June 30 - The Day of the Lord

June 30 - The Day of the Lord

Jesus, Paul, Peter and John emphasize that we are to be prepared for the coming of the Day of the Lord. The Old Testament prophets were concerned with idolatry and the way that the entire community of Israel had fallen out of relationship with the Lord. In the New Testament, with Jesus' death and resurrection, the idea of an entire community being in relationship with God was transformed to individual relationships. Each of us became responsible for bringing the Kingdom of God to earth.

While pastors and priests have a responsibility to teach and encourage their flock, they no longer had to face punishment by God because the people chose to worship idols or live outside of righteousness.

Paul tells us that it is our responsibility to pay attention to the signs that signal the coming of the Day of the Lord in 2 Thessalonians 2:2. "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction."

Peter tells us to be prepared in 2 Peter 3:11b-12, "You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat."

In Philippians 1:4-6, Paul says "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

We are to be prepared. We are to be ready. We are to always be working to further the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. The Day of the Lord is coming. In every portion of the Scriptures we are assured of this message. From the beginning to the end, God is moving His creation forward with a purpose. He created us to be in relationship with Him ... sin removed us from the righteousness that allowed us to be in His presence at all times. Everything God has done in the history of mankind has been done to return us to that place.

But, until the Day of the Lord, none of it has been brought to fullness. He has given us the freedom to live our lives on this earth and make choices. Our choices are always selfish and self-serving and He laments day and night that we don't choose to fully rest in Him.

But, when the Day comes, everything will change. Heaven and Earth will be purified, transformed. The evil doers will be punished and the righteous will be returned to Paradise to reside with the Lord God Almighty.