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“Last Days” in John 6

By November 1, 1997November 9th, 2022No Comments

Q.

It seems that Scripture often uses the phrase “last day(s).” I am wondering what it means in John 6:40.

A.
You are correct in your observation that Scripture frequently uses the term to refer to somewhat different times. These uses can generally be divided into two groups: those referring to the church and those referring to Israel.

John 6:40 reads, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The passage refers to the church of Jesus Christ. It is simply saying that ail those who belong to Christ and have died in Him will be raised up on the coming day of resurrection (the last day). Regarding believers, the “last day” is the day when the Lord Jesus will come in the air, the dead in Christ will rise first, and the living believers will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air, to be forever with Him (commonly called the Rapture; see 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

This article appeared in the “Q & A” column of the Baptist Bulletin (November 1997) by Norman A. Olson. 

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