THE DAY OF THE LORD

Pulpit Today Sermon

by Robert D. Pace

(Note to Pastors: this is a long and intense message describing three aspects of the “Day of the LORD.” Its major points are: (I.) An Overview of the Day of the Lord; (II.) The Length of the Day of the Lord and (III.) Impending Precursors taking Mankind to the Threshold of the Day of the Lord.)

Introduction

Depending on the translation of the Bible, the phrase “Day of the Lord” appears about thirty-five times. But it’s also identified with such phrases as, “the day”; “that day”; “the great and awesome day of the LORD” (Joel 2:31); “the day of God’s wrath” (Job 20:28); “the day of God’s anger.”

While those phrases reference the same event, the question is, what characterizes the Day of the LORD? Does it involve blessing and rewards for Believers or God’s recompense upon sinners? These questions are important enough to address here in the introduction, so let’s consider the overall purpose of this coming day.

I. An Overview of the Day of the Lord

(Definition) The Day of the Lord is a unique, one-of-a-kind period when God steps from Heaven to impose upon the earth and its normal course. He will use fearsome signs and wonders to humble mankind and magnify himself as El Elyon, which means “the Most High God” (Isaiah 2:17). God will be so imminently exalted that there will be no room left for people of rank. There will be no difference between kings and citizens, rich and poor, or mighty and lowly, educated or illiterate. The LORD will sentence sinners, nations, and even the powers of evil with his just judgments. It will culminate when God coronates Jesus Christ as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” He will then reign supreme from Jerusalem, for a thousand years of peace and prosperity.

This is what’s coming. It’s marked on God’s calendar. And nothing this awesome has happened in mankind’s history! Even though Scripture speaks extensively about the Day of the Lord, the freight of this collective, one-of-a-kind judgment is difficult to comprehend. It’s information hard to imagine.

(Transition) Nevertheless, let’s investigate some characteristics of this day. I’ll start with a perspective from the Old Testament and then move into the New Testament. Please open your Bible to Isaiah 2.

The prophet Isaiah speaks extensively about this day. So much that I can only summarize his characterization. As you will discover, his testimony is sobering:

On five occasions, Isaiah 2 uses the words terror and terrify regarding this day (Verses 10, 19, 21). Let’s particularly examine verse 19. “And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.”

Isaiah also emphasizes the exaltation of God in contrast to the humiliation of the proud. Notice verse 17. “And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.”

Now notice Isaiah 13. Again, rather than reading a long passage, I’ll outline his disclosures:

He begins in verses 6, 7, and 8 as Isaiah describes the pathos of the soul and mind. In verse 6 he says, “Wail, for the day of the LORD is near”; in verse 7, he says, “Every human heart will melt”; in verse 8 he says, people will be “dismayed” and would writhe with “pangs … agony … [and] anguish.”

In verse 9 Isaiah says the Day of the LORD will be “cruel, with wrath and fierce anger … to destroy sinners from it.” The last portion of this verse emphasizes the significance of the upcoming day. And its purpose is to bring judgment upon a generation of sinners who will have had greater opportunities to accept Christ as their Savior than any other people in human history. Let me show you:

They will have seen multiple prophecies from the Old and New Testaments come to pass.

They will have shunned the testimony of the Two Witnesses.

They will have ignored the preaching of the 144,000 evangelists.

They will have seen the cosmic signs and wonders that Jesus and the Prophets predicted.

They will have ignored the ominous testimony packed into the Book of Revelation. Can you imagine reading and then experiencing the contents of this book—the four horsemen, the seven seal judgments, the seven trumpets, the seven angelic plagues, the bowls of wrath, and the Antichrist and False Prophet?

Consequently, humanity’s multiple rejections of God’s plan of salvation will take them past the “point of no return,” which forces God to cleanse the earth of its sinners. God’s cleansing of sinners will be so vast that verse 12 says, “I will make people more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir.”

Isaiah continues this thought in chapter 24:1 & 3. He writes: “I will make people more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir … (3) The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word.”

Now look at his characterization of the Day of the Lord in verse 4. He says: “The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish.”

Then in verses 5 & 6, Isaiah points to the inexcusable culprit that elicits this judgment roiling through the earth. And it’s mankind himself that’s to blame! Notice Isaiah 24:5—6.

The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. (6) Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left.

