The Last Days and Prophecy Fulfilled by Gerry Watts

The Last Days

and Prophecy Fulfilled

By Gerry Watts



   There are many Bible teachers today who argue the point that, throughout the New Testament, the last days and the return of Christ are said to be near, at hand, very soon, right at the door, etc, and they also believe that Jesus implied to His disciples that He would return within their lifetime. This is then used to 'prove' that Christ must have returned in the 1st century AD so that all prophecy could be, and allegedly was, fulfilled. This belief is called Preterism (meaning past fulfillment).

   Ultimately, I believe this viewpoint falls far short of the truth. On the one hand it recognises the errors of ultra-literalism and Dispensationalism, but on the other it fails to acknowledge the correct place of NT prophecy, particularly the book of Revelation (which many Preterists believe was fulfilled in AD 70 in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple).

   The interesting thing is that those who believe this line of thinking are those who usually emphasise that we should interpret the Scriptures 'spiritually' or allegorically (which is the only way of believing the Preterist interpretation that the return of Christ has already occurred). Yet I believe that the common argument in relation to the length of the last days is due to taking the Scriptures too literally when it comes to viewing time for the believer and the last days! Let me explain this.

Firstly, God is outside of Time, for He created it, and therefore, as the scriptures say, 'a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day or a watch in the night' (2 Peter 3:8-9; Psalm 90:4). So God is not slow in keeping His promises as some understand slowness. Peter made this abundantly clear in his second letter.

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." ...
...But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance...

...Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

( 2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9, 15-16 NIV)

   Peter is clearly indicating that the last days, which had already begun in the 1st century, would last a long time, therefore many would come scoffing about the return of Jesus, denying that it will ever occur. But he says that we should not understand time in a purely human sense, because if we do, God does appear to be slow in keeping His promise of the New Creation. The truth is that we must understand time from God's perspective, where 1000 years are like a day, hence, He is not really slow in fulfilling His Word at all.

   Peter also emphasises that the reason behind the seeming delay of the Day of the Lord (that is, Christ's return) is to allow time for repentance and growth among the people of God so that all may be saved. (Take note that, writing to Christians, he says 'He is patient with YOU not intending any to perish.' In the context, Peter is not talking about the salvation of all here, nevertheless, the principle of God's grace and patience will ultimately lead all mankind to repentance in the age to come, for God intends to save all eventually. This is His heart's desire and ultimate purpose).

   God's patience and grace means salvation for His chosen ones through many generations. If God hadn't been patient this long, I would not be writing these lines and you would not be reading them - because we would not exist! Peter also states that Paul wrote extensively about these things in all his letters, for it was Paul who revealed the fullness of truth about the present administration of Grace and the Times of the Nations. Nevertheless, one day this present age, and this Old Creation, will come to an end.

   The OT era primarily focused on the Times of the Hebrews through the nation of Israel, but since the 1st century AD, at the coming of Christ in the fullness of time, which began the last days, the NT era is primarily focused on the Times of the Nations through the Christian Church.

   Secondly, the believer is not to view time in a strictly linear sense. Let me briefly explain this. As far as every believer is concerned (as well as all mankind) the coming of Christ will seem to have occurred in their lifetime! This is because death is a sleep. It is a place of unconsciousness where time is not reckoned. So even in death, the next waking moment for a believer will be the coming of the Lord, the First Resurrection! In fact, it will be the era of resurrection and judgment for all mankind. So Christ and His kingdom rule is truly near to all His people, whatever the generation, even if they die (or fall asleep).

   Thirdly, nowhere in Scripture does it clearly indicate how long the Last Days are actually going to last before Christ returns. It is left open. It could be in any generation, therefore we are to keep watch. The Last Days began in the 1st century AD, and they are being stretched or extended indefinitely in relation to linear time, that is, through succeeding generations, yet the ultimate Day of the Lord will occur in God's time as promised by Jesus Himself. So our view of time and the last days should not be too literal, viewed from the human perspective.

What are the Last Days?

   Now let us take a brief look at some of the texts that talk about the last days.

