What Is A Day Of The Lord?

by  Robert Brow  (www.brow.on.ca)      Aurora, Ontario     May  2008

 



 Most of the time the Messiah Son of God does not interfere in our
 personal and national lives. But sometimes when things get out of hand
 he breaks into history in what the Old Testament prophets called a
 "Day of the Lord" (Isaiah 13:6, 9, 22:5, 34:8, Jeremiah 46:10, Joel
 1:15, 2:1, Amos 5:18, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:2). Isaiah often
 shortened the expression to "that day" (Isaiah 7:18-23, 10:20,
 11:10-11, 17:4, 7, etc.) as Paul does (1 Corinthians 1:8, 3:13).

 Such interventions were also called comings of the Lord ( Genesis
 11:5, 18:21, Exodus 6:1, 12:12, Isaiah 13:6,9, 19:1, 31:4, 40:10,
 Zechariah 14:1, 5, as in Matthew 21:40, 24:27, 30, 37, 42, 50,
 Revelation 2:5, 16, 25, 3:11) In each case there was terrible wrath
 (bad consequences) for some, but for others redeeming, deliverance, or
 vindication (Exodus 12:51, 15:6-7, Isaiah 34:8, 52:9). The day of the
 Lord of Babylon's destruction (539 BC) is pictured with portents in
 the sun (emperor), moon (empress), stars (dignitaries), foundations
 shaking (Isaiah 13:6, 9, 10, 13).  Jesus used exactly the same words
 to describe his own Day of the Lord coming in the generation of his
 hearers (AD 70) to destroy the temple in the city of Jerusalem
 (Matthew 24:28-30).  In the history of each city  similar days can be
 seen to occur from time to time.   And after a Day of the Lord things
 are never the same again.

 Robert Brow
 e-mail : browr@brow.on.ca
 web site : www.brow.on.ca

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