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Answer
The term “day of the Lord” typically refers to events that occur at the conclusion of history (Isaiah 7:18-25) and is often linked with the expression “that day.” One important aspect to grasp about these terms is that they always denote a period of time during which God directly or indirectly intervenes in history to fulfill a specific part of His plan.
Many people connect the day of the Lord with a timeframe or a significant day that will come to pass when God’s purpose for His creation and humanity is realized. Some scholars suggest that the day of the Lord will extend beyond a single day—a duration in which Christ will rule over the earth before purifying heaven and earth in readiness for the eternal destiny of all humanity. Others believe the day of the Lord will be an instantaneous event when Christ returns to earth to save His faithful followers and condemn unbelievers to eternal punishment.
The term “the day of the Lord” is frequently used in the Old Testament (e.g. Isaiah 2:12; 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) and multiple times in the New Testament (e.g. Acts 2:20;1 Corinthians 5:5;2 Corinthians 1:14;1 Thessalonians 5:2;2 Thessalonians 2:2;2 Peter 3:10). It is also referenced in other passages <a href="https://www.
(Revelation 6:17; Revelation 16:14).
The Old Testament passages dealing with the day of the Lord often convey a sense of imminence, nearness, and expectation: “Wail, for the day of the Lord is near!” «Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. », (Isaiah 13:6); “For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near” «For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen. », (Ezekiel 30:3); “Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand” «Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; », (Joel 2:1); “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision” «Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. », (Joel 3:14); “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near” «Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. », (Zephaniah 1:7). This is because the Old Testament passages referring to the day of the Lord often speak of both a near and a far fulfillment, as does much of Old Testament prophecy. Some Old Testament passages that refer to the day of the Lord describe historical judgments that have a
Already been fulfilled in some sense (Isaiah 13:6-22; Ezekiel 30:2-19; Joel 1:15, 3:14; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18), while others refer to divine judgments that will take place toward the end of the age (Joel 2:30-32; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi 4:1, 5).
The New Testament calls it a day of “wrath,” a day of “visitation,” and the “great day of God Almighty” «For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. », (Revelation 16:14) and refers to a still future fulfillment when God’s wrath is poured out on unbelieving Israel (Isaiah 22; Jeremiah 30:1-17; Joel 1-2; Amos 5; Zephaniah 1) and on the unbelieving world (Ezekiel 38–39; Zechariah 14). The Scriptures indicate that “the day of the Lord” will come quickly, like a thief in the night (Zephaniah 1:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:2), and therefore Christians must be watchful and ready for the coming of Christ at any moment.
Besides being a time of judgment, it will also be a time of salvation as God will deliver the remnant of Israel, fulfilling His promise that “all of Israel will be saved” «And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, And shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: », (Romans 11:26), forgiving their sins.ns and restoring His chosen people to the land He promised to Abraham (Isaiah 10:27; Jeremiah 30:19-31, 40; Micah 4; Zechariah 13). The final outcome of the day of the Lord will be that “the arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day” «And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. », (Isaiah 2:17). The ultimate or final fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the day of the Lord will come at the end of history when God, with wondrous power, will punish evil and fulfill all His promises.
