Day+of+the+Lord

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= Introduction =

The day of the Lord is an event prophesied in the Bible about the final judgment and condemnation of the world, as well as the redemption of God’s people. The events of the day of the Lord are spoken of primarily in the Old Testament by the prophets with Joel and Zephaniah being the most descriptive on the topic. It is not a single day, but a period of time that encompasses much of Eschatology. Scriptural References The topic of the day of the Lord is spoken of throughout the Bible with the first canonical reference in the book of Isaiah and the last in II Thessalonians. However, the Bible refers to the same event several other times using different phrases such as “on that Day” or simply “the day.” These other phrases are often used after the text has made a direct reference to the “day of the Lord,” but not always. The major prophet books of Isaiah and Ezekiel both speak of the day, but Joel and Zephaniah, the minor prophet books, elaborate more on the actual events that are to take place and who will be involved. The New Testament also addresses the “day of the Lord” in Acts, I & II Corinthians, and 1 & II Thessalonians, but these passages refer to Christ’s second coming, and are not descriptive of the events to transpire. The book of Revelation describes at great length the end times, as it is the focus of the book, however, the “day of the Lord” is never directly mentioned.

The following are passages that use the phrase “day of the Lord”:

· Isaiah 13:6,9 · Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3 · Joel 1:15; 2:1-11, 31; 3:14 · Amos 5:18, 20 · Obadiah 15 · Zephaniah 1:7,14 · Zechariah 14:1 · Malachi 4:5 · Acts 2:20 · I Thessalonians 5:2 · II Thessalonians 2:2

= Biblical Description =

Old Testament
The books in the Old Testament that speak about the day of the Lord are descriptive in nature and deal with the events to transpire. The day of the Lord is an event, or period of time, that will involve all nations, including Israel. Some scholars speculate the Israelites may be left out of the wrath of God since they were His chosen people, but according to Joel and Zephaniah, they too are included in His judgment. Adele Berlin says, “It seems best…to posit that the concept of the Day of the Lord included judgment upon both Israel and other nations, and that either Israel or the other nations could be emphasized depending on the rhetorical needs of the speaker.” [1] Obadiah focuses on the destruction of other nations, but Joel and Zephaniah encompass both the judgment of Israel and her enemies.

The book of Joel states that Judah is to be a part of God’s judgment. The book is split in two parts, the first describing the devastation of Judah (1:1-2:18) and the second speaks of the Lord’s future blessing and judgment of foreign nations (2:19-3:21). Joel says Judah’s destruction will begin with a locust plague and a scorching fire which will leave the nation in ruin. They will have no more grain, wine, or oil. Before the Lord calls for Judah to repent, an army that is unlike any other in history will invade the nation, and the Lord will be at its head. At this point God will give His people the opportunity to repent and be spared. In the second half of the prophecy the Lord promises to destroy the locust plague and in turn bless the nation with a rich harvest. Beyond these blessings He will pour out His Spirit on man and judge the nations who have scattered His people and divided the land. [2] In Obadiah 16 it mentions that the nations which dispossessed Israel of her land will be wiped off the face of the earth, “as if they had never existed.” According to the following verse, Israel will repossess what had been lost. Mount Zion will be a refuge for those who are delivered from the judgment, and capture the possessions of their afflicters. [3] It should be noted, however, before the Lord can bless the nation of Israel He must first judge them for their sins.

A recurring theme throughout the day of the Lord is God’s direct intervention in the affairs of men. It is shown in Joel through God leading the army against Israel, the outpouring of His Spirit on men, and His direct judgment of the nations. In Zephaniah God’s personal intervention is a focal point of the book. It is shown in the first chapter in the phrases “I will sweep,” “I will punish,” and “I will search.” God will be the one to punish and to search out those in Jerusalem that are not living righteous lives. [4] This language is seen at the beginning of the book when God is announcing the coming judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem.

