FAQ ID # 6881 - Can you explain the difference between The Day of the Lord and The Coming of the Lord, and The Lord's wrath? Many seem to think these things are surrounded by or are in observation of the Jewish feasts. Is there a significance?

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FAQ ID # 6881

Last Update : 2009/04/27
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Can you explain the difference between The Day of the Lord and The Coming of the Lord, and The Lord's wrath? Many seem to think these things are surrounded by or are in observation of the Jewish feasts. Is there a significance?

Answer / Solution

Question: "What is the day of the Lord?"

Answer: The phrase “day of the Lord” usually identifies events that take place at the end of history (Isaiah 7:18-25) and is often closely associated with the phrase “that day.” One key to understanding these phrases is to note that they always identify a span of time during which God personally intervenes in history, directly or indirectly, to accomplish some specific aspect His plan.

Most people associate “the day of the Lord” with a period of time or a special day that will occur at the end of time when God’s will and purpose for His world and for mankind will be fulfilled. Some scholars believe that “the day of the Lord” will be a longer period of time, rather than a single day—a period of time when Christ will reign throughout the world before He cleanses heaven and earth in preparation for the eternal state of all mankind. Yet other scholars believe the day of the Lord will be an instantaneous event when Christ returns to earth to redeem His faithful believers and send unbelievers to eternal damnation.

The phrase “the day of the Lord” is used nineteen times in the Old Testament (Isaiah 2:12; 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 four times in the New Testament (Acts 2:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10). It is also alluded to in other passages (Revelation 6:17; 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!” (Isaiah 13:6); “For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near” (Ezekiel 30:3); “For the day of the Lord is near” (Joel 1:15); “Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near” (Joel 2:1); “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14); “For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations” (Obadiah 15); “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near” (Zephaniah 1:7); “Near is the great day of the Lord, near and coming very quickly” (Zephaniah1:14). This is because the Old Testament “day of the Lord” passages often speak of both a near and a far fulfillment, as does much of Old Testament prophecy. There are times in the Old Testament that “the day of the Lord” is used to describe historical judgments that have already been fulfilled in at least some sense (Isaiah 13:6-22; Ezekiel 30:2-19; Joel 1:15; 3:14; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18), while at other times it refers to divine judgments that will take place towards 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” (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; 2 Thessalonians 2:2), and therefore we as Christians must be watchful and ready for the coming of Christ at any moment.

This answer is taken from www.gotquestions.org:

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The Scriptures clearly indicate that there is a distinction between Israel and the Church (the Bride of Christ) regarding God's prophetic plan for mankind... As stated above in the last paragraph, Christians ought to be ready for Christ's return for them known as the Rapture. This occurance of "the saints who are alive" being "caught up" (1 Thes 4:17) is near the beginning of the end time events mentioned above.

The annual feasts of Israel (Lev 23) have a prophetic significance that are fulfilled in history and prophecy in relation to Israel alone, not the church. Christ fulfilled the four feasts in the spring cycle... Passover (Lev 23:5), Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6), First Fruits (Lev 23:10-11), Weeks of Pentecost (Lev 23:15-17) at the exact times they were celebrated on Israel's annual calendar. It appears, then, that the events related to His 2nd Coming will fulfill the three fall feasts.

These fall feasts await fulfillment in events that will take place at the 2nd Coming and in the Millennium. The Feasts of Trumpets will take place at the 2nd Coming (Mt 24:31)... "He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect form the four winds, form one end of the sky to the other." The Day of Atonement will be applied to the nation of Israel when the people realize that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah (Zech 12:20, Rm 11:25-27). The Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled by the Millennial kingdom when the Jewish nation will dwell with their God in the land of Israel for 1000 years.

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