by Harley Todd

GUEST COLUMNIST

We cannot deny the fascination that many have concerning the prospect of living in the "last days." Some people are confident that things like the rapture, the seven years of tribulation and the battle of Armageddon are on the horizon. Current events are routinely interpreted as signs of the end times. The claim is made: "Surely we are living in the last days!" Are we? What does the Bible say?

The phrase "last days," or "latter days," is used in a number of passages in both the Old and New Testaments. While its use in the Old Testament began as a general reference to the future, the prophets used the phrase to refer to the highly anticipated time of the Messiah. "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it" (Isaiah 2:2, see also Micah 4:1).

Occurrences of this phrase in the New Testament help us pinpoint exactly what is meant by the "last days."

In Acts chapter two, the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles at Jerusalem. This event produced a sound like a mighty wind. The noise drew a multitude together who heard the apostles speaking in various languages. When asked what this was, Peter stated that it was a fulfillment of prophecy.

"But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh...'" (Acts 2:16-17).

Thus Peter affirmed that the events of Pentecost -- the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles -- ushered in the "last days."

The book of Hebrews begins with, "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..." (Hebrews 1:1-2). This passage helps us to understand that the "last days" has reference to a period or dispensation of time.

The use of the phrase "the last days" is not an indication that the Christians of the first century believed that the end was near. Instead, they understood that they were living in the last dispensation of God's grace. While God had dealt with man through the fathers (the Patriarchal dispensation) and through Moses (the Mosaic dispensation -- the Law of Moses), He now dealt with them through His Son (the Gospel or church dispensation). This is called the "last days," not because the time is short, but because it is the last period or dispensation of this world before eternity.

Are we living in the "last days?" We certainly are, if we are using this phrase in a Scriptural way. We have been living in the "last days" for almost 2,000 years now.

Such an answer will frustrate one who is longing for signs of the Lord's imminent return. However, the Bible offers no such signs. The apostles asked Jesus about this very thing. "And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). Jesus responded, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only... But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (vs. 36, 43-44).

Men like Tim LaHaye and John Hagee have made a small fortune pandering to the paranoia caused by the speculation that the end is near. The plain teaching of the Lord is that we are to watch and be ready for we know not the day nor hour that He will return. No man can give a more accurate answer than this. The good news is heaven awaits the faithful.

Harley Todd is pastor of Tooele Church of Christ at 430 W. Utah Ave. in Tooele; Worship services are 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. on Sundays; Wednesdays at 7 p.m. For more information call 882-4642.