The concept of the “last days” or end times captivates the imagination of many Christians. It conjures up vivid images of the rapture, the Antichrist, and apocalyptic events preceding Christ’s return. But what does the Bible actually teach about the last days, and are we living in them now? Intriguingly, the Bible declares we are living in the last days (but not in the last of the last days).
Why We are Currently Living in the Last Days
Thankfully, the Bible talks quite a bit about the issue of the last days. The Old Testament speaks about it prophetically, and the New Testament authors make it very clear that we are currently living in the last days.
For example, in his sermon at Pentecost, Peter declares the dawn of the last days by quoting the prophet Joel: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” (Acts 2:17). Peter announces that Joel’s prophecy is taking place through the outpouring of the Spirit. The last days have arrived with the birth of the church and the outpouring of the Spirit. This perspective is confirmed by other New Testament passages.
The author of Hebrews teaches that God has spoken to us in the last days through His Son (Heb 1:2). This affirms we are living in the eschatological timeframe of the last days which commenced with Christ’s first coming. Hebrews repeatedly warns its audience they are living in the “Today” of God’s opportunity before the final judgment (Heb 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7).
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