Day of the Lord

The Day of the Lord Jesus Christ

By Dr. Michael Heiser, He said it best I had Chat GPT write it based on his transcript

Introduction: The Day of the Lord in Scripture

The concept of “The Day of the Lord” is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, representing God's ultimate intervention in human history. As believers, we often encounter phrases such as the "Day of the Lord Jesus", "The Day of Christ", or simply "That Day", scattered across the letters of Paul and other parts of scripture.

These terms point to significant eschatological events—the final unveiling of Christ’s lordship and the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.

In this chapter, we explore how the Day of the Lord is understood biblically, how it connects to the exalted Christ, and how it reveals God's sovereignty. Dr. Michael Heiser’s interpretation brings clarity to the overlapping meanings of these terms, emphasizing their theological importance and their implications for eschatology.

The Day of the Lord Jesus Christ

Paul frequently uses terms like "The Day of the Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 1:14) or "The Day of Christ" (Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:16). These expressions reflect the exalted status of Jesus as Lord, aligning Him with the prerogatives of God. For example, the Judgment Seat of God mentioned in Romans 14:10 is also called the Judgment Seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:10. In both cases, God is judging the world through Christ (Romans 2:16).

Until the culmination of His messianic reign, God continues to rule the world through His exalted Son. This theological truth is reinforced throughout the New Testament, which connects Christ’s lordship to the Day of the Lord.

The Day of the Lord in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the Day of the Lord had dual meanings.

1. Historical Judgment: It could refer to a specific time in history when God judged His people or their enemies. For instance, Amos 5:18 speaks of a day of judgment as an immediate future event.

2. Final Judgment: It also pointed to a future, eschatological event when God would establish His kingdom, bringing salvation to the faithful and judgment to the wicked (Zephaniah 1:14, Joel 3:14).

This duality shows that the Day of the Lord is not confined to a single event or calendar day. Instead, it encompasses an entire period in which God’s redemptive visitation Unfolds.

The Day of the Lord in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the Day of the Lord evolves into a technical term for the consummation of God's plan to end the current age and inaugurate the age to come. It represents the full transition from this world to the eternal kingdom.

The Day of the Lord is referred to in various forms:

• The Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:2, Acts 2:20, 2 Peter 3:10)
• The Day of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:5, 2 Corinthians 1:14)
• The Day of Christ (Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:16)
• That Day (2 Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Timothy 1:18).

The use of these terms to describe both the gathering of believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) and the judgment of the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:2) demonstrates their theological overlap. According to Heiser, attempts to distinguish between The Day of the Lord and The Day of Christ as separate eschatological programs—one for Israel and one for the church—are deeply misguided. These terms are interconnected and refer to the same overarching divine plan.

The Return of Christ: Key Terms

Paul uses three distinct Greek terms to describe the return of Christ, each offering

unique theological insights:

1. Parousia:

• This term means both "presence" (Philippians 2:12) and "arrival" (1

Corinthians 16:17, 2 Corinthians 7:7).

○ Historically, it was used to describe visits by kings or emperors to their provinces. Similarly, Christ's parousia signifies His return to Earth in power and glory to raise the dead (1 Corinthians 15:23), gather His people (2 Thessalonians 2:1), and destroy evil (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

2. Apocalypsis:

• This term means "unveiling" or "disclosure." It emphasizes the revelation of Christ's power and glory, which is currently hidden from the world.
• Christ's apocalypsis will reveal His present lordship to the world (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:7), fulfilling the promise that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess His sovereignty (Philippians 2:9-11).

3. Epiphaneia:

• This term means "appearing" and stresses the visible, undeniable nature of Christ's return.
• It is used in the Pastoral Epistles, such as when Paul tells the Thessalonians that Christ will destroy the man of lawlessness by the epiphaneia of His parousia (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

Christ's Return: Visible and Glorious

The return of Christ will not be a hidden or symbolic event. It will be a dramatic breaking into history, revealing the glory of God and the exalted status of Jesus Christ. Heiser highlights how the term epiphaneia, used for Christ's return, is also used for His incarnation (2 Timothy 1:10). This reinforces the idea that both events are redemptive acts of God that unfold visibly within history. At His second coming, Christ will fully manifest His glory, bringing salvation to His people and judgment to the wicked. This final act will complete God's redemptive work, ushering in His eternal kingdom.

Conclusion: The Day of the Lord and the Hope of Redemption

Dr. Heiser’s insights emphasize the inseparable connection between Christ’s exaltation, His reign, and His return. The Day of the Lord is not merely a symbolic or spiritual event—it is a visible, historical reality that will culminate in the fulfillment of God’s Promises.

As believers, we should not attempt to oversimplify or divide the complexities of scripture. Instead, we must embrace the full biblical narrative, which reveals a God who is sovereign, just, and faithful to His covenant. The Day of the Lord Jesus Christ is a day of hope for those who trust in Him—a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.