The Last Days

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

So many people today insist that we are "living in the LAST DAYS." Why? What exactly did the Bible mean when it described the "last days" and when will/did these days occur?

Here are some questions to consider before coming to a conclusion.
1. The "last days" of WHAT was the Bible referring to?
2. Does the Bible use of the word 'world' mean Earth or system of things/establishment?
3. What were the signs that would preceed these "last days?"
4. Did any of the writers of the Bible say that the end/last days would occur during their lifetime?

1 Cor 10:11
Now, these things that happened to them are examples, and they were written as a warning to us upon whom the end of the age has arrived.

The Book of Daniel is where a lot of this "last days" discussion strings from. In chapter 9 starting around verse 27, a messenger of God give Daniel a timeframe (70 weeks where each day = a year and the total comes to 490 years) for the end. In Chapter 11 and the beginning of chapter 12, some events that lead up to this end are described.

Based on what was described in Daniel as well as the secular history that coincides with many of the book's prophesies. (look up Anticus epiphanies when you get a chance). One can see that the seventy weeks would end sometime during the 1st century.

What happenned in the 1st century? Jesus happenned, the Sacred Jewish Temple was razed to the ground, and millions were exterminated and brutily slaughtered by the Roman Emperors and in Roman civil wars in a very short period of time.

Now, please recall what God's messenger told Daniel in chp 9:

14 and I’ve come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, because this is a vision of the future.’

Then consider this:

Paul's words in 1 Cor 10:11
11 Now, these things that happened to them are examples, and they were written as a warning to us upon whom the end of the age has arrived.

Joel's prophecy which is quoted as being fulfilled in Acts the 2nd Chapter:

16 What’s happening is the thing that was said through the Prophet Joel, 17 where God said, In the last days I’ll pour some of my Breath on all flesh, And your sons and daughters will then prophesy, Your young men will have visions, And your old men will dream dreams. 18 I will pour out some of My Breath in those days, And My male and female slaves will then prophesy. 19 And from the skies above I’ll send omens and signs, And to the earth below, blood, fire, and smoky mist. 20 Before the great and shining day of the Lord, The sun will be changed into darkness And the moon into blood. 21 And all calling on the Name of the Lord will be saved.

So, based on what the Bible describes, what history supports, and what actually transpired, I understand "THE LAST DAYS" to be the END OF THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ISRAEL & GOD culminating with the utter destruction of the temple in a.d. 70.

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

What About Modern Israel?

It's important to take into account the topic at hand Jesus was discussing with his students both in Mark 13 as well as the parallel passage in Matthew 23 and 24.
Recall the question posed to Jesus by his followers at the end of chapter 23 and realize that the things he told them in Mark 13 as well as Matt 24 was an answer to their questioning.
Let's start with the question in it's entire context.
1 Well, as Jesus was walking along (after leaving the Temple), his disciples came up to him, and they were pointing admiringly toward the Temple buildings. 2 Then he said to them: ‘Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth; There won’t be a stone left on top of a stone here that won’t be thrown down.’
3 Then, while he was sitting in a quiet spot on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him and asked, ‘Tell us; When will these things happen… what will be the signs when you are to arrive and this age will come to its conclusion?’
4 And Jesus answered............................

Keep in mind the prophesy of Daniel I discussed in the previous post as you ponder the question the disciples asked. Jesus had just told them the Temple would be destroyed and they immediately responded by asking him about the end of the age (age is also translated as world). Why do you think that they responded with that question? The logical answer is because they knew based on the teachings of the old testament that the "END" had something to do with Israel and the temple.
History tells us the temple was destroyed in or around 70AD, and prior to its destruction all the signs (wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, death and destruction, etc.) that Jesus told them of transpired literally and in some instances figuratively. He warned them to flee to the mountains presumably to avoid the seige of Jerusalem during the revolt of 66AD, an instruction which was directed specifically at that generation (not us today).
Ever wonder why Paul told the saints that it was better not to marry when the Bible says that he who finds a wife finds a good thing? It was most likely because he knew that the things Jesus foretold were about to transpire in the lifetime of the people he was addressing.

Jesus' generation quotes:
Matt 23:36 I tell you the truth; All that [guilt] will be laid on this generation!

Mark 13:30 I tell you the truth; This generation definitely won’t pass away until all these things occur.

