As the Day is Long
What’s in a day? If you said 24 hours, you would only be seeing half of the picture.
When used in a prophetic sense or from God’s standpoint, the word does not mean twenty-four hours or even twelve hours. . . God is not bound by our time or the standard rotation of our planet. When God speaks of a day, it has a much broader application. We see precedent for a day equaling a year or even a thousand years in His word.
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary defines day as ...The term may refer to an era (Matt 24:37) or to a span of human history (Gen 8:22), or specify a memorable event (Isa 9:4) or a significant time (Zeph 1:14-16). The term often has a metaphorical meaning. A "day" is important largely for what it fills rather than for its chronological dimensions.
Strong's concordance defines the word (Yowm) for a day as: day, time, or year. This same word while translated 2008 times as day, is also translated, time 64 times, chronicles 37 times, and year 14 times, as well as: continually, while, when, and always, among others.
Seeing that this word, in Bible language, has such a broad meaning, it behooves the Bible student not to give the narrow interpretation to the word except where context demands it. It is important not to limit God to our understanding but to elevate our minds and thoughts to His (Isa 55:7,8).
Day of Salvation
So how does God use the word "day"? Let's look at the day of salvation: "For He says: in acceptable time, I heard you, and in the day of salvation, I helped you. Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2)
Do we believe that we are in the day of salvation? I would dare say that as Christians we do, else all would be in vain, and we would be most miserable. The day of salvation began at the death of Jesus. Salvation could only be offered at this time, because it was then that Adam's life had been ransomed, and through Adam we were "bought with a price". The way of salvation was opened and we as Christians took advantage of this offer. We are now living almost two thousand years since the crucifixion. How is it that we are still in that day? Does this not show that this day is not twenty-four hours?
Day of the Lord
Now let's take a closer look at the day of the Lord.
This time period is described in many ways. David, in Psalms 110:1-4, describes Jesus as sitting beside His Father. God says He will make His enemies His footstool and Jesus will rule and the people will be willing in the day of His power. When we go further on in the text, the day of His wrath is explained as a time of judgment and destruction.
The prophet Isaiah describes the day of the Lord as a coming destruction, full of fear and wrath. A time when sinners are destroyed. He also calls this time: "the day of his fierce anger" (Isa 13: 6-18). He describes a day of vengeance as a time of comfort and a blessing to those that mourn and are meek. A day of vengeance that is a day of blessings and good tidings?
Let's think about it for a moment. Let's review all these days that we have described so far, which are really aspects of the same event.
Day of his power, day of his wrath, day of the Lord, day of his fierce anger and day of vengeance. So far we see wrath, vengeance and anger poured out upon the wicked, whereas the meek and oppressed are blessed and willing in the day of His power.
This day is heavily prophesied about, so we will continue with our study to find out what else happens on this day.
Ezekiel 7:14-19 shows a fierce destruction, but there are those that escape if they repent from their evil ways. Zephaniah 1:14-18 gives us most vividly and most comprehensibly what this day comprises. The day of the Lord comprises the day of wrath, day of trouble and distress, day of wasteness and destruction, day of darkness and gloominess, day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm.
These verses also speak of the whole land being devoured by the fire of his jealousy, but is further qualified that the literal land is not destroyed or burnt up, but the people who dwell in the land, but not every person on the planet.
Lets continue with Zephaniah 2:1-3, we see the day of wrath, but an admonition to seek meekness and righteousness so that you are not destroyed by the Lord’s anger.
Again (Zephaniah 3:8-13), we have the analogy that the earth will be devoured with the fire of his jealousy. We know this is not a literal destruction of the planet, and we know that there will be survivors of this “Time of trouble”, else how would the Lord turn to the people a pure language that they may serve the Lord with one consent (vs. 9). The subsequent verses show who it is that will be destroyed and who will not be destroyed.
Zechariah gives us yet more detail, devoting and entire chapter (14) to this time period. Here we see the Hordes from the North, and a gathering of these nations to Israel (see also Ezekiel chapters 39, 40). We see a great battle ensuing in Jerusalem and the Lord fighting for Israel as he did in the days of old. Think for a moment on this! How did the Lord fight for Israel in the days of old? Have we seen this fulfilled in our day?
