"THE TIME OF THE END"

Other Eschatological Expressions

INTRODUCTION
  1. Much of the confusion regarding the end times may be due to...
    1. To certain eschatological expressions, such as the "last days"
    2. Misunderstanding their use in the Scriptures
  2. In our previous study we saw from the New Testament...
    1. That we are now living in the "last days", the "ends of the ages" - cf. He 1:2; 9:26
    2. Even though the "last days" have encompassed almost two thousands years
  3. There are other eschatological expressions we should be careful to understand such as...
    1. The "last day"
    2. The "end of the age"
    3. The "day of the Lord"
    4. The "coming of the Lord"
    5. The "appearing of the Lord"
    6. The "revelation of the Lord"

[In this study, let's see how these six expressions are used in the Scriptures, beginning with...]

  1. THE LAST DAY
    1. EXAMPLES...
      1. Used of the resurrection from the dead - Jn 6:39-40,44,54; 11:24
      2. Used in reference to the day of judgment - Jn 12:48
    2. EXPOSITION...
      1. The "last days" (plural) cover the period of time between the Lord's first and second coming - He 1:2
      2. The "last day" (singular) is literally the last day as far as time on earth is concerned
      3. On that day, two great events occur: the resurrection of the dead and the day of judgment
        1. Yet according to some "end time scenarios", the resurrection is not on "the last day"
        2. Nor is the resurrection and the judgment at the same time

        [Jesus' use of the phrase "last day" does not fit premillennial scenarios which separate the resurrection of the righteous and the judgment by a thousand years. Another phrase used exclusively by Jesus is...]

  2. THE END OF THE AGE
    1. EXAMPLES...
      1. Jesus used this phrase in explaining two of His parables - Mt 13:39-40,49
      2. The disciples referred to it in asking Jesus questions - Mt 24:3
      3. Jesus made mention of it in the Great Commission - Mt 28:20
    2. EXPOSITION...
      1. The "end of the ages" (plural) cover the period of time between the Lord's first and second Coming - He 9:26
      2. The "end of the age" (singular) refers to the end of this present age, i.e., the end of time
        1. Note that Jesus also said "end of this age" - Mt 13:40
        2. At which time the great harvest, judgment and condemnation of the wicked will occur

        [Similar events (e.g., the judgment) will occur at "the end of the age" as on "the last day". Now let's consider a phrase commonly used to refer to different events...]

  3. THE DAY OF THE LORD
    1. EXAMPLES...
      1. Used frequently in the OT of God's judgment upon nations
        1. Babylon - Isa 13:1,6,9
        2. Egypt - Jer 46:1-2,10; Eze 30:1-5
        3. Israel - Joel 1:15; 2:1,11-14
      2. Used occasionally in the OT in reference to the day of judgment in the NT
        1. In the book of Joel, quoted by Peter - Joel 2:31; Ac 2:20
        2. In the book of Malachi, in anticipation of the coming John the Baptist - Mal 4:5
      3. Used in the NT in reference to:
        1. The judgment - 1Co 5:5; 2Co 1:14
        2. The coming of the Lord - 1Th 5:1-2
        3. The cataclysmic end of all things - 2Pe 3:10
    2. EXPOSITION...
      1. The "day of the Lord" may certainly refer to God's judgment on a particular nation or people
      2. In the NT, it's use in that sense may be implied by the context - e.g., Lk 17:22
      3. But generally in the NT, it appears to refer to the judgment to come at the "last day"

      [Context must determine whether the phrase "the day of the Lord" refers to the second coming of Christ, or some judgment of God upon a nation which prefigures the final judgment. The same is true with...]

  4. THE COMING OF THE LORD
    1. EXAMPLES...
      1. Used by both the disciples and Jesus in the Olivet discourse - Mt 24:3,27,37,39
      2. Used in reference to the resurrection - 1Co 15:22-23; 1 Th 2:9; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23
      3. Used in reference to other events at the coming of Jesus - 2 Th 2:1,8; 2Pe 3:4,12
      4. Christians encouraged to be patient for the coming of the Lord - Jm 5:7-8; 1Jn 2:28
      5. Used in reference to Christ's first coming - 2Pe 1:16
    2. EXPOSITION...
      1. The Greek word translated "coming" is parousia
        1. "presence, coming, or arrival" - Strong
        2. "a being near, that is, advent (often, return; specifically of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked) - ibid.
      2. Thus we find it used in two ways:
        1. To refer to Jesus' coming in judgment upon Jerusalem in 70 A.D., as foretold in Mt 24
        2. To refer to the Jesus' final coming in judgment upon all nations at the end of time

        [Again, context determines the proper understanding of phrases that may be used to refer to different events. This is true with yet another phrase...]

  5. THE APPEARING OF THE LORD
    1. EXAMPLES...
      1. Used in reference to the first coming of the Lord Jesus - 2 Ti 1:10
      2. Used most often to refer to His final coming - 1Ti 6:14; 2 Ti 4:1,8; Tit 2:13
    2. EXPOSITION...
      1. The Greek word translated "appearing" is epiphaneia
        1. "appearing, brightness" - Strong
        2. From which we get the word "epiphany"
      2. It is used in connection with:
        1. The day of Christ and coming of the Lord ("the brightness of His coming) - 2Th 2:1-3,8
        2. The day of judgment - 2Ti 4:1

        [Finally, we find this phrase or others similar to it...]

  6. THE REVELATION OF THE LORD
    1. EXAMPLES...
      1. Used by Paul referring to the second coming of Christ - 1Co 1:7; 2Th 1:7
      2. Used by Peter referring to the second coming of Christ - 1 Pe 1:7,13
    2. EXPOSITION...
      1. The Greek word translated "revelation" or "coming" is apokalupsis
        1. "appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation" - Strong
        2. This word emphasizes the visibility of the Lord's return
      2. We note it's use in regards to:
        1. Both the coming of the Lord and the day of the Lord - 1Co 1:7-8
        2. The grace and condemnation to be brought at that time - 2 Th 1:7-9; 1Pe 1:7,13
CONCLUSION
  1. We have briefly surveyed these six eschatological expressions...
    1. The "last day"
    2. The "end of the age"
    3. The "day of the Lord"
    4. The "coming of the Lord"
    5. The "appearing of the Lord"
    6. The "revelation of the Lord"
  2. We have seen that context determines their use and meaning...
    1. Three phrases sometimes refer to different events (day of the Lord, coming of the Lord, appearing of the Lord)
    2. Three phrases refer only to the second coming of Christ (last day, end of the age, revelation of the Lord)
  3. But in regards to the second coming of Christ, all six phrases used in reference to either or both...
    1. The resurrection of the dead
    2. The day of judgment that is to come

As we shall see in future lessons, these great events will occur at the same time, not separated by other significant events or periods of time...