Matt 12: 39 And [Jesus] replied: ‘A wicked and adulterous generation, looks for signs, but they will receive none, other than the sign of JonAh the Prophet. 40 For, just as JonAh was there in the belly, of the sea creature three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will then be, in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 ‘Men of Nineveh will be resurrected, in the Judgment Day with this generation, and they too will condemn it; For they repented at what Jonah preached. But look… something more than Jonah is here! 42 ‘The Queen of the South will be resurrected, in the Judgment Day with this generation, and she will also condemn it; For she came from the ends of the earth, to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. But look… something more than Solomon is here!

Matt 24:33 Likewise, when you see all of these things, know that he’s near… at the doors! 34 I tell you the truth; This generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away!

Quotes by others:
Peter - Acts 2:16
What’s happening is the thing that was said through the Prophet Joel, 17 where God said, In the last days

Paul - 2 Cor 3:
1 Recognize that the last days will bring fierce times. 2 For, people will love themselves and money; they’ll be braggarts, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, and disloyal; 3 they won’t love their families or be willing to agree on anything; they’ll be slanderers who don’t have any self-control; they’ll be wild and won’t love anything that’s good; 4 they’ll be betrayers who are headstrong and proud; they’ll prefer pleasures to caring about God; 5 and they’ll have a form of religion, but they won’t follow it. Reject things like this,

interesting that Paul told HIS COMTEMPORARIES to "reject things like this" if they weren't in the Last Days.

Paul - 1 Cor 10
1 Now, I don’t want you to miss this point, brothers: All of our ancestors were under the cloud and they all passed through the sea, 2 so they were all baptized into Moses (because of the cloud and the sea). 3 All ate the same food from [God’s] Breath, 4 and they all drank the same drink from [God’s] Breath, because they used to drink from the rock (of [God’s] Breath) that followed them… and that rock was the Anointed One. 5 However, God didn’t think much of most of [these ancestors], because he cut them down in the desert. 6 Now, these things are examples to us, so we won’t become people who desire bad things, as they did… 7 we don’t want to become idol worshipers, as some of them did! And it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and then they got up to play.’ 8 So, we shouldn’t commit sexual immorality as some of them did, because twenty-three thousand of them fell in one day! 9 Nor do we want to put Jehovah to the test as some of them did, because they were destroyed by snakes! 10 Nor do we want to complain as some of them did, because they were killed by the destroyer! 11 Now, these things that happened to them are examples, and they were written as a warning to us upon whom the end of the age has arrived. 12 So, let the one who thinks he’s standing be careful that he doesn’t fall.

The "US" Paul addressed lived 2000 years ago.

So see, the parable/analogy of the fig tree had nothing to do with the modern state of Israel, it was used to tell Jesus' hears to know what to expect and what to do when they saw the signs that he was telling them about.

 

[Alabaster]

The last days spoken of in Joel and restated in Acts 2 are the days we are living in post cross. We have been living in the last days for 2000 years.

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

The Lord's Day

The last days and the Lord's Day in the eyes of many have a direct correlation. Let's see what the scripture say about this.

I. Isaiah 2:5-18
5 Now, O house of Jacob; Come and let’s go to the light of Jehovah, 6 because He has forsaken His people (the house of Jacob). For, just as it was in the beginning, their [land] has become filled up with takers, and Philistine children have been born among them. 7 They’ve filled their [land] with silver and gold, and there’s no limit to all of their wealth. They’ve filled the land up with horses, and the numbers of their chariots have no limits. 8 They have filled up their land, with the disgusting works of their hands; they bow before things that they made with their fingers… 9 then all the people bow down before them, and this brings disgrace to each man. So there’s no way that I will now spare them! 10 So, go to the rocks and hide in the ground, in fear of Jehovah and the glory of His might, for He will arise to devastate the land! 11 Because, the eyes of Jehovah are very high, but the eyes of men are very low; so men will soon become low, and Jehovah will be then be raised high in that day. 12 For the day of Jehovah of Armies, is coming upon the insulting and proud. And those who [think themselves] high and important, will then be brought [to the ground]. 13 Then every tall Lebanese cedar; every tall oak tree of Bashan; 14 every high mountain and every high hill; 15 every high tower and every high wall; 16 every boat in the sea, and the beauty of [all their sails]; 17 and every man will be small. The pride of men will [fall] in that day, and Jehovah alone will be high.18 When He arises to wipe out the land, men will hide all [their idols], which they’ve made with their hands; 19 they’ll hide them in caves, in cracks between rocks, and in burrows that are under the ground, before the fear of Jehovah, and before the glory of His might. 20 Then men will toss all those disgusting things, that they’ve made with their hands (their worthless things made of silver and gold, which they made to bow down before), in front of the bats in their caves, and in the cracks between rocks, in fear of Jehovah and the glory of His might, when He arises to wipe-out the land.