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
In the last days
       the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established
       as chief among the mountains;
       it will be raised above the hills,
       and all nations will stream to it.
Many peoples will come and say,
       "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
       to the house of the God of Jacob.
       He will teach us his ways,
       so that we may walk in his paths."
       The law will go out from Zion,
       the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 2:1-3 NIV; see also Micah 4:1-2)

   This scripture was fulfilled in the days leading up to the coming of Jesus when the Second Temple, which became known as Herod's Temple after he enlarged it, was regularly visited by Jews and Gentiles from all over the world. It has also been fulfilled in Jesus Himself, as He is the true Temple of God, as well as the true King of the New Jerusalem. It is also spiritually fulfilled in the Body of Christ Ecclesia, which is composed of Jew and Gentile as the kingdom and figurative temple of God. The Gospel has gone forth to the whole world. Therefore, even in the OT, 'the last days' referred to the days of the Messiah. This is confirmed in the NT as being fulfilled in Jesus.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

(Hebrew 1:1-2 NIV)

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

(1 Peter 1:20 NIV)

   On the Day of Pentecost in 33 AD, when Peter gave his speech to those in the temple courts, he quoted from Joel to confirm that these prophecies were being fulfilled through Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

"No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
" 'In the last days, God says,
      I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
   Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
      your young men will see visions,
      your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
      I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
      and they will prophesy."

(Acts 2:16-18 NIV)

   This again confirms that these events in the 1st century AD were 'the last days.' This is why Paul could say that, even in the 1st century, the end of the ages have already arrived upon the people of God.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

(1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV)

   He also spoke to Timothy about the last days.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

(2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV; see also 1 Timothy 4:1)

   In this text, Paul is describing the moral condition of the last days - and this is describing the Christian Church! He is speaking of the Apostasy that was to come in the form of the religion of Christendom and Papal Rome, besides some of the Christian Gnostic sects.

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

(1 John 2:18 NIV)

   In this text, John is also speaking of the then-coming apostasy of the Christian Church and the antichristian kingdom that would arise. Yet he also stated that many antichrists, that is, counterfeit, replacement christs, were already emerging in the 1st century AD within the early church. He was probably referring primarily to the rise of the Gnostic Christian sects of that early period, although the ultimate antichrist was to come in the form of Papal Rome. And, speaking figuratively, he states clearly that 'this is the last hour' - even though he spoke this towards the end of the 1st century AD.

   Peter also confirms that 'the end of all things is near.' Again, this is to be understood in spirit, rather than as linear time.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

(1 Peter 4:7-8 NIV)

   A similar thought is being proclaimed in Revelation 1:1-3.

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place (or what must occur swiftly - CV). He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (NIV)

   This was indicating that the prophecies contained within the vision of Revelation were about to begin to be fulfilled shortly after it was given to John. It is prophesying many spiritual and historical aspects of the past 2000 years. Most of it is now history, though there are many levels of truth by which this vision can be understood.

Has Jesus Returned?

   Another commonly, misunderstood text that is often used to 'prove' that Jesus must've returned in the 1st Century is that found in Matthew 10:23.

"I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." (NIV)

   Dispensationalists or futurists usually understand this as referring to a yet future time in which Israel will be evangelised in the midst of a Great Tribulation before Christ returns.

   Admittedly, this seems to be a difficult text to understand correctly, but if we take careful note of the context in which Jesus said this, and let scripture interpret scripture, then the difficulties disappear.

   In Matthew 10, we have the account of Jesus giving instructions to His twelve apostles before He sent them out in His Name to proclaim His message to the towns and villages of Israel. This occurred during His ministry. In verses 17-22, He begins to warn them about the persecution that they would face in the years just ahead of them, and of the awful condition in which the nation of Israel would find itself in the years to come. (The fulfillment of these things are recorded in the book of Acts, as well as in the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus, and others).

   Yet after saying this, Jesus returns to His instructions for them at that time, and He tells them that they 'will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.' He was telling them that within a short period of time, the spiritual kingdom of God was going to be established in power before they'd even finished taking the message through all the cities of Israel!

This spiritual kingdom truly arrived on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD at the coming of the Holy Spirit - and this is when the Son of Man, Jesus, came to them. For those of you who think that I'm changing the meaning of the phrase '...before the Son of Man comes,' here are a few texts that reveal that this Pentecostal event was truly 'a coming of Christ!'

"I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

(Matthew 16:28 NIV)

And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

(Mark 9:1 NIV)

   In this instance, Jesus was probably referring to the vision of His Transfiguration, which Peter, James and John were to witness about a week later, as well as His spiritual coming at Pentecost. Either way, He was telling His disciples that some of them wouldn't experience death before they would see His coming. He clearly wasn't referring to His Second Coming, the ultimate Day of the Lord, because those disciples are all long dead and Christ hasn't visibly returned, as yet, in power and glory for all to see!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you."

