GOD’S PLAN FOR MAN
Lesson 13

The Day of the Lord

THE Bible uses the expression “day of the Lord” (or day of Jehovah) to denote that period in the closing days of this Gospel Age when the hand of God is manifested in the affairs of men. It is properly applied to that part of Christ’s second presence during which Satan’s world, or social order, is being destroyed, preparatory to the establishment of Christ’s millennial kingdom.—I Thess. 5:2,3; II Pet. 3:10

The work of Christ as the Arm of Jehovah in setting aside Satan’s social order is described as being accomplished during the “days of the Son of man.” (Luke 17:26,27) It is the time when Jesus, “the Son of man,” is present, the crumbling of the institutions of the earth being among the signs that he has returned.

This day of the Lord, or Jehovah, is also foretold in the Old Testament, where it is symbolically described as one of clouds and darkness, denoting trouble. (Joel 2:1,2) Daniel described this day as “the time of the end,” in which there would be a great “time of trouble.”—Dan. 12:1,4

This same period of national and international trouble which denotes the destruction of Satan’s world is also described in the Bible as the day of “God’s vengeance.” (Isa. 34:1-8; Jer. 25:32,33) During this period the sinful and selfish institutions of men, dominated by Satan, are to be destroyed, whereas heretofore these have been allowed to flourish.

At the close of this “day,” selfish human authority throughout the earth will be replaced by Divine authority, in the hands of Christ. (Rev. 11:15,17,18) The Bible reveals that in the process of destroying the evil institutions of men the nations become angry, leading to the time of great tribulation foretold by Jesus.—Matt. 24:21,22

The Bible also uses the expression “last days” with reference to these final days of this present Gospel Age, just prior to the establishment in the earth of Christ’s righteous kingdom. This kingdom is likened to a great mountain which has a dominating position over all other “mountains” and “hills,” symbolic of the “kingdoms of this world.” The Bible shows that the people will recognize the authority of Christ’s kingdom and through obedience to its laws will find peace and security.—Mic. 4:1-4

Evil will not have been completely destroyed until the closing years of Christ’s kingdom. While it is during the day of the Lord that the selfish governmental institutions of men are destroyed in a time of national and international trouble, the work of abolishing all evil will continue during the ensuing thousand years of the kingdom. Finally all “enemies” will have been destroyed.—I Cor. 15:25,26

STUDENTS’ HELPS

Questions

In the study of prophecy it is essential to realize that a “day” frequently stands for a long period of time. The proper answers to the following questions will reveal this.

What is “the day of the Lord” referred to in the prophecies of the Bible, and how long is it?

What does the Bible mean by “the days of the Son of man”?

How did the Prophet Joel and the Prophet Daniel describe “the day of the Lord”?

What is the day of “God’s vengeance”?  Explain what will be accomplished during this prophetic “day.”

What are the “last days” mentioned in the prophecies, and what takes place during these “days”?

How long will the work of destroying evil continue?

Reference Material

“The Battle of Armageddon,” pages 11-20

Summary of Important Thoughts

“The day of the Lord,” or day of Jehovah, is that period of time in the closing days of the Gospel Age, prior to the establishment of Christ’s thousand-year kingdom, when the selfish, evil institutions of men are to be destroyed in a great time of trouble. It is also described in the Scriptures as the day of God’s anger and wrath, and the day of God’s vengeance.