Adam sinned, the succeeding generations compounded that sin, and thus mankind must face God’s reckoning of their sin. And this judgment reaches every sinner, from the least to the greatest. But that only concerns God’s judgments against mankind. The Day of the LORD also includes God’s judgment against the powers of evil. Yes, you heard that right! The Day of the LORD includes a collective judgment of mankind and the powers of evil. And several Scriptures mention this:

Isaiah wrote of this in Isaiah 24:21—22. He says, “On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. (22) They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished.”

Then in Isaiah 34:5, he wrote this: “For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it descends for judgment upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.” (At times, Scripture uses Edom as a euphemism for sinners.)

Jesus also spoke of the powers of evil being judged in three NT passages: Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:25, and Luke 21:25–27. In each case, he spoke of the constellations (such as the sun, moon, and stars) being descriptors of demonic principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness.

When this occurs, Jesus predicted how the masses would respond in Luke 21:26. He shows “people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. [Mark these next words!] For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” [ESV] Remember, the “powers of the heavens” can be literal—like the sun, moon, and stars—and figurative, like the forces of evil ruling from their high seats of authority. So when God evicts these powers from their exalted positions and sentences them to Earth, people will confront forces face-to-face in an unprecedented way. This is why it will paralyze people with fear!

Here’s how Revelation 12:12—13 trumpets this warning. “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

(Transition) All of this solicits an important question: how long will this gruesome Day of the Lord last?

II. The Length of the Day of the Lord

There are differences of opinion concerning the duration of this day, and I want to briefly highlight three options.

Option 1 proposes that the Day of the Lord lasts but a 24-hour day. Option 2 proposes that the Day of the Lord endures throughout the final eighteen months of the Tribulation. Option 3 proposes that the Day of the Lord lasts one year. Of these three options I believe the Day of the Lord lasts for one year, and here’s why:

Isaiah 34:8 says this: “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.”

Isaiah 63:4 is a Messianic prophecy that says the following: “For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.”

Now let’s consider a mathematical equation that God presented to his prophet in Ezekiel 4. The Lord discloses this formula in light of his punishment upon Israel. He says in verse 5. “For I assign to you a number of days, 390 days, equal to the number of years of their punishment.” Thus, God’s mathematical equation of a day corresponding to a year could apply to the Day of the Lord lasting one year. And that would be an intolerable 365 days to endure God’s wrath!

(Transition) Now that we have some perspective of the Day of the Lord, does the Bible provide any warning signs to announce its nearness? Does it disclose impending precursors that take humanity to the threshold of that day?

III. Impending Precursors of the Day of the Lord

And the answer is, Yes! Scripture provides definitive, unavoidable forewarnings that announce its nearness. Being irrefutable, these precursors will alert the world that everything is about to change. Let’s continue by looking at Joel 2.

A. Joel’s Precursors of the Day of the Lord

It’s interesting that Joel prophesies both favorable and frightful precursors that will usher in that day:

He begins by predicting an unprecedented global revival in Joel 2:28—29. This is a familiar passage showing the Holy Spirit being poured out on “all flesh”; “sons and daughters”; “male and female servants.” The old will dream and the young will see visions. This is the final spiritual harvesting of the world when God sweeps millions into his Kingdom.

But in the next breath, in verses 30—31, Joel declares a prophecy of dramatic disturbances fomenting from the Earth. He sees the billowing of “blood and fire and columns of smoke.” As he continues, he shifts his attention from the earth to the heavens. He shows the constellations erupting with dreadful wonders (30) [which include] “the sun be[ing] turned to darkness, and the moon to blood” (31). (Remember that the Bible uses darkness to symbolize doom and dread; it’s associated with chaos, the unknown, and the absence of hope.)

When you put together the dramatic prophecies of Joel they serve as a giant forewarning of mercy to notify the world that “the great and dreadful day of the LORD” is at hand. And mercy is a repeated theme in the book of Joel. This is especially so in Joel 3. In a final effort to save sinners before the Day of the LORD engulfs the world, the prophet shows God drawing humanity into an arena of decision. Each person’s choice will determine their eternal destiny. Look at Joel 3:14.

“Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”

To stress the importance of this decision Joel twice uses a double emphasis in this verse. He starts by saying, “Multitudes, multitudes.” In so doing, he pictures God addressing an innumerable amount of people, which is likely worldwide! Joel then doubles down again by picturing where mankind will make their choice. He calls it the “valley of decision.”

But what does Joel see “at stake” here? He’s showing God and Satan battling for the souls of mankind. The Day of the Lord is at the threshold as the False Prophet is commanding people to take the Mark of the Beast, while God and his servants are urging people to reject it. This is the “Valley of Decision,” in which mankind will be gathered.

Now notice that Joel again refers to the constellations in verses 15—16.

