The Last Days According to the Epistles

Recently, I received challenging comments from a visitor to my article 'Jesus Fulfilled the Promise of His Second Coming'. The posts contained 41 verses of Scripture in opposition to my 'end times' view, with a significant number from the Epistles. Hence, I will attempt to support my view by quoting the writers of the Epistles.

Three important facets for consideration:

(a) Translation (b) Tribulation (c) Transition

The King James Version

Translating the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into English has been a formidable task for translators. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to the scholars who dedicated their lives to translating the Scriptures for our enlightenment.

Personally, I favour the King James Version, but I acknowledge there are inconsistencies that require careful scrutiny. My second choice is Young's Literal Translation.

Robert Young's Literal Translation

Robert Young was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1822 and died in 1888. He was a member of the Free Church of Scotland, formed in 1843. His printing company first published his Literal Translation of the Bible in 1862. Many scholars have paid tribute to his literary works.

Robert Young, by diligence and dedication, uncompromisingly highlighted discrepancies in previous translations that may have curtailed our understanding of the Scriptures relating to the 'last days'.

A prime example of inconsistency in the King James, as well as other versions, is the translation of the Greek ‘mello’, which literally means ‘about to’. Fortunately, Young was articulate throughout his translation, thereby allowing us further insight for our deliberation.

A Quote from Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries

‘G3195 μέλλω mellō mel’-lo – A strengthened form of G3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend, that is, be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation): – about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.’

King James Concordance

‘Mello’ appears 82 times in the King James Concordance, translated five times only as ‘about to’ and never in verses associated with the ‘end times’.

It is of course essential to consider context, audience relevance, and prevailing circumstances when using a literal translation. Nevertheless, if the literal meaning of ‘mello’ (about to) was not applicable on 77 occasions out of 82, then surely the New Testament writers would have chosen an alternative Greek word to convey what they meant.

Providing we are willing to lay aside presupposition and take a fresh look at the Epistles, we will find an even greater level of expectation concerning the ‘about to’ return of Christ.

Examine closely the following Scriptures and notice the sense of immediacy in Young's translation. I use the word immediacy since Dispensationalism has sabotaged the meaning of imminency.

In Young's version, Matthew wrote the Son of Man 'is about to' come in judgement. Similarly, Luke proclaimed the Olivet discourse prophecies 'are about to come to pass'. Paul taught the resurrection was 'about to' take place!

A prolonged delay of 2000 years in Christ's return was never on the agenda as far as Jesus and the Apostles were concerned. Did they get it wrong? Of course they didn't.

Another example relevant to understanding the Epistles is Young's translation of the Greek 'aion', which literally means 'age', as in 'period of time'.

A Quote from Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries

'G165 αἰών aiōn ahee-ohn' - From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): - age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). Compare G5550.'

King James Concordance

'Aion' appears 129 times in the King James Concordance, 72 times translated 'ever', 37 times 'world', but never 'age'. This is extremely misleading.

In Matthew 13, Jesus endorsed John the Baptist's warnings of pending judgement on Old Covenant Israel. During the parable of the sower Jesus revealed the timeline of the fiery judgement, not at the 'end of the world', but at the 'full end of the age' (aion). What 'age' was Jesus referring to? Many scholars contend Jesus taught the judgement was at the end of the world, while others the end of the so-called 'Church' Age. Taking into account the correct translation of 'aion', along with context, audience relevance, Old Testament prophecy, and the predictions of Jesus, the 'age' was obviously the Old Covenant Age.

The Apostles wrote the Epistles during a time of intense trials and hardship for believers 'in Christ'. Not only persecution and martyrdom during the rule of Emperor Nero, the Church also suffered persecution instigated by Jewish religious leaders in a vain attempt to extirpate Christianity. Consequently, Judaisers infiltrated the Church to undermine the teachings established by the Apostles, hence the need for the Epistles. These letters were a source of encouragement, guidance, and teaching, while believers awaited the fulfillment of Christ's 'Olivet' prophecy.

