Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  9000 Last things  »  9100 Aspects of the last things  »  9140 last days

The final epoch of history which is marked by the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. In the NT it is portrayed as the period between Jesus Christ's first coming and the consummation of all things at his return, and is marked by godlessness and the persecution of God's people.

OT expectation of the last days

The Messianic kingdom

Isaiah 2:2-4 pp Micah 4:1-3 See also Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-9; Isaiah 65:20-25; Jeremiah 33:15

The restoration of Israel

Jeremiah 33:16; Hosea 3:5 See also Isaiah 25:9; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 50:4; Joel 3:1; Zechariah 8:23

The day of the LORD

Isaiah 13:6-12; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 2:11,30-31; Amos 5:18-20; Acts 2:19-20

Jesus Christ's coming introduces the last days

The timing of his revelation

1 Peter 1:20 See also Galatians 4:4-5

The announcement of God's kingdom

Mark 1:15 See also Matthew 12:28 pp Luke 11:20; Luke 4:43; Luke 8:1

The fulfilment of Messianic promise

Luke 4:18-21 See also Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 11:4-5 pp Luke 7:22

The outpouring of the Spirit

Acts 2:16-18 See also Joel 2:28-29; Ezekiel 36:27

Revelation in the last days

Hebrews 1:1-2 See also Matthew 13:16-17 pp Luke 10:23-24; Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26

Redemption in the last days

Hebrews 9:26 See also Daniel 9:24; Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Isaiah 49:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20

Features of the last days

Godlessness

2 Timothy 3:1-5 See also Daniel 12:10

Deception and apostasy

1 Timothy 4:1 See also Matthew 24:4-5 pp Mark 13:5 pp Luke 21:8; Matthew 24:10-12; 1 John 2:18-19

Scoffing

2 Peter 3:3-4; Jude 18-19

Persecution

Daniel 11:33-35; Mark 10:30; Luke 21:12-17 pp Matthew 24:9-10 pp Mark 13:9-13

Jesus Christ's return brings the last days to a close

It ushers in a new era

Hebrews 9:28 See also Matthew 13:49; Matthew 24:3

It is identified with the day of the LORD

2 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10

Living in the last days

Hebrews 6:5 Between Jesus Christ's comings, believers have a foretaste of the age to come. See also Ephesians 1:19-21; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 10:24-25

See also

1310  God as judge
2565  Christ, second coming
6169  godlessness
8490  watchfulness
8794  persecution
9105  last things
9145  Messianic age
9165  restoration
9220  day of the LORD
9240  last judgment
9310  resurrection