Today was Week 97 of Rightly Dividing the Word of truth…our study / overview of Paul’s epistles to believers in this dispensation of the grace of God. Paul is the only apostle to speak directly about the Day of Christ, the rapture of the Church Age saints, because he is our apostle, the apostle to the Gentiles. As we discussed today, John did write about the appearing of the Lord, which is the rapture, as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:1, below.
1 John 2:28: And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 3:2-3: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The three great days revealed in the Bible that are yet in our future:
- The Day of Christ, also known as the Rapture of all church age believers. This is the next great event on God’s celestial calendar of events. It ushers in the seven year tribulation period. Paul mentions this mystery at least 18 times in his letters. Romans 13:11-14, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 3:13, 5:5, *15:50-54*, 2 Corinthians 1:14, Philippians 1:6,10, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2 Timothy 1:12, 4:1,8, 1 John 2:28, 3:1-3
2 Timothy 4:1,7-8: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (the spirituallly alive – Ephesians 2:1) and the dead (the spiritually dead) at his appearing (the day of Christ – the rapture) and his kingdom (the 2nd Advent, the physical return of Messiah King Jesus) ; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (the day of Christ – the rapture).
Remember – Things different are not alike. Things different are not the same. Christ’s appearing and Christ’s kingdom are separated by the seven year tribulation period.
- The Day of the Lord, also known as the 2nd Advent, the literal, physical return of Messiah King Jesus to establish his everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7) beginning with the 1,000 year millennium. He will purge the world of all wickedness, beginning with the battle of Armageddon and ending with the judgment of the nations – Matthew 25:31-46. Every book from Isaiah to Malachi, except Daniel, specifically mentions the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is mentioned 24 times, and “that day”, a synonymous phrase , is mentioned 107 times from Isaiah to Malachi. Malachi 4:1-6, Matthew 3:1-3, 11:10-14, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 24:36, Luke 10:12, Luke 17:31, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 19:11-16, 16:16 (Ezekiel 39), 17:12-14, Daniel 2:42-45
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
- The Day of God, that moment in eternity future, after the millennial kingdom is finished, and the Great White Throne Judgment is in progress, or completed, when God destroys this world, and creates new heavens and a new earth, as pure as original creation completely without the curse of sin. 2 Peter 3:10-14, Revelation 21:1-2
Isaiah 65:17: For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Isaiah 66:22: For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. (The nation of Israel will once again be the head of all the nations in eternity future!)
We will complete our exploration these three great days this coming Sunday.