Introduction

The last days have two distinct connotations, the first is the pivotal moment where Peter quotes prophet Joel to explain the events of Pentecost – in the "last days," God will pour out His Holy Spirit upon "all flesh", enabling sons, daughters, young men, and old men to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams. The second connotation is decay in the heart of humanity. As a Christian, where do you stand? The former or latter?

Main Verses:

Main Points

Context 1

In this context, the last days refers to the beginning of the church age, with a promise that God will pour out His Spirit on "all flesh," – a shift from Old Testament where the Spirit was given selectively to leaders or prophets.

• Result: The pouring out of the Spirit leads to prophecy, visions (young men), and dreams (old men).
• Inclusivity: The empowerment for both men and women, young and old.
• Theme: This verse signifies a major shift where direct access to the Holy Spirit is made available to all believers. The "Last Days" therefore, in this context, refers to the time between Christ's first and second coming, marking a period of spiritual awakening and empowerment.

Context 2

In this second context, scriptures provide specific descriptions of what human behavior and social standards will look like in the time leading up to the end of the age. It is an outline of a "moral decay" characterized by a shift from God-centeredness to self-centeredness.

• Breakdown of Character
  2 Timothy 3:1-5

  Verse text not found
  – The Apostle Paul warns Timothy that "perilous times" will come, not necessarily because of natural disasters, but because of the state of the human heart.
• Increase of Lawlessness
  Matthew 24:12

  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
  – Our Lord Jesus spoke directly about the social conditions before His return. He stated, "Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold" – a general rejection of objective moral standards or "God's Law."
• "Days of Noah" Parallel
  Matthew 24:37-39

  But as the days of Noe {were}, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  – Our Lord Jesus also compared the last days to the time of Noah. When we read this account in Genesis, we understand that it was an era when "every intent of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil continually" and the earth was "filled with violence."
• Moral Inversion
  Isaiah 5:20

  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! {call...: Heb. say concerning evil, It is good, etc}
  – Prophet Isaiah tells us that in the last days, things will be turned upside down! "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness" – a "seared conscience" where society no longer recognizes traditional morality and instead celebrates things previously considered harmful.
• Spiritual Deception
  1 Timothy 4:1

  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
  – The scripture teaches that moral decay is often preceded by a departure from sound teaching. Paul notes that some will "depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." This suggests that the decline is not just social but is rooted in a rejection of biblical truth in favour of "new" or "alternative" spiritualities that justify immoral behaviour.

Memory Verse

Conclusion

This verse states that God is not slow in keeping His promises (specifically regarding the Second Coming), but is patient, desiring that no one perishes but that all come to repentance. The verse explains that the apparent delay is actually mercy, giving more time for people to repent and turn to Him.