The Days

What must soon take place. (Revelation 1:1, NIV 1984).

My Musings – In the Old Testament the Last Days were considered to be the anticipated coming of the Messiah. In the New Testament, the Last Days are generally considered to be the period between Jesus Christ’s first coming and the consummation of all things at his second coming. “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”” (Acts 2:16–17, NIV 1984).

The Day of the Lord, on the other hand, refers to God’s final intervention in human affairs when He will punish sin, restore the faithful of his people and establish His rule over the nations. It is linked with the Messianic hope and will be fulfilled at Jesus Christ’s physical return. Although its time is unknown, it will be heralded and accompanied by signs and by great upheavals in nature.

Thus, 2000 plus years have come and gone since the Last Days were ushered in at Pentecost, yet the Day of the Lord has not yet come. This may not seem like “soon” to most, if not all people. But the Greek word for soon used in Revelation 1:1, “what must soon take place,” means that events will occur suddenly once they begin. It did not necessarily mean that they would begin shortly after they were spoken to John. In other words, once the end-time signs and great upheavals begin (which could now be close at hand or still far into the future), they will proceed in rapid succession. Theologians call this the doctrine of the Imminent Return of Christ.

My Advice – Don’t be discouraged by the delay. “You must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:3-4 and 8–9, NIV 1984).

Sources:

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures