Meaning of “Day of the Lord” Part 1

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

I think most people would agree that in order to understand meaning of words and phrases, context must be considered. Without context, it is difficult, if not impossible to come to a right understanding of the text or word in question.

For instance, if I asked you the meaning of the word “left,” you would be forced to provide me several definitions. You might also ask me a few questions about that word or even say, “Would you mind using it in a sentence?” Using the word “left” in a sentence determines the meaning.

Example #1: “I’m going to turn left at the next intersection.”

Example #2: “I only have $5.00 left in my wallet.”

In the above examples, it should be clear to everyone that the word left, though spelled the same way in both examples, clearly has a different definition from the other usage. In fact, simply by going to Dictionary.com and looking up the word “left,” it becomes clear that this same word can be used as a noun, an adjective, or even an adverb. To be certain of the meaning in any particular usage, context must be taken into consideration. In fact, context is the only way that the exact definition for that usage can be determined.

Take the word “day.” When the word “day” is stated by itself, people normally think of a period of 24 hours. But is this the only definition applicable to that word? Of course not.

Example #1: ” We will go to the library one day next week.”

Example #2: “Back in my day, movies cost $.75 to get in!”

In each of the above examples, it is clear that in the first usage, the word “day” means a certain period of 24 hours. That is not to say that it will take all 24 hours, but that an event will happen at some point during that 24 hour period. This is the case with respect to the Creation itself. In Genesis 1:5 we read the following:

“God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”

In spite of this clarity built into Scripture, there are still those who believe that the “day” being referenced here could have been one set of millions of years. Those folks tend to believe in theistic evolution, where they say, God got the ball rolling, then stepped back and let things “evolve.” That’s not what the Scripture says and the fact that God directed Moses to include the phrase “there was evening and there was morning, one day” is a very specific way of letting us know what God actually meant. Still, too many choose to allegorize Scripture in cases like this when there is virtually no point to it. All they wind up doing is changing God’s intended meaning.

The second example shown above is more of a colloquial usage, meaning, “back when I was young”; “during that time period long ago”. Someone who is proficient in England would easily understand both examples as well as be able to discern the difference between them.

The “day of the Lord” is another one of those subjects that people like to discuss and even argue over. For some, it means a certain length of time when the Lord will do a specific work. In that case, while it culminates in the return of the Lord on a specific “day,” the phrase “day of the Lord” includes other events as well. For instance, some believe that the Tribulation period begins the “day of the Lord” because we can clearly see from the opening of the very first seal in Revelation 6 (which also coincides with the beginning of the Tribulation period; see also Daniel 9:27), that the Lamb (the Lord) is in full charge and He is pouring out His wrath as He opens each of those seals.

Because the Lord fully directs all the action, which occurs from the Throne room of God in the heavens, this is also included as part of the “day of the Lord.” The entirety of the Tribulation period is seen by some as His wrath being poured out on a world that has continually refused and rejected Him. The fact that the Antichrist confirms a covenant with the many (Israel’s leaders) in Daniel 9:27 is the event that starts the “day of the Lord” rolling.

The Tribulation is the final seven-year period of man-led human history, yet it is a very dramatic unfolding of the Lord’s wrath being poured out onto this earth. Once those seven years are completed, the Lord will return physically. This is part of the “day of the Lord,” though some believe that only this second coming is the actual “day of the Lord.”

Again, that the “day of the Lord” starts with the start of the Tribulation seems apparent (and we’ll spend some time dealing with specific Scriptures that also point to that if not this article, then the next one). That it includes His physical return also seems clear. There are also those who believe that once Jesus returns, judges the nations (Sheep and the Goats; Matthew 25), then establishes His Millennial Kingdom, these events are also included in the “day of the Lord.”

It seems clear enough that since Jesus will be directly and intimately involved in things on this earth from the beginning of the Tribulation until the end of the Millennial Kingdom, we can refer to these things as the “day of the Lord.”

Again, there are obvious differences of opinion. Should we beat each other over the head if we find ourselves in disagreement with another brother or sister? Hardly. We should agree to disagree and understand that our main mission here on earth – in Satan’s kingdom – is to be behind enemy lines introducing as many people as possible to Jesus. That is primary.

We’ll be back next time with more of the nitty-gritty with respect to the meaning of the “day of the Lord.” We will answer whether or not the term refers to one specific day or a span of time. We’ll be searching through His Word to do so. Join me then and bring a Bible!

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective