There is a great deal of talk about the last days among
religionists. Especially the Premillennialists. Some would
have us believe the last days have only recently come upon
us, while others claim they will begin in the near future.
What does the Bible say?
Men speak of the Stone age, the Ice Age, the Space
Age, the Information Age, Etc.. The Bible, however, speaks
of only three major divisions (or, dispensations) in the
history of man. The Patriarchal Age was the first. During
this time God dealt directly with the heads of families; like
with Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Etc.. The second Age was the
Mosaic Age. This age began when God gave the Law of
Moses to Israel. Jesus Himself lived under this dispensation.
The final Age is known as the Christian Age. It is this age
which is referred to in the Bible as the “last days.”
The Last days began at Pentecost (Acts 2). When
the apostles were gathered in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit
came upon them just as Jesus had promised (Jn. 16:13; Acts
1:8). A visible sign of this came in the form of tongues of
fire which sat upon each of them. The apostles then began
to speak in languages which they had never learned. Among
the audience were “devout men, from every nation under
heaven” (Acts 2:5). They were all amazed at what was
happening and began to ask among themselves, “whatever
could this mean?” (Acts 2:12). Peter stood up and began to
explain what was taking place. He said, “...this is what was
spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the
last days, says God...” (vs. 14). Notice Peter told them this
was the beginning of the “last days” as prophesied by Joel.
Yes, we are now living in the last days, and we have
been since that Pentecost almost two thousand years ago.
But, what does this mean for us? It means we are now
living under the direction of Christ and His Gospel! “God,
who at various times and in various ways spoke in time
past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days
spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1,2). It means that these
are the days salvation is offered (2 Cor. 6:1,2). There'll be
no other age which presents us with a second chance to get saved.
It also means we
must deal with many false teachers, “Now the Spirit
expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the
faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of
demons...” (1 Tim. 4:1). We also learn that these can be
perilous times, “But know this, that in the last days perilous
times will come...”(2 Tim. 3:1-9). Peter wrote, “Knowing
this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking
according to their own lusts,...” (2 Pet. 3:3).
After reading all of this one would think we are
living in the worst time in human history. Ironically,
however, this is the best time of all! Because we live under
a time when the resurrection of Christ and the forgiveness of
sins are a confirmed historical fact. What a blessing! And
remember, as we struggle through all the trouble of the last
days, Jesus has promised that He will be with us until the
end of this age (Matt. 28:20).
|
