{
  "id": "dict_003204",
  "term": "Last Days",
  "slug": "last-days",
  "letter": "L",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "The “last days” refers to the climactic period of God’s redemptive work associated with Christ’s coming and the events leading to the completion of His kingdom. In the New Testament, this period is understood to have begun with Christ’s first coming and to move toward its future consummation.",
  "simple_one_line": "",
  "tooltip_text": "",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "The Bible uses “last days” for the decisive era in which God fulfills His saving purposes through Jesus Christ. The New Testament shows that this era was already underway in the apostolic age, while also pointing ahead to future events connected with Christ’s return, judgment, and the full restoration of all things. Because passages vary by context, interpreters should distinguish between the present age of fulfillment and its final completion.",
  "description_academic_full": "The phrase “last days” refers to the culminating stage of God’s plan in history, when His promises move toward fulfillment through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the expression can point forward to a future time of divine intervention and kingdom blessing. In the New Testament, the last days are presented as having begun with Christ’s first coming, His death and resurrection, and the outpouring of the Spirit, yet they also await a future consummation at His return. For that reason, many evangelical interpreters speak of the church as living in the last days now, while still looking for their final realization in the resurrection, judgment, and the full establishment of Christ’s kingdom. The safest conclusion is that the term names the present era of end-time fulfillment inaugurated by Christ and moving toward its certain completion.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "The “last days” refers to the climactic period of God’s redemptive work associated with Christ’s coming and the events leading to the completion of His kingdom. In the New Testament, this period is understood to have begun with Christ’s first coming and to move toward its future consummation.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/last-days/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/last-days.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}