When the author of Hebrews speaks of “these last days” in Hebrews 1:2, he refers to the era inaugurated by the coming of Jesus Christ. This phrase carries significant theological meaning within the broader context of Scripture, especially from a Reformed and amillennial perspective.
“These Last Days” in the Context of Redemptive History
The phrase “last days” is not meant to indicate the very end of the world, as some might assume, but rather the final phase of God’s redemptive plan. In biblical theology, history is divided into two major eras:
- The former days, marked by the old covenant, during which God spoke “at many times and in many ways” through prophets (Hebrews 1:1).
- The last days, inaugurated by the advent of Christ, when God has spoken definitively through His Son.
This understanding is rooted in the fulfillment of Old Testament promises, which anticipated the coming of the Messiah as the culmination of God’s saving work (Isaiah 2:2; Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:16–17). In Christ, these promises find their “yes and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Christ as the Culmination of Revelation
By declaring that God “has spoken to us by His Son” in these last days, the author emphasizes the finality and sufficiency of Christ’s revelation. The former revelations through the prophets were partial and preparatory, but Christ’s coming marks the completion of God’s self-disclosure (John 1:14, 18). The “last days” signify the time when God’s ultimate purposes are being revealed and fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus.
Eschatological Implications
From an amillennial perspective, the “last days” encompass the entire period between Christ’s first coming and His return. This period is eschatological in nature because it fulfills the promises of the Old Testament while awaiting their consummation at the end of the age.
For example:
- The kingdom of God is already inaugurated in Christ but not yet fully realized until His return (Luke 17:20–21; Revelation 11:15).
- Believers now live in the tension of the “already” and “not yet,” where salvation is secure, but the full restoration of creation is still to come (Romans 8:18–25).
Practical Significance for Believers
The recognition that we are living in “these last days” shapes how Christians understand their place in history and their relationship with God:
Urgency of the Gospel: This period is the climactic moment in redemptive history, calling all people to repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 17:30–31).
Confidence in Christ’s Sufficiency: Since God has spoken fully and finally through His Son, believers can rest assured that they have everything needed for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
Hope in the Coming Consummation: While we await Christ’s return, we live in hope, knowing that God’s redemptive plan is unfolding according to His sovereign purpose (Hebrews 9:28).
Conclusion
When the author of Hebrews speaks of “these last days,” he is proclaiming the glorious reality that the long-anticipated fulfillment of God’s redemptive promises has come in Christ. This era, in which we now live, is the age of salvation and the unfolding of God’s final purposes. It calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, as we await the consummation of His kingdom.
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