Thy Kingdom Come –The Day Of The Lord.
I. Introduction.
One of the major lines of prophecy running throughout the Old Testament and
continuing through the New Testament is the prophetic truth related to the Day of the Lord.
II. Commentary.
A. The time areas within the Day of the Lord.
1. The scope of the Day of the Lord has been a matter of debate among interpreters of the Scriptures. Some refer the Day of the Lord to the years of the tribulation period only. Others relate this to the second coming of Christ to the earth and the judgments immediately connected with that event. There are, however, two major interpretations of this question. The one is the view of Scofield who says:
“The day of the LORD (called, also, “that day,” and “the great day”) is that
lengthened period of time beginning with the return of the Lord in glory, and
ending with the purgation of the heavens and the earth by fire preparatory to the new heavens and new earth (Isa. 65:17-19; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1).”
2. Thus the day of the Lord would cover that time period from the return of Christ to the earth to the new heaven and earth after the millennium. The other view is that expressed by Ironside who says:
“…when at last the day of grace is ended the day of the Lord will succeed it…
The day of the Lord follows [the rapture]. It will be the time when the judgments of God are poured out upon the earth. It includes the descent of the Lord with all His saints to execute judgment on His foes and to take possession of the kingdom… and to reign in righteousness for a thousand glorious years.”
3. This second view coincides with the previous one as to the terminus, but begins the Day of the Lord with the tribulation period so that the events of the tribulation, the second advent, and the millennium are all included within the scope of the Day of the Lord.
4. The term Day of the Lord occurs in the following passages: Isa 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezek 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18 (twice), 20; Obadiah 15;
Zeph 1:7, 14 (twice); Zech 14:1; Malachi 4:5; Acts 2:20; 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Thes 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10. In addition, the phrase that day, or the day, or the great day, occurs more than seventy-five times in the Old Testament. The frequency with which it occurs will evidence its importance in the prophetic Scriptures. These passages reveal that the idea of judgment is paramount in all of them. This is so clearly brought out in Zephaniah 1:14-18. This judgment includes not only the specific judgments upon Israel and the nations at the end of the tribulation that are associated with the second advent, but, from a consideration of the passages themselves, includes judgments that extend over a period of time prior to the second advent. Thus, it is concluded that the Day of the Lord will include the time of the tribulation. Zechariah 14:1-4 makes it clear that the events of the second advent are included in the program of the Day of the Lord. 2 Peter 3:10 gives authority for including the entire millennial age within this period. If the Day of the Lord did not begin until the second advent, since that event is preceded by signs, the Day of the Lord could not come as a “thief in the night,” unexpected, and unheralded, as it is said it will come in 1 Thessalonians 5:2. The only way this day could break unexpectedly upon the world is to have it begin immediately after the rapture of the church. It is thus concluded that the Day of the Lord is that extended period of time beginning with God’s dealing with Israel after the rapture at the beginning of the tribulation period and extending through the second advent and the millennial age unto the creation of the new heavens and new earth after the millennium.
B. The events of the Day of the Lord.
It will be evident that the events within the Day of the Lord are indeed momentous, and a study of this period must include a study of a great part of the prophetic Scriptures. It will include the prophesied events of the tribulation period, such as: the federation of states into a Roman Empire (Dan. 2 and 7); the rise of the political ruler of this empire, who makes a covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 13:1-10); the formulation of a false religious system under the false prophet (Rev. 13:11-18); the pouring out of the judgments under the seals (Rev. 6); the separation of the 144,000 witnesses (Rev. 7); the trumpet judgments (Rev. 8-11); the rise of God’s witnesses (Rev. 11); the persecution of Israel (Rev. 12); the pouring out of the bowl judgments (Rev. 16); the overthrow of the false professing church (Rev. 17 and 18); the events of the campaign of Armageddon (Ezek. 38 and 39; Rev. 16:16; 19:17-21); the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 24:14). It will also include the prophesied events connected with the second advent, such as: the return of the Lord (Matt. 24:29-30); the resurrection of Old Testament and tribulation saints (John 6:39-40; Rev. 20:4); the destruction of the Beast and all his armies and the False Prophet and his followers in the Beast worship (Rev. 19:11-21); the judgment on the nations (Matthew 25:31-46); the regathering of Israel (Ezek. 37:1-14); the judgment on living Israel (Ezek. 20:33-38); the restoration of Israel to the land (Amos 9:15); the binding of Satan (Rev. 20:2-3). Further it will include all the events of the millennial age, with the final revolt of Satan (Rev. 20:7-10); the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15); and the purging of earth (2 Pet. 3:10-13). These, and many related subjects, must then be studied.
C. The Day of Christ.
A closely related term, which has brought confusion into the
minds of some, is the term Day of Christ. Scofield says:
1. “The expression “day of Christ,” occurs in the following passages: 1 Cor. 1:8;
5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16. KJV has “day of Christ,” 2 Thes. 2:2, incorrectly, for “day of the Lord” (Isa. 2:12; Rev. 19:11-21). The “day of Christ” relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at His coming, as “day of the Lord” is connected with judgment.”