Considering the early Church was going through such tribulation, it is inconceivable to imagine the Holy Spirit would have inspired the Apostles to emphasise Christ was 'about to' return, knowing the event was 2000 years in the future.

Consider the following Scriptures:

A further aspect to take into consideration concerning the Epistles is the 1st century Church lived through a period of covenantal change, described by some scholars as the Transition Period, or the 'already, but not yet'. This was a work in progress during Christ's ministry on Earth until the judgement in AD 70.

The Day of the Lord

Destruction and Dispersion

The Old Covenant Age was about to come to a catastrophic end, culminating in the great tribulation and judgement at the return of Christ.

Old Covenant Israel began with a 40 years period of wandering in the wilderness, and about to end with a 40 years period of subjugation and suffering.

• 1Pe 2:9-10 YLT and ye are a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness did call you to His wondrous light; 10 who were once not a people, and are now the people of God; who had not found kindness, and now have found kindness.

At the end of the transition period, the saints inherited the fulness of salvation and the Kingdom of God. Meanwhile, the Romans destroyed Old Covenant Israel and scattered abroad the survivors.

The Day of Redemption

Salvation

• Heb 1:14 YLT are they not all spirits of service—for ministration being sent forth because of those about to inherit salvation.

Through the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1st century believers were 'heirs' of salvation, the 'already, but not yet'. Believers were empowered by the Holy Spirit who was their guarantee while they awaited with anticipation the fulness of their salvation.

• Heb 9:28 YLT so also the Christ, once having been offered to bear the sins of many, a second time, apart from a sin-offering, shall appear, to those waiting for him—to salvation!

The Old Covenant high priest was a type and foreshadow of the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest.

On the Day of Atonement, Old Covenant Israel did not celebrate the forgiveness of their sins for that year until the high priest returned to the congregation from the temple Holy of Holies. The Lord Jesus Christ, the antitype, returned from the heavenly Holy of Holies to complete the redemption of the saints. Hence, the Epistles encouraged the faithful to continue through trials and persecution until the Day of Redemption.

Many scholars take issue with this view, insisting that believers still await the consummation of their salvation, even after 2000 years and counting!

• 1Pe 1:4-6 YLT to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in the heavens for you, 5 who, in the power of God are being guarded, through faith, unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time, 6 in which ye are glad, a little now, if it be necessary, being made to sorrow in manifold trials,

In his Epistle, Peter wrote to believers their trials would strengthen their faith and build character, bringing praise, honour, and glory, to Christ at His return.

According to Peter the great and the terrible Day of the Lord was at hand... Acts 2:19-20.

The Kingdom of God

• Mat 21:42 YLT Jesus saith to them, `Did ye never read in the Writings, A stone that the builders disallowed, it became head of a corner; from the Lord hath this come to pass, and it is wonderful in our eyes. 43 `Because of this I say to you, that the reign of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth its fruit;

Jesus told the Scribes and the Pharisees, because of corruption, desecration of the temple offerings, and their rejection of the Messiah, they had forfeited the Kingdom.

To a certain extent the saints already reigned with Christ during the 'already, but not yet'. However, during the transition period those 'in Christ' awaited patiently the casting out of all Christ's enemies that they might inherit the fulness of the Kingdom of God.

• 1Pe 2:9 YLT and ye are a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness did call you to His wondrous light; 10 who were once not a people, and are now the people of God; who had not found kindness, and now have found kindness.

Peter identified in his Epistle the nation to inherit the Kingdom, the elect remnant along with the Gentiles who were 'graffed' into the Israel of God.

Consider the following Scriptures:

Rev 21:3 and I heard a great voice out of the heaven, saying, 'Lo, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will tabernacle with them, and they shall be His peoples, and God Himself shall be with them—their God,

In the New Covenant Age, 'born again' believers have received their inheritance, salvation, and the Kingdom. Today, those 'in Christ' have an abundant entrance into the Holy of Holies, and fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Consider the following blessings and rejoice in our wonderful Redeemer!

It's a done deal!

What do you think?