There can be no doubt that from a biblical perspective, we are living in the last days. When the Bible uses expressions such as the last days, the end of the age, and the time of Jacob’s trouble, we should be thinking about the end of time. These are all euphemisms for the time in history that immediately precedes the return of the Messiah. This world-changing event is also known as the Second Coming.

From God’s perspective, the return of the Messiah is not based on our present concept of time. God’s time frame should be understood from His eternal perspective. The apostles all knew that believers should live as though the Lord could return at any time. In Paul’s first letter to the body of believers at Thessalonica, he gave them insight into what has in some believing circles to be known as the Rapture, I Thess. 4:13-18. In this same section of Scripture, Paul warns them about setting an exact date concerning the Day of the Lord’s return. In his follow-up letter to this same group of believers, Paul warned them about a deception that had caused many in the church to stop the daily activity of their lives and simply wait for the Lord’s return. Paul warns them that certain eschatological events must come to pass in order to set the stage for the return of the Lord.

Even the final exhortation of the Holy Spirit is recorded for us in the last book of the Bible has to do with the Lord’s return. This occurs after God reveals many of the events that will take place leading up to the Second Coming of the Lord. The apostle John ends with these words, “Behold, I am coming quickly! ... Surely, I am coming quickly,” Rev. 22:12, 20 NKJV. These words of encouragement concerning the Lord’s return should not be overlooked or taken lightly. They are intended to be a godly exhortation for God’s people to live in the imminent return of the Lord Jesus.

In His Olivet discourse, Matt. 24, the Messiah outlines a series of events that will take place running up to, and including, the last days. Because the “last days” begins with the resurrection of the Messiah, But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days II Tim. 3:1; but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe Heb. 1:2; First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires, II Peter 3:3, this outline of things to come includes many events that have been on-going for the past two thousand years.

There can be no doubt that from the re-establishment of the nation of Israel, back in the land promised to their forefathers, that we live in a time that is very close to the Lord’s return. ‘The Time of Jacob’s Trouble’ is the way God’s prophets described the end times with regard to the people and nation of Israel. Those who heard the Messiah speak of the last days understood His warming when he told them, “There will be great tribulation, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – never to be equaled again,” Matt. 24:21.

It is clear to those who do not spiritualize away the promises God has made to His ancient chosen people that we are living in the last days. This is not only confirmed from the biblical perspective, but also from the historical point of view. We are the generation that has seen God bring the Jewish people back to their homeland in fulfillment of prophecy. Today Israel is predominantly a secular nation, and although there are approximately twelve to fourteen thousand Messianic Jews living in Israel today, most of the Jewish people living in Israel, as well as Jews worldwide, are not living in the light of God’s Word by trusting in His Messiah.

Today we have a wonderful opportunity to share God’s love and faithfulness with others. All people are fatally flawed; they are born estranged from their Creator and in need of God’s forgiveness and reconciliation. Asking people about the situation in the Middle East is a powerful ice-breaker and a wonderful way to begin a conversation with others. It is an excellent way to introduce the subject of God’s faithfulness and His plan of salvation for all people.

This good news is not limited to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but it is good news for all people everywhere. For God’s love has been demonstrated in every generation ever since the resurrection of the Messiah. The foundation of this message of God’s love, the gospel, is still the greatest love story ever told. God has ordained that His children should share with others that we have tasted and seen that the Lord is truly good. We should always be able to speak the truth in love concerning the hope that lies within us, I Peter 3:15.

Take the time today to pray that God would use you as a vessel of mercy and grace in the midst of a sick and dying world. Ask Him to continue to shine His light in you, and through you, so that others might also desire to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Submitted by Steve Rowitt, Th.M., Ph.D. (c)