What are the End Times?

[mikew]

This is kind of a survey. You may answer with multiple answers as appropriate. Please type the full description in the response -- to make it easier to follow.

What is the meaning or purpose of the End Times?

A. The end of the world
B. The end of time
C. The end of God's work through Israel
D. End of a covenant
E. Time of judgment of mankind in a narrow obligation toward God
F. The final judgment of all mankind that ever existed

If there are more than one end-times or if there is some other qualification, please mention that too?

[Paidion]

My belief is that the phrase "the end times" denotes the times at the end of this present age. This present age ends when Christ returns. Thus the times during which the events leading up to Christ's return take place, would be "the end times".

[mikew]

My belief is that the phrase "the end times" denotes the times at the end of this present age. This present age ends when Christ returns. Thus the times during which the events leading up to Christ's return take place, would be "the end times".

Well... Do any of the listed options occur at the time of Christ's return then?

[Sean]

To me it seems that most of the talk in the New Testament about the "end times" refers to the end of the Mosaic covenant and the destruction of those things associated with it (i.e. Jerusalem).

So i guess my answer is:

D. End of a covenant

[Paidion]

Yes,

A. The end of the "world" (actually "The end of the age").

For some unknown reason, some of the early translators translated the Greek word "aiōn" as "world" instead of "age".

[mikew]

I created this topic because it seems important for students of the end times to be able to explain what the end times is about. Also I thought it would be interesting to see what people think at this summary level.

I see that I also missed options.

The end times to me would be the "end of the age" which is the end of the covenant (where the promises to Israel had been fulfilled). Also I would include the time of judgment of mankind in a narrow obligation toward God --which includes the judgment of Jerusalem and of the nations.

[Mellontes]

There is great confusion about the end times to be sure. I think it all started as a "twist" of what Daniel said no less than five times in Daniel 8:17; 11:35, 11:40; 12:4, 12:9; and that being "the time of the end." Daniel said this time was to occur when:

"there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was" (Daniel 12:1)
"that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished." (Daniel 12:7)

Compare Daniel 12:9 with Revelation 22:10
Compare Daniel 12:1 with Matthew 24:21

In Genesis 49:1 Jacob tells what is going to happen to the Jewish nation in "the last days."
In Acts 2:16 Peter proclaimed that Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-31) had arrived. Under inspiration it is said these times referred to "the last days" (Acts 2:17).
"The last days" were part of Jesus' earthly ministry (Hebrews 1:2).
James told "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" that the rich of his day "have heaped treasure together for the last days"
Peter had forecast "scoffers" (Strong's 1703) would come in "the last days." Jude written very close to the destruction of Jerusalem says the "scoffers" (mockers), Strong's 1703 had arrived. Jude said "These are [present tense] spots in your feasts of charity." Jude also said "These [the scoffers] be they [present tense] who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit." The entire book of Jude gives description of these scoffers/mockers which had arrived - and had arrived in the first century.

There can be no mistaking "the last days" as applying to the Jews. It is not a Gentile thing. Judaism was obliterated, wiped out and extinguished almost 2,000 years ago. There is no more biblical Judaism being practiced anywhere because there is no temple in which to operate in. All the genealogies are gone, vanished, incinerated!

[Mellontes]

Yes,

A. The end of the "world" (actually "The end of the age").

For some unknown reason, some of the early translators translated the Greek word "aiōn" as "world" instead of "age".

"Little Child" at age 70 huh. Sounds a lot like me... My guess is the reason these translators made it "world" instead of "age" is because of the "physical" emphasis so prevalent in their exchatology. These futurists were expecting a literal, physical end of the planet, a literal, tangible, physical new heavens and earth, a literal, physical, new Jerusalem and many were expecting a physical, literal kingdom on earth with Christ sitting on a physical throne.