If you are reading this on January 1, 2000 or shortly thereafter, then we are all still here and civilization like time is still marching on. If you are reading it, say June 2000 then we still managed to get by since you must have a computer to read it and they are fixed.
If all the true Christians are still here then you know that the false prophets are either hiding out somewhere awfully glad that we are not in the OT where they would be stoned or have gotten an updated revelation which still means that they are stone cold false prophets.
If this is never read all Hell broke loose, weird mutant survivors are living in caves grunting at each other, and man has fallen again. I am sure you are all reading this shortly after 1/1/00 and if you are grunting, it is because of an overindulgence of some traditional food or drink while celebrating.
We have heard for years that 2000 would be the time for the day of the Lord. It might be and it might not be, but I would like to look at the concept of the day of the Lord. There are approximately twenty-six instances of the phrase "the day of the Lord." Twenty-four of them are very negative and one is even a warning that some desiring and longing for the day of the Lord will not be happy campers when it finally arrives. (Amos 5:18) Only two have a positive note. One is a good news bad news.
1 Cor 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. KJV
The bad news is that a Christian can backslide to such a state that God will turn him/her over to the devil for an early departure from this life. Remember satan could not touch Job’s life because God did not give him permission. In this case, a believer has gotten so bad that God gives satan a green light. The good news is that the wayward child of God’s spirit will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Glory and praise for His faithfulness and grace, but frankly I pray that I never get into this situation.
The second positive verse concerning the day of the Lord is far more inspiring to me.
2 Cor 1:13-14
13For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
14As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. KJV
Those that Paul had won to Christ would be part of his reward in the day of the Lord Jesus! Now this is more like it! He will rejoice because they are in glory with him and they will rejoice because of Paul’s faithful preaching which God used to get them there. I would rather be someone’s reward than to become so carnal that I earn an early ticket home with the hope of few to no rewards. (I Cor 3:1-15)
Obadiah 15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. KJV
Amos 5:20-21
20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. KJV
The other verses are pretty clear that for the honest unbeliever or the hypocrite the day of the Lord is not something to be looking forward to and something to be avoided at any cost. I gave you two of the milder ones as a sample. The only way to avoid the negative of that day is to believe and be saved so that you can fall into the being someone’s reward category.
Despite the fact that most folks are not going to be happy about the day of the Lord and we are flat out told that no man knows the day or the hour, there would be no signs and it would be swift, we still have this weird obsession with date setting and sign seeking. (Matt 25:13; 12:39; 24:27)
Well, I tell you what. I am going to show you a day of the Lord that you can know the time of and it is a positive one.
Ps 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. KJV
The Lord made today and therefore this is the day of the Lord. Tomorrow will be the day of the Lord and every day after until that great and terrible day of the Lord. If we accept Him as Lord and Saviour in this day of the Lord then it will not matter when the big day comes. We will be able to rejoice in that one as we can rejoice in this one. If we seek His face and His will in loving and joyful obedience then we will not fear or even be concerned about the time of the big day! For us, it will be as any other day.
In fact, most of us will go to a day of the Lord before the big day of the Lord arrives here. Again, if we are His and rejoicing in each day of the Lord as we receive it then the day of our standing before the Lord in death will be just fine. However, if we are an unbeliever or hypocrite then the day of the Lord here and now, at our death or if we remain until the big day our day of the Lord will find us howling in despair. (Isaiah 13:6) We can have a nice day of the Lord or one not so nice. It is our choice.
I have seen the day of the Lord. I am seeing the day of the Lord and each day that I live will be a day of the Lord. I am not seeking a date or sign and not worried about how quick it will come. I will go to it or it will come to me, but by His grace and mercy, I will be rejoicing in that day as I am in this day.
Happy day of the Lord in 2000 and beyond!!!
