Yes, it’s confusing. Furthermore, it really doesn’t help that the two terms are used interchangeably. Nevertheless, there is a significant difference between the Last Days and the End Times. We’ll uncover the truth about these prophetic terms and what the Bible says about them. Let’s dig in…
Here’s a short recap video…
When did the “Last Days” Start?
The Book of Hebrews says…
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV
So, the Last Days started with Jesus’ ministry. In the Old Testament, God spoke to the people through the prophets. Yet, the people didn’t listen. Or, they heard the Word, but failed to obey it. The last verses of the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, reads…
5 “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Malachi 4:5-6 NLT
For 400 years, between Malachi and Matthew, God was silent. Then the spirit of Elijah came in the voice of John the Baptist. All four Gospels cover it…
Obviously, in these Gospel chapters, Jesus started teaching about His Kingdom Come. As He was getting closer to the cross, He wanted to warn the disciples — and us — that things were going to get worse before His return — here’s the difference between the Rapture and Jesus’ 2nd Coming.
He clearly laid out what would be happening in the last days.
Check out these prophetic chapters…
When did the Birth Pains Start?
Bible prophecy scholars say that even though the Last Days started with Jesus’ ministry, everything that Jesus spoke about in the prophetic chapters, started accelerating in 1948 when the nation of Israel was born. Like birth pains, they start mild and are few and far between. With everything that’s going on today, we are not just seeing events coming more frequently and stronger, we are seeing a convergence of many of the prophecies coming true at once. Pastor Tom Hughes says we’re in the birth canal! Any day now!
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When will the Last Days end?
The Last Days end with the Rapture of the born-again believers. I don’t use the word “church” because many people THINK they’re Christians, but they are only Halfway Christians. Moreover, Halfway Christians will get left behind! Right now, we’re also in what’s called the “Church Age”. It’s the time when Jesus told His believers to go and make disciples in the Great Commission.
Bible Prophecy Timeline
When do the “End Times” Start?
Now that we know when the Last Days start and end, what comes next? The End Times start with the 7 Years of Tribulation. They start with the Antichrist — or the Beast, Son of Satan, Man of Lawlessness, Little Horn, Man of Sin — whatever you want to call him — rising to world power out of obscurity. The Rapture of the born again Christians is going to cause such chaos in the world, that people will look for a leader to help save the world.
What Will Trigger the End Times?
The Antichrist will sign a 7-year treaty with Israel. In my opinion, what makes sense to me, is that the Rapture will trigger the Ezekiel 38 war — the War Gog of Magog — against Israel. Probably those countries want to get all that gas that Israel has offshore in the Mediterranean. However, God wins the war for Israel as Ezekiel 39 predicts. Then, it would make sense for the Antichrist to step up and create this peace treaty with Israel.
Unfortunately, the Beast ends the treaty halfway through. He will enter the 3rd temple in Jerusalem and desecrate it. That will trigger the start of the Great Tribulation. You really don’t want to be around for that!
Yes, there will be people whose eyes are opened moments after the Rapture. In fact, that’s what my new novel is going to be about! Nevertheless, everyone who is left behind will have to go through the Great Tribulation and if they haven’t turned to Jesus — you will get a 2nd chance — they will have to take the Mark of the Beast.
What About You?
Now that the difference is clear, where do you stand? With Jesus?
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
