BG 39: The Last or Latter Days
Are we in them? What does it mean? What or when does it refer to?
Because of the present happenings in the Middle East, many writers, broadcasters and journalists are beginning to suggest that the world has entered the LAST DAYS. They refer to the phrase used many times in the Old and New Testament, the contexts of which suggest traumatic changes affecting the twelve tribes of Israel and all the Nations of the world.
Introduction
In the Old Testament the original Hebrew or Chaldee words for 'The Last Days' are used fourteen times. In the New Testament the original Greek words are used five times [maybe seven. See text below]. Although the English words 'The Latter Days' are often used in the KJV Old Testament, the original languages, Hebrew [and Chaldee in the book of Daniel], have identical meaning to those which are translated 'The Last Days'. The Greek phrase in the KJV N.T. is always translated 'The Last Days'.
In anglicised form, the original Hebrew words for the phrase are: 'achärîyth yôwm [Strong's Nos: 319 and 3117] Their meaning is given as follows:
'achärîyth
A feminine noun, meaning 'latter time' or 'future time'. The root ['achar] prop., 'what is behind', 'hinder part', 'extremity'.
Otis Q.Sellers has proposed that the meaning could include the sense of 'resultant' as suggested by the implied meaning following the period of which it they are the 'outcome'.yôwm
A masculine noun. From an unused root meaning 'to be hot'; Its meaning is given by various English words, depending upon variations of the Hebrew and their contexts: 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow.
It is evident that yôwm in this context can be accepted as 1d) 'time', 'period', particularly referring to the word 'days'.
We are entitled to ask:
Of what days are The Last Days a part?
What is the period of these days?
What is the period of The Last Days?
God has given a clear answer to these questions in His Word. This should be the foundation of our understanding of this subject rather than the vague and erroneous assumptions suggested by some students of God's Word. The answer to these important questions should be understood before examining the details which follow. Please see By Grace No.5...A Purpose of Jacob’s Life Span.
A great change takes place during The Last Days, God's chosen people Israel, will again have their own king, the resurrected King David. They will be restored to their place before God with David enthroned in Jerusalem, even as they were 3000 years ago. At that time, when King David died, he was succeeded by his son Solomon, and after he died, there was a tribal rebellion, Ephraim against Judah, which eventually resulted in the captivity of both factions. From that point of time all Israel has been subject to other nations (despite The Balfore Declaration this condition prevails even to-day in a covert manner) and will continue to be until the Second Advent. God has named this period of time: 'The Times of The Nations' [Luke 21:24]. It will have lasted 3,234 yrs. [See By Grace No.43...The captivity of The House of Judah]
Moses is the first writer to use the words ‘The Last Days’ in Genesis chapter 49 verse 1 (about 1690bc according to Bishop Ussher), and Paul the last writer, in his second letter to Timothy chapter 3 verse 1 (about 65ad). All the writers speak in a familiar way about this period, no matter to whom they are writing or speaking. In only one reference is there any attempt to relate the period to that referred to by another writer. By faith, taking the Bible as a unity, this strongly suggests that we, as readers, are expected to understand that the various references are being made to a single period of time. For example, the word 'year' is recognised throughout the Scripture as the term used to determine a person's age, yet nowhere is it defined, because it is 'generally understood' as one revolution of the Earth around the Sun. The root meaning of any word whether Hebrew or Greek, is the same throughout the Bible, otherwise chaos would be introduced into the interpretation of God's Word.
Should the definite article be added in front of the noun 'year' so: ‘The Year’, we know immediately that it is referring to one particular year. In most references to Last Days whether in Hebrew, Chaldee or Greek, the definite article is present. The only conclusion is that all the Scriptures which use this phrase 'The Last Days' must therefore refer to a single period of time.
Because the content of these prophesies is difficult to interpret as a single period, some writers have stated that there must therefore be several periods called 'The Last Days'. Their difficulty is based upon at least three false interpretations:
They do not recognise the character of the present Administration of God's Grace which began after SALVATION was no longer authorised as 'of the Jews'. The Message of God’s Salvation was authorised to the Nations in 62ad when God Spiritually blinded and deafened the Jews 'for the heart of this people is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed.......'
The 'Last Days' prophecy concerning the dream image of Nebuchadnezzar is erroneously believed to have commenced at the time when he began to 'praise and extol and honour The King of Heaven, all whose works are Truth and His ways judgment' [Dan. 4:37]. According to the details of this prophecy, its fulfilment remains in the future. See the following note: 'A Common Error of Interpretation'. See By Grace No.40.
A common interpretation of Paul's statement concerning The Last Days, which is referred to in his second letter to Timothy, is based upon the desire to believe that it was his last letter written before his death.. In the knowledge of this present Administration of God's Grace. The Last Days referred to in this erroneous interpretation leads to the belief that this statement of prophecy ends this Administration whereas it refers to the reopening of The Last Days in 2022ad. The correct chronological sequence of Paul's last seven letters is given in the article of that name [See By Grace No.44]. The correct place of Paul's Second Letter to Timothy in this sequence, is also discussed in that article.
NOTE
Below there is a table giving a few helps to view this subject in the light of Scripture Truth.
