One day. One eventful day in the history of humanity. One day in the future when the “Day of the Lord” comes to pass. On that day, that very day, Jesus Christ returns to this earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s and forces the world to either obey Him and God’s laws or He will destroy those who disobey Him. On that day, the “Day of the Lord” Christ returns to earth and sets up his Kingdom of God and He and His saints begin to rule over all the earth (see CSCOG7 Staff Gospel of the Kingdom of God).
1. When is the “Day of the Lord”? The disciples asked Jesus when these thigs would come to pass? Jesus’s recorded answer is found in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. Jesus answered there would be wars and rumors of wars, nations lifting up swords against nations, earthquakes, the Saints will be delivered up to be afflicted, false prophets, deceivers and iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound. Revelation chapters 6-11 also describe the time of the end. It is a time of war and destruction, a time of deceitfulness, a time so disastrous that if Jesus did not return all flesh on earth would be destroyed (Matt. 24:22). We read in Zechariah 14:1-4 The Day of the Lord happens when “… his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives…” The Day of the Lord is the Return of Jesus Christ to earth
2. Who is affected by the return of Jesus on the Day of the Lord? Jesus restores His family and marries the Church of God. All those who obey and have kept His commandments (Rev. 12:17) become part of the family of God. Family is restored (Mal. 4:5-6). God pours out His wrath on those who persecuted the saints (Rev. 6:17). The saints of God, on the Lord’s Day, those dead and living are resurrected and live eternally with Christ (I Thes. 4:13-17; I Cor. 15:52-53). The kingdoms of the world become Christ’s (Rev. 11:15). Jesus marries the church and sets up His wonderful Kingdom of God (Rev. 19:1-16). A very busy day indeed.
3. What is Jesus going to do and how will He handle the world of disobedience? At His return on the Day of the Lord His army will cause destruction (Joel 1:15; 2:11). He will rebuke strong nations (Micah 3:3). He will cause war and plague to destroy the sinful (Zech. 14:1-9, 12-15). Many will be slain at His coming (Isa. 66:15-16). Egypt will be conquered (Ezek. 30:3-8). There is an ongoing war at the return of Christ to this earth (Rev. 17:13-14). Christ specifically makes war against the ungodly after His return (Rev. 19:11-16). He comes and brings destruction and wrath (Isa.13:6, 9). He unleashes His vengeance against those who persecuted His people (Isa. 34:8; Jere. 46:10). Note: It is God’s responsibility to avenge those who oppose Him- not ours (Rom. 12:9). To the sinners He says thy reward shall return upon thine own head (Obadiah 1:15). He will devour the land by fire (Zeph. 1:8, 14, 18). Day becomes darkness and the moon will look like blood (Joel 2:31 and Acts 2:20). The Day of the Lord comes as a surprise to the world and evil is burned up (II Pet. 3:10). We have quite the description of worldwide war at the return of Jesus.
The return of Jesus will not be done in secret. The return of Jesus on the Day of the Lord will usher in His Kingdom and He will destroy all who oppose Him.
For further study see posts “Kingdom of God”, “Rapture”
