There appears to be a bit of confusion about the terms END TIMES, LAST DAYS, LAST TIME and APOCALYPSE–particularly among the church folk.
A recent email from a “ministry” with the heading “Are we living in the end times?” brought this confusion to mind.
So, here is a handy reference to the meaning of these end times phrases.
1- APOCALYPSE.
This term has been covered previously in these pages.
The word “apocalypse” means “revelation” or “a revealing.”
From Strong’s Lexicon:
[ This is the ] revelation
Ἀποκάλυψις (Apokalypsis)
Noun – Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong’s Greek 602: An unveiling, uncovering, revealing, revelation. From apokalupto; disclosure.
Because the Book of Revelation is Jesus’ account to the apostle John of what happens during the last days before His return–and because that book is called APOCALYPSE (Greek for “revelation”) in the Catholic bibles–APOCALYPSE has come to mean “doomsday” or the “end of the world.”
It is only doomsday or the end of the world for sinners and other workers of iniquity.
It is easily understood why the worldly would have such confusion.
MORE: The Widespread and Constant Misuse of the Word “Apocalypse
2- END TIMES.
Basically, the end times is the time period between when Jesus Christ left the earth after His crucifixion and His return.
To all of the people who ask “Are we living in the end times?”:
Yes–for almost the last 2000 years.
HOWEVER, the phrase, “end times” does NOT appear in the Bible.
Not even once.
3- LAST DAYS.
The Bible uses the phrase “last days” as many use the popular phrase “end times.”
“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”
–Hebrews 1:1-2
The phrase “last days” was also used by the apostle Peter in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost of the Church. Peter used the phrase EXACTLY as “end times” is used: as the time period between Jesus ascending to heaven and His return. He was referring to the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago at Pentecost and ALSO the signs in the heavens immediately before Jesus returns.
“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; And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
–Acts 2:16-21
However, the Bible ALSO uses the phrase “last days” to indicate the time period IMMEDIATELY BEFORE the return of Jesus Christ.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
–2TIMOTHY 3:1
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
–2PETER 3:3-4
4- LAST TIME.
God’s Word also uses the phrase “last time” as many would use the phrase “end times.”
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
–1PETER 1:5
This is specifically pointed out by the apostle John in his first epistle almost 2000 years ago.
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”
–1JOHN 2:18
HOWEVER, Jude uses “last time” to indicate the time immediately before the return of Jesus Christ.
“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”
–Jude 1:18
[NOTE: It should be pointed out that when Jude used “last time” and Peter and Paul used “last days,” they ALSO could be referring to what is commonly called the “end times.”]
In the Bible, these phrases [last days, last times] are used in an almost interchangeable manner with each other and with the commonly-used phrase “end times.”
The only one which is separate is “apocalypse.”
We ARE living in the end times.
The reader should NOT be caught unawares.
“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
–Mark 13:37
DID the reader learn something new?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: April 27, 2020.]
MORE: The Widespread and Constant Misuse of the Word “Apocalypse”
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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