For your study, here is a summary of all the references to the single period of 'The Last Days'. As you will appreciate, it is a time of mixed blessing for the people of Israel and for all the nations dwelling on the earth:
1. GEN 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in The Last Days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father
Comment: Jacob describes the character of each Israel Tribe in the Last Days. Jacob's sons do not question the meaning of the words 'The Last Days' because they have already recognised the relationship between The Days of Jacob's life and The years of his pilgrimage. It is evident that The Years of Israel's Pilgrimage refers also to that of the tribes of his twelve sons. See Genesis 47:9 and By Grace No.5
2. NUM 24:14 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
Comment: Prophecy regarding the Messiah and His action upon Moab, Sheth(Seth), Edom, Seir, Amalek, Kennites, Chittim, also Israel, Assur and Eber in The Last Days.
3. DEU 4:30 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Comment: Moses prophesies the scattering of Israel and his opportunity in the LD to be obedient to The Voice of God.
4. DEU 31:29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
Comment: Moses tells Israel that in the Last Days they will do evil, therefore evil will befall them.
5. ISA 2:2 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Comment: Isaiah prophesies that Judah & Jerusalem will be established above all nations in the Last Days.
6. JER 23:20 The anger of the LORD shall not turn back, until he have executed, and till he have set up the purposes of his heart: in the latter days ye shall understand it perfectly.
Comment: The Lord's anger against Israel will not end until they understand the purposes of God's heart perfectly in the Last Days.
7. JER 30:24 Behold, the tempest of Jehovah goes forth, a sweeping tempest: it shall swirl upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of Jehovah shall not turn back, until he has finished and until he has fulfilled the intentions of his heart: in the latter days you will understand it.
Comment: The Lord's anger with the wicked will not turn back until He has performed the intents of His heart, in the Last Days Israel will understand it.
8. JER 48:47 Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
Comment: Having prophesied that Moab will be made captive, God tells them that it will be repeated in the Last Days
9. JER 49:39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.
Comment: Having prophesied that Elam will be scattered and consumed, God tells them that He will bring again their captivity in the Last Days.
10. EZE 38:16 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the nations may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
Comment: God tells Gog that He will be sanctified in the eyes of the nations when He brings Gog against His land of Israel in the Last Days.
11. DAN 2:28 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in The Last Days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;…And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter [in the Last Days g.t.m]: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Comment: God reveals to Nebuchadnezzar the image and its interpretation which represents the nations which are important to Israel in the Last Days. He tells him that there will be a Spiritual deterioration in their condition throughout this period terminating in the 'parousia' of Christ. The metal represents God's delegation to angelic control over the nations during this time.
12. DAN 10:14 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days
Comment: The Angel of The Lord reveals to Daniel the wars of the nations surrounding Israel which leads eventually to the action contained in the 7 years of the 70th week prophesied by Gabriel to Daniel (Dan 9:21-27)
13. HOS 3:5 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Comment: Following the 'diaspora' of both Israel and Judah, when the Last Days are again present, they will then seek the Lord their God and David their King.
14. MIC 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem... And in that day, saith The Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather [Heb: qabats] her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted.
Comment: In the Last Days, when the Lord has gathered Israel, the nations will accept their exaltation. The Nations will walk in his path, the Law and the Word will go forth from Jerusalem.
15. ACT 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Comment: This is a Spiritual interpretation by Peter because the prophet Joel did not state that his prophesy would occur in the 'last days'. This statement marks the commencement of the 'recruiting period' for the 'Good Work' of the Kingdom of God in Israel; this Work was postponed (Phil 1:6) by God because of the lack of Israel's wholehearted desire (Acts 28:26-28). God will fulfill this condition of this Kingdom in the Last Days when The Good Work will continue.
16. JAM 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that are (gk.) come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye treasured up in (gk) The Last Days.
Comment: Contrary to the KJV translation, James condemns Israel's rich men for heaping up treasure in those days in which he was living, i.e. the first part of the Last Days.
17. HEB 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Comment: At the time that this letter was written to the Hebrews, the writer knew he was living in the Last Days, even as Peter did when announcing the Last Days (Acts 2:16).
18. 2 Pet 3:3 Knowing this first, that there will (gk.) come at (gk.) the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming (Gk: parousia)? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Comment: Peter's statement concerns days yet to come. The days in which he wrote were not the Last Days, even as those referred to in Paul's second letter to Timothy. Christ's return is at the end of the Last Days.
19. 2 Tim 2 - 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Comment: Moses demanded that his people should be 'let go' from Egypt in the face of Pharaoh's intransigence, by calling upon a spirit power to be set against Israel's departure. At the recommencement of the Last Dasy, Satan's resistance to the Gathering of God's people will become apparent. He will counterfeit The Truth even as his servants sought to establish his authority by counterfeiting God's miracles through Moses.
20. Enoch 27:3 In the last days there shall be upon them the spectacle of righteous judgement in the presence of the righteous for ever: here shall the merciful bless the Lord of Glory, the Eternal King.
Comment: This and the following reference complete the three heptads, twenty-one, which should be present for this important subject. There are no other references in the inspired Book of Enoch. This is well within the character of every other reference to the Last Days.