These verses also describe an earthquake which cleaves the Mount of Olives. Have we seen this happen? Is the Mount of Olives split? Further on we see the Lord coming with his saints. Who are his saints? Enoch prophesied of this very day (Jude 14,15), and he said that the Lord and the saints came to execute Judgment. Keep this thought in mind and we will come back to it when we discuss more the Day of Judgment.
Continuing on in Zechariah, after the Lord comes with his saints to judge, living waters go out from Jerusalem and the Lord is King in the earth and in that day there will be one Lord.
If the Lord will be king in the earth in this day, does it not imply that he has not been king in the earth before that? Has he not told us that Satan is the god of this world? We see a decided change when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord. We see God’s will being done in the Earth as it has always been done in heaven. When Satan is bound and his influence destroyed, only righteousness remains. (Consider also Isaiah. 2:1-5; Mich 4:1-7, and Zechariah 8:18-23).
Joel describes this time as well. The entire work that we have from this prophet contains details to thoroughly furnish us and to help us to identify the events of the day.
Chapter 1 shows the destruction (vs. 15). In chapter 2 we see almost the same words as Zephaniah, but Joel furnishes us with another clue. There has never been a day like it and there will never be another one like it again. Where have we heard that expression before? (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21).
As we continue in Joel, we see an army emerge. We also see a gathering of nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat (Jerusalem). This army comes from the North (2: 20) Verse 16 of Chapter 2 shows the marriage of Jesus and his bride (the church). This army is called the Lord’s Great Army (vs. 25), but is not comprised of a righteous element. This army is none other than Gog and Magog of Ezekiel (not of Revelation). The Lord is using them to deliver judgment upon Israel (much like he did in days of old). Though this horde is used of God, they come down to Israel of their own free will, and evil motives of their own. They will be punished for their evil motives as seen in 3:11-14 and in the other accounts that we have looked at.
Amos sheds some light on this day as well. In Chapter 5, verses 18-20, he shows this day as a very dark time to those that are wicked. In Chapter 9:8-15, again we see that destruction of sinners. The sinners of Israel are specially pointed out in these verses. Again we see hope. Within the darkness, the Lord shines a light to those that love him. He promises that he will not utterly destroy Israel (vs. 8) and that the tabernacle of David will be rebuilt as well as the whole nation, and they will never be pulled up out of their land.
Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, again gives us a warning of this day. We are told that he will send a messenger to prepare the way (3:1). Was John the Baptist the complete fulfillment of this scripture? Or was he only a foreshadow of the true fulfillment? Verse 2 asks, Who can abide? Who shall stand at his “appearing”? What do we know about his appearing? Are there not New Testament scriptures that describe such an event as future?
Chapter 4 continues on but describes this day as burning as an oven. It also describes the destruction of the wicked as a complete destruction. But again with the hard message, hope is given. He shall send us Elijah the prophet. Was this fulfilled in John the Baptist? Did John the Baptist turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers?
Who is this messenger (3:1), this Elijah (4:5-6)? Do not all these scriptures previously spoken of speak of Jesus’ Second coming and not his first?
There was a partial fulfillment at Jesus’ first Advent. John did declare and identify the Messiah, but do these verses speak of a future fulfillment, where Elijah and John are types of the real?
Peter also describes the day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:3-13). He talks about the last days, the scoffer, saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? (this obviously refers to his 2nd coming). He likens this time to the days of Noah and the destruction of the heavens and Earth (not the literal), but water. He further intimates that just as the heavens and earth of Noah’s day were destroyed, so will the heavens and earth of our day cease to exist during this Day of judgment.
Right in the midst of explaining this prophetic event; “The day of the Lord”. Peter furnishes us with the most important clues to putting the pieces of this puzzle together. Can we dismiss these clues because they don’t fit with our own preconceptions? Or do we see the whole glorious picture. He exhorts us not to be ignorant. Why does he exhort us so? Because he knew that these scoffers would try to discourage the believer.
The important clues he gives are: 1) When this day of the Lord would begin, and 2) how long it will last.
Do not vs. 3-13 describe exactly what we have just explored in the Old Testament? Peter is talking about the day of the Lord, and says don’t be ignorant!
Why do some try to say the day of the Lord is 24 hours? Or Why do some try to say its 2 thousand years long. How do either of those views harmonize with this scripture or he ones that speak of the millennium in Revelation?