Scroggie writes:
“It would appear that this event, which is frequently referred to as the “day of
Christ,” must be distinguished from the “Day of the Lord” of 1 Thes. 5:2; 2 Thes. 2:2 R.V. The latter expression comes from the Old Testament, and relates to Christ’s universal kingdom; but the former expression is found in the New
Testament only, and relates to His advent for the church.”
2. It thus appears that two separate programs are in view when these two expressions are used although not two separate time areas. They can not be made to refer to the same event. In each case in which Day of Christ is used it is used specifically in reference to the expectation of the Church, her translation, glorification, and examination for reward. The word day as used in Scripture is not necessarily a time word, but may be used for the events which fall within any period. Paul so uses it in 2 Corinthians 6:2, when he speaks of the “day of salvation.” Some, failing to see this, have felt that because Scripture mentions “the Day of the Lord” and the “Day of Christ” these two must come at two different periods of time, usually saying that the “Day of Christ” refers to events of the tribulation period and the “Day of the Lord” refers to events related to the second advent and the millennium to follow. Certainly two different programs are in view in these two days, but they may fall within the same time area. Thus the two days may have the same beginning, even though two different programs are in view. It may be that in 1 Corinthians 1:8 reference is made to “the day of the Lord Jesus Christ” to show that He is related to both of these days, being both “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).
III. About This Series Of Articles.
This study is one of Bible Exposition, which extends from the first verse of Genesis through the last verse of Revelation. The key focus of the study relates to Matthew 6:10, where Jesus tells the Jews to pray for the Kingdom to Come; there was never such a prayer that was addressed to Gentiles. The kingdom did not come during the time that Jesus was on this earth, and has not come since He ascended to Heaven. The Kingdom does not enter people; people will enter the Kingdom, and will be physically here on earth, which will be a prophecy that fulfills 2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16-17. The Kingdom is unconditional, and applies only to Israel; Gentiles, however, will benefit from God’s unconditional gift of the Davidic Kingdom to Israel (Genesis 12:1-3).
IV. Article References.
Lewis Sperry Chafer, Th. D. (1871-1952). J. Vernon McGee, Th. D. (1904-1988). Merrill F. Unger, Ph. D. (1909-1980). Charles L. Feinberg, Ph. D. (1909-1995). John F. Walvoord, Th. D. (1910-2002). J. Dwight Pentecost, Th. D. (1915-2014). Charles C. Ryrie, Ph. D. (1925-2016). Robert L. Thomas, Th. D. (1928-2017). Stanley D. Toussaint, Th. D. (1928-2017). Robert P. Lightner, Th. D. (1931-2018). Harold W. Hoehner, Ph. D. (1935-2009). Thomas S. McCall, Th. D. (1936-2021). Edward E. Hindson, Ph. D. (1944-2022).
A. One of the most difficult and most important factors of writing an article is related to sources of information. A writer must ensure that such sources have a high degree of knowledge on the subjects that are being written, and also must have a high degree of respect from other writers. A second factor that must be considered relates to how to lawfully use material of other writers. In this web site, copyright statutes are not violated. Also, “public domain,” is to be considered. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain
B. In this article I have chosen, as references, theologians whom have proven themselves to be highly respected by others in the Biblical doctrine of eschatology (the study of what Scripture teaches about the end times), and other doctrines of scripture. All of the references for this article have a connection with Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) as graduate or instructor. By being an independent seminary, the faculty and staff of DTS are not beholden to any denomination who might “lord over them ” and withhold funds from the Seminary, should DTS not tow a particular denominational line of biased instruction. Consider the credentials of J. Dwight Pentecost, Th. D., who taught at DTS for 58 years, close to his 100th birthday, and died, shortly thereafter. John F. Walvoord, Th. D., taught at DTS for 50 years, during which time he was President of DTS for 34 years, dying at age 92. Charles C. Ryrie, Ph. D., taught elsewhere for 40 years, and 20 years at DTS, dying shy of his 91st birthday. Many other examples of teaching longevity can be found in the bios of DTS instructors. In addition to the sources of information of DTS, the following non-denominational Biblical seminaries have sources of information that are considered, and that are consistent with the values and curriculum of DTS: Chafer Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, and Scofield Biblical Institute and Theological Seminary.
C. For education and other supporting data for each source of information in this article, please refer to my Page, “About My References.” The following links show information about Dallas Theological Seminary; I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Seminary. It is important to understand that DTS is not a denominational seminary, and is totally independent of such.
D. About Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS).
1. General Info. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Theological_Seminary
2. Doctrinal Statement. https://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinal-statement/
3. President.
a. Mark Yarbrough. Th. M., Ph. D.
b. Professor of Bible Exposition. Author. Church Pastor/Elder.
Eternity 