THE LAST DAYS

" . . . THE LAST DAYS." (2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3)

In Christ Jesus, there is no question about the times in which we are living, or how they are to be approached. The Spirit has affirmed we are in the closing period of time, and we all do well to give heed to His words. The "day of salvation" began in a time God called "the last days." "And in THE LAST DAYS it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh . . . " (Acts 2:17, RSV). The ministry of the Son of God is during the time called "last days." " . . . in these LAST DAYS has spoken to us in His Son . . . " (Heb 1:2, NASB). The times of apostasy, a departure from the faith, and spiritual coldness are identified with the "last days." "This know also, that in THE LAST DAYS perilous times shall come . . . Knowing this first, that there shall come in THE LAST DAYS scoffers, walking after their own lusts" (2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3). We are in the final period of time.

THE TIME DURING WHICH THE GOSPEL is preached is called the "last times." "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these LAST TIMES for the sake of you . . . " (1 Pet 1:20, NASB). Jude, the brother of our Lord, identified the rise of "mockers" with "the last time." "They (the Apostles, v, 17) told you there should be mockers in THE LAST TIME . . . " (Jude 18, NASB). John the Beloved is pointed in his inspired assessment of the time. "Children, it is THE LAST HOUR; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is THE LAST HOUR" (1 John 2:18, NASB).

IT IS THE TIME TO AWAKE!The Lord summons His people to awaken from spiritual slumber! The time is short, requiring alertness and vigilance. "And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts" (Rom 10:11-14, NASB). This is no time for spiritual slumber – and yet, the professed church at large is in a slumbering state.

THIS EXHORTATION IS BASED ON believers' awareness of the time: "knowing the time." This is no time for spiritual sluggishness or sleep. It is inexcusable for professed believers to be ignorant of the period in which they are living. The time of obscurity is drawing to a close! "The night is almost gone!" You cannot look at this from a merely linguistic point of view, or with an academic perspective! This is addressed to faith, not to calculating intellect! It is NOT intended to arouse the desire to count years and calculate time tables! This is "an hour" for alertness and spiritual sensitivity! "The end of all things is at hand!"

"THE DAY IS AT HAND!" — the day of the Lord's return, the day of the new heavens and the new earth, the day of judgment! Do not reason within yourself that this is true of every generation, and therefore has no special applicability to you! These are the words of the Spirit, and they are designed to bring you into accord with the manner of the Kingdom. "The end of all things is at hand!"

EVERY DEED THAT IS PROMOTED by spiritual ignorance and aloofness from God is to be abandoned! Believers, "knowing the time," are to arm themselves with spiritual light, being discerning of the things of God. This is not the time for self-indulgence, loose living, and friction with our brethren! "The end of all things is at hand!" This is not the time to engage in lengthy efforts to resolve problems. It is the time to instantly resolve any of them that can be resolved by putting off the old man, and putting on the new man (Eph 4:22-24).

INDEED, IT IS POSSIBLE to be ignorant of the times, and therefore miss the blessing. It was so with Jerusalem, when they were visited with the Dayspring from on high. Hear the lament of the Savior! "For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another,

BECAUSE YOU DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION" (Luke 19:43-44, NASB). Here Jesus foretold the destruction of the "holy city" – because they were unaware they had been visited by the Lord of glory! Their ignorance was judged.The parallel is unmistakable! If the day of the Lord is "NEARER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED," we had better be able to discern it. If it does not seem nearer, then we have fallen asleep – because it IS nearer. It is not only "nearer" from the standpoint of fulfillment, it is also "nearer" from the outlook of desire! Preaching and teaching must reflect this perspective! The people of God must not be addressed as though homes, marriage, planting and reaping, and getting gain, were uninterruptible realities! They are not! The end is near. It is the last days. Hearty and consistent preparation are the needed of the hour.

– Given O. Blakely