The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. (16) The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake.

When Joel shows God dimming the constellations, he is symbolizing the literal and spiritual darkness that’s about to envelop the earth. It’s an unmistakable visual, which illustrates how God will draw the curtains of darkness over the world. But in conveying his message God not only appeals to mankind’s sight, he appeals to man’s hearing. In a deafening way, verse 16 shows God “roar[ing] from “Zion, and utter[ing] his voice from Jerusalem.”

It’s important to recognize that God’s Endtime message originates from Jerusalem — not New York, Washington DC, London, or Paris. It originates from Jerusalem! That’s because Jerusalem is the “city of God”; it’s the “holy city”; it’s the “center of the nations” (Ezekiel 38); it’s the only city of truth. So in some irrepressible manner, God’s voice will rise above the “Valley of Decision” to warn the world to make the right choice.

But in the last sentence of verse 16, Joel makes an incredible promise to those who stand with God. With the cosmos agitated and natural disasters rattling the world, God intervenes to protect the Tribulation saints when Joel says, “But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. The Glorious Future of Judah.”

Thank God that he defends his people! Though Scripture doesn’t specifically disclose how God does this, it’s likely through his ministering angels that rush to rescue the righteous as they fulfill the words of Hebrews 1:14.

Now notice Joel’s words in chapter 3 and verse 17. “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.”

This is a powerful passage that establishes two facts about God and the Holy Land; first, it shows God’s presence and ownership Is Scripture sending a subtle message when it says “Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it”? I certainly believe so! I hear this verse predicting that the Temple Mount will be cleansed of non-Jewish structures! According to statistics, three million people pass over the Temple Mount yearly to visit the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. But when the Day of the Lord arrives God will sovereignly suspend this activity. Look at the last portion of verse 18.

“A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias. [NIV]

Did you notice that? Joel discreetly identified the presence of the Temple when he used the phrase, “the LORD’s house.” So the Temple will have been rebuilt! But now notice verse 21. “I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the LORD dwells in Zion.” Here again, God uses the Day of the Lord to right the wrongs of sin and Satan.

(Transition) Now let’s move from the prophet Joel to the prophet Malachi as he approximates the impending presence of the Day of the LORD.

B. Malachi’s Precursors of the Day of the LORD

Malachi, perhaps more than any other prophet, provides the most explicit approximation of this day’s nearness. This is simply impossible to miss! And he does so in less than twenty words. Turn to Malachi 4:5, and let’s read: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before that great and awesome day of the LORD comes.” [ESV]”

That’s an incredible sign! The powerful prophet Elijah will take his stand on Earth to represent the power of God. He is the fulfillment of Revelation 14, as one of the two witnesses of the Endtime.

And Elijah doesn’t stand alone. The Lord Jesus sent forth his apostles in pairs, and he will follow this pattern at the Endtime. While we can’t be dogmatic about identifying the second witness with Elijah, I believe it is Moses. Being the writer of the first five books of the Bible, Moses is likely the primary spokesman. Once they take their stand upon the earth, and people recognize them, it can be said that the Day of the Lord has drawn near the door!

(Insight) But does God have yet another purpose for sending these extreme precursors? Yes, he sends them to protect the character of his Name! God is holy, just, and fair, and nobody will be able to accuse him of not supplying indisputable forewarning that the Apocalypse is next. They will unite to provide “due warning” for the Day of the LORD and guard the integrity of his Name.

And it’s imperative to recognize this: God has designed these gigantic, dreadful harbingers to serve as his last redemptive acts of grace before mankind stumbles into the Apocalypse—the Day of the Lord. Here’s how he does it:

He fills the earth with his glory through a worldwide revival.

He resends two of his mightiest prophets to forewarn the world of the Apocalypse.

He shakes the cosmos and the earth erupts with disasters.

He produces irrepressible “signs and wonders” that no one can overlook.

And he exalts himself as the One, true God of the universe.

That’s the ultimate purpose of these precursors! They are God’s final redemptive call to sinners. He rises to centerstage to convince the world he is their only hope. Once these harbingers conclude he will have provided complete evidence for his Lordship. And it’s here that he will withdraw his hand of grace to sinners.

(Transition) Now let’s transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament where the Apostle Paul unveils his precursors to the Day of the LORD.

C. Paul’s Precursors that Approximate the Day of the Lord

Let’s turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:1–5 and let’s look at the Apostle Paul’s approximation of the Day of the Lord: “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. (2) For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

Once again, we see the Apocalypse catching the careless, clueless sinners by total surprise. Paul shows it befalling the world “like a thief in the night.”

