Day of the Lord

(Not to be confused with the Lord’s day which is Sunday).

This phrase indicates a span of time during which God accomplishes a specific aspect of His plan culminating in “that day” which indicates a point in time or particular event that makes up part of the whole (Mt 7:22, 24:36, 26:29; 2 Tim 1:18). As no-one know the specific time when this will occur it is futile to try and predict this defining event, although Jesus gave various indicators that precede it (Mt 24:3ff).

Some of the OT passages that use this term (as does much of OT prophecy) have both a near and distant fulfillment with some having already taken place in some sense (Ezek 30:2-19). However, most refer to divine judgments yet to come. So, although occurring throughout the OT, those times of judgment were a foretaste of the great and final day of the Lord which most Bible scholars consider is the climax to the period that encompasses the time from the death and resurrection of Jesus through to the final destruction of the world as we know it, and the judgment of mankind (Act 2:20; Rom 2:5; 2 Thes 2:2; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 6:17). At that time God will punish evil, reward the righteous, establish His eternal kingdom and complete all His promises (2 Tim 4:1,8).

Jesus came to earth and on the cross, defeated Satan. This defeat will be fully outworked when he, the Prince of Evil, will be cast into the lake of fire where he will be tormented forever (1 Jn 3:8; Rev 20:10).

Jesus spoke about some of the signs that would accompany His return by quoting the prophet Isaiah (Isa 13:9-11; Mt 24:29,30). These cosmic signs appear when Jesus opens the sixth seal on the scroll as revealed in the book of Revelation. This tumult in the heavens and the earth is a prelude to the great day of God’s wrath and the final judgments (Rev 6:12-17). Although there will be intense suffering and hardship in the last days the Bible’s message
is to “look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13).

Jesus said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise Him up at the last day” (Jn 6:40). Now is the time to get right with God (2 Cor 6:2). We do not know what a day brings forth and the day of the Lord will come like a thief when people do not expect it (1 Thes 5:2). The parable of the ten virgins warns us to be ready for the

Prepare now while you have the opportunity

coming of Christ at any moment (Mt 25:1-13).The ultimate or final fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the day of the Lord will come at the end of history when God, with wondrous power, will punish evil and fulfill all His promises.