Rethink the "End Times"
Experience an eye-opening transformation into the heart of Jesus' teachings about the "last days" with the book "The Last Days Are Behind Us."
Unearth the rich layers of history, theology, and culture that have been embedded in the prophetic words of Jesus and His Apostles to gain a deeper understanding of the New Testament language.
This book will challenge your prevailing interpretations, empowering you with a perspective that liberates you from fear and anxiety associated with the so-called "End Times."
Benefits of Reading This Book:
Uncover hidden meaning and nuance
Feel liberated from fear and anxiety
Gain a deeper understanding of the New Testament language
If you’re ready to experience an enlightening and enjoyable journey into the True Meaning of Jesus' Teachings About The 'Last Days', then Step into a journey of enlightenment and liberation today!
What's Included:
Rigorous and in-depth analyses
Expertly curated Covenant Cards to deepen your comprehension of Biblical Greek terms
Approachable language and engaging storytelling
Fresh perspectives and nuances to challenge and enrich your understanding
Introduction
Yes, you read the title correctly! It’s absolutely true, the last days are behind us! You could equally say the last days are past days!
My aim is to present an optimistic and triumphant eschatology that more accurately reflects God’s love for humanity, as opposed to the fatalistic and escapist perspectives often associated with discussions
on the “last days”. In pursuit of this, I endeavor to clarify the meaning of terms such as “last days” as understood in the first century, along with the context in which Jesus and the Apostles utilized them when addressing their contemporaries. This knowledge can be an invaluable asset in your studies, particularly in interpreting critical passages. From personal experience, I can attest to the transformative and beneficial impact of such understanding.
I am excited to share that we are not alone in our journey. Colin MacIntyre, a true gift to the Body of Christ, has generously allowed us to use his study aids, Covenant Cards, throughout the following pages.
These cards will help you better understand the historical and cultural context and meaning of the words we will be studying shortly. I hope you find them helpful!
Chapter 7
The True Meaning of “Heaven and Earth” — Understanding the Jewish Temple in the First Century
Reflecting on the pivotal utterances of Jesus Christ, one profound statement stands out, enshrined in Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” To the modern mind, this may be seen as an abstract, prophetic statement about the end of the physical universe.
However, when viewed through the lens of first-century Jewish culture and symbolism,
a different interpretation emerges.
The Jewish temple, located atop a mountain, was often referred to as “heaven and earth” by the people of that era. This terminology encapsulates the temple’s unique status as a nexus point between the
divine and the earthly realms. Mountains, in the ancient world, were considered places where the earthly and heavenly realms met, and the temple was seen as the epitome of this connection. Thus, when Jesus
proclaimed, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away,” he was not foretelling the physical world’s demise. He was prophesying the destruction of the Jewish Temple, while affirming the
everlasting nature of his teachings.
A deep understanding of this perspective reveals that Christ’s statement was not foretelling the end of the physical universe, but instead prophesying the destruction of the Jewish temple. This prophetic statement was not about cosmic annihilation, but about monumental change within the religious and social landscape of His contemporaries.
In the heart of this sacred space - the temple, the Holy of Holies housed the Ark of the Covenant. This inner sanctum was the designated dwelling place for God’s Spirit, thus rendering the temple as a symbol of God’s presence among humanity. The Spirit of God resided here, linking heaven and earth, reinforcing the unique status of the temple.
Josephus, the first-century historian, explicitly confirms this symbolic interpretation of the temple. His writings depict the tabernacle - the precursor to the temple - as a reflection of the universe, a place designed as an emblem of the cosmos. According to Josephus, Moses divided the tabernacle into three parts, representing the land, the sea, and heaven - the third division set apart for God, symbolizing the heavens that were perceived as inaccessible to humans.
Therefore, in light of this cultural and symbolic context, we can gain a richer understanding of Christ’s words. His statement about heaven and earth passing away is more accurately interpreted as a signal of a
significant shift about to occur within the religious and social structures of His time, rather than a statement foretelling the end of the physical universe.
Consider now that the “last days” referred to in the Bible have already happened. This implies that the conventional understanding of the “last days” is substantially different from how Jesus and His disciples
would have interpreted it. It doesn’t question the Bible’s validity but suggests a reinterpretation. The “last days” symbolize the final phase of Old Covenant Israel, not the end of the world.
Quick Recap: Jesus’ statement that “heaven and earth will pass away” in Matthew 24:35 holds a deeper meaning when viewed through the lens of first-century Jewish culture. The Jewish temple, referred to as
“heaven and earth,” represented the connection between the divine and earthly realms. Jesus was prophesying the destruction of the temple and emphasizing the eternal nature of His teachings. Understanding this cultural context helps us grasp that Jesus’ words were not about the end of the physical universe but signaled a significant transformation in the religious and social landscape of His time. Additionally, the concept of the “last days” in the Bible should be seen as the final phase of Old
Covenant Israel rather than the end of the world.