Are we living in the last days? #

The majority of people across churches and denominations around the world emphatically declare that we are. They speak of the “last days” but, in doing so, seem to overlook what Jesus and the prophets have said about the last days. This study is known as “eschatology,” or the study of the end times.

The word “eschatology” is derived from two Greek words:

“Eschatos” – meaning “last things”

“Logos” – meaning “word,” “subject,” or “message.”

When we misunderstand the eschatology of Jesus, we create our version—one that is often inaccurate—and in doing so, we miss the Kingdom. Ministers, scholars, popular authors, and speakers have produced numerous sermons and a myriad of books on topics such as the approaching second coming of Christ, the end of the world, the thousand-year (millennial) reign, and our future home in heaven. The New Testament prophecies, especially from the book of Revelation and the writings of apostles Paul and Peter, are often considered the source of these concepts.

I have personally found that many are captivated by these prophecies, as they appear to be one of the few biblical components that seem to directly affect the church today, alongside the major themes of salvation and future glorification. This generation is eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecies that the New Testament apostles spoke about.

The most widely discussed topics today include the Anti-Christ, the Beast, the Rapture of the Church, tribulation timelines, the emergence of the modern state of Israel, the mark of the beast, and the writings of Revelation and Daniel. There has been much effort to show how current events and figures align with these signs, visions, and prophetic timelines. To those who embrace these theories, these events indicate the imminent end of the world in our times.

Understanding Prophecy #

The Olivet Discourse is a chronological prophecy of events spoken by Jesus. Over the years, many have tried to align these and other prophecies with contemporary world events. We are often told to look to the Middle East and the State of Israel to understand the fulfillment of these prophecies.

Prophecy scholars and teachers often quote passages from both the Old and New Testaments to support their arguments. However, the error is in applying these prophecies to our time. We must look to the time of Jesus to determine whether these prophecies were fulfilled, not to present-day events. I have come to understand that prophecies are time-bound and were primarily for the generation to whom they were spoken.

When interpreted correctly, the many “proof texts” offer an accurate revelation of these prophecies. However, when we remove them from their historical and cultural context, the Bible can seem filled with mysteries and inconsistencies. This can lead to confusion, discouragement, or even fear for the reader.

The Principle of Context #

A crucial principle in biblical interpretation—often referred to as hermeneutics—is the principle of context. It asserts that no passage of Scripture can be properly interpreted in isolation. Each passage must be understood within its immediate and general context.

Immediate context refers to the verses immediately before and after the one being examined.

General context refers to what the Bible says as a whole about the subject.

If our interpretation of any passage contradicts the teaching of another passage, then we have erred. Keeping this in mind, we will interpret these verses using the context principle.

The Four Aspects of Christ #

There are four key statements about the Messiah in the Old Testament, each beginning with the word “Behold”. These are:

Zechariah 9:9 – “Behold, your King, O Israel!”

Isaiah 52:13 – “Behold, my Servant!”

Zechariah 6:12 – “Behold, the Man!”

Isaiah 40:9 – “Behold, your God!”

These four statements foretell Christ’s roles, which are revealed in the four Gospels. Each Gospel highlights a different aspect of Christ:

Matthew portrays Christ as the King.

Mark identifies Him as the Servant.

Luke presents Him as the Son of Man.

John reveals Him as the Son of God.

These portrayals provide us with four aspects of our Lord’s character. The Gospels are, in essence, eyewitness accounts: Matthew and John were direct disciples of Jesus, while Mark and Luke wrote their accounts based on those who knew Him personally.

The Gospel of Matthew: Christ as King #

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and the King of the universe. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” appears thirty-two times in Matthew, but nowhere else in the New Testament. This distinctive feature underscores the kingship of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.

Matthew’s Gospel includes more references and allusions to the Old Testament than any other book in the New Testament—around 130.

The phrase “that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled” appears twelve times in Matthew, but not once in the other Gospels.

This emphasis highlights how Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies and how Matthew sought to show His kingship through the fulfillment of the Scriptures.

In Christ,
Shaliach