Study of the “Day of the Lord” in the Scriptures Pt 12: Conclusion 

More Material for the Day of the Lord – The Order of Events:

The Day of the LORD (Jehovah) is the period of time when God openly intervenes in the affairs of this world because sin has ripened to the extent that God must step in – in judgment and blessing. It will begin after the translation of the Church to heaven and will terminate with the cleansing of the heavens and earth to prepare for the new heavens and earth. All this is to be understood from the amalgamation of scriptures referring to the Day of the LORD or “in that day, even “At that time.”

[1]. The Rapture of the Church is just preceding the beginning of the Day of the LORD (1 Thess 4 v 13-17). God’s wrath cannot come while the Church is still on earth, for the Church has no part in that wrath because Christ is our Deliverer from the wrath to come.

The Rapture signals the start of God’s direct intervention in this world’s affairs. The whole view and progression of church history in these 2,000 years is prophetically shown in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, and we are in the last period, Laodicea.

[2]. The Church is raptured to heaven, and then chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation take place in heaven for all the redeemed. Just how long this is after the Rapture is uncertain. Do we need to have the Judgment Seat of Christ for rewards completed before the Revelation scene? I tend to think not (maybe) but would welcome any views on this. I see events moving quite quickly. The Church worships there in heaven, and Christ is the Lamb in the midst. A scroll sealed with 7 seals is revealed, and only the Lamb is worthy to break those seals.

[3]. Those 7 seals are events and judgments upon this world and begin with the new world leader being revealed (some call him Antichrist) as coming on a white horse (bloodless takeover; supposed man of peace). His 10 kingdoms will be within the geographical boundaries of the old Roman Empire. That is the start of the Day of the LORD.

Following this will be wars and rumours of wars, and death and famine and diseases (God has given us a small glimpse of what a disease/pestilence is like with this Chinese virus). Just right now in the world are minefields about to explode – racial, ethnic, religious, political tensions. China wants to make war. Civil unrest is everywhere. I fear for the way the USA is going.

It is easy to see these problems exploding suddenly in wars and rumours of wars (but after the Rapture). When the 6th seal is broken, there is a great earthquake, the sun and moon and stars are affected, something like stars fall from the sky, and the whole earth is affected (Rev 6 v 12-14). The people on earth know that the wrath of God is upon them (Rev 6 v 16). Meanwhile, in heaven, the Church is being prepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Maybe the rewards being worked through when in heaven are the trophies the Bride brings to her Groom at the Marriage Supper.)

[4]. The Lord seals 144,000 Jews for the preaching of “the Gospel of the Kingdom” in the Tribulation (men with the power and drive of Paul, the one born before his time = of a premature birth – God will save/anoint these 144,000 just like He did with Paul, without the human agency. This is done in Revelation chapter 7. The world leader makes a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years, but he will break this halfway through.

[5]. The 7th seal opens up seven trumpet judgments in Revelation chapters 8 and 9, and it is here that even more serious judgments begin. They are horrific. All these are in the first 3.5 years.

[6]. Chapter 11 starts the second half of the Tribulation called by some the Great Tribulation or the time of Jacob’s trouble. This is when God’s two witnesses of Revelation appear, men who are powerful, prophets of judgment – Elijah and Enoch. (They have never died a physical death. Moses died, so he is disqualified – you don’t die twice in the physical body, and Moses was never a preacher of judgment as were Enoch and Elijah.) This whole Tribulation period of 7 years is the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan 9 v 27.) The latter half is when things get even more intense (Matt 24 v 21, Rev 7 v 14.).

It is halfway through the 7 years when the world leader and Antichrist (the false prophet) [they are described in Revelation chapter 13] break the covenant with Israel, and for 3- and one-half years, the Jewish saints are persecuted and killed, but the Lord divinely protects many – that is found in Revelation 12.

Antichrist orders an image of the world leader to be erected in the Jerusalem temple and gives to it miraculous powers, and people have to receive the mark of the beast, or they cannot buy food. (The covid vaccination mandate in some of Australia, where if one is not vaccinated, you can’t enter premises or workplaces or shops is a hint of that!)

It is not the mark of the beast, only a hint of what will come. A bit after that, Satan tries to destroy all the Jewish tribulation believers, but Michael the Archangel protects them in Revelation chapter 12.

[7]. In the second half of the Tribulation, the judgments are even worse than the first half. And near the end, there are 7 bowl judgments when bowls of God’s wrath are poured out – see Revelation chapter 16. They are intense. The two witnesses continue their ministry and judgments against the world, and right at the end of the Tribulation, they are killed and are resurrected (the story is in Revelation chapter 11). Mystery Babylon is on earth in two forms; one – a religious force controlled by the Antichrist/False Prophet; and the other is commercial Babylon.

Right at the end of the Tribulation, both of them fall and are destroyed by God (chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation).

