“In the last days the mountain on which the Lord’s Temple stands will become the most important of all mountains. It will be raised above the hills, and people from all nations will come streaming to it.” (Isaiah 2:2 NCV)
“In the last days” is a phrase we hear a handful of times in the Bible, generally pointing toward the end of an era and looking forward to an event in the future. Of course, all prophecies about the “last days” should be held loosely, examined in light of the whole context of Scripture, and entertained with the view that no matter the strength of our personal prophetic gifts, we cannot understand all of what God understands. As Paul tells us, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV) Our human knowing and understanding of the future has limits.
History, however, is the opposite. No matter what, an event cannot be history until it is over, done, and complete. At that point, nothing can be done to change it. Our understanding of an event in the past may change, but the event itself cannot. This is where some of the tension in the Bible comes from – sometimes in prophecies it’s hard to know if a prophecy refers to an event that already happened before us, or an event that will happen in our future. So, while every understanding of “in the last days” should be taken with a grain of proverbial salt, we can be assured of certain things.
- The incarnate life of Jesus Christ was the beginning of the Last Days.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV)
2. In the last days, Holy Spirit will be poured out on all God’s people for his purposes.
“In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:17-18, quoting Joel 2:28-29, NIV)
3. In the last days evil will flourish and believers will face strong temptation and opposition.
“Above all, 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 ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’” (2 Peter 3:3-4 NIV)
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV)
4. In the last days, God will be exalted above all else.
“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.” (Micah 4:1 NIV)
“For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.” (Hosea 3:4-5 NIV)
Whether we are living in the last of the last days or whether our time in history is just another chapter, God is still overseeing it all, allowing we humans to make choices, working with us and our choices, and continually and unceasingly alert. His Son shows us the Father and salvation, and his Spirit is poured out on all his children. We will face great trials, opposition, and temptation, but God will be present with us. His promises are sure. His wisdom is true. His decisions are just. His heart is merciful. And in these last days, God will be exalted.
Sovereign Lord,
Thank you for your Word which teaches us about the days we live in. Even when we feel like we understand only in part, help us to trust the words of your Son. When we feel overwhelmed by opposition, trials, suffering, or temptations, help us trust your Spirit within us to guide, comfort, and guard us. Pour out your Spirit on all your children so that we will all come to you, the One established higher than the hills, who is in control of these Last Days. We ask this in Jesus’s name, AMEN.