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"THE
WORLD'S LAST HOUR HAS COME"
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come"
2Tim.3:1 NKJV. "Now
the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the
faith..." 1Tim.4:1. NKJV. "Little children, it is the last
time:..." lJn.2:18 KJV. Having given consideration to the phrase `last
day', we will now give close attention to our text and the phrase therein.
Looking at the above passages of the scriptures, can we say, the words `last
days' last times' and last time' are all speaking of the same thing or there is
a difference? Well we shall closely examine this later on, as it is most
relevant to this study. But giving due consideration to the application of the
word `TIME' in the Scriptures, it will be pertinent to observe that such phrases
as "END TIME"-or END TIMES" as commonly used by preachers could
be misleading. The reason is because if `last time' or `latter times' could be
translated to mean `end time' or `end times', the question then is, how many
unit of `times' do we have that are to end? But you see we can have `latter
times' in relation to the activities of man as allowed by God and as determined
by His plans of salvation. I think Scripturally we have "times of the
end": "latter time "; "last time" and not "end
time". Now when we talk of `time of the end' we simply mean the time,
period at which certain events or prophecies will end i.e. be fulfilled. That is
not the same thing as "end time" or "end of time". Now the
expression "time of the end" does not mean an "end of time"
but rather it denotes period of time that culminates in the end or destruction
not of all things as man is made to believe, but of the things mentioned in that
specific prophesy. This is so because in Ps. 104:5, we are told that the
foundation of the earth has been laid that it cannot be removed forever. See
also Gen. 8:22, Eccl.1:4, 3:10-I 1. Now since the earth will continue to exist,
it necessarily follows that `time' as an earthly `dimension' or `quality of
measurement' will not cease, therefore cannot `end', so you cannot have `end of
time' or `end time'. So you see the `time of the end' is often used in the
Scriptures to denote the conclusion of events of certain period of time. E.g.
the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem (2Chron.36:20-23, Dan.9:2). Again,
we can see in Dan. 12:4; that the prophesy of the book should be sealed up till
the `time of tire end'. That many shall run to and fro and knowledge
(wickedness) shall increase, but they shall not discover the truth". The
wise writer of SO
WHAT DO WE MEAN THE `LAST TIME' IJN.2:28? In
order to bring out the true meaning of the word here, let us compare other
translations. l.
Children, these are the last days ..... JB 2.
My Children, the end is near ........ GNV 3.
Children, this is the last hour ..........CEV 4.
Little Children, it is the last hour ....NKJV 5.
Little Children, it is the last time.... KJV 6.
Boys (lads) it is the last time - hour (the end of this age)....... AMP. 7.
Dear Children, this worlds last hour has come ...TLB So
what are we seeing here? Firstly, it has nothing to do with the end of human
race or the destruction of Planet earth. Again whether you say `last days',
`end', `last hour' or `last time', you are simply saying the same thing. That
is, the passing away - the end of the age of man's wisdom and effort to support
himself and create peace on earth. It is simply saying, the time God gave to man
to organize and find solution to human problems has come to an end as He
introduces His plans of Salvation. Hence the Living Bible says, "...the
world's last hour has come". Now do not forget that John wrote this in AD
95-96. Therefore looking at Scriptures like Rom.3:24-26+, we can clearly see
that the `last time; began even in the days of the apostles. "Both Jew and
Pagan sinned and forfeited God's glory, and both are justified through the free
gift of this grace by being redeemed in Christ Jesus who was appointed by God to
Sacrifice His life so as to win reconciliation through faith. In this way God
makes His justice known; first, for the past, when sins went unpunished because
He held His hand, then, for THE PRESENT AGE, by showing positively that He is
just, and that He justifies every one who believes in Jesus" JB see Acts
1:7. "To declare I say at this time His righteousness..." Rom.3:26 KJV.
Here you can see that the "Present age" is the same thing as
"this time" distinguishing it from the Last time of man's ignorance.
Are you seeing it? So what is this "present" age all about? This is
the age in God's plan of salvation, it is the appointed time for Christ's
redemptive work. And so we read "...since we are God's offspring, we ought
not to suppose that Deity - the God head - is like gold or silver or stone,
(that is, of the nature of) a representation by human art and imagination, or
anything constructed or invented. Such (former) ages of ignorance, God, it is
true, ignored and allowed to pass unnoticed: but now He charges all people
everywhere to repent - (that is) to change their minds for the better and
heartily to amend their ways with abhorrence for their past sins. Because He has
fixed a day when He will judge the world righteously (justly) by a man (the
corporate body of Christ) whom He has destined and appointed for that task, and
He has made this credible and given conviction and assurance and evidence to
everyone by raising Him (Christ) from the dead". Acts 17:29-31 AMP. The
Psalmist says "...He will judge the world in righteousness - rightness and
equity - He will minister justice to the people in uprightness" Ps.9:8. See
also 96:13: 98-9. "...for when thy judgements are in the earth, the
inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness" Isa.26:9 KJV. So you see
people of God, it takes the judgement of God to correct our wrong imaginations
of who God is and how to fellowship with Him. And that all men who have been
living in that realm of ignorance of true fellowship and relationship shall be
brought to a right standing (righteousness) with God in this present age - time
of salvation. Furthermore, the assurance and hope to that effect is the fact
that Christ rose from the grave. Praise God! And we rejoice in this assurance
Amen. Therefore we read "while we were yet in weakness - powerless to help
ourselves - at THE FITTED (appointed time Christ died for (on behalf of) the
ungodly "Rom.5:6 AMP (see 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus.1:3). So you see, the appointed
time that He came (Gal.4:4, Heb.7:27+) is the day God ordained to judge the
world (Acts17:31) in righteousness. "And just as it is appointed for (all)
men once to die (the day yore eat of this tree you shall surely die Gen.2:17,
Ps. 102:19-20) and after that the (certain) judgment, even so it is that Christ
having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins (which
causes death) of many once and for all ..." Heb.9:27-28 AMP. With this,
Christ introduced a new order of life which is the Messianic age - the time
appointed of God thereby closing up the age of mankind's struggles and ignorance
- the "last day" or "time" or "hour" of man. For
believers, we are in a new day (See Math.4:17, 16:3, Lk.4:13, To
be continued OGAGA O. DAVID |
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