The “Day of the Lord”

Scott Sutherland

September 19, 2004

Introductioon• Also Referred to as:

– The Day of Christ– That Day– The Last Day– The Final Harvest– The End of the World

• “The Day of the Lord” is referenced 21 times in the OT. In all but a couple instances, it refers to a day in the future.

• “The Day of the Lord” occurs 6x in the NT and refers to a time in the future

Believers are Spared God’s Wrath on the Day of The Lord

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess 5:9 (NIV)

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Romans 5:9 (NIV)

When does it happen?1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being

gathered to him, we ask you, brothers,2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report

or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.

3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thess 2:1-4 (NIV)

The DOTL will not come until after this exaltation by the Antichrist, which happens in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week

When does it happen? (cont’d)

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him". Dan 9:27 (NIV)

When does it happen? (cont’d) This mid-week event is further detailed in Daniel 11:

28 The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country. Dan 11:28 (NIV)

31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. Dan 11:31 (NIV)

36 "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. Dan 11:36 (NIV)

Details of the DOTL• A day of Reckoning - Isa. 2:12

12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), Isaiah 2:12 (NIV)

• A day of Judgment - Isa. 2:13-1713 for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and

all the oaks of Bashan,14 for all the towering mountains and all the high hills,15 for every lofty tower and every fortified wall,16 for every trading ship and every stately vessel.17 The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, Isaiah 2:13-17 (NIV)

Details of the DOTL (cont’d)• A Cruel day, with Fury and Burning Anger - Isa. 13:9

9 See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. Isaiah 13:9 (NIV)

10 The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. Isaiah 13:10 (NIV)

• A day of Destruction from the Almighty - Isa. 13:6; Joel 1:156 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like

destruction from the Almighty. Isaiah 13:6 (NIV)15 Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it

will come like destruction from the Almighty. Joel 1:15 (NIV)

Details of the DOTL (cont’d)• A day of Panic, Subjugation, and Confusion - Isa.

22:55 The Lord, the LORD Almighty, has a day of tumult

and trampling and terror in the Valley of Vision, a day of battering down walls and of crying out to the mountains. Isaiah 22:5 (NIV)

• A day of Vengeance; A day that Belongs to the Lord God of Hosts - Jer. 46:1010 But that day belongs to the Lord, the LORD

Almighty-- a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes. The sword will devour till it is satisfied, till it has quenched its thirst with blood. For the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. Jer 46:10 (NIV)

Details of the DOTL (cont’d)• A day of Tumult - Eze. 7:7

7 Doom has come upon you--you who dwell in the land. The time has come, the day is near; there is panic, not joy, upon the mountains. Ezek 7:7 (NIV)

• A day of Doom - Eze. 7:10; 30:310 "The day is here! It has come! Doom has burst forth, the rod

has budded, arrogance has blossomed! Ezek 7:10 (NIV)3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near-- a day of

clouds, a time of doom for the nations. Ezek 30:3 (NIV)

• A day of Battle - Eze. 13:5; Zech. 14:35 You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for

the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD. Ezek 13:5 (NIV)

3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. Zech 14:3 (NIV)

Details of the DOTL (cont’d)• A day of Clouds - Eze. 30:3

3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near-- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. Ezek 30:3 (NIV)

• A day of Judgment for Egypt - Eze. 30:1919 So I will inflict punishment on Egypt, and they will

know that I am the LORD.'" Ezek 30:19 (NIV)

Details of the DOTL (cont’d)• A day of Gloom and Darkness - Joel 2:2; Amos 5:18,

20; 8:92 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come. Joel 2:2 (NIV)

18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. Amos 5:18 (NIV)

20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light-- pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? Amos 5:20 (NIV)

9 "In that day," declares the Sovereign LORD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. Amos 8:9 (NIV)

Details of the DOTL (cont’d)

•A day that is Great and Awesome - Joel 2:11

•A day of Punishment - Zeph. 1:8

•A day of the Lord's Anger - Zeph. 2:2-3

•A day that is Unique - Zech. 14:7a

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13 (NIV)