Day, Last

DAY, LAST [ISBE]

DAY, LAST - (he eschate hemera): Repeatedly used by Jesus in Jn (6:39,40,44,54; 11:24; 12:48) for the day of resurrection and judgment (see ESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT). Compare the usage in the Old Testament (Isa 2:2; Mic 4:1) and the New Testament (Acts 2:17; 2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3; 1 Jn 2:18; Jude 1:18) of "last days" and "last time" to denote the Messianic age.

See LATTER DAYS; LAST DAYS; LAST TIME.

In Jn 7:37, "the last day, the great day of the feast" refers to the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles. This closing day was observed as a Sabbath (Lev 23:36). On it the libation of water made on other days was not made; hence, the allusion of Jesus to Himself as the Giver of the living water.

James Orr