(John 14:18-20 NIV)

   At the Last Supper, we have Jesus promising His disciples that, even though He would be leaving them, He would also be coming to them, and that they would see Him, and He would be in them, causing them to live in the power of the kingdom. This was all spoken in the context of the resurrection of Jesus, and the subsequent promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit, which was fulfilled at Pentecost that same year.

   This should be sufficient to highlight the meaning of what Jesus was saying in Matthew 10:23.

Israel and the Church

   I have also come to notice that many of those who hold to the preterist view of the book of Revelation, and prophecy in general, often fail to see that prophetic scripture is revealed as succeeding patterns that lead to at least two fulfilled events, first in the soulish, natural realm (that which is historical and largely quite literal), and then in the spiritual, allegorical realm (that which is still historical, but largely figurative and allegorical). And all prophecy does not end with the 1st century AD!

   This can be described in terms of Old Covenant fulfillment; then New Covenant fulfillment. Or Old Creation fulfillment; then New Creation fulfillment. Every prophecy has had an OT fulfillment via ancient Israel, which has been largely literal concerning the physical nation, land, city, and temple of God. Yet since the coming of Jesus the Messiah and the establishing of the New Covenant, these prophecies are having a NT fulfillment in Jesus and His Church (or Ecclesia), the true spiritual Israel of God, and this is largely spiritual and allegorical (though, of course, this doesn't rule out a literal historical fulfillment of prophecy as well).

   There has been a literal history of the OT Church (via Israel), as well as a history of the NT Church (via Christendom). Both eras have similar patterns to them. The first Era closed with the First Appearance of Christ, and the second will close with the Second Appearance of Christ.

   There can also be a number of historical fulfillments that are leading to an ultimate fulfillment. This is how the Holy Spirit of God uses and interprets Scripture. A major case in point would be the Day of the Lord itself, for there have been a number of these prophesied 'Days of the Lord' within history, yet there is still the ultimate one to come. For further study of this, see The Day of the Lord, the Return of the King.

   We also need to understand that the apostles accepted the fact that they weren't necessarily going to see the Day of the Lord in their generation. Jesus even told them that they wouldn't see that Day in their lifetime!

Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."

(Luke 17:22-25 NIV)

   So the doctrine of Imminency is not quite correct, which says that the return of Christ could've occurred at any time from the 1st century onwards. Also, both Peter and Paul knew that they were going to die without seeing the Day of the Lord.

I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

(2 Peter 1:13-15 NIV)

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

(2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV)

   Paul had taught quite early in his ministry that the prophecies of Daniel had to be fulfilled first before the Day of the Lord could arrive. He may not have actually mentioned the book of Daniel, as Jesus did in His Olivet Discourse, but it is very evident to anyone who knows the scriptures that Paul was getting this information from the prophecies of Daniel and Jesus Himself.

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion (the apostasy - CV) occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 NIV)

   This is in complete accord with the prophecy of Daniel 7 which prophesied that the Beast Empire of Rome would eventually 'fall' and be divided into ten kingdoms, after which another kingdom would arise to become an antichrist kingdom that would trample on the saints of God with great power, while it's ruler would speak great blasphemies. All of this was also in accord with the teaching of Jesus about a coming apostasy of 'wheat and tares' in the kingdom of God.

   So Paul was clearly saying that before the Day of the Lord would occur, there would have to be the Apostasy, and the fall, and division, of the Roman Empire (which was evidently holding back the rise of Christendom at that time, the secret power of lawlessness within the Church), followed by the rise of the antichrist kingdom (Papal Rome), which would persecute the true saints of God for a specified period of time. This would then fulfill the prophecies of Daniel and Jesus.

   The historical fulfillment of these things are self-evident to anyone who knows a little about history. Therefore, now, the Day of the Lord is truly imminent!

   Now let us briefly consider a few examples of how OT prophecy is applied in the NT.

Prophecy Fulfilled

The greatest and clearest example we have of prophecy being fulfilled, that is, how the Spirit of God uses prophecy, is in the First Coming of Christ and the events associated with it. Every instance where an Old Testament text is used in relation to Christ and the surrounding events recorded in the Gospels, as well as in the writings of the Apostles, it is taken in a literal historical sense! Even where there are figures of speech in the original prophecies, as well as in the spiritual application of their fulfillment, the prophecies were fulfilled in real people and real events and real places. They were fulfilled literally in real events, yet they can also have a spiritual, allegorical application. This is still the case with most NT prophecies as well.

