What does the day of the Lord mean in the Bible?
The Day of the Lord as a Day of Calamity. The day of the Lord means destruction of the godless. With metaphor the prophets excel in describing the calamitous aspect of day of the Lord. Amos speaks of it as a day of darkness ( 5:18 ). Joel depicts it as a day of clouds and thick darkness ( 2:2 ).
How many times is the day of the Lord mentioned in Joel?
The primary theme of the book of Joel is the “day of the Lord,” which is mentioned four times (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). 2. The Day of the Lord is a significant timing indicator in understanding the structure of the book of Revelationand the timeline of end-time activity. Definition of the Day of the Lord
What is the third day of the Lord?
The third Day of the Lord referred to by Joel pointed to God’s activity at the end of the age (Joel 2:18-3:21). This Day of the Lord crisis is seen in the book of Revelation (Rev. 6:17). Thus, all three Day of the Lord descriptions must be studied together to get a complete picture.
What is the main theme of the Book of Joel?
(Joel 3:14) 1. The primary theme of the book of Joel is the “day of the Lord,” which is mentioned four times (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). 2. The Day of the Lord is a significant timing indicator in understanding the structure of the book of Revelation and the timeline of end-time activity.
What does the day of the Lord mean?
Answer. The phrase “day of the Lord” usually identifies events that take place at the end of history ( Isaiah 7:18-25) and is often closely associated with the phrase “that day.”. One key to understanding these phrases is to note that they always identify a span of time during which God personally intervenes in history, directly or indirectly, ...
What is the final outcome of the day of the Lord?
The final outcome of the day of the Lord will be that “the arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day” ( Isaiah 2:17 ). The ultimate or final fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the day of the Lord will come at the end of history when God, with wondrous power, ...
Is the day of the Lord a longer day?
Some scholars believe that the day of the Lord will be a longer period of time than a single day—a period of time when Christ will reign throughout the world before He cleanses heaven and earth in preparation for the eternal state of all mankind.
What is selective theology?
Some theologians have what I call “selective theology” in relation to Israel. They apply the scriptural promises of blessing given to Israel to the modern Church, yet leave the judgment prophecies to be fulfilled only in Israel. We study Joel knowing that what will happen to Israel, good and bad, will happen in part to the nations of the earth as well.
Why does Joel say the calamity will get worse?
He goes on to tell them the calamity will get worse (Joel 2:1-9) because the Lord wants His people to turn to Him. The crisis would surely continue and even increase until God’s desired effect took place. The second day of the Lord that Joel prophesied was the Babylonian invasion of Israel (Joel 2:1-9).
What is the Day of the Lord crisis?
The Day of the Lord crisis that is seen in the book of Joel is centered on Israel, but we need to apply it to our nation, knowing there is a parallel crisis coming to the Antichrist’s empire that involves military invasions and agricultural crisis (Rev. 6; 8-9; 16).
What is the theme of Joel 2:31?
(Joel 2:31) For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14) 1. The primary theme of the book of Joel is the “day of the Lord, ” which is mentioned four times (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). 2.
What is the end of the age day?
The end-of-the-age Day of the Lord is both a one-time event when Jesus enters Jerusalem to be crowned King, and a series of events starting with the Great Tribulationand extending for the 1,000 years of the millennial kingdom.
What is the two dimension day of the Lord?
The Two-Dimensional Day of the Lord – Narrow and Broad. The end-of-the-age Day of the Lord is both a one-time event when Jesus enters Jerusalem to be crowned King, and a series of events starting with the Great Tribulation and extending for the 1,000 years of the millennial kingdom.
How long did the locust plague last?
As the people and animals died, disease broke out. The entire population was threatened. The locust plague crisis probably lasted three to five years (Joel 1:15; 2:25a). As the negative impact of the agricultural locust plague was passing, the word of the Lord came again to Joel.
What does Isaiah say about war?
Isaiah describes a massive leveling; whatever is lofty will be brought low ( 2:12-17 ). A frequent metaphor is war. Isaiah invokes the war model to characterize the day of the Lord — "The Lord Almighty is mustering an army for war" ( 13:4 ). With war comes fear and cruelty.
What was the catastrophe of the fall of Jerusalem?
