What Are the “LAST DAYS”?

We’ve been in “the last days” since the Church Age began, also referred to as “the end of the ages,” as observed in these two passages:

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Hebrews 1:2

for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he [Christ] has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 9:26 ESV

Here’s a diagram of Earth history according to the young Earth position that helps visualize the Church Age as the “end of the ages” or “culmination of the ages” before the millennial reign of Christ and the eternal age-to-come:

(click to enlarge)

Many sound ministers believe that Christ will return in about 2000 years, which you can find evidence for here. I believe this is true since we are experiencing the signs Jesus prophesied (Luke 21:10-11, 21:25-28 & Luke 21:31). As such, we are living in what could be called the last of the last days.

While we don’t know the exact day or hour of the Lord’s return (Matthew 24:36), it’s obvious that we are in the general time frame of the Second Coming. The Rapture is imminent and could take place today (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Yet the Lord might not come until 2050 or later, which still keeps His return in the timeframe of roughly 2000 years. Until then, the believer’s responsibility is to faithfully “keep watch.”

**What About Those Who Predict the Day of Christ’s Return?**

Historically, there have been a succession of people who predicted the exact day of the Second Coming and they’ve always been wrong. When this happens they inevitably set another date, which turns out to be wrong as well. A friend of mine from another state adhered to such a prediction in 2019 and excitedly anticipated Christ’s return on a particular day. When it failed to happen he became disillusioned and I’m not sure if he’s even walking with the Lord anymore.

This is why the Scriptures repeatedly instruct us not to set a date, as observed in Matthew 24:36 (paralleled in Mark 13:32), Matthew 24:42, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 25:13 (paralleled in Mark 13:33-37), Acts 1:7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2. In light of such clear passages I marvel that anyone would be foolish enough to set a date!

It’s enough to know that we’re in the general timeframe of the Lord’s Second Advent. Amen?

Amillennialism — What Is It? What’s Wrong With It?

The Five Earths of the Bible (and the Eight Ages)

The Basics of Christianity