II. Isaiah 13:1-19

1 This is the vision that IsaiJah (the son of Amoz) saw against Babylon. 2 On the crests of the mountains raise the flag, and before it shout aloud… do not fear! Open up O you rulers… put your hands [to your mouths] and call out for aid, 3 for I’m in command and I’m giving the order, to giants who are coming to fill up My rage. Together they’re coming in joy and shouting insults.’4 There’s a voice like the sound of many nations, that is [being heard from] the mountains. It’s like the sound of many kings, and an assembly of many peoples; for Jehovah of Armies has given the orders, to a nation of warriors with weapons, 5 and they’re coming from a land far away… from the extremities of the foundations of the sky. It’s the Lord and His warriors that are coming, to ruin the habitation of man.6 Shriek, for the day of Jehovah is near, and destruction by God swiftly approaches! 7 Because of this, all hands will go limp, and the lives of every man will be fearful. 8 All their elders will be disturbed, and they will have pains like women giving birth. So, they’ll sympathize with each other, and among each other they’ll be in shock… their faces will be changed into flames! 9 For, {Look!} the day of Jehovah is coming. It’s a day of incurable rage… the anger to destroy man’s habitation, and to wipe away all the sinners. 10 Then the stars in the sky (including Orion), and the arrangement of the heavens will not shine. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon won’t give out its light.11 I’ll give instructions to this evil world, and the sins of the irreverent I’ll destroy… I’ll destroy the insolence of the lawless, and I’ll abase the insolence of the proud. 12 Then those left behind will be rarer than gold… men will be rarer than Ophir’s [gold]. 13 For, the skies will then be enraged, and the foundations of the earth will be shaken, by the anger and rage of Jehovah of Armies, in that day when His wrath will arrive.14 Then the remaining will flee as though they were deer, and like sheep they will stray. No way will a man return to his people, for men will flee from their homes. 15 Then, whoever is captured will be [killed], and those who’re collected will fall by the sword. 16 Before them their kids will be dashed to the ground; their homes will be ruined and their women all tainted.17 {Look!} Against you I’m arousing the Medes… those who think nothing of your silver, and have no need of your gold! 18 They’ll break the bows of your young men, and show no mercy on your children… their eyes will spare none of your children.19 Then Babylon (the capital of the king of Chaldea), will be wiped out by God like Sodom and GomorRah.

III. Ezekial 30:1-12
1 And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 ‘O son of man; Prophesy and tell them that thus says Jehovah: The day is near… 3 the day of Jehovah approaches; it’s a day of clouds and a time of the nations, 4 for swords will come against the Egyptians, and to the land of Ethiopia will come a disturbance; and those slain in Egypt will fall… they will take all her abundance, and tear her down to her foundations. 5 ‘Persians, Cretans, and Lydians; Libyans, Ethiopians, and mixed peoples; will all fall with My Covenant people, 6 says Jehovah. And the supporters of Egypt will fall… they’ll go down with the insolence of her strength. From Migdol to Syene they’ll fall by the sword. 7 They’ll lie desolate amid places being wiped out, and the cities in her midst will be gone. 8 Then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I bring fire against Egypt, and all who helped her will be broken. 9 ‘In that day; Messengers will come in a hurry, to wipe out the hope of Ethiopia… in that day there’ll be disturbance in Egypt, and look, it has already come!’ 10 ‘Jehovah says, I will destroy many Egyptians, by the hand of NebuChadNezzar, king of Babylon. 11 He and all of his people, and the pestilent ones from the nations, are being sent to destroy the whole land. They’ll empty their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain. 12 Then I’ll make their rivers desolate places, and give their land to those who are bad. I’ll obliterate their land and empty it out, and give all of its fullness to strangers. For, I am Jehovah and I have spoken!

As illustrated in the above passages, the Day of the Lord is a time, not necessarily 1 day, but a time when His judgment is fulfilled. It is also NOT always used in reference to the end of time has most believe today. It was often written about in what can be termed as "apocalytical literature' that MAY have duel fulfillments with the immediate being what some call the "TYPE" and the future being the "ANTI-TYPE." Could these mini apocalyses be signs of a greater apocalyse that will occur at the end of days? Maybe, but as always if one wishes to study a text whether it is scriptural or not, context in key. Let us not make the mistake of pulling passages out of their historical contexts to fit into our modern dogmas.