Day of Judgment
We discussed in passing the Day of Judgment in conjunction with the Day of the Lord. As we have seen the Day of the Judgment is a part of that great and terrible day. But now we will look at other scriptures that deal with this time.
Matt 25:31, show Jesus and his church (the bride, the elect, the saints), sitting on a throne of His glory. Before him are the gathered nations and there is a division taking place. Their characters are likened to sheep and goats (Parables are pict-o-grams, and not to be taken as literal events). This conversation does not literally take place but is used to show why one is considered wicked and destroyed.
During the day of Judgment, the bride of Christ is promised to reign and judge with Christ. Here was have another clue that this Day cannot begin until all the saints are resurrected to be with the Lord. See Psalms 149:1-8; Revelation 2:18-29; Revelation 19:11-21; Jude 14,15; 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3)
Daniel 12:1,2 and John 5:29 show us that there must be a resurrection of the dead, and that the must be judged.
The judgment that we touched on in the day of wrath (the destruction of the wicked) is only the beginning of the Day of Judgment. The beginning to cleanse the earth, to prepare for the New Heavens and the New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. There are many scriptures that describe what goes on them the time the wicked are destroyed in the wrath to the time of the resurrection. Now this resurrection described is not of the saints. As previously seen those of the first resurrection are already risen and by the Lord’s side during this judging. So who are those? The world of mankind!
Judgment begins with the house of God (the saints). Those proven worthy and overcomers are passed their judgment and have received the “well done thou good and faithful servant”, and have sat down with Christ.
From the moment we put our sacrifice on the altar, our judgment begins. We are immediately put on trial for life. Our admonition is to be faithful unto death, and we will be given a crown of life. How long was our judgment? We don’t like to use that word when considering ourselves and our covenant with God, but infact, that is indeed what the scriptures bear out.
If the God of love and mercy extends us a fair trial of 20 or even 50 years for us to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, Why do we insist that the world of mankind, who for life has been blinded by the god of this world, get 24 hours to be awakened, sentence read and punishment received?
We have the promise that all in their graves will hear the voice of the son of man and come forth. John 5:29 shows the two resurrections. Those that are resurrected to life are the saints, those that partake of the 1st resurrection. The other resurrection described in the King James is one of damnation. The word damnation is Strongs’ 2920 “Krisis”. This word has the meaning of trial. Before a verdict is determined a trial is given. The world of mankind was not on trial for life in the past, only the Christian. Now with the veil of darkness removed and Satan bound so as not to deceive, mankind has no excuse.
Acts also speaks of the two resurrections (24:15) the just (those justified thru Christ) and the unjust (those unjustified—those who have no relationship with Christ in the present age)
We are told that when the judgments of the Lord are in the earth, the inhabitants will learn righteousness. We are also told that one like Moses will come and mediate a better covenant, and the people will listen, and those that don’t will be cut off. Truly this is a plan of a just and loving God! He wills that all shall be saved. He gives them a real opportunity to choose him, free from Satan’s deceptions. How true are Peter’s words that his day is a thousand years! How else can the billions of humanity, who have ever lived yet a fair trial for life? How else can those who have never heard the name of Jesus, have a chance to hear him and choose life? Life only comes through Jesus as the ransom for Adam. Those who knew him as the Logos or the Angel of the Lord, were not given the opportunity of salvation in their lifetime. Abraham, Daniel and Job, were not given the opportunity to become joint-heirs with Christ. They were never given the hope of a heavenly resurrection. They are not part of the first resurrection. Though they will be rewarded for their fait and righteousness, they will never be part of the bride class. Even John the Baptist, who there was none greater, will not be of this class, as the way was not opened up until Christ’s death (Hebrews 11:40; Matthew 11;11; Luke 7:28)
Romans 2:16 and Acts 17:31 also describe this day.
Time of Trouble
Previously we touched on the “great time of trouble”, when examining the book of Joel. Joel states in Chapter 2, verse 2, that this trouble is unique, there was nothing like it before in history, and there will be nothing like it again. Daniel tells us of a time of trouble such as never was. He describes the resurrection as previously described under the day of Judgment. He gives a clue as to when all this will happen. He describes the conditions that prevail in the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
For thousands of years, travel was limited. One rarely traveled more than 50 miles from their homes. Knowledge was relatively stagnant, and almost went into oblivion in the dark ages.
