If you know me, you probably know I'm passionate about sharing my profound hope for revival. Despite some pockets of darkness and unrest, God is at work. I see the gospel spreading across the globe. The transformative beauty and wonder of Jesus are touching the nations—right now!
Nevertheless, when I share thoughts like this, some of my friends and colleagues disagree. Sadly, many have a hard time accepting my heartfelt optimism.
I recently talked with a friend who openly criticized me. He said, "J.D., your view is preposterous. Don't you notice how terrible things really are? Don't you know what the Bible says? 'There will be terrible times in the last days' (2 Tim 3:1).”
Another acquaintance told me that I was a "scoffer." He said, "Don't you know what Jude said, 'In the last times scoffers will arise who will follow their own ungodly desires' (Jude 1:18)? If you don't see things getting worse, you're probably a scoffer—rejecting the Word of God."
Wow, I have such kind friends.
Honestly, I don't fault them for coming against me. These guys are not unique in their outlook. Many churchgoers insist that the Bible foretells disaster and trouble—especially as America supposedly descends into the "last days." Many are convinced that, in the grand biblical narrative, cataclysm and destruction are coming. For them, goodness and hope are not on the agenda. So, we need to get ready for all the "bad news" that is about to break out on the scene.
Although I strongly disagree with this theological outlook, it is understandable. A superficial reading of the New Testament would certainly give a reader this kind of idea. There’s a lot of talk, in the text, of cataclysm, judgment, and breakdown. The tone could make one believe that we are all living in a disaster movie right now.
Nevertheless, things are not always as they appear on the surface. Much of the judgment language, warnings about difficult times, and the usage of the term "last days" doesn't mean what people think it does. This phrase doesn’t signify the end of the world but rather the disruptive conclusion of the "old covenant" era. Rather than referring to the destruction of the earth, it is a reference to the "last days" of the Temple, animal sacrifices, and the Levitical priesthood.
Much of the talk in passages such as 2 Timothy 3:1 and Jude 1:18 is about the unrest and volatility that took place during this intense covenantal transition. It was the turbulent "last days" of a religious era—the end of all that Messianic believers and Hebraic-minded people had known and experienced (See Hebrews 6:20-8:13). Jewish followers needed to be ready for all the fallout and unrest that happens after the temple mountain was "cast into the sea" (See Mark 11).
It might surprise you, but the writer of Hebrews indicates that the "last days" were already transpiring during his lifetime. He said the revelation of Messiah was received, "in these last days" (Hebrews 1:2). Elaborating, the inspired writer goes on to declare that "Jesus has now obtained a more superior ministry since the covenant he mediates is founded on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6).
In essence, the "last days" or "end of the age" pertains to a first-century shift to the New Covenant order—a thundering transition from one era to another.
Keep in mind that while it was truly the "last days of the old covenant" for first century readers, we live during the establishment and expansion of Jesus' rule. We are already living in the New Covenant. We don't need to project ourselves backwards—into all their trouble and unrest.
Most importantly, the biblical phrase, "last days," shouldn't detract us from the advancement of the good news of Jesus' gospel. Modern day believers need to understand that the term was used to signify a shifting era in redemption history—not to get people stirred up about the end of time.
Preach the gospel, and most importantly, never be afraid. We aren't living in the last days.
The Bible makes it clear, we are living in the last days.
Let’s take a look at Matthew 24: 18-42
In particular, verse 22 shifts from the Old Testament into the New Testament timeline. These verses discuss the Old Testament but warns us what not to do in the New Testament.
Also, highlight verse 35 whereas “Heaven and Earth SHALL pass way, but my words shall not pass away.”
Let’s begin:
(18) Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
(19) And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
(20) But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath…
Greetings, I read the article and I was deeply troubled. The article failed to mention Matthew 24 that makes it very clear that we are living in the last days. Please see below verses taken from Matthew 24: 3-14 (KJV)
End Time Checklist
(3) “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? AND WHAT SHALL BE THE SIGN OF THY COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD?
(4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
(5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (YES)
(6) And ye shall…
Good message overall - as the Body of Christ, we shouldn’t be overcome with fear, being led by and living by the flesh, but we should be led by and live by the Spirit of the Lord as true sons of God, walking in power, love, and self-control, living a crucified life and preaching the gospel to every creature while encouraging and praying for each other, guarding the precious unity that all of the brethren should have in the Holy Spirit.
That said, the church at large is lukewarm. She has become spiritually apathetic and thereby has yielded herself to lewdness, impurity, and immorality, no longer preaching the gospel to the world and living for God but rather living as…
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the "END" come. There most assuredly are no last days for the Kingdom of God. It is one long eternal day. You are correct in stating that there were "last days" for the old covenant and a transition into the new covenant. Some call it the church age. Just as there were "last days" of the old covenant, there will also be last days for the preaching of the kingdom in the church age. Jesus himself said so in Mathew 24;14. Most Christians believe that the Church, the bride elect, will be caught away at the…
Hmmmm. A valid and very interesting perspective. I won’t disagree with your scholarly work but do believe that scripture you use can also be valid with a different interpretation. I do believe revival will happen and an awakening never seen before will take place but also great apostasy and persecution. The lines we presently see will grow greater.