Now let us fast forward to the Revelation that God gave to Jesus the Anointed One, to show His slaves the things that must quickly take place as recorded by John. He began by saying the following:

I (John) am your brother… I’m someone who shares in your persecutions, and in the Kingdom and endurance of Jesus. I’m on this island called Patmos for talking about God and for testifying about Jesus. It was through the Breath [of God] that I found myself in the Lord’s Day.

 

[Hitch]

So, based on what the Bible describes, what history supports, and what actually transpired, I understand "THE LAST DAYS" to be the END OF THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ISRAEL & GOD culminating with the utter destruction of the temple in a.d. 70.

Yup.
Interesting isnt it that those who are consumed with the notion that we are in the 'last days' seem to be the same ones agressivley holding to yet another set of 'days' ie Millennial days'. But then logic has little in common with some eschatologies.

 

[Alabaster]

The Millennium is another dispensation. Usually when we speak of the last days, we are speaking in terms of the last days before Jesus returns bodily, which includes these days before the Rapture of the Church and also the days following leading to the Return of Christ, which includes the Tribulation.

 

[Hitch]

The Millennium is another dispensation. Usually when we speak of the last days, we are speaking in terms of the last days before Jesus returns bodily, which includes these days before the Rapture of the Church and also the days following leading to the Return of Christ, which includes the Tribulation.

Case in point; You say we've been in the last days for thousands of years in one post in the next you describe several coming sets of 'days'.

Pure comedy.

 

[Alabaster]

Case in point; You say we've been in the last days for thousands of years in one post in the next you describe several coming sets of 'days'.

Pure comedy.

I fail to see the humour. God works in dispensations or economies. We are only close to the end of one.

 

[Elijah674]

Yup.
Interesting isnt it that those who are consumed with the notion that we are in the 'last days' seem to be the same ones agressivley holding to yet another set of 'days' ie Millennial days'. But then logic has little in common with some eschatologies.

I smile at some ignorant posting's!;)
Satalite was not permitted by God for you to watch Sports events! Dan. 12:4 'Time Of The END!' You soon will see the most watched 'Court Trial' in Earth's History.

But regardless, if one cares about 666 or not, (mark in the hand, ones could care less!) time will not go beyond this Matt. 24 Prophecy!

Matt. 24
[14] And this gospel (Rev. 14:6-10) of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

--Elijah

PS: Think what Acts would have been like with world satalite!

 

[Hitch]

I smile at some ignorant posting's!;)
Satalite was not permitted by God for you to watch Sports events! Dan. 12:4 'Time Of The END!' You soon will see the most watched 'Court Trial' in Earth's History.

But regardless, if one cares about 666 or not, (mark in the hand, ones could care less!) time will not go beyond this Matt. 24 Prophecy!

Matt. 24
[14] And this gospel (Rev. 14:6-10) of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

--Elijah

PS: Think what Acts would have been like with world satalite!

I havent the foggiest:biglol

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

I smile at some ignorant posting's!;)
Satalite was not permitted by God for you to watch Sports events! Dan. 12:4 'Time Of The END!' You soon will see the most watched 'Court Trial' in Earth's History.

But regardless, if one cares about 666 or not, (mark in the hand, ones could care less!) time will not go beyond this Matt. 24 Prophecy!

Matt. 24
[14] And this gospel (Rev. 14:6-10) of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

--Elijah

PS: Think what Acts would have been like with world satalite!

An honest look at the Matthew 24 prophesy reveals that Jesus told his followers that the things he was speaking of would occur within the life of that generation. Within 30 years (maybe less) after Jesus' ascencion, the good news of the Kingdom (the gospel) had been preached to all nations (no satellite necessary). So the end could have come anytime after that. The questions that we should ask are:
1. Did the end Jesus spoke of come when he said it would?
2. What "end" was he speaking of? In other words, when Jesus spoke of the end, what exactly was he saying would end?

 

[Sinthesis]

NO NO NO! It's all about ME. The prophetic history of the bible is about MY time. Everybody before ME who thought 'end times' was about them was WRONG, but I'M RIGHT. So please come Lord Jesus to curse and destroy this entire world you say you love. For God's sake, don't actually redeem it. Just please remember to zip ME outta here first because I know you love ME too much to let ME suffer like those stupid apostles did as they spread your Word to no apparent effect.

