The meaning of ‘The Last Days’
What does the KJV Bible mean by the term “The Last Days”?
Digging into the “last days” term we find a few other similar terms the KJV uses: like “Latter Days” and “end of the days;” “time of the end;” or “day of the Lord,” all of which indicate a promise to come after a length of time. The Old and New Testament authors are very particular in how these “last days” terms are used, so as to make a clear distinction between a longer period of time, as opposed to a single last day. In other words, “Last Days” is a plural term indicating many days, weeks or years.
Remember the Bible always explains itself, so let’s look at how the Old Testament authors use these terms.
In Genesis 49:1, the patriarch Jacob, uses the term “last days” on his deathbed as both a judgement and a predictive blessing upon 12 of his descendants:
Genesis 49:1-2 KJV
[1] And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the “last days”. [2] Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
What follows Jacob’s rather blunt blessing is a judgement of each son’s faults, yet the very act of blessing each son despite their faults, illustrates forgiving grace.
The Bible is using a type of irony by paralleling how Jacob’s own father Isaac, on his deathbed, had only a single blessing for one wayward son, Jacob himself.
By extension you should follow the threads back to God’s promise to Abraham (Abram) and Sarah who seemingly had no hope of a natural heir to bless, with their promised land’s bounty.
Yet God miraculously provided Abraham and Sarah with an heir to hope in. It should become evident how this promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and now Jacob’s 12 heirs are increasing in number of potential heirs, until Abraham’s descendants will be like the stars of heaven—innumerable.
After Jacob’s deathbed blessing, the Bible continues to record the “HIStory” of this chosen family from Moses’ time through the establishment of the 12 united tribes of Jacob (Israel) under King David in a Holy City known as Jerusalem. After Solomon’s reign we see the kingdom of Israel split because of Solomon’s disobedience to God’s Covenant.
We now have the Northern tribes known as Israel and the remaining two Southern tribes known as Judah. Keep in mind we have just covered centuries of Jacob’s descendants in a few sentences.
About midway through the divided kingdom, a key prophet in Biblical history named Isaiah arises in Judah. Just as Jacob rebukes his 12 decendents in Genesis 49 and thereafter gives them a vision of the promise to come upon the children of Abraham. Isaiah does the same at the beginning of his book.
Isaiah first thoroughly rebukes Jacob’s family tree beginning in Chapter 1:2. Then just as Jacob pronounced the promise of Abrahams blessing upon his unworthy children, Isaiah sets forth the same blessing using very similar language to an unworthy nation:
Isaiah 2:2-5 KJV: [2] And it shall come to pass in the “last days” that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. [3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. [4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. [5] O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Other prophets like Joel speak of judgement, blessing and God’s promise being fulfilled in similar fashion. Yet it is in the New Testament on the Day of Pentecost that Peter sheds light on what exactly the prophets meant by “last days.”
Acts 2:14-17 KJV: [14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: [15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. [16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; [17] 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.
The Book of Hebrews is a detailed explanation upon what the Bible meant and means by “last days.” In short, “last days” is a reference to the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, by the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Just as Jacob judged his sons, Jesus was likewise judged. Whereas Jacob found his sons guilty of transgressions , God found His Only Begotten Son guiltless. Jacob prophesied of a future promise to come in the “last days.” Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection was the fulfillment of that “last days” promise. Jesus arose on the third day after his death from the grave on the true Sabbath (DAY of the LORD), being the first fruit of the promise to Abraham.
Hebrews 1:1-3 KJV: [1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] 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; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.