The great day of the Lord
Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
There are many prophetic declarations made in the scripture by the mouth of God's servants which were revealed by God Himself. Some had come to pass while some are waiting for the time of fulfilment.
One of those prophecies is the day of the Lord. God’s day is coming, man’s day, on the other hand, is just about to end. He has done what he pleased; he has mocked God; defied his laws and polluted God’s creation.
Satan’s day is also coming to an end. He knows that he has but a short time left (Rev. 12:12). For several thousand years he has claimed to be the “prince of this world,” but his authority is about to end.
There are two clear aspects to the day of the Lord. The first one, which is most obvious in the Old Testament, is the aspect of judgment upon the wicked. Apparently in Old Testament times some wicked men were desiring the Day of the Lord in order that they might escape from all their problems.
The prophet reminded them of this judgment aspect, saying: “Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light” (Amos 5:18).
The Day of the Lord will bring down the proud and lofty. Isaiah says “The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (Isa. 2:11).
It is a day of disaster and destruction upon the ungodly (Isa. 13:6). We see this also pictured in Revelation 6:17: “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” God will shake the earth terribly (Isa. 2:19).
Earth’s great and mighty ones will cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of the Lamb (Rev. 6:15). The cry of that day will be bitter (Zep. 1:14). Wicked hearts will faint as they are seized with terror (Isa. 13:7-8). The heavenly bodies will no longer give their light (Isa. 13:10-13).
A devouring fire will break out on the earth as the Lord comes. In Malachi 4:1 the prophet says: “‘Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble.
While the day of the Lord will be an unmitigated disaster for the ungodly, it will rather be a day of blessing for the righteous. The prophet Malachi also says that the righteous will go forth leaping like calves released from a stall. In Malachi 4:3 he says: “Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things…”
We who love and serve the Lord will actually be able to lift up our heads as the Day of the Lord approaches (Lk. 21:28). We will have great confidence and boldness in that day (2 Tim. 1:12; 1 Jn. 4:17). After all, when Jesus appears, we will appear with him in glory and be like him.
On that blessed day, Jesus will come with all his saints (1 Thess. 3:13). Even those who sleep in Jesus will be brought in that great triumphal procession. For the saints of the Lord, the Day of the Lord has nothing for us to fear. It is a day of blessing and glory.
What shall be your lot on the great day of the Lord, Will it be a day of joy, blessing, and eternal happiness or a day of sorrow, disaster and pain?
The life you live now will determine what shall come upon you on the last day. Check your life now and reexamine, if you are living your life according to the standard of God which is found in Christ Jesus.
Don't wait till you regret on that day, repent from all your sins now and let the Lord wash you clean form all iniquities. Only then will the day of the Lord be a day of blessing and joy for you.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord forgive me all my wrong doings in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord give me the grace to love according to your will in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.