"That Day"


BIBLE READING: 1 Thessalonians 5

The expression, "the day of the Lord," is found frequently in the Old Testament.  Before the New Testament, it referred to any day when God brought His judgment or special blessings on nations, cities, or people.  It is also applied to God's destruction of a city or to the discipline of His people.  The expression that Paul used finds its background in the Old Testament.
In verse 2, however, Paul was writing about the day of days, the final day of time and the ending of the world.  This important day is referred to in several ways in the New Testament.  Noting these ways might help us to put this day in its proper perspective.
·         Because of its relation to the Lord, it will be "the day of the Lord."  God will be the center of it.  Christians do not look for an event, we look for someone to come, the great Redeemer.
·         Because of its relation to the unrighteous, it will be "a day of wrath."  Paul called it "the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." (Romans 2:5) It will be that kind of day for the disobedient and unrighteous.
·         Because of its relation to the end of all things, it is simply called "that day."  Paul called it "that day" (2 Thessalonians 1:10), Jesus called it "the last day." (John 6:39).  It is the day toward which all time moves, and it is appropriate to refer to it as "the day."
The biggest question anyone can raise is this, "Are you ready for the judgment day?"  The state of our souls will determine the kind of day it will be, whether a day of redemption or a day of wrath.


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