Meanwhile, the Bride of Christ is in heaven, almost prepared for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

[8]. We now come to chapter 19, one of the most momentous chapters in all the Bible. The Church is prepared, and the Marriage Supper occurs between Christ and His Bride.

That is right on the eve of His coming back to earth at the Second Coming, and that is the great battle of Armageddon.

Christ and His heavenly hosts and the Bride come to destroy the armies of the world leader (revived Roman Empire – probably western Europe mainly), and the Northern powers (Gog/Magog, Iran, Ethiopia, etc.) and the Kings of the east.

The Jews in Israel and Jerusalem, in particular, are saved from certain destruction (Zechariah 12 and 14). The Lord gathers up the world leader and Antichrist and throws them alive into the lake of fire. This destruction of the beast and the false prophet and their armies, which is the “great and terrible” aspect of the Day, is in Rev 19 v 11-21 and Ezekiel passages.

All that has been covered in this total article on THE DAY OF THE LORD in all 12 Parts.

[9]. The Lord’s feet stand on Mt Olivet, which splits in half (there is much in Zechariah we need to look at). He is established in Jerusalem as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, the King of the Jews. Then will happen several things.

(a). The believing Jews are gathered from all over the world into Israel (refer to my articles posted on the “The Restoration of Israel” – they are on RR).

(b). Israel gains its whole territory promised to it.

(c). The surviving nations are judged and separated into sheep and goat nations, with the sheep nations inheriting the Millennium Kingdom. The judgment of individual Gentiles/nations will be according to their treatment of the Jews (Zech 14 v 1-9. Matt 25 v 31-46). The return of the LORD will be in glory to establish the millennial kingdom (Matt 24 v 29-30).

[10]. The millennial reign of Christ on earth from Rev 20 v 7-10 is for 1,000 years right after He returns, and mentioned a couple of times by Isaiah – Isa 2 v 1-4; 11 v 1-9, and others. The Church – the Bride – reigns with her Lord. Right at the start of this reign, Satan is chained and sealed in the abyss for 1,000 years – see Revelation 20 v 1-3.

[11]. At the end of the 1,000 years (Satan is released), there is a Satanic revolt when Satan gathers all the malcontents born during the Millennium and tries to overthrow God, but they are quickly demolished. Figuratively they are called Gog and Magog in chapter 20 of Revelation. Satan is eternally judged – Rev 20 v 7-10.

[12]. Straight after that, the great white throne judgment happens for all the unsaved of all the ages of the world’s history. All those unsaved who have died are resurrected and judged.

This resurrection (the second) is the final judgment of the wicked. Rev 20 v 7-10. That judgment is according to deeds recorded in the books that get opened. I believe the great white throne verdicts will be proportional.

[13]. Then there is the destruction (more of cleansing, refining, I think) of the present earth and heavens by fire, preparatory for the future “Day of God” (2 Peter 3 v 10-12; Revelation 21 v 1). We don’t know what the new heavens and new earth will be like. All we could say is, “Magnificent!”

[14]. The final two chapters of Revelation concern the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, its dimensions being 2,400 km x 2,400 km x 2,400 km. Imagine being 2,400 km high and looking out! I believe this to be the home of the Bride, but the redeemed eternal nations have access to it. We are now in the eternal state where everlasting life now has its fulfillment. All things have been wrapped up. Sin has been dealt with and concluded.

TIMELINE:

ADAM TO ABRAHAM – about 2,000 years

ABRAHAM TO CHRIST – about 2,000 years

THE CHRISTIAN ERA (and until the end of the Tribulation) – about 2,000 years

THE MILLENNIUM – 1,000 years

That makes it 7,000 years from the creation of man until the eternal state.

This is like the Lord’s week, for a day with the Lord is as 1,000 years. 7 is the perfect number. I did that in more detail in a past post on RR.

END OF PART 12. This Study is now ended. I trust it has been of value to you.

ronaldf@aapt.net.au

 

When a believer speaks of the “Power of the Cross,” we are not referring to the instrument that Our Savior was crucified on. When we see a cross, we are reminded of the sacrifice our Savior made for us that day at Calvary and its significance for us as sinners when He was hung up between Heaven and earth until His lifeblood was spent. We do not worship the instrument nor any other so-called “religious symbol” in accordance with Exodus 20:4-5. To non-believers, the cross is folly according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18; “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved, it is the Power of God.” (ESV all emphasis mine)

While He was on the cross, the meaning of Matthew 7:13-14 was demonstrated. One of the thieves crucified with Jesus mocked Him, as did the guards and many others in the crowd. This would be an example of those who are on the broad path to destruction.

The other thief made his confession to Jesus, in that he admitted he was getting what he deserved (Luke 23:32-43). He asked that Jesus “remember him,” to which Jesus replied that the thief would be with Him that very day in Paradise. This was the straight and narrow path leading to eternal life.