It wasn’t until the Reformation and the formation of Bible Societies, that the age of enlightenment had its beginning. Once out from under the yoke of tyranny placed upon all Europe by the Papacy in 1799, we see knowledge beginning to flourish. By the end of the 1800’s we see the telephone, phonograph, light bulbs, telegraph and many advances in medicine such as vaccines, penicillin, and X-ray machines. Until today they say knowledge doubles every 50 years.
The 1800’s also brought about inventions as the steamship, the automobile, trains, and the airplane, to finally the spaceship in our day. These iron horses have certainly allowed us to fulfill the scripture of running to and fro as never possible in any other era.
Also with all this good increase of knowledge also came the knowledge of how to kill and destroy ourselves and the earth umpteen times over.
As elsewhere described this time of trouble will have brother’s hands against brother, and neighbor against neighbor, besides the trouble coming to Israel.
Matthew 24:21-31 also speak of this time and states that unless God intervenes, no flesh would be saved. Matthew provides an interesting twist. Man is destroying each other. The fallen Angels are released from their chains of darkness (Jude 6; Matthew 24:37) and causing untold mischief.
Just as in the days of Noah, the hearts of the man are evil continually, violence is on the earth and all of mankind will be destroyed if God doesn’t step in.
What did he do? He saved the righteous and destroyed the wicked and started over again. Sound familiar? Only this time there will be a mediator and a judge to teach them righteousness and they will learn.
So in closing we will consider one last day spoken of in Scriptures. A day that happened before life was even created on this planet.
Creative Day
As we have shown, a day with the Lord is not 24 hours.
God said he ordered the earth in 7 days. Why do we insist this day be 24 hours long? Have we not scriptural precedent hat a day can be much longer than one revolution of our planet? Do we not ourselves use this term day to describe a period of time, i.e. “Luther’s day, Washington’s day”?
Many will say that each creative day is 24 hours and that the Lord ordered the earth in a week. In Genesis 2:4, God states that the generations of the heavens and the of the earth when they were created in 1 day. We have generations (a long period of time) described as 1 day.
Again God is showing us that his ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
When used in a prophetic sense or from God’s standpoint, the word does not mean twenty-four hours or even twelve hours. . . God is not bound by our time or the standard rotation of our planet. When God speaks of a day, it has a much broader application. We see precedent for a day equaling a year or even a thousand years in His word.
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary defines day as ...The term may refer to an era (Matt 24:37) or to a span of human history (Gen 8:22), or specify a memorable event (Isa 9:4) or a significant time (Zeph 1:14-16). The term often has a metaphorical meaning. A "day" is important largely for what it fills rather than for its chronological dimensions.
Strong's concordance defines the word (Yowm) for a day as: day, time, or year. This same word while translated 2008 times as day, is also translated, time 64 times, chronicles 37 times, and year 14 times, as well as: continually, while, when, and always, among others.
Seeing that this word, in Bible language, has such a broad meaning, it behooves the Bible student not to give the narrow interpretation to the word except where context demands it. It is important not to limit God to our understanding but to elevate our minds and thoughts to His (Isa 55:7,8).
Day of Salvation
So how does God use the word "day"? Let's look at the day of salvation: "For He says: in acceptable time, I heard you, and in the day of salvation, I helped you. Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2)
Do we believe that we are in the day of salvation? I would dare say that as Christians we do, else all would be in vain, and we would be most miserable. The day of salvation began at the death of Jesus. Salvation could only be offered at this time, because it was then that Adam's life had been ransomed, and through Adam we were "bought with a price". The way of salvation was opened and we as Christians took advantage of this offer. We are now living almost two thousand years since the crucifixion. How is it that we are still in that day? Does this not show that this day is not twenty-four hours?
Day of the Lord
Now let's take a closer look at the day of the Lord.
This time period is described in many ways. David, in Psalms 110:1-4, describes Jesus as sitting beside His Father. God says He will make His enemies His footstool and Jesus will rule and the people will be willing in the day of His power. When we go further on in the text, the day of His wrath is explained as a time of judgment and destruction.