Following the introduction in Zephaniah, four specific parts of Jerusalem are said to be crying or wailing: the Fish Gate, Mishneh or Second Quarter, the Hills, and Maktesh or Mortar. The Fish Gate is located in the northern wall of the city, Mishneh is a residential area in the Western Hill, Makhtesh is located in the lower area of Jerusalem, and the location of the Hills is unknown. Thus, the entire city is encompassed and the lamentations of the people can be heard in every part of Jerusalem. [5] The judgment is not reserved for the city alone because in 1:18 it says the whole earth will be part of God’s wrath.

Like the book of Joel, the last chapters of the book of Zephaniah call for repentance of Israel and the destruction of all other nations. Specific nations are mentioned such as Philistine, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria, specifically Nineveh. After the destruction of the nations, Israel will be restored and Yahweh will rejoice over His people.

Considering the topic as a whole, Everson gives a simple definition of the day of the Lord: “a prophetic interpretation of the momentous events in the past, present, and future.” [6] The day of the Lord is complex and specific, addressing many aspects of Eschatology. Each book that speaks about it interjects a different perspective on the day of the Lord, and each is important in comprehending the subject.

New Testament
New Testament passages that refer to the day of the Lord are not as detailed, but speak of the event as a whole, as something to come in the future. Peter is the first person to use the phrase when he quotes Joel in Acts 2:17-21. Peter is speaking just after the Holy Spirit has been given to the disciples and the audience observing the event is questioning what is happening. The passage in Joel says prior to the coming day of the Lord, God will send His Spirit to all mankind. The direct reference to the day of the Lord comes in verse 20. According to Hermann Olshausen, since Christ has come in the flesh the end of things is near. The apostle quotes the entire prophecy from Joel to include the signs of the eventual destruction in the future. The passage is designed to elicit repentance through fear, while verse 21 appeals to it through God’s mercy. [7] Lenski emphasizes God’s mercy in his judgment. To call on the Lord for His grace is a universal gift available to everyone. [8] The passage in Acts does not elaborate on the day of the Lord any further than this one verse.

The last two notable appearances of the day of the Lord in the New Testament come in I and II Thessalonians. In I Thessalonians 5:2 the day of the Lord is compared to a “thief in the night.” When it is least expected, God’s destruction will come. The metaphor suggests when man thinks he is most secure, God’s judgment will occur without warning. It will be the unbelieving and the ungodly that will be caught unaware on the day of the Lord, for the righteous have been forewarned and are prepared. [9] In the following book, II Thessalonians, the phrase is seen again in chapter two verse two when Paul urges the Thessalonians to not be easily persuaded into believing the day of the Lord has come. Paul follows this request by giving definitive signs that must occur first which are apostasy and the “man of lawlessness.” The apostasy suggested in the verse is a religious departure from God, not a political apostasy. [10] Following this religious rebellion, the “man of lawlessness,” or Antichrist, will appear. It will not just be the presence of the Antichrist or his secret workings that will precede the day of the Lord, but the full disclosure of himself to the nations. [11] Thus, God has given His people specific signs that will predate his coming judgment.

[1] //Zephaniah: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary//, 1st ed. (New York: Doubleday, 1994). [2] Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, //Minor Prophets// (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1973). [3] Ibid. [4] King, Greg A., “The Day of the Lord in Zephaniah,” //Bibliotheca Sacra// 152 (1995): 16-32. [5] //Zephaniah//. [6] Ibid. [7] Hermann Olshausen, //Biblical Commentary on the New Testament: Adapted Especially for Preachers and Students... ; Translated from the German//, Second edition. (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1847). [8] R. C. H Lenski, //The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles// (Minneapolis: Augsburg Pub. House, 1961). [9] Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer, //Commentary on the New Testament// (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1883). [10] Ibid. [11] Alvah Hovey, //An American Commentary on the New Testament// (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publ. Society, 1886).

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