Paul and John on the Last Days
Bible Text: II Timothy 3:1-4:10 | Preacher: Rev. Angus Stewart | Series: Belgic Confession 37, The Last Judgment | Article 37
THE LAST JUDGMENT
… And therefore the consideration of this judgment is justly terrible and dreadful to the wicked and ungodly, but most desirable and comfortable to the righteous and the elect; because then their full deliverance shall be perfected, and there they shall receive the fruits of their labor and trouble which they have borne. Their innocence shall be known to all, and they shall see the terrible vengeance which God shall execute on the wicked, who most cruelly persecuted, oppressed, and tormented them in this world; and who shall be convicted by the testimony of their own consciences, and, being immortal, shall be tormented in that everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
But on the contrary, the faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honor; and the Son of God will confess their names before God His Father and His elect angels; all tears shall be wiped from their eyes; and their cause, which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God. And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them to possess such a glory as never entered into the heart of man to conceive.
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).
The 9 New Testament Verses on the Last Days
Acts 2:17: “And it shall come to pass in the last days [heemera], saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”
I Timothy 4:1: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times [kairos] some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
II Timothy 3:1: “This know also, that in the last days [heemera] perilous times shall come.”
Hebrews 1:2: “Hath in these last days [heemera] spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”
James 5:3: “Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days [heemera].”
I Peter 1:20: “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times [chronos] for you.”
II Peter 3:3: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days [heemera] scoffers, walking after their own lusts.”
I John 2:18: “Little children, it is the last time [hoora]: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time [hoora].”
Jude 18: “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time [chronos], who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”
For an in-depth consideration of John Calvin’s view of II Timothy 3, see John Calvin on the Last Days in II Timothy 3