The prophet Isaiah describes the day of the Lord as a coming destruction, full of fear and wrath. A time when sinners are destroyed. He also calls this time: "the day of his fierce anger" (Isa 13: 6-18). He describes a day of vengeance as a time of comfort and a blessing to those that mourn and are meek. A day of vengeance that is a day of blessings and good tidings?
Let's think about it for a moment. Let's review all these days that we have described so far, which are really aspects of the same event.
Day of his power, day of his wrath, day of the Lord, day of his fierce anger and day of vengeance. So far we see wrath, vengeance and anger poured out upon the wicked, whereas the meek and oppressed are blessed and willing in the day of His power.
This day is heavily prophesied about, so we will continue with our study to find out what else happens on this day.
Ezekiel 7:14-19 shows a fierce destruction, but there are those that escape if they repent from their evil ways. Zephaniah 1:14-18 gives us most vividly and most comprehensibly what this day comprises. The day of the Lord comprises the day of wrath, day of trouble and distress, day of wasteness and destruction, day of darkness and gloominess, day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm.
These verses also speak of the whole land being devoured by the fire of his jealousy, but is further qualified that the literal land is not destroyed or burnt up, but the people who dwell in the land, but not every person on the planet.
Lets continue with Zephaniah 2:1-3, we see the day of wrath, but an admonition to seek meekness and righteousness so that you are not destroyed by the Lord’s anger.
Again (Zephaniah 3:8-13), we have the analogy that the earth will be devoured with the fire of his jealousy. We know this is not a literal destruction of the planet, and we know that there will be survivors of this “Time of trouble”, else how would the Lord turn to the people a pure language that they may serve the Lord with one consent (vs. 9). The subsequent verses show who it is that will be destroyed and who will not be destroyed.
Zechariah gives us yet more detail, devoting and entire chapter (14) to this time period. Here we see the Hordes from the North, and a gathering of these nations to Israel (see also Ezekiel chapters 39, 40). We see a great battle ensuing in Jerusalem and the Lord fighting for Israel as he did in the days of old. Think for a moment on this! How did the Lord fight for Israel in the days of old? Have we seen this fulfilled in our day?
These verses also describe an earthquake which cleaves the Mount of Olives. Have we seen this happen? Is the Mount of Olives split? Further on we see the Lord coming with his saints. Who are his saints? Enoch prophesied of this very day (Jude 14,15), and he said that the Lord and the saints came to execute Judgment. Keep this thought in mind and we will come back to it when we discuss more the Day of Judgment.
Continuing on in Zechariah, after the Lord comes with his saints to judge, living waters go out from Jerusalem and the Lord is King in the earth and in that day there will be one Lord.
If the Lord will be king in the earth in this day, does it not imply that he has not been king in the earth before that? Has he not told us that Satan is the god of this world? We see a decided change when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord. We see God’s will being done in the Earth as it has always been done in heaven. When Satan is bound and his influence destroyed, only righteousness remains. (Consider also Isaiah. 2:1-5; Mich 4:1-7, and Zechariah 8:18-23).
Joel describes this time as well. The entire work that we have from this prophet contains details to thoroughly furnish us and to help us to identify the events of the day.
Chapter 1 shows the destruction (vs. 15). In chapter 2 we see almost the same words as Zephaniah, but Joel furnishes us with another clue. There has never been a day like it and there will never be another one like it again. Where have we heard that expression before? (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21).
As we continue in Joel, we see an army emerge. We also see a gathering of nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat (Jerusalem). This army comes from the North (2: 20) Verse 16 of Chapter 2 shows the marriage of Jesus and his bride (the church). This army is called the Lord’s Great Army (vs. 25), but is not comprised of a righteous element. This army is none other than Gog and Magog of Ezekiel (not of Revelation). The Lord is using them to deliver judgment upon Israel (much like he did in days of old). Though this horde is used of God, they come down to Israel of their own free will, and evil motives of their own. They will be punished for their evil motives as seen in 3:11-14 and in the other accounts that we have looked at.
Amos sheds some light on this day as well. In Chapter 5, verses 18-20, he shows this day as a very dark time to those that are wicked. In Chapter 9:8-15, again we see that destruction of sinners. The sinners of Israel are specially pointed out in these verses. Again we see hope. Within the darkness, the Lord shines a light to those that love him. He promises that he will not utterly destroy Israel (vs. 8) and that the tabernacle of David will be rebuilt as well as the whole nation, and they will never be pulled up out of their land.
Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, again gives us a warning of this day. We are told that he will send a messenger to prepare the way (3:1). Was John the Baptist the complete fulfillment of this scripture? Or was he only a foreshadow of the true fulfillment? Verse 2 asks, Who can abide? Who shall stand at his “appearing”? What do we know about his appearing? Are there not New Testament scriptures that describe such an event as future?
Chapter 4 continues on but describes this day as burning as an oven. It also describes the destruction of the wicked as a complete destruction. But again with the hard message, hope is given. He shall send us Elijah the prophet. Was this fulfilled in John the Baptist? Did John the Baptist turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers?
Who is this messenger (3:1), this Elijah (4:5-6)? Do not all these scriptures previously spoken of speak of Jesus’ Second coming and not his first?
There was a partial fulfillment at Jesus’ first Advent. John did declare and identify the Messiah, but do these verses speak of a future fulfillment, where Elijah and John are types of the real?
Peter also describes the day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:3-13). He talks about the last days, the scoffer, saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? (this obviously refers to his 2nd coming). He likens this time to the days of Noah and the destruction of the heavens and Earth (not the literal), but water. He further intimates that just as the heavens and earth of Noah’s day were destroyed, so will the heavens and earth of our day cease to exist during this Day of judgment.
Right in the midst of explaining this prophetic event; “The day of the Lord”. Peter furnishes us with the most important clues to putting the pieces of this puzzle together. Can we dismiss these clues because they don’t fit with our own preconceptions? Or do we see the whole glorious picture. He exhorts us not to be ignorant. Why does he exhort us so? Because he knew that these scoffers would try to discourage the believer.
The important clues he gives are: 1) When this day of the Lord would begin, and 2) how long it will last.
Do not vs. 3-13 describe exactly what we have just explored in the Old Testament? Peter is talking about the day of the Lord, and says don’t be ignorant!
Why do some try to say the day of the Lord is 24 hours? Or Why do some try to say its 2 thousand years long. How do either of those views harmonize with this scripture or he ones that speak of the millennium in Revelation?
Day of Judgment
We discussed in passing the Day of Judgment in conjunction with the Day of the Lord. As we have seen the Day of the Judgment is a part of that great and terrible day. But now we will look at other scriptures that deal with this time.
Matt 25:31, show Jesus and his church (the bride, the elect, the saints), sitting on a throne of His glory. Before him are the gathered nations and there is a division taking place. Their characters are likened to sheep and goats (Parables are pict-o-grams, and not to be taken as literal events). This conversation does not literally take place but is used to show why one is considered wicked and destroyed.
During the day of Judgment, the bride of Christ is promised to reign and judge with Christ. Here was have another clue that this Day cannot begin until all the saints are resurrected to be with the Lord. See Psalms 149:1-8; Revelation 2:18-29; Revelation 19:11-21; Jude 14,15; 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3)
Daniel 12:1,2 and John 5:29 show us that there must be a resurrection of the dead, and that the must be judged.
The judgment that we touched on in the day of wrath (the destruction of the wicked) is only the beginning of the Day of Judgment. The beginning to cleanse the earth, to prepare for the New Heavens and the New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. There are many scriptures that describe what goes on them the time the wicked are destroyed in the wrath to the time of the resurrection. Now this resurrection described is not of the saints. As previously seen those of the first resurrection are already risen and by the Lord’s side during this judging. So who are those? The world of mankind!
Judgment begins with the house of God (the saints). Those proven worthy and overcomers are passed their judgment and have received the “well done thou good and faithful servant”, and have sat down with Christ.
From the moment we put our sacrifice on the altar, our judgment begins. We are immediately put on trial for life. Our admonition is to be faithful unto death, and we will be given a crown of life. How long was our judgment? We don’t like to use that word when considering ourselves and our covenant with God, but infact, that is indeed what the scriptures bear out.
If the God of love and mercy extends us a fair trial of 20 or even 50 years for us to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, Why do we insist that the world of mankind, who for life has been blinded by the god of this world, get 24 hours to be awakened, sentence read and punishment received?