The catastrophe of the fall of Jerusalem in 587 b.c. was described as a "day of the Lord" ( Lam 2:21 ). Isaiah says that the day of the Lord will involve the fall of Babylon. God's agency will be recognized, for he will "make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place" ( Isa 13:13 ).
How does the day of the Lord affect nature?
The day of the Lord also affects the natural order . The plague of locusts in Joel whether a pointer to the day of the Lord or itself a "day of the Lord" brings unproductive conditions for trees and vines and jeopardizes the survival of animals ( Joel 1:12 Joel 1:18 ). An upheaval of cosmic proportions means changes in the sun, moon, and stars ( 2:30 ). Some hold that these luminaries are symbolic, as often in the ancient Near East, of potentates and governmental powers. While there is no direct evidence that civil powers are intended, it must be understood that the authors were describing the indescribable, and that rigorous literalism need not always be required. Still, an overriding impression is that the day of the Lord will powerfully affect nature.
What is the preview of the day of the Lord?
The preview of the day of the Lord, as in the destruction of Babylon or at the time of the Christ-event, including the day of Pentecost, already shows evidence of God's extraordinary work and power, so that the day of the Lord at the end of history is quite beyond human description.
What is the significance of the day of the Lord?
First, without question, the day of the Lord is a day of God's vindication. In the battle between evil and God, it is God who is victorious and vindicated .
What is the last day of God?
Expression, often in the context of future events, which refers to the time when God will intervene decisively for judgment and/or salvation. Variously formulated as the "day of the Lord" ( Amos 5:18 ), the "day of our Lord Jesus Christ" ( 1 Col 1:8 ; cf. 2 Col 1:14 ), the "day of God" ( 2 Peter 3:12 ; Rev 16:14 ), or "the last day (s), " the expression highlights the unmistakable appearance of God. God will make visible his rule of righteousness by calling for an accounting by the nations as well as individuals, dispensing punishment for some and ushering in salvation for others.
What is the day of judgment in the Bible?
Bible Dictionaries /. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology /. Day of the Lord, God, Christ, the. Day of Judgment. Deacon, Deaconess. Day of the Lord, God, Christ, the. Expression, often in the context of future events, which refers to the time when God will intervene decisively for judgment and/or salvation.
What Is the Day of the Lord?
On the one hand, God’s prophets and apostles identify the day of the Lord as the climactic event when God establishes his sovereignty, eradicates all evil, and brings lasting peace on a universal scale (e.g., Zeph. 1:14–18; 3:8–10; 2Thes. 1:9–10; 2Pet. 3:10 ). This reality is inaugurated in Christ’s first coming but only consummated at his second coming. On the other hand, biblical figures also apply the language of “the day of the LORD” to the various instances where Yahweh typologically intrudes into space and time to reconstitute right order through punishing wickedness––not only that of the broad world ( Jer. 46:10–12; Obad. 15; Zeph. 3:8; cf. Isa. 2:10–22; 13:1–22; Ezek. 30:1–9; Joel 3:9–16 .) but also that of Israel/Judah ( Ezek. 13:5; Amos 5:18; Zech. 14:1; cf. Isa. 3:1–4:1; Joel 1:15; 2:1–11, 31; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 3:7; Mal. 4:5 [Heb. 3:23]).
What does the seventh day of the creation week mean?
4:9, 11 ). On the seventh day of the creation week, Yahweh God rested from all of his labor ( Gen. 2:1–3 ), identifying that proper order exists in the world only where creation celebrates God as sovereign over all, ...
What does the prophet Zephaniah say about sacrifice?
After highlighting the nearness of the day of the Lord, the prophet Zephaniah grounded this statement in the reality that God had already “prepared a sacrifice ” ( Zeph. 1:7 ). Sacrificial fires are nothing less than a divine war against sin.
What are the signs of Yahweh's day of wrath?
19:16 ), the biblical authors often associate Yahweh’s day of wrath with darkness, wind, earthquake, and clouds. “You will be visited by the LORD of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire” ( Isa. 29:6; cf. 30:30; Joel 2:30–31 ). The foreboding images of tempest and shadow, gloom and quaking display Yahweh’s fierce and impending presence and highlight the nearness of his day of destruction against both individuals ( 2Sam. 22:12; Job 15:22) and nations ( Isa. 13:10; 30:30; cf. Isa. 30:33; Ezek. 30:3; Joel 3:15; Zeph. 1:15 ), including Israel/Judah ( Isa. 5:30; 8:22; 29:6; cf. Joel 2:2, 30–31; Amos 5:18, 20; 8:9).
