For most difficult passages using words like "last" and "end," these interpreters use a double meaning interpretation: It applies to the time of the apostles and the present day (or future day, if they're feeling generous to another generation). Remember that for these interpreters "last" and "end" have to mean the absolute end of the earth. It can't refer to some other end. They still want the end or last to also apply to a future time. I'll discuss the double meaning trick more in another post, but the continual end trick is what is used for Hebrews 1:2.
The reason the continual end meaning is applied to the Hebrews passage is because of the word "these." It's simply too clearly applicable to the author's contemporary time period - the 1st century. But because the words "last days" are also in the passage, they have to explain that away or risk allowing the scriptures appear in error. Why in error? Because the end of the world didn't happen. And last days, in their mind, can refer to no other time but the end of the world and 2nd coming of Christ.
But this is where we must think biblically, using scripture to interpret scripture instead of out own personal interpretation. What is the book of Hebrews about? Perhaps more than any other new testament book, it's about the change from the old covenant to the new covenant. Perhaps we need to better understand the continuity between the old and new covenants, which it also explains. However, it's also clear in Hebrews that something drastic has occurred to the Jewish religion.
"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." Hebrews 7:18-9. "By so much [the oath of an eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek] was Jesus made a surety of a better testament." Heb. 7:22.
"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." Heb. 7:26-8.
"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." Heb. 8:5-7
"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." Heb. 8:13.
The author is exhorting them to stay true to the faith in which they can enter into the true temple, not one made with hands, like those adhering to the old levitical priesthood and the accompanying rites for entering a physical temple. These were the mere shadows of the reality to come, no, had come. And the Christians were enjoying that reality. Why go back? Back to what? Back to that which is "ready to vanish away."
Therefore, if this old, these shadows, are ready to vanish away, could they be experiencing the last days of what is vanishing away? What would be the event or sign that would indicate the period of vanishing away, the last days, are over? There's no reason to think that these days the author speaks of will go on for centuries. The old covenant vanished away, the new covenant replaced it. What would there be a period during which it was vanishing away? Why would it still be vanishing away today? I'll consider these questions in the next post.
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