Today a key confusion in eschatology is people mix up this biblical term “end of the age” with “end of the universe.” In the Olivet Discourse, the disciples asked about the “end of the age”—i.e., the Mosaic age centred on the temple and sacrificial system. Jesus never said the physical universe would end. In fact, he implied the opposite. He said there will never be a greater time of trouble than the one associated with Jerusalem’s fall (Mat 24:20). That statement only makes sense if history continues afterward.
The term, ‘the last days,’ refers to the end of an era, an age. It does not refer to the end of history, time or the end of the world! The Jews thought in terms of ‘this age’ and the ‘age to come’ (see Mat 12:32. Mark 10:29–30, Luke 18:29–30, Luke 20:34–36, 1 Cori 2:6–8, Eph 1:21, Heb 6:5, Titus 2:12–13).
Here are the occurrences of the term ‘the last days” in the New Testament:
Acts 2:17) Peter quotes Joel, stating that in “the last days,” God will pour out His Spirit.” Peter
wanted the assembly to know what they saw occurring—the manifestation of prophesy, tongues etc—happening then
.
2 Tim 3:1. Paul warns that “in the last days” perilous times will come. He was writing to the believers in Ephesus and not to us today 2000 years away.
Heb 1:2. The Hebrews author states that God has spoken “in these last days” through His Son. He was writing to Hebrew believers and not to us today 2000 years away.
James 5:3. James was warning the believers that their wealth will be a witness against them “in the last days.” He was not warning people today.
2 Peter 3:3. Peter notes that scoffers will come “in the last days,” walking after their own lusts.
The Bible describes “the last days” as the period between Christ’s first coming and His return—a time of increasing moral decline, widespread turmoil, and spiritual testing for the people of ancient Israel. This era began with Jesus’ resurrection and is marked by specific signs, including wars, famines, earthquakes, disease, lawlessness, family breakdown, and a growing love of pleasure over God. This is described by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse—Mat 24:7–12.
Many people mistakenly believe that the troublesome signs in the modern world unfolding today— global calamities, technological advances and spiritual apathy align with biblical prophecy.
The same believers keep thinking and writing that the exact timing of Jesus’ second coming remains unknown, in the future. Many quote Matthew 24:36, But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
But they ignore verses 32-35: Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Jesus was addressing his disciples in the Olivet Discourse. And the NT writers wrote these words to believers long ago, not to us. As Mike Rogers writes “We should always respect scriptural time statements. God meant it when he said this “day of the Lord” was near. He wasn’t using elastic time (‘a thousand years is as a day’), dual fulfilment (this and that), or any other special interpretive device. We must not interpret terms like “near,” “soon,” “at hand,” and “this generation” to make them fit our preconceived ideas.”
Also please refer to Mat 10:23, 16:27-28 and 24:14 for confirmation of the second coming time.
My friends, those texts must mean that Christ has already returned sometime in the first century!
The only other rational option you have is to believe Jesus was mistaken and that is impossible.
All futurist views of eschatology say that Christ comes at the end of the current Christian age. However, the Bible is clear that the Christian age has no end! Furthermore, the Bible – in spite of the popular views of the end identifies “the last days” not as the end of time, not as the end of the Christian age, but, as the last generation of the Old Covenant Age of Israel. That age came to its cataclysmic end in AD 70!
This realisation has changed the lives of countless believers, dispelling the fear that the end is near.
I write as one who joyously and thankfully realised this truth only several years ago. I have joined an ever increasing number of believers around the world.
Come join us in our happiness!
There’s much to be done in the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58.
Or prove me wrong!
Ian Thomson 