What does the Old Testament say about the day of the Lord?
The Old Testament portrays the day of the Lord as punishment through overlapping images of cataclysm, war, and sacrifice; it highlights the day as renewal by emphasizing how God’s presence will rest on his people in the midst of a messianic Davidic reign. The New Testament then identifies Christ Jesus as the one who fulfills the ultimate day of the Lord, inaugurating it in his death and resurrection and consummating it at his second coming. For the elect, Jesus’s death signals the satisfaction of God’s wrath against sin, and his resurrection marks the start of the new creation. For non-believers, however, the day of the Lord’s wrath is still future, and it will come with cataclysm, war, and sacrifice, as the warrior God will enter into space and time to punish his enemy and to reconstitute right order, wherein he is exalted over all.
What happens when God enters our space and time?
When God enters our space and time, the natural forces react; storms awaken and ground quakes . Such depictions of Yahweh’s day should cause hearts to tremble. Conquest. The darkness of the day of the Lord may at times refer not to storm but to the sensory experience of dying as a victim of divine war.
What is the impending day of the Lord?
The impending day of the Lord includes both punishment and renewal.
What is the nature of the day of the Lord?
The Nature of the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is clearly characterized by a pouring out of divine wrath on God’s enemies ( Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; Zech 1:14-15 ). Imagery of natural disaster, devastating military conquest, and supernatural calamity is connected to Day of the Lord references. 2.
What are the three guidelines for grounding typological interpretation in a careful handling of scripture?
Edward Glenny has identified three helpful guidelines for grounding typological interpretation in a careful handling of scripture: First, the type must be grounded in scripture and possess a solid historical foundation. Second, there must be a discernable pattern between the texts under consideration.
How many sides does the day of the Lord have?
In sum, an accurate presentation of the Day of the Lord requires us to recognize that the day has two sides to its nature. Sometimes one side is prominent, sometimes the other. This should not come as a surprise to those who know the nature of the God who is behind the nature of the day.
What does Obadiah say about corporate judgment?
Obadiah expands the individual references to peoples and announces that the Day of the Lord will bring corporate judgment to all of the nations (15). Isaiah broadens the scope of judgment even further, describing calamity that will fall upon the entire earth on the consummate Day of the Lord (13:10-13). This increasing scope suggests that judgment ...
Is it difficult to find references to the Day of the Lord?
Determining the fulfillment of past references to the Day of the Lord is a relatively easy task. Future references to the Day of the Lord are not difficult to locate. However, determining whether those referents point toward an imminent or eschatological event from the vantagepoint of the writer is another matter.
Is the Day of the Lord telescoping?
Regardless of the reasons for prophetic telescoping, contextual evidence strongly suggests that it is a common feature of Old Testament prophecy. With respect to the Day of the Lord, its continual unfolding in biblical history combined with its clear future element sets up the former as a precursor to the latter in an “already/not yet” fashion. Past events worthy of the designation “Day of the Lord” provided a taste of things to come, and provide continued opportunity for repentance before arrival of the day.
Is the Day of the Lord a one time event?
By virtue of its diversity the Day of the Lord is not properly viewed as a one-time event, and technical force should be assigned to the phrase with caution. 5 Nevertheless, even when one recognizes multiple referents for the phrase, distinguishing a given referent’s precise timing remains difficult.
What does Joel call the people to repent of?
Joel calls the people to repent of their sin and begs them to put on sackcloth and ashes. He foretells of a mighty army, driving down from the north on the day of the Lord. Defenses fail against them. Like the locusts, they devastate the land.
What does the book of Joel tell us about locusts?
The book of Joel opens with the telling of an impending locust swarm and its consequences. By the millions ravenous locusts will swoop over Israel, gorging themselves on every plant in sight. Joel describes them destroying wheat and barley crops, stripping trees down to their bark, ruining grape vines so no wine offerings could be made to the Lord. The once lush countryside quickly becomes a wasteland.
What does the book of Joel mean?
