A component of Millennium Fever for some. The "last days" are mentioned in the New Testament, meaning the era kicked off by Christ's earthly incarnation. In the days of Paul's epistles there was a sense of urgency accompanying mentions of the last days - like The Second Coming was nigh. In recent years, some preachers have made "Jesus is coming soon" noises, to coincide with the impending _000 year. Hint: "2000" is just a number; even Jesus said he had no clue about when he would return.