tells us to be (see Matt 24:42; 25:13, or Lk 21:36). It may surprise us that the “last days” are not merely a future certainty. It is not something we are waiting for but a present reality! Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32 stating the end is now (Acts 2:17). At Pentecost, the Spirit had been poured out in the upper room. Joel said that this would happen in the last days, yet it happened in the first century. Peter is making the clear connection that it was already the last days. The author of Hebrews states that God has spoken “…in these last days” (Heb 1:1–2). In 1 Peter 1:20, Peter says the incarnation of Christ marks the arrival of the “last times.” John (1 John 2:18) says we are living in the “last hour.”
We generally define “last” as coming after all others in time or order; final. How can the “last days” have started 2,000 years ago? It seems we may have lost the meaning of “last.” But look at our definition again: “…after all others.” What are the “last days” after?
Let me try an analogy (this poor analogy has but one point so please don’t take it in ways not intended). I’m not a gamer but from what I understand, video games have multiple levels one works through. Think of God’s plan for humanity as a game: the Game of Life. Throughout history humans have been advancing through the game, moving through different “levels.” Think of the line from creation to now. God created Adam and Eve, but they sin. People multiply and fill the earth with sin. God brings the flood. We get off the boat and sin some more. Shaking our fists at God as we build a tower to make a name for ourselves. God destroys our efforts and divides people to slow our dive into corruption. He chooses a people for himself, builds a nation, judges that nation, and then brings them back to their land. Brings His Son into the World. We kill Him. God raises Him and makes salvation available to all. We have now made it to the final level.
That is it: the end! We are just waiting for all who will believe in Him to finish the game.
As in a video game, once we complete this last level, the game is over. There is no bonus level, extra period, or free do-over phase. This is it. With one difference—a really big difference! The game of life doesn’t just end with a “Game Over” banner; we enter eternity. Eternity is not a new level but a new existence. Based on our faith in Christ in this life, we go to eternal life or eternal death. What has already been completed at Calvary will be made explicit to us in God’s new Heaven and new Earth.
If you’re not sure which is your destiny, you may want to see our post “Knowing God.”
The analogy is meant to show this one point: while the final level may take a long time to play out, there is still an end coming. There is nothing left in God’s plan but to bring to completion all that Christ has already accomplished. There is no other testament to be written, no acts of salvation to be worked out. All that was required has been done on the cross. As in a Jewish marriage, we but wait for the groom to come and take us home! We do not wait for some future events but for Him!
Until the next time we see you here at CultivatingFaith.org, God Bless! #CultivatingFaithOrg
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