Paul makes reference to something about which most Christians are somewhat fuzzy – “the day of the Lord.” It is kind like bologna – Lots of people eat it but very few know much about it. But “this day of the Lord.” of which we are so ignorant is one of the key subjects of prophecy. Some have called it “the great expectation of Bible.” I have read, “It is essential that every student make a complete induction of all in the Bible which pertains to Day of Lord.” Why is that? Without understanding “the day of the Lord,” no one can ever be a Bible scholar. If we conclude that “the day of the Lord” is passed, then it destroys the whole framework prophecy. If someone says it is not literal he is forced to question every difficult passage in the Word of God. If we misunderstand its components, we fail see why the Bible says it is so important.
This afternoon, I am not going to attempt a detailed study. But I’d like to just hit the high points of “the day of the Lord” – perhaps its outer limits. This will be a sort of a definition – the Webster’s account of “the day of the Lord.” I won’t keep you long, and I’ll try to keep you awake by making you turn the pages of your Bible.
First, the day of the Lord is a day of judgment.
Isaiah 2:10-22. “the day of the Lord” will be a day of wrath against those who are so proud they don’t need the Lord. Pride should be as foreign to us as blasphemy is in mouth of the Holy Spirit. “Pride goeth before destruction”……. “God resisteth the proud….” It is one of the seven most abominable things before the Lord. But it is as common as weeds – both in us and in the world. “The day of the Lord.” will also be an attack upon idolatry, which is the kissing cousin of pride. It will be day when the idol of money will have lost its power and the stock market will be dust. It will be time when governments will be powerless – praise the Lord. The gods of Egypt and Babylon will be cast aside as will our more modern gods.
Isaiah 13:6-12. Clearly this has not yet come to pass.
Ezekiel 30:1-5, 12-13. The Day of the Lord shall be a day of judgment of the Heathen.
Joel 1:13-16. Whereas Ezekiel tells us that “the day of the Lord” will bring wrath on heathen – here it is God’s nation. One reason for the coming day of the Lord will be the neglect of the sacrifice. Should we apply that to the sacrifice which was made by Christ?
Joel. 2:1-11. Can you visualize the destruction here?
Joel 3:9-15. This is a description of one of the greatest battles ever to be fought upon earth. It will be in reality the judgment of the nations, preparing the way for the Millennium.
Listen to a New Testament scripture now – II Peter 3:10. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” When will this come to pass? Apparently at the close of the Millennium. This globe of ours shall be renovated by fire.
I am skipping dozens of scriptures, but I hope that these are sufficient to show that “the day of the Lord” will be one of wrath. It will be a furious, disastrous, incredible time to be living and dying. And, obviously, it has not yet taken place. Similar things have happened but they are only hints as to what shall come. What a responsibility this puts on our shoulders to warn others. Are you prepared to face the Lord, because day of judgment is not far off.
On the other hand the day of the Lord will also be a day of blessing.
Back to Joel 3:16-21. This passage teaches that the day of the Lord will be flowing with blessings. It will be the time of the salvation of the Jewish nation – verse 21. Has this been fulfilled? No it has not. When will it be fulfilled? Won’t it take place towards the end of the Tribulation and enjoyed throughout the Millennium?
Zechariah 14:1-21.
Malachi 4:1-4.
Now let’s return to our text.
This passage also refers to “the day of the Lord.” It is just what Jesus said in Matthew 24:43. It would come like a thief. But it should not surprise the saint, because the first minute of the day of the Lord will be our translation.
Paul had apparently already taught this doctrine to the brethren in Thessalonica. Now he is just reiterating the application. In other words, act as though “the day of the Lord” is at hand. Wake up and keep an eye towards Heaven. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Be sober – not frivolous; be serious, spiritual and heavenly-minded. Rejoice in that we have not been appointed to any of this. Cheer up ye saints of God, there’s nothing to worry about.
What does the Day of the Lord include?
“The day of the Lord” commences at the translation of the Saints and then includes the Tribulation. There will be the terrible wars, the pestilences, heart breaks. Israel will be severely judged until they’re crying out for the Messiah. And the nations of the earth will be judged until they loose their will to rebel.
Then the Lord shall return in triumph, destroying the wicked and blessing righteous. And then will be the thousand year millennial kingdom of Christ’s rule upon earth. Following that will be the renovation of the earth by fire and final preparation for eternity.
Are you ready for the next great event – the Translation? Are you a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus?