What is meant by "End Times"

Author: Colin B. Donovan, STL

What is meant by the term End Times, or Last Days?

The term "end times" refers to the “last days” of human history which began with Christ's First Coming and will conclude with His Second Coming. During this time, the plan of the Father in Christ will be realized by the Holy Spirit through the Church.

Heb. 1:1-2  In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the ages.

Heb. 9:26b, 28  But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself…. 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

1 Cor. 10:11  Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.

The definitive Catholic teaching on the end times is contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church under the discussion of the article of the Nicene Creed, "From thence He will come again to judge the living and the dead" (CCC 668-682). Thus, in every Mass on Sundays and Solemnities, as well as in every use of the Apostles Creed, Catholics affirm the teaching of the Church on the end times. This teaching opposes all its contradictories, such as intermediate comings, and millennial reigns. Christ's presence with us is in and through the Church, the Sacraments pre-eminently the Eucharist, and by sanctifying grace.

Mt. 28:20  and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”