The Day Of The Lord

A pleasant good morning to one and all! Whenever it is midterm or final exams, it is not uncommon that I hear students cry out, “Sana dumating na si Lord!” or ask “Lord, kelan po ba kayo darating?” or wish, “Sana mag-rapture na!” Maybe you have said this one time or another, I do not know. Yet, I think it gives someone ease amidst the pressures and tribulations he is going through. I also said these kinds of statements and I believe you also did. And I believe that it gives someone “hope” that his “tribulations” will find its end. Today, our topic is about “The Day of the Lord- the Promise of His Coming.” And I want to lead you to the second letter of Peter. Now I want to remind you that the primary purpose of this letter is to remind the believers, during their time (late 60 A.D.) of the truthfulness of the words of the prophets of God and the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can understand this better by way of comparison. In Peter’s first letter, he is dealing with an outside problem- that is persecution. While in his second letter, Peter deals with an inside force- that is the false teachers and false teachings that is fast abounding during their time.

Keep in mind that here, Peter is battling the heresies of his days by way of reminder to the Christians. A note here: the best way that we can contend for the faith is by correctly teaching our congregation the truth. They must know what we believe and why we believe. Our best defense is our offense because the Christian faith is in the offensive stance, not the other way around. Now, join me in reading the last chapter of the book, verses 1-13. I would greatly appreciate if you would follow me with your eyes. II Peter 3:1-13 NKJV, the Bible says,

“1Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4And saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6By which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10But 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. 11Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12Looking 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? 13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

As I have said earlier, our topic is about “The Day of the Lord– the Promise of His Coming.” Now, may I suggest that “The Day of the Lord is a time of condemnation and consolation.” A time of judgment then reward. Condemnation for the wicked but consolation for the righteous. A judgment for the ungodly and then a hope for the godly. Before going to the main points, we may ask, “What is the day of the Lord?” Let us see from the different biblical authors how they describe the day of the Lord.

Isaiah 13:6 “6Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.”

Amos 5:18-20 “18Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! For what good is the day of the LORD to you? It will be darkness, and not light. 19It will be as though a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him! 20Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?”