21. Enoch 108:1 Another book which Enoch wrote for his son Methuselah and for those who will come after him, and keep the law in the last days. You who have done good shall wait for those days till an end is made of all those who work evil, and an end of the might of the transgressors, and wait indeed until sin has passed away, for their names shall be blotted out of the book of life and out of the holy books and their seed shal be destroyed for ever and their spirits shall be slain…
Comment: The keepers of the law shall wait to see sin pass away with the destruction of the transgressors.
The chart below shows the disposition of all 'The Last Days' prophecy's in the New Testament. Ref: 15, 16, 17 were fulfilled between 27ad & 62ad. References 18 & 19, in the future tense, remain to be fulfilled. It is very important to recognise these facts.
From previous studies, we have come to recognise that The Last Days references in the N.T. are divided into two parts, the first of these references is in the present tense. The period began with the birth of The Christ in 4bc and ran for 65 yrs. They were brought to an abrupt halt when Paul announced to the Jews in 62ad that the Salvation, which was previously their prerogative and responsibility... 'Salvation is of the Jews', was taken from them and passed to the Nations... 'the Salvation of God is commissioned to the nations'.
The references to the second part of The Last Days are all in the future tense, remaining to be fulfilled. The fourteen references in the O.T. and the two remaining N.T. prophesies. The N.T. change of tense occurred after Paul quoted Isaiah's prophesy condemning the Jews to Spiritual deafness and blindness, recorded in Acts 28:27.
Another important point. Further studies have thrown light upon the fact that Paul's second letter to Timothy was not his last. It was written in the Transition period between 62ad and God's revelation to Paul of this present Administration of His Grace around 69ad. It reveals Paul's state of mind prior to his understanding described in his next letter to the Philippian church. The true meaning of the latter is aided by the knowledge contained in the former. It should be recognised that when Paul mentions his 'course', he is referring to the completion of the course of his first commission [Acts 20:24], not the course of his life. His first commission ended before he wrote to the Philippians, where he describes himself as a Servant only, no longer an apostle. However, after he had received God's revelation concerning this present Administration of His Grace, he is again commissioned, describing himself again as an apostle when he writes his letters to the 'Ephesians' and Colossians, Christians who are Sanctified and Faithful, who 'had not seen his face in the flesh'. See By Grace No.41
At the time this article is written, in a few years, the remaining period of The Last Days will recommence. Evil opposition to God's purposes will be manifest. The ancient forces at work are centred upon The Mystery of Iniquity which is described in:
The prophesy of the Last Days, given by Paul to Timothy, is united with all other Last Days prophesies, having been written in the period prior to the revelation of God's present Administration. However, it is our judgment that the point of time when it was given, strongly suggests that it relates to the opening phase of the second part of the Last Days, forming a transition between the end of this Administration of God's Grace and the recommencement of the Kingdom in Israel. This we believe will last for seven years. It cannot begin until all the elements of the condition described in 2 Tim 3: 1-9 are active. If we believe that to-day's condition of world affairs fulfils all except the last element, i.e. the one action described as resisting The Truth by counterfeiting it, we should now expect to observe its 'setting up'.
During this 'setting up' we can expect to experience Paul's prophesy concerning the Last Times: 1 Tim 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the last times some shall
depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits,
doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy;
having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Forbidding to marry,
commanding to abstain from meats,
which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained...
3. As detailed above, The Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments contains nineteen references to The Last Days. This number is significant. It draws attention to the three items which form the basis of the Deceiver's planned opposition to God during those days:
Paul warns us of the condition described in his letter to the Philippian church as erroneous attention to 'earthly things'. This describes the use of counterfeit gifts of The Spirit. The God breathed Greek words which are translated 'earthly things' are ta epigeia, the gematria of which contains 19 as two of its factors. See the implication of this reference in leaflet… By Grace No.29.
Cain's inheritance of the earth as the elder twin son of Adam was taken from him after he had murdered his twin brother Abel. The inheritance was given to Adam's youngest son, Seth. Since that time, Cain, who was of that Evil One, and his descendents, have gained an authority over the earth under the power of The Evil One. This continues to-day. See By Grace No.18
The gematria of the name Cain contains the factor 19 whose meaning indicates the outworking hand of the serpent, of which the gematria of the name ‘Eve’ is an example.
Similarly the descendents of Jacob’s elder twin Esau have planned to regain their inheritance which God took from their forefather after he despised it. The details of this also are shown here. They are allied with many of the nations surrounding Israel as Psalm 83 explains. The name Esau also has 19 as one of its factors.
Please NOTE: At least two of the prophecies of the 'LAST DAYS' listed above, contain direct reference to the early return, or gathering of Israel to the promised land. A study therefore of the word 'gather' [Heb: qabats], when used with reference to the Tribe of Israel, will enhance the students knowledge of that Godly act when The Last Days shortly recommence.
Other relevant By Grace leaflets :
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Well done and I am so happy you gave me a link to get here! Much love in the Lord! May our journey be full of hope, bolstered by support as we endure the words Paul wrote to Timothy!