Limitless Word

The Day of the Lord

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The thread of judgment and rescue that runs from the prophets to the return of Christ.

No theme gathers the prophets like "the day of the LORD" — a coming day when God acts decisively to judge evil and save his people. It thunders through Amos, Joel, Zephaniah, and Malachi; Jesus folds it into his own promise to return; Paul says it comes "like a thief in the night"; Peter sees the heavens dissolve and a new world dawn; and Revelation shows it consummated when the Rider on the white horse appears. Walk this trail and you watch the dim, fearful "day" of the prophets resolve into the bright return of the King.
  1. 1

    "Let the day of the LORD come"

    Amos 5:18

    What sorrow awaits you who say, “If only the day of the Lord were here!” You have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will bring darkness, not light.

    Amos warns that the day many long for will be darkness, not light — judgment begins with God's own people.
  2. 2

    The sun turned to darkness

    Joel 2:31

    The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.

    Joel paints the cosmic signs of the great and awesome day — and promises the Spirit poured out.
  3. 3

    A day of wrath and nearness

    Zephaniah 1:14

    “That terrible day of the Lord is near. Swiftly it comes— a day of bitter tears, a day when even strong men will cry out.

    Zephaniah: "The great day of the LORD is near" — a call to seek the LORD before it comes.
  4. 4

    The refiner's fire

    Malachi 4:1

    The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

    Malachi closes the Old Testament looking ahead to the burning day — and the sun of righteousness rising.
  5. 5

    Like a thief in the night

    1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

    Paul: the day of the Lord comes suddenly; children of light stay awake and sober.
  6. 6

    The heavens will pass away

    2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

    Peter: the day comes, the elements dissolve, and we wait for new heavens and a new earth.
  7. 7

    The great day of their wrath

    Revelation 6:17

    For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”

    Revelation opens the sixth seal — Joel's signs return as the day finally dawns.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.