Understanding the Beginning of the End
One of the most common questions Christians ask is: Are we living in the last days? The answer might surprise you—not just because it’s “yes,” but because we’ve been living in them for a long time. To understand this, we have to look back to Acts 2, where the Apostle Peter explains something extraordinary that happened at Pentecost.
The Scene: Pentecost and the Spirit
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descends on the followers of Jesus in power. Tongues of fire appear, people begin speaking in different languages, and the crowd is amazed—and confused. Some mock them, thinking they’re drunk.
That’s when Peter steps up and explains what’s really going on. He quotes the Old Testament prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…’” — Acts 2:17 (quoting Joel 2:28-32)
Peter is clear: What’s happening right now is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.
In other words, Pentecost marks the beginning of the “last days.”
What Are the “Last Days”?
The “last days” in Scripture don’t just refer to the final few years before Christ returns. Instead, they describe the entire period between Jesus’ first coming and His second coming. This period is marked by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the expansion of the gospel to the nations, and a call to live in readiness for Christ’s return.
The writer of Hebrews confirms this view:
“In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” — Hebrews 1:2
So according to the Bible, the “last days” began with Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, and the giving of the Holy Spirit—and they continue until He comes again.
Why This Matters
Understanding this gives us clarity and urgency:
- We are not waiting for the last days to start—we’re living in them.
God’s Spirit is active right now. The church age is not an intermission; it’s part of God’s final chapter for history.
- We must live alert and ready.
Just because the “last days” have lasted 2,000 years doesn’t make them any less urgent. Peter later writes that God’s timing is different from ours, and He’s patient—not wanting any to perish (2 Peter 3:8-9).
- The Holy Spirit has been poured out for power and mission.
Pentecost was not a one-time event—it launched a new era. Every believer has access to the Spirit’s power to proclaim Jesus boldly, just like Peter did.
Bottom Line
When people ask, “Are we in the last days?” you can confidently say, “Yes—and we have been since Acts 2.” That means every generation of Christians has lived with the same hope and urgency. We’re not just counting down the clock—we’re part of the mission of God in these last days.
