The Last Days
Acts: New Normal • Sermon • Submitted
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· 8 viewsSeries through the book of Acts. One lesson per chapter.
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WHAT ARE THE LAST DAYS?
WHAT ARE THE LAST DAYS?
In a general sense, the last days refer to a future event (Gen. 49:1; Deut. 4:30). This event could be in the distant future or something many years later (Deut. 31:29; Dan. 8:19).
In the Hebrew Bible, the last days anticipated the restoration of the nation of Israel where people would seek Jehovah, turn from evil, witness the judgment of God, and experience the outpouring of His Spirit (Isa. 2:1-4; Hos. 3:5; Jer. 23:20; 33:15-16; Joel 2:28-32).
In the New Testament, the last days are the days of the gospel of Jesus (Heb. 1:1-2) where people have an opportunity to call upon God (Ac. 2:17-21) and be saved from wrath when the last days are terminated by the last day (Ac. 17:30-31; 1 Thess. 5:1-2).
WHEN ARE THE LAST DAYS?
WHEN ARE THE LAST DAYS?
The era of the gospel ushered in the last days (Ac. 2:16-17). From Acts chapter 2 on, the New Testament writers regarded themselves as living in the “last days” (Jas. 5:3; 1 Pet. 1:20).
The last days are days of opportunity for people to turn to the benefits of salvation made possible by Jesus as well as days of responsibility to proclaim the gospel throughout the world (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:46-48; Ac. 2:36-41).
The last days are also days of testing for the people of God (2 Tim. 3:1-9; 2 Pet. 3:1-9; Jd. 18). These tests have been experienced by Christians for two millennia.
WHEN IS THE LAST DAY?
WHEN IS THE LAST DAY?
The opportunity of salvation began at Pentecost and will conclude at Jesus’ second coming (Heb. 1:2; 9:27-28). We do not known when this day will come, but we do know it will (Mt. 24:36-41; 1 Thess. 5:1-3).
We are in the final period of the world as we know it. These days are preliminary to and preparatory for the Day of Judgment (Mt. 24:42-44; 1 Thess. 5:4-11). As in the days of Noah and Lot, life went on as normal and people were caught unprepared. They, along with Lot’s wife, serve as an example of how divine judgment comes quickly upon those who do not wholeheartedly obey God’s commands (Lk. 17:22-37).
The realization were are currently in the last days and the last day is coming should have a dramatic effect on how we live our lives every day (Rom 13:11-14). Even though the last days seem to be prolonged (cp. Mt. 25:19), the apparent delay is due to the long-suffering of God (2 Pet. 3:9, 15). Repent or perish (Lk. 13:3, 5).