   Even the prophecies of Daniel (some of which continue in the book of Revelation), which were communicated with highly symbolic language and vision, have virtually all been fulfilled quite literally in history. This confirms that an historical interpretation is correct, and this should also be used for the interpreting of the vision of Revelation. Yet the source of these visions were spiritual, and there are therefore spiritual elements to the prophecies as well.

   Some of the OT prophecies are clearly in a Messianic context in the Hebrew Scriptures, and even the Jewish Scribes and Rabbis knew this. For example, they knew that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem of Judah (Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:3-6). Yet there are other prophecies that are not so obvious, and their meaning appears hidden, without any clear indication that they are Messianic. Many of the prophecies in the Psalms are like this.

   Here are a few examples from the writings of the prophets.

"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

(Jeremiah 31:15)

This prophecy was fulfilled a number of times in relation to the judgments that came upon Jerusalem and Judah from invading armies and evil tyrants, but it had a particular fulfillment during the era of Christ when Herod killed all the male children up to two years old around Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:16-18). Ramah was a town in the territory of Benjamin, in Judea, and Rachel's tomb was believed to be near Ramah and Bethlehem. The mention of Rachel is clearly figurative here. She was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, both of whom represent the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. So Rachel represents the mothers of Israel.

This prophecy is describing great weeping and mourning in the vicinity of Bethlehem and Ramah because the mothers of Israel have been robbed of their children due to their son's deaths. This was literally fulfilled at the time of Christ. Yet the immediate context of this prophecy in Jeremiah has more to do with the judgment and restoration of Israel at the time of the Babylonian Captivity, rather than Christ's First Coming. It also had a final fulfillment in the Jewish/Roman War of 66-70 AD.

Here's another example.

"Out of Egypt I called my son."

(Hosea 11:1)

   In the context of this text in Hosea, this is describing the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. Israel was figuratively called God's Firstborn Son (see Exodus 4:22). Yet this is also prophetically applied to Jesus when, as a baby, He was called out of Egypt to go back to Israel with His parents (see Matthew 2:13-15). Jesus is the true Israel, He Who is 'upright with God' and He is the true Son of God. He literally went to Egypt as a babe and was divinely called out of there to return to Israel. This was fulfilled literally, though the original context in Hosea hides the fact that it was Messianic, and it also contains some figures of speech or spiritual metaphors.

Throughout the NT, followers of Christ Jesus are also called sons of God, the spiritual Israel of God, who have come forth from the figurative Egypt of the world system to inherit the true Promised Land of the spiritual kingdom of God. So on another level, this prophecy can refer to all believers.

   One more example will suffice.

"The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes."

(Psalm 118:22-23 NIV)

   Psalm 118 does not, at first, appear to be a Messianic psalm, yet a closer look will reveal messianic elements as to the establishing of God's kingdom. Yet this prophecy seems to appear out of nowhere in the text, talking about a stone being rejected by builders. This, of course, has reference to a temple.

   Yet it is evident from its use by Jesus (see Matthew 21:42) and Peter (see 1 Peter 2:7; Acts 4:11) that this Stone is referring to the Messiah, and the builders are representing the leaders of the house of Israel. Both Peter and Jesus, as well as Paul (Romans 9:32-33), link this prophecy to the more obvious messianic prophecies of Isaiah (see Isaiah 8:14; 28:16).

   Christ is the Stone that the leaders of Israel rejected and cast aside by crucifying Him. Yet this precious, chosen Stone has become the Cornerstone and Capstone of the building (that is, the true people) of God through His resurrection from the dead. The cornerstone and capstone were special stones that either began or completed a building. Christ Jesus is this Messianic Stone that Israel stumbles over. He is also the true Temple of God, and His followers are also a corporate spiritual temple in Christ.

   Although there are figurative elements to this prophecy, nevertheless, it was literally fulfilled in Jesus.

The NT only gives us a handful of prophecies that were fulfilled in the First Coming of Christ. There are numerous others that haven't been mentioned, but it shows us how to interpret the rest of the prophetic scriptures. There are also types and shadows contained in the Law that are fulfilled in Christ, especially in regard to the sacrifices. Even these had a literal fulfillment in Christ Jesus, Who is The Passover Lamb Who was sacrificed - even to the detail that 'not one of His bones was to be broken' (John 19:31-37; Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20).

   And in exactly the same manner, the remaining prophecies in the NT have been, and are being, and will be, fulfilled concerning this present age, the return of Christ, and the full manifestation of the kingdom in a New Creation.

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