Biblical Evidence that the Latter Days Have Already Begun

Greg Beales has a very helpful article, "Eschatology," in The IVP Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. In this article he provides biblical evidence that the latter days have already begun in Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Here is the basic outline.

The OT Concept of the “Latter Days”
The eschatological themes in the OT include a progression of events that would come about in the future. 1) Israel would experience a period of tribulation in exile because of unfaithfulness (Jer 23:20; 30:24). This tribulation would be marked by oppression (Ezek 38:14-17), persecution (Dan 10:14; 11:27-12:10), and false teaching/apostasy (Dan 10:14ff.; 11:27-35). 2) Israel would again come to seek the Lord (Hos 3:4-5), would be delivered (Ezek 38:14-16; Dan 10:14; 12:1-3), and judgment would come upon their enemies (Ezek 38:14-16; Dan 10:14; 11:40-45; 12:2). 3) These two eschatological realities (judgment and deliverance) would come about through a leader who would come and defeat Israel’s enemies (Gen 49:1, 8-12; Num 24:14-19; Isa 2:2-4; Mic 4:1-3; Dan 2:28-45; 10:14-19). 4) There would be a resurrection from the dead (Dan 12:2). 5) God would establish a new covenant with Israel (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 36:26). 6) God would establish his kingdom on the earth (Is 2:2-4; Dan 2:28-45; Mic 4:1-3) which would be ruled by a coming Davidic king (Hos 3:4-5). 7) There would be Gentiles who would be redeemed (Jer 47:48; 49:39; cf. Is 19:19-25).

1. Gen 49:1 – In Gen 49:1, Jacob calls together his sons in order to explain the things that will come about in “the latter days” (LXX). This is not merely a reference to the immediate future, but rather an allusion to the eschatological realities that were to come. This is evident for at least two reasons. First of all, the eschatological themes of the coming Messiah and the obedience of his people is referenced in 49:10. Secondly, these things about which Jacob speaks are the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promises which are an eschatological fulfillment of the failed Adamic commission (Gen 1:28).
   


2. Numbers 24:14 – Balaam prefaces his oracle against Balak by saying that the things about which he is preparing to speak are the things that Israel will bring against his people in “the latter days” (LXX). Again, this does not apply merely to the immediate future, but also to an eschatological fulfillment. This is evident from 24:17 which uses the phrase “crush the foreheads.” This alludes back to Genesis 3, again pointing toward the eschatological fulfillment of the failed Adamic commission. Furthermore, the NT authors understood this crushing to be fulfilled in Christ (See Heb 2:14 and Rom 16:20). Moreover, Numbers 24:17 is alluded to in Rev 22:16 indicating that the author understood Jesus to be the star from Jacob.
   


3. Isaiah 2:2-4 – “the latter days” (LXX) is used to refer to a time when eschatological events would come to pass. This includes a time in which the mountain of the house of the lord would grow (which, as Beale has observed, refers to a growing temple) and God’s kingdom would be established on the earth bringing everlasting peace. This theme is also picked up by Joel (see especially 2:28 and 3:10). Luke then alludes to Joel 2:28 in Acts 2:17 rendering Joel’s “after this” as “the latter days.”
   


4. Hosea 3:5 – According to Hosea 3:5, Israel would be restored after the exile under the rule of a Davidic king. These things, it is said, will come about in “the latter days.”



5. Daniel 2:28-45 – The interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was said to a revelation of what would come about in “the latter days.” This interpretation included the establishment of God’s eschatological kingdom on earth and the defeat of Israel’s enemies which harkens back to the ruling and subduing of Gen 1:28.
   

The “Latter Days” in the New Testament
The use of the phrase “latter days” in the NT indicates that the NT authors saw this time as a period which had been inaugurated in the life of Christ (especially his death and resurrection). Thus, the eschatological events described in the OT as events that would come about in the “latter days” are pictured in the NT as beginning fulfillment in the first century.

1. Acts 2:17 – Acts 2:17 indicates that the latter days have already begun. In his sermon, Peter quotes from Joel while pulling the phrase “in the latter days” from Isaiah 2:2. Therefore, Peter interprets “after these things” in Joel 2:28 as an equivalent to “in the latter days.” Ultimately, Peter here refers to the first century fulfillment of an eschatological reality, namely a time when God’s Spirit will be poured out on all of God’s people (as opposed to just kings, prophets, and priests).
   


2. Hebrews 1:2-13 – In v. 2, indicating that the “latter days” have come, the author says that these “latter days” are days when God has spoken through his Son. He then goes on in vv. 5-13 to describe, through the citation of OT texts, that the eschatological messianic Kingdom has begun fulfillment in the coming of the Son.
   


3. Hebrews 9:26-27 – The eschatological themes of Christ’s death and the final judgment of both God’s people and those who reject God are described here in the book of Hebrews. The author uses the phrase “the consummation of the ages,” which is a close synonymous verbal parallel to the “latter days,” indicating that it is a present reality by his use of the word “now” in v. 26.
   


4. 1 John 2:18 – In 1 John 2:18, John forms an inclusion, twice using the phrase “the last hour,” a close synonymous verbal expression to “latter days.” John says that “many antichrists have already appeared.” Thus, John sees that the end-time deception of the antichrist which was foretold in the Old Testament (Dan 10:14ff.; 11:27-35) was not merely future, but had already been consummated in the many antichrists who had already come.
   


5. 1 Peter 1:20-21 – In 1 Pet 1:20-21, Jesus’ resurrection is associated with “these last times.” Thus, Jesus’ resurrection is portrayed as the beginning of the end-time resurrection that was foretold by in Isa 26:19 and Dan 12:1-2. It should especially be noted that the phrase “in these last times” is indicated to be something that has already come about.