|
|
|
- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
|
|
THE DOCTRINE OF THE DAY OF THE LORD 1Th 5:1-3 (7/24/11) Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE DEFINITION OF THE DAY OF THE LORD A. This is not a single day but a period of
time filled with many prophetic events. (LaHaye, Prophecy Study Bible, 1Th 5:2). B. Mentioned frequently in the Old Testament,
the Day of the Lord refers to any special period where God intervenes
supernaturally, bringing judgment on the world. (Walvoord, Prophecy Knowledge Handbook, pg. 486) C. A term that can be used: (1) of any
judgment of God in history; (2) of God’s judgment in the Tribulation period;
(3) of the blessings in the millennial kingdom; (4) of the entire period from
the beginning of the Tribulation to the end of the millennium. (Moody Handbook of Theology, Pg. 626) D. The day of Jehovah (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 the new earth. (Isa 65:17-19); (Isa 66:22); (2Pe 3:13); (Rev
21:1).(Original
Scofield Notes) E. It is 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 the
new earth after the millennium. (Pentecost, Dwight, “Things to Come”, pg. 230-31) II. THE SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES TO THE DAY OF
THE LORD A. Usages of the “Day of the Lord” 1. The phrase “Day of the Lord” is used 19
times in the Old Testament (Isa 2:12;
13:6, 9; 58:13; Eze 13:5; 30:3; Joe 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14; Amo 5:18 [2x],
20; Oba 1:15; Zep 1:7, 14 [2x]; Mal 4:5). 2. It is also synonymous with phrases such
as “day of reckoning” (Isa 2:12), “day of vengeance” (Isa. 34:8; 61:2; 63:4),
and “last days” (Isa 2:2; Jer. 23:20; 49:39; Eze 38:16; Hos 3:5; Mic
4:1). 3. It is used 4 times in the New Testament (Act 2:20; 1Th 5:2; 2Th 2:2; 2Pe 3:10). B. General Categories of the “Day of the
Lord” 1. It referred to near historical divine
judgments at the time of the prophecy, though many times having a far off
(future) fulfillment (Isa 13:6–22; Eze
30:2–19; Joe 1:15; 3:14; Amo 5:18–20; Zep1:14–18). 2. It referred to the end time divine
judgments much later than the prophecy, which could also have a double
fulfillment (Joe 2:30–32; Zec 14:1; Mal
4:1,5). C. Illustrated in the book of Joel, whose
theme is the “Day of the Lord.” 1. The Day of
the Lord was the divine judgment of locusts that was experienced immediately
(Joel 1:15-20) 2. The Day of the Lord was the divine
judgment of armies that was expected in the near future (Joel 2:1-5). 3. The Day of the Lord was the divine
judgment of end time events that was prophesied for the distant future (Joel
2:30-3:2; Joel 3:8-21). D. Specific Events within the “Day of the
Lord” 1. Tribulation (Joel 2:30-31; cp. Act
2:19-20; Rev 6:12) a) That day begins immediately after the
Rapture of the church…BKC b) That Day will unfold in two stages, first
during the Tribulation (1 Thess. 5:2),
(MacArthur Commentary, Rev. 6:12) c) Joel made it clear that the Day of the
Lord included the Great Tribulation before the Second Coming (Joel 2:28-32). (Walvoord, Prophecy Knowledge Handbook, pg. 487) 2. Second Coming (1Th 5:2 cp. Rev 19:11-16) a) The future “Day of the Lord” which
unleashes God’s wrath, falls into two parts: 1) the end of the 7 year
tribulation period [Second coming](cf. Rev.
19:11–21)… MSB b) 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. (Pentecost, Things to Come,
pg. 230). 3. Final Judgment (2Pe 3:10; Rev 20:11) a) That day … ends with the conclusion of the
Millennium. BKC b) The future “Day of the Lord” which
unleashes God’s wrath, falls into two parts: …and 2) the end of the
Millennium. These two are actually 1,000 years apart and Peter refers to the
end of the 1,000 year period in connection with the final “Day of the Lord”
(cf. 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 20:7–15).
MSB c) The Day of the Lord is that extended
period…through the second advent and the millennial age unto the creation of
the new heavens and new earth after the millennium. (Pentecost, Things to Come, pg. 231). III. DISTINGUISHING TERMS FROM THE DAY OF THE
LORD A. The “Day of Christ” (1Co 1:8; 5:5; 2Co
1:14; Phil 1:10; 2:16) is to be distinguished from the “Day of the Lord.” 1. The “Day of Christ,” refers to the
translation, glorification, and examination of the church, while the “Day of
the Lord” refers to judgment upon the world. 2. However the Day of Christ appears to be
within the period of the Day of the Lord. B. The “Day of God” (2Pe 3:12-13) according
to some, including John MacArthur, is distinguished from the “Day of the
Lord.” 1. The “Day of the Lord” (2Pe 3:10) includes
the judgment upon the heavens and the earth, whereas the “Day of God” refers
to the creation of the new heavens and the new earth and the eternal state
(2Pe 3:13). 2. The Day of God appears to be within the
period of the Day of the Lord. IV. THE DAY OF THE LORD FROM 1TH 5:1-3 A. [1Th 5:1] - After informing them
concerning the Rapture, Paul takes up the subject of the Day of the Lord. The
phrase “times (chromos, Eng chronology) and epochs (kairos, eras
and times)” further supports the concept that the Day of the Lord does
not refer to a single day, but a period in the end times (Dan 9:27 LXX; Act
1:7; 3:19-21; Eph 1:10). B. [1Th 5:2] - The era of the Day of the Lord
would come unexpectedly like a “thief in the night,” a phrase that never
refers to the Rapture but to the judgment at the Second Coming (Mat 24:42-44;
Rev 16:15) and the judgment at the end of the Millennium (2Pe 3:10; Rev
20:11). C. [1Th 5:3] - The Day of the Lord will come
with swift and inescapable judgment like a woman’s labor pains (cp. Isa 13:8;
Mat 24:8). This will take place during a time when the people are saying
“peace and safety” (Mat 24:37). This time can be identified as the
Tribulation period leading to the coming of Christ (Dan 9:27). V. THE DAY OF THE LORD TEACHES THAT GOD IS
RIGHTEOUS A. … in that He brings wrath on sin in the
past and the future (Rom 1:18; 2Pe 3:10). B. … in that He poured out the believer’s
wrath upon His Son (Joh 5:24; Rom 8:1) C. … in that He imputes Christ’s righteousness
to believers (Rom 3:26). D. … in that He commands believers to live
righteously (2Pe 3:11). |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
