NOTE #1: In Acts 2:16-18, the Apostle Peter — who had just been filled with the Holy Spirit — is clearly saying two things: Joel’s prophecy was being fulfilled at that time during the First Century, and that period was also the Last Days. The phrase “last days” does NOT mean from 30 AD to the 21st Century, as some modern, Futurist-leaning Bible teachers erroneously teach. That is a false doctrine of men.
NOTE #2: The fact that in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 the Apostle Paul includes himself by saying “we” is clear proof that he was expecting Christ’s soon return, and he was hoping to still be alive to witness it.
NOTE #3: In Hebrews 1:1-2, the phrase “last days” refers to the very end of the Prophet Daniel’s 70 weeks — or 490 years — prophecy. It has nothing to do with our modern times, as Futurists claim.
NOTE #4: In Hebrews 10:37, the phrase “a little while” does NOT mean 2,000 years in the future as the Futurists claim.
NOTE #5: In James 5:2-3, 7-8, the Apostle James is likewise confirming that it was the Last Days, and he was convinced that Jesus would be returning soon.
NOTE #6: 1 Peter 4:7 confirms the phrase “in these last days” mentioned in Hebrews 1:1-2 above.
NOTE #7: In 1 John 2:18, not once, but twice, the Apostle John tells his readers that it is the Last Time, or the very end of the Prophet Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy.
Conclusion: Peter, James and John — who were Jesus’ inner circle — as well as the Apostle Paul, were all convinced that Jesus would return during their lifetimes, exactly as He had promised them in these verses:
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, AND RECEIVE YOU unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also . . . I will not leave you comfortless: I WILL COME TO YOU.” John 14:2-3, 18, KJV
How can so many modern, Futurist-leaning Christians continue to resist the plain truth of the Scriptures?
“Apostles Were Convinced Jesus Would Return Soon” KJV Bible Verse List:
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. … Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice.” — George Washington, 1st US President, 1789 to 1797, Founding Father
“The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” — John Adams, 2nd US President, 1797-1801
“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God, [and] that they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever.” — Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US President, 1801-1805, author of the Declaration of Independence
“The only true basis of all government [are] the laws of God and nature. For government is an ordinance of Heaven, designed by the all-benevolent Creator” — Samuel Adams, Statesman, political philosopher, Founding Father
“The birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” — John Quincy Adams, 6th US President, 1825 to 1829
“In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it, we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.” — Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President, 1861 to 1865
“Now, the best religion the world has ever had is the religion of Christ. A man or a community adopting it is virtuous, prosperous, and happy. … What a great mistake is made by him who does not support the religion of the Bible!” — Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th US President, 1877-1881
“I assume the arduous and responsible duties of president of the United States, relying upon the support of my countrymen and invoking the guidance of Almighty God. Our faith teaches that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers, who has so singularly favored the American people in every national trial and who will not forsake us so long as we obey his commandments and walk humbly in his footsteps.” — William McKinley, 25th US President, 1897 to 1901
“The teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally — I do not mean figuratively, I mean literally — impossible for us to figure to ourselves what that life would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose almost all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards toward which we, with more or less of resolution, strive to raise ourselves.” — Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President, 1901 to 1909
“The same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe — the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.” — John F. Kennedy, 35th US President, 1961 to 1963
“And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and THOU SHALT CALL THEM TO MIND among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, And SHALT RETURN unto the LORD thy God, and SHALT OBEY his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; That THEN the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee. And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.” Deuteronomy 30:1-10, KJV
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24, KJV
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22, KJV
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” 2 Thessalonians 2:9, KJV
“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” Revelation 13:13-14, KJV
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:13-14, KJV
“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Revelation 19:20, KJV
Note: In the Bible both candles and oil represent the presence of the Spirit. Likewise, Jesus taught that His Word is Spirit and Life. The Spirit of God is a Creative Force. Thus, when God spoke the Word through Jesus, everything was created. Similarly, when Jesus spoke the Word, people were spiritually and physically healed. Thus we see that the Word is like a healing balm, or oil.
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20, KJV
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are life.” John 6:63, KJV
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Matthew 8:5-13, KJV
“When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:” Matthew 8:16, KJV
“And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.” Luke 7:2-10, KJV
“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13, KJV
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16, KJV
“And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” Mark 6:13, KJV
“I am not ashamed”, Apostle Paul wrote,
That should be our battle cry as well,
For if we knowingly deny Jesus Christ,
Before His Father will He call us “pal”?
Likewise, the Lord said in the Gospels,
Under a bushel we can’t hide our light,
Very high on a candlestick we place it,
So that it will brighten the darkest night.
Thus we see we have a very sacred duty,
Tho dark forces seek to smother us out,
We must resist their tactics and pressure,
So the world knows what Jesus is about.