 

[reba]

NO NO NO! It's all about ME. The prophetic history of the bible is about MY time. Everybody before ME who thought 'end times' was about them was WRONG, but I'M RIGHT. So please come Lord Jesus to curse and destroy this entire world you say you love. For God's sake, don't actually redeem it. Just please remember to zip ME outta here first because I know you love ME too much to let ME suffer like those stupid apostles did as they spread your Word to no apparent effect.

LOL I was looking for a "smiley' that was burning at the stake! I love it

 

[reba]

The Millennium is another dispensation. Usually when we speak of the last days, we are speaking in terms of the last days before Jesus returns bodily, which includes these days before the Rapture of the Church and also the days following leading to the Return of Christ, which includes the Tribulation.

Jesus says this...

Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.


So many churches today just will not inculed the Words the Quotes of Christ into their theology. Guess His simple words just don't sell books.

 

[Elijah674]

An honest look at the Matthew 24 prophesy reveals that Jesus told his followers that the things he was speaking of would occur within the life of that generation. Within 30 years (maybe less) after Jesus' ascencion, the good news of the Kingdom (the gospel) had been preached to all nations (no satellite necessary). So the end could have come anytime after that. The questions that we should ask are:
1. Did the end Jesus spoke of come when he said it would?
2. What "end" was he speaking of? In other words, when Jesus spoke of the end, what exactly was he saying would end?

Well kid'o, one thing is certain, if the verse can be 'GRASPED!?' (1 John 4:6?)
And that is Christ [DOCUMENTING] verse 21 Of Matt. 24!

'For then shall be great tribulation, such as [ not since the beginning of the world to this time, [NO, NOR [EVER] SHALL BE].'

But surely, we see the verses from 22-30 to document who are these preterist's false ones who must come on the scene, who do satan's work right up to verse 30.

And verse 3 ibid. 'END OF THE WORLD'? Some posters would not know about verse 27's LIGHTENING.. SO SHALL ALSO THE COMMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE.' until they get struck down by it! 2 Thess. 2:8

--Elijah

 

[Vic C.]

I believe when Peter quoted Joel in Acts 2:17, he was speaking about his generation. :yes I see no reason why Peter would be pointing to some event thousands of years into the future. Obviously I'm not a full blown dispie. ;)

 

[Sam21]

Hi Truth over Tradition: You make some very good points, however part of the discourse that Jesus delivered to his disciples was that he would return in the sky and gather them off the earth, that has definitely not happened...the church is still here! So how do you explain the fact that Jesus did not return and gather the believers off the earth in the first century?
I agree with you that the way the bible is written the whole thing,removal of the Temple, return of Christ, and end of this age, should have all happened in the first century...but it did not happen, we are still here,so how can it be explained that we are still here except to believe that Jesus also meant some of those things to happen in our time and just before the return of Christ.

 

[Hitch]

Hi Truth over Tradition: You make some very good points, however part of the discourse that Jesus delivered to his disciples was that he would return in the sky and gather them off the earth,

Sam exactly where does Jesus say hes going to ' gather them off the earth'?

that has definitely not happened...the church is still here! So how do you explain the fact that Jesus did not return and gather the believers off the earth in the first century?
I agree with you that the way the bible is written the whole thing,removal of the Temple, return of Christ, and end of this age, should have all happened in the first century...but it did not happen, we are still here,so how can it be explained that we are still here except to believe that Jesus also meant some of those things to happen in our time and just before the return of Christ.

 

[Sam21]

Sam exactly where does Jesus say hes going to ' gather them off the earth'?

Matt24 and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory and he shall send his angels with a great trumpet and they shall GATHER together his chosen from one end of the sky to the other...THEN shall two be in the field and one SHALL BE TAKEN and the other left,two shall be grinding and one SHALL BE TAKEN and the other left...therefore be you(disciples)also ready.

 

[Hitch]

Matt24 and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory and he shall send his angels with a great trumpet and they shall GATHER together his chosen from one end of the sky to the other...THEN shall two be in the field and one SHALL BE TAKEN and the other left,two shall be grinding and one SHALL BE TAKEN and the other left...therefore be you(disciples)also ready.

Do you think that is predicated on what Jesus saids here;


25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.