Bible Reading: 2 Chro.21; 1 Thess. 5:1-14
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV)
A day of the Lord is a day of judgement. A day when people will pay for their sins. There are several references to the day of the Lord in both the old and new testaments. Zephaniah called it a great day of the Lord and he gives a description of how the day would be in Zephaniah 1:15-16 (KJV): “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.”
How does this apply to those that are dead? For those that are dead before then, their day comes immediately they die. Hebrews 9:27 (KJV): “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” So for all those who die without Christ, their day of the Lord is the very moment after they die. Luke 16:22-23 (KJV) gives an insight into what happens immediately after death: “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
While believers will go to heaven immediately they die, unbelievers will go to hell upon their death thus signifying the day of the Lord. It is therefore critical for one to give his life to Christ now to avoid the pain that will go with unbelief. So the day of the Lord is the Great white throne judgement for unbelievers ( Rev 20:11-15) and Judgment seat of Christ for believers ( 2Cor. 5:9-10).
After death, there is no room for repentance and salvation; it is therefore imperative that you choose the right path by accepting Jesus now as your Lord and Saviour and begin to live a life pleasing to him in order to book a place in heaven. It is noteworthy that it does not matter what your past look like, God is ready to forgive you and give you a new beginning. It is important to recognise that nobody knows the day of the Lord except God Almighty so it is not wise to postpone your salvation! Similarly, it is foolishness for someone who has given his life to Christ but has one or more unrepented sins in his life to remain in the sin as he cannot say when he would die. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV): “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
Action point: Nobody knows the day of the Lord, so it is important you examine your life and surrender to Jesus now if you are not born again. Also if you have backslidden, return to the Lord and ask for mercy.
Brother Biodun Oyapero