The phrase The Day of the Lord is a theme that appears throughout the Bible, giving it a special place of importance. Although it is called The Day of the Lord, it does not necessarily point to a specific day, but rather to a time of reckoning, accountability, and judgment — a day of many events spread over several years.
We learn of several judgments in the Scriptures: one for believers at which they will receive rewards (2 Corinthians 5:9-11), a seven year long judgment of all unbelievers after the rapture took the church out of the way (the Tribulation), a judgment of nations (Matthew 25:31-33), and the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11).
The Lord has been talking about The Day of the Lord for a long time, both informing and warning us that He expects to be a part of our lives. We should not forget our Creator by becoming so focused on making the best of our short time here on earth, as if it is all there is.
Solomon, in his great wisdom, summed it up this way:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
The Day of the Lord will bring our earthly history to a conclusion. All our secular accomplishments, accumulated wealth — and everything else dear to us, will lose its value at that time. The only thing that will matter on that Day, is your salvation through the shed blood of Christ; it is something very personal and intimate that cannot be delegated to anyone — not even the church.
Be aware also that your insight in spiritual matters and knowledge of the Bible will not be considered on that awesome Day. Nothing short of a life changing confrontation with the living Christ, leading to a personal relationship with Him, will do.
Since every one of us will, in some way, experience the Day of the Lord, it is in your best interest to prepare yourself for it while you can, bearing in mind that premature death can rob you of opportunities to do so. It is for this very reason that the Bible says today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)
One would think that something as important as this Day would dominate pulpits everywhere, but it is hardly mentioned in many churches. It is almost as if keeping the pews filled is of a greater priority than preparing the flock for the most important Day the world has ever known.
This Day is so significant that God, in His grace and mercy, gave us many signs by which we may know when it will dawn on humanity — and those signs are now visible for all to see. The Day of the Lord is breaking! In addition to all the warnings and signs that we have received, the Bible also gives us advice on how to prepare for what is known as the most terrifying time in all of the world’s history:
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:10-12
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless… 2 Peter 3:14
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16
Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. Luke 12:35-37
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24,25
Some may call these advices narrow minded, religious, even old fashioned, or argue that most Christians don’t live this way. However, we were not called to follow other Christians, but Jesus our Lord. He Himself told us that the road leading to life, is narrow:
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13,14
Decide today to be one of the few who travel along the difficult way toward the narrow gate!
