Rightly Divide: Last Days Believers and the Spirit

You have likely heard the term ‘the last days’ - it’s often used in relation to events occurring in the days we live in as proof that we are in the end times. 2 Timothy 3:1 says “difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy…(HCSB)” - and the list continues. Looking at this verse, we might agree that we are in the ‘last days,’ as this list of ‘symptoms’ seems to be prevalent in our society.

2 Peter 3:3 uses the term ‘last days’ in much the same manner: “First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, living according to their own desires, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? Ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation (HCSB).’"

Acts 2 also uses the term ‘last days’ as a time frame for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, which began at Pentecost. Acts 2 records the events of the upper room and the pouring out of what Jesus called the “gift” and “power from on high (Luke 24)” as part of ‘last days’ events. Both Joel and Acts record that this gift is for “you, your sons and daughters, and those that are far off [into the future].” This same chapter of Acts states that this gift of power is to be functioning and used between Pentecost and the “Day of the Lord,” which begins at the opening of the 7th seal in Revelation 8.

So we see that we are in the 'last days.' And we also see that God has gifted us with power for these ‘last days’ in the form of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, effective from the time of Pentecost until the “Day of the Lord.” This is the time frame of the 'last days,' according to Acts 2.

This is how we allow scripture to interpret scripture – in this case defining the term ‘last days.’ I ask you to read and study these if you question the involvement of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church – especially if you have been taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit has ended. This baptism is for the empowerment of God’s people – to be effective witnesses for Him and to enable us to live a life of grace and power as His representatives. If we agree that we are in the ‘last days’ then we can be certain that this gift is still being poured out.

We are in dire times – in the ‘last days.’ There is no time for disputes over doctrine – we must simply read the Bible for ourselves and rightly divide the words by His Spirit. Since we are in the ‘last days’, we can accept the ‘last days’ gift of the Holy Spirit and be empowered as His witnesses to the ends of the earth! All doctrinal differences aside – these are the words of the Bible, not man’s doctrine. I implore you to read it and then receive His empowerment as a ‘last days’ believer!

(Excerpts taken from writings on “Power for the Last Days” by Barbara Kopitzke)