Book of Joel. One of the 12 minor prophets, Joel penned most of his 73-verse book in the form of a poem. Joel means "Yahweh is God.". Locusts are similar to grasshoppers and can congregate in swarms of millions of insects, stripping bare crops, trees, and grass in their path. Both in ancient times and today, there was no way to stop them ...
What did Joel say about locusts?
Like the locusts, they devastate the land. "Return to the LORD your God," Joel cried, "for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.". (Joel 2:13, NIV) God promised to restore Israel, once again turning it into a land of plenty.
What does the locust symbolize in the Bible?
Bible scholars are divided over the meaning of the locusts in Joel. Some consider them symbolic of an approaching army while others think they were an actual plague of insects.
What is God's call in the book of Joel?
God's call is not just to return to him, but to return with all your heart. Complete commitment is God's avenue to blessing. The book of Joel reminds readers to be mindful of both the past and future judgments of the Lord and encourages them to seek God’s presence always and live to please him .
When was Joel fulfilled?
According to the apostle Peter, this prophecy of Joel was fulfilled 800 years later at Pentecost, following the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14-24) . Joel's prophecy also contained a foreshadowing of a far greater future day of the Lord: God’s final judgment on sin in the Great Tribulation.
What does Joel describe the day of the Lord?
The prophet Joel describes the day of the Lord as a day when destruction will come from the Almighty. He shows God in His camp, with an army of such power that none can hope to defeat it. Yet, Joel also mentions multitudes gathering against God in a place called "the valley of decision" where this battle is to take place ( Joel 3:14 ).
How many times is the day of the Lord mentioned in the Bible?
The day of the Lord – What is it? The day of the Lord is mentioned in the Bible over twenty times, and refers to a day at some future but unknown time, when the people of the earth will meet God's judgment. For those who are in opposition to Him, who deny any need for His mercy and grace, that day will be a terrible day of battle ( Isaiah 2:12;
Will Christians face judgment?
Christians are told to be prepared for it, though it will not be a time of judgment for believers. The pride of those who reject God will be humbled on that day ( Isaiah 2:17 ). But anyone who is covered by Christ's work on the cross will not have to face judgment.
What is the Hebrew word for destruction from the destroyer?
The Hebrew preserves the alliteration, Shod Mishaddai, destruction from the destroyer. The Almighty was the general title of God. “I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob by the name of God ALMIGHTY, but by My name JEHOVAH was I not known unto them.” (See Note on Genesis 17) Benson Commentary. Joel 1:15-17.
What is the day of God's anger against Judah?
The day of God's anger against Judah is a presage of that day when , as Judge of all, Jew and Gentile, he will take vengeance on his enemies. Joel's prophetic glance reached onward and forward, not only to the close of the Jewish, but to the conclusion of the Christian, dispensation. Joel 1:15.
What does the Bible say about "might"?
Only, the word "might" is always used of "might" put forth to destroy, a "mighty destruction.". He says then, in fact, that that Day shall come, like might put forth by the Almighty Himself; to destroy His enemies, irresistible, inevitable, unendurable, overwhelming the sinner. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary.
What is the day of Jehovah?
On the ‘Day of Jehovah’ comp. A. B. Davidson on Zephaniah 1:7; and below, on Amos 5:18. It is the Day, when Jehovah is conceived as manifesting Himself in His fulness, striking down wrongdoing and illusion, and giving the final victory to righteousness and truth.
What does the prophet say about the present calamity?
The present calamity is viewed by him as the harbinger of a far sorer calamity to come, even of the great “Day of Jehovah” itself; and he gives expression to the alarm which the prospect of its approach naturally creates.
How many years off was the prophet aim at the captivity of the two tribes?
Is at hand; great calamities were now upon them, and greater were approaching to them: if the prophet aim at the captivity of the two tribes, it was one hundred and eighty years off; if of the ten tribes, it was about sixty years off, for he prophesieth about the latter end of Jeroboam the Second; it is likely therefore he aimeth at some other calamities.
Where does the word "destruction" come from?
Here the words form a sort of terrible proverb, from where they are adopted from Joel by the prophet Isaiah Isa 13:6. The word "destruction, שׁד shôd," is formed from the same root as "Almighty, שׁדי shadday. It shall come as might from the Mighty.".