Let’s continue in verse 3, where Paul writes this:“While people are saying, “peace and safety” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

What does Paul mean by the phrase “peace and security”? That’s how the ESV states it, but many versions translate it as “Peace and safety.” Regardless of the translation, Paul describes a catchphrase that will one day sweep the nations. People around the world will unite their voices to say, “Peace … safety,” or, “Peace … Security.”

What would cause mankind to do this? Well, I see this mantra breaking out in connection with the Antichrist brokering his Peace Treaty with Israel. And the world thinks it’s the ultimate Peace Plan! Imagine the Middle Eastern nations pausing their attacks on Israel because a “Man of intrigue” has devised a Peace Pact that satisfies both Israel and Arabs. I foresee the United Nations also accepting this treaty. This is likely why people chant, “Peace and safety.”

But Paul makes a shocking disclosure in the next clause of verse 3. Let’s read his announcement:

“While people are saying, “peace and safety” [while this acclamation is falling from their lips] then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman.”

I foresee people dancing in the streets and likely throwing festive “Peace Parties.” They will regale the Peace Pact drafted by the Antichrist. But out of nowhere, the world will be blindsided with “sudden destruction”! And instantly their chanting will stop because the “great and terrible Day of the Lord” has come!

(Definition) In studying this passage, I discovered that Paul’s use of the Greek word for sudden is a strong word that has a double meaning. It not only means, “something that occurs in the blink of an eye”; sudden also means, “unforeseen; unexpected.” So when these statements are merged, they disclose how the Day of the Lord will fall upon sinners unforeseen and in the blink of an eye.

But there’s more! In Luke 21, Jesus used the same word for the same scenario. Let’s read Luke 21:34—35. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. (35) For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. [NIV]

Both Jesus and Paul declare that “Sudden destruction” will befall the world. And Jesus added how it will befall the world “like a trap”!

But let’s return to 1 Thessalonians 5 because Paul has a final prophecy for the world. Let’s continue with verse 3. “While people are saying, “peace and safety” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, [and here’s Paul’s great precursor] and they will not escape.”

Do you hear the fateful finality of those words? ”They will not escape”! Today, people are free to claim all the promises found in God’s Word, but the day is coming when mankind will take its final step from the Dispensation of Grace only to find itself trapped in “the great and terrible Day of the LORD.” It will be a matter of one step! Just one step! And though God will have supplied demonstrable evidence for its appearance, the Day of the Lord will catch the wicked by total surprise. They will be incapable of returning to the previous day. That’s the meaning of, “They will not escape”!

Perhaps you’re thinking, But what about Christians? Will this day catch Believers by surprise? Let’s check Paul’s answer to this in verses 4–6. “But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. (5) For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (6) So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”

In this passage, Paul pictures a clear distinction between Christians and sinners. And he distinguishes them this way: when the Day of the Lord draws near with its seismic forewarnings, it’s Christians who will understand its meaning. Most sinners will disassociate any divine meaning to them. The signs and wonders will simply be chaotic disturbances.

(Transition) Much of the information I’ve disclosed in this message is weighty. It brings to bear momentous omens befalling the Endtime generation. That’s why I’d like to ask everyone to do something.

Conclusion

This will be brief, but it’s important. I want us to pause for a moment of contemplation—let’s contemplate the Day of the LORD. In solitude, perhaps with your eyes closed, quietly rehearse the blessings and curses converging at this time. If you’re ready, I’ll lead everyone through it:

Let’s start by recalling the wondrous revival that will sweep the world. Picture millions of people being saved.

Next, recall the rebuilding of the great Jewish Temple. By television, the world will watch its reconstruction process day by day.

Then remember how God will use this day to exalt himself above all the living. He will lay low the kings and chieftains of the world and prove his Godship to the world.

Now consider how the Day of the LORD will reckon with every fallen creature—be they human or demonic. Isaiah said this will occur! The LORD will dethrone demonic principalities and evil spirits and cast them down to the earth alongside wicked men. Isaiah says “They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison.”

Recall how the Bible shows the desperation of sinners seeking death, yet unsuccessfully. They spent their lives without the fear of God, thus they must bear his dreadful hand.

Consider how the LORD will reduce the world’s population to nearly nothing.

Most importantly, remember that God’s unyielding judgments will never impugn his character; every act of retribution will be just and right!

This is “The Day of the LORD”! And it’s why we must remember Christ’s words in Luke 21:35—36. “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” [NIV]

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THE DAY OF THE LORD