We have the promise that all in their graves will hear the voice of the son of man and come forth. John 5:29 shows the two resurrections. Those that are resurrected to life are the saints, those that partake of the 1st resurrection. The other resurrection described in the King James is one of damnation. The word damnation is Strongs’ 2920 “Krisis”. This word has the meaning of trial. Before a verdict is determined a trial is given. The world of mankind was not on trial for life in the past, only the Christian. Now with the veil of darkness removed and Satan bound so as not to deceive, mankind has no excuse.
Acts also speaks of the two resurrections (24:15) the just (those justified thru Christ) and the unjust (those unjustified—those who have no relationship with Christ in the present age)
We are told that when the judgments of the Lord are in the earth, the inhabitants will learn righteousness. We are also told that one like Moses will come and mediate a better covenant, and the people will listen, and those that don’t will be cut off. Truly this is a plan of a just and loving God! He wills that all shall be saved. He gives them a real opportunity to choose him, free from Satan’s deceptions. How true are Peter’s words that his day is a thousand years! How else can the billions of humanity, who have ever lived yet a fair trial for life? How else can those who have never heard the name of Jesus, have a chance to hear him and choose life? Life only comes through Jesus as the ransom for Adam. Those who knew him as the Logos or the Angel of the Lord, were not given the opportunity of salvation in their lifetime. Abraham, Daniel and Job, were not given the opportunity to become joint-heirs with Christ. They were never given the hope of a heavenly resurrection. They are not part of the first resurrection. Though they will be rewarded for their fait and righteousness, they will never be part of the bride class. Even John the Baptist, who there was none greater, will not be of this class, as the way was not opened up until Christ’s death (Hebrews 11:40; Matthew 11;11; Luke 7:28)
Romans 2:16 and Acts 17:31 also describe this day.
Time of Trouble
Previously we touched on the “great time of trouble”, when examining the book of Joel. Joel states in Chapter 2, verse 2, that this trouble is unique, there was nothing like it before in history, and there will be nothing like it again. Daniel tells us of a time of trouble such as never was. He describes the resurrection as previously described under the day of Judgment. He gives a clue as to when all this will happen. He describes the conditions that prevail in the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
For thousands of years, travel was limited. One rarely traveled more than 50 miles from their homes. Knowledge was relatively stagnant, and almost went into oblivion in the dark ages.
It wasn’t until the Reformation and the formation of Bible Societies, that the age of enlightenment had its beginning. Once out from under the yoke of tyranny placed upon all Europe by the Papacy in 1799, we see knowledge beginning to flourish. By the end of the 1800’s we see the telephone, phonograph, light bulbs, telegraph and many advances in medicine such as vaccines, penicillin, and X-ray machines. Until today they say knowledge doubles every 50 years.
The 1800’s also brought about inventions as the steamship, the automobile, trains, and the airplane, to finally the spaceship in our day. These iron horses have certainly allowed us to fulfill the scripture of running to and fro as never possible in any other era.
Also with all this good increase of knowledge also came the knowledge of how to kill and destroy ourselves and the earth umpteen times over.
As elsewhere described this time of trouble will have brother’s hands against brother, and neighbor against neighbor, besides the trouble coming to Israel.
Matthew 24:21-31 also speak of this time and states that unless God intervenes, no flesh would be saved. Matthew provides an interesting twist. Man is destroying each other. The fallen Angels are released from their chains of darkness (Jude 6; Matthew 24:37) and causing untold mischief.
Just as in the days of Noah, the hearts of the man are evil continually, violence is on the earth and all of mankind will be destroyed if God doesn’t step in.
What did he do? He saved the righteous and destroyed the wicked and started over again. Sound familiar? Only this time there will be a mediator and a judge to teach them righteousness and they will learn.
So in closing we will consider one last day spoken of in Scriptures. A day that happened before life was even created on this planet.
Creative Day
As we have shown, a day with the Lord is not 24 hours.
God said he ordered the earth in 7 days. Why do we insist this day be 24 hours long? Have we not scriptural precedent hat a day can be much longer than one revolution of our planet? Do we not ourselves use this term day to describe a period of time, i.e. “Luther’s day, Washington’s day”?
Many will say that each creative day is 24 hours and that the Lord ordered the earth in a week. In Genesis 2:4, God states that the generations of the heavens and the of the earth when they were created in 1 day. We have generations (a long period of time) described as 1 day.
Again God is showing us that his ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