Prior to Calvary, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) lets us know what happened to those who died. The rich man represented those who had died out of the will of God. They would go into a place of torment and would remain there until the White Throne Judgment. The first actual occupants of the Lake of Fire will be the antichrist and false prophet at the end of the 7-year tribulation (Revelation 19:20). They will be followed a thousand years later by Satan (Revelation 20:10), and then all who were out of God’s will pre-Calvary, and all who did not accept Jesus from Calvary forward (Revelation 20:11-15).

Lazarus represents all who passed away in God’s will before Jesus was crucified. They went to a place of peace and comfort, which has been described as “Abraham’s Bosom.”

After Calvary, Paul gives us the destiny of those who perish, having received and accepted Jesus as their Savior. From Philippians 1:21-23; “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet, which I shall choose, I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ; for that is far better.”

Fruitful labor does not imply saved by works. That is covered in Ephesians 2:8-9, which states we are saved by the grace of our Savior and the mercy of the Father. Our fruitful labor is that we try to honor our Savior in everything we do. We are not perfect and sinless, nor will we ever be while in these human bodies. However, we do our best to turn away from habitual sin, and when we do sin, we ask and receive forgiveness from the Father (1 John 1:8-10).

When we stop and realize the significance of Jesus on the Cross, we should know that a pure sinless human, Who was also our Creator, suffered an agonizing death for us. At any time while Jesus was on this earth, He could have said we weren’t worth it and left us to suffer our own fate. However, our Heavenly Trinity loves us more than we could ever imagine.

God allowed His Son to be the only perfect sacrifice for us that He could ever accept. Some have said Jesus must’ve sinned at least once while on this earth; however, if that were so, His sacrifice would have been worthless. Also, for all who receive and accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us.

On the other hand, is it any wonder that anyone who refuses to accept Jesus, denies that He is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6; Acts 2:21), and believes what the false prophets are saying about many ways to heaven will be separated from Him forever? No one is good enough or has done enough works, nor can they pay their way to get into Heaven. Satan will love for you to believe all the lies being put out.

A song by Casting Crowns (2021) called “Power of the Cross” is a praise Hymn of hope and joy. As we read the words, “Power of the Cross,” remember, Jesus is that Power; the only true Power that saves us.

1) The past that held regret over my head is gone. These chains are ashes now that once were rusted on. I was a runaway; now I’m finally Home.

2) My Mind was a ghost town, haunted by yesterday. Until Your hand reached down, pulled me out of my grave, into the freedom found only in Jesus’ name.

Ref.) I am forgiven, no longer lost. Now I am living in the Power of the Cross.

3) The Father gave His Son so I could be set free. And now, the scales are gone; my eyes can finally see. I’ll tell the world of all Jesus has done for me.

Ref.) I am forgiven, no longer lost. Now I am living in the Power of the Cross. Goodbye to sorrow; welcome my joy. Now I am living In the Power of the Cross.

4) And on that cross, His love held true. Through sacrifice, the old was made new. This life I live, I live in faith, now in Jesus’ name.

Ref.) I am forgiven, no longer lost. Now I am living in the Power of the Cross. Goodbye to sorrow – goodbye to sorrow. Welcome my joy – welcome my joy. Now I am living cause I’m living in the Power of the Cross – Power of the Cross.

5) Thank You! Oh God, I thank You! Jesus, I thank You; thank You for the cross. Praise You, Oh God, I praise You! Jesus, I praise You; Praise You for the Cross!

What are the mechanics of receiving and accepting our eternal Salvation? We speak often of the ABCs of Salvation, and the thief that was mentioned earlier was the first to use them. A-Admit; he admitted he was guilty and his punishment was deserved. We are all guilty (as given in Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23). B-Believe; he had the faith that Jesus was righteous and had faith that He was his only chance at eternal life. C-Call; he asked Jesus to “remember him.” He was immediately saved at that point, as Jesus told him the day would not pass before he was in Paradise with the Savior.

Please note that Romans 10:9-13 reinforces these steps and lets us know this is what saves us. In these verses, it states three times to follow this and be saved. Our Father has not given us anything that is too difficult to understand and follow. Humans are the ones that add to or take away from His wonderful message to us.

Looking at the condition of this world and seeing the rapid pace that all the signs that Jesus and others said would be here at the end of this age should tell us our time here is getting very short. If you have not asked Jesus to come into your life and be your Savior, right now would be a perfect time to do so. We are not guaranteed another day.

Just “talk” to the Savior; let Him know you know you’re a sinner in need of His forgiveness, and ask Him to come into your heart and save you. That’s it. You will have started a relationship with Him that will be eternal. He will turn no one away who truly calls on Him, yet He will not force anyone to accept Him. It’s totally your choice to make, and the most important one ever. There are no third options. Call today.

Maranatha!

huebshman46@gmail.com