The Last Days For Israel and The Last Days For The Church
Every mention of the last days or the end times in the Bible does not talk about the same time period. The last days for Israel is the seven years of Tribulation, culminating with the Second coming of Jesus Christ. The last days for the Church is the church age, beginning with Pentecost and ending with the Rapture of the Church.
ISRAEL
Last Days
The Messiah will come from the tribe of Judah. Christ (Shiloh) will gather Israel together at the Second Coming.
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Genesis 49:1 [See Genesis 49:10]
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Genesis 49:10
Christ will set up the capital of his Kingdom in Jerusalem at his Second Coming.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Isaiah 2:2 [See Isaiah 2:1-3]
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. Micah 4:1
The Holy Spirit will work marvelously in all people at Christ's Second Coming.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, 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: [quote from Joel 2:28] Acts 2:16-17
And it shall come to pass afterward [after the Tribulation], that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:[the context is after the Day of the Lord, that is, after the Tribulation Joel 2:1] Joel 2:28
Latter Days
Jesus Christ is the Star out of Jacob, the Sceptre who will rule and reign in Israel.
And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people [Israel] in the latter days. Numbers 24:14 [See Numbers 24:17]
... there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel [the Messiah's Second Coming]… Numbers 24:17
After being scattered among the nations, Israel will return to the Lord during the Tribulation.
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; Deuteronomy 4:30 [See Deuteronomy 4:27]
Israel will go through the Tribulation because of the evil they would do.
For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 31:29
The Lord revealed the future great kingdoms. Christ's is the last kingdom to appear (at his Second Coming).
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days… Daniel 2:28
Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days [in the future]. Daniel 10:14
After a period of turning away, Israel will return to the Lord.
Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. Hosea 3:5
Latter Years
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
Ezekiel 38:8
Time of the End
So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face:
but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
Daniel 8:17
The End of Days
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Daniel 2:28
CHURCH
The Latter Times
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Timothy 4:1
The Last Days
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
[the last days for the church are prior to the Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3:10] 2 Peter 3:3
The Last Times
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 1 John 2:18
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude 1:18
The End of All Things
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1 Peter 4:7
The last days for the Church are coming to an end. The last days for Israel are about to begin!
James Utter