The Pre-Trib Rapture and The Day Of The Lord

[not an echo]

When considering the Day of the Lord and similar phrases, realize that the word "day" can mean a particular day or a period of time.  For example, the day of one's appointment represents a particular day, like Monday, but the day of technology represents a period of time, like the era, age, or day of the computer.  This is consistent with our English language and Hebrew and Greek usage as well.  With this in mind, it can be seen that there is a strict and a broad sense in which the word day can be interpreted.  Understanding this is essential to correctly interpreting phrases like the Day of the Lord, especially in references that bear upon the timing of the rapture.

Concerning the specific phrase, "the Day of the Lord,"  the Bible is consistent with this day representing a period of time.  As used in the New Testament, this day will begin just after the rapture of the Church and will continue through the judgment of the lost at the Last Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).  After this, time will give way to eternity (Rev. 21:1-5ff).  From a different angle, this means that the last period, or day, in the history of this present world will be the Day of the Lord!  Although it includes Daniel's 70th Week, the highlight of this day will be the Lord's Second Advent and Millennial Reign, which I like to think of as the Day of the Lord proper!  Allowing for the seven years of Daniel's 70th Week and the thousand years of Christ's Reign, it appears that this day will last at least 1007 years.  Following is an illustration showing the basic elements of the Day of the Lord and its relation to the rapture and eternity:

Concerning phrases similar to the Day of the Lord, some of these point to a particular day.  For example, "the Day of Christ" can point to the very day of Christ's Second Advent, which will take place during the Day of the Lord.  In accord with the interpretation that there will be two phases to His return, questions concerning which phase is being meant in a given reference are also relevant.  Moreover, though the two phases of His return are separated by seven years, I can see the word day sometimes pointing to both phases as a whole, especially from a first century perspective.  Like distinctions can be made between "the day of the automobile" and "the day of the Ford Mustang."  Whereas the day of the automobile has continued for over a century since it was invented, the day of the Mustang came during the day of the automobile.  Also, the day of the Mustang can be understood as being the very day it was unveiled or as taking in all the years it has been manufactured.  I know my son would smile right here if I mentioned that he used to have a Cobra Mustang.  I think I will!

Understanding precisely when the period of the Day of the Lord will begin (relative to other events) and what sense is being meant with the other similar or variant phrases is pivotal to a correct rapture view.  Along with some thoughts to clarify, the following key references are given with the sense indicated that will show the harmony of a pre-trib, or pre-Daniel's 70th Week, rapture with Scripture.  Note that each case of the word day in the specific phrase "the Day of the Lord" is being used in the same sense.

REFERENCE #1---Acts 2

 20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable Day (broad sense) of the Lord come.

Here Peter, speaking to those gathered on the Day of Pentecost, quotes a prophecy of Joel's (Acts 2:16-21).  One thing is very evident in this verse:  The phenomena concerning the sun and the moon here being spoken of will occur before the Day of the Lord commences.  Note that these phenomena parallel exactly what John sees after the 6th Seal is opened in Revelation 6.  In verse 12, he writes, "And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake;  and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood."  If what John beheld at this time is the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (and it is), we have an important reference point, not only for when the 6th Seal will be opened, but also for when the period of the Day of the Lord will commence.  Be mindful of how this ties in with the next reference.

REFERENCE #2---I Thessalonians 5

  1    But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

  2   For yourselves know perfectly that the Day (broad sense) of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  3   For when they shall say, Peace and safety;  then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;  and they shall not escape (i.e., shall not be raptured with the Church).

Paul writes these words to the Thessalonians just after explaining to them about the rapture in the closing verses of chapter 4 (vss. 13-18).  Then, as chapter 5 opens, he makes a close connection between the rapture and the beginning of the Day of the Lord.  He likens the suddenness and unexpectedness of this time to that of the coming of "a thief in the night."  When Christ returns for the Church, He will likewise come suddenly and unexpectedly, or as a "thief" to take it away (e.g., Matt. 24:42-44 and Lk. 12:39-40), whereupon the period of the Day of the Lord will commence.  Because the rapture and the beginning of the Day of the Lord so closely coincide, it has become commonplace to say that Christ's return for the rapture of the Church will be "as a thief in the night",  and rightly so.  This world will by no means be expecting the rapture event, nor be prepared for what will take place afterwards.  However, concerning the Church, Paul gives these reassuring words and instructions, "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day:  we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;  but let us watch and be sober" (I Thess. 5:4-5).

Before continuing, did you notice how that REFERENCE #1 ties in with our second reference?  Whereas Joel's prophecy makes a close connection between the Day of the Lord and certain celestial phenomena occurring, Paul makes a close connection between the Day of the Lord and the rapture.  Because the phenomena of which Joel prophesied is fulfilled with the opening of the 6th Seal, this means we have a connection of this seal with both the Day of the Lord and the rapture.  Indeed, what John saw with the opening of this seal and what Joel and Paul prophesied is like corroborative evidence.  It's like what we learned in math:  If A=B and B=C, then A=C.  Detectives love finding evidence like this!

REFERENCE #3---II Peter 3

 10  But the Day (broad sense) of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;  in the which (i.e., in the period, era, or age of which) the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

 11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

 12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day (broad sense) of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

 13  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

As with the previous reference, when the world is least expecting it, the Lord will return as a thief for His Church, and the period of the Day of the Lord will commence.  Note that what Peter speaks of concerning the earth being "burned up" (vs. 10) will not take place until after Christ's 1000 year reign (Rev. 20:1-11, esp. vs. 11), just before the Last Judgment (Rev. 20:12-15), all of which is part of the period of the Day of the Lord.  In other words, this world will be burned up during the period of the Day of the Lord---but near the end of it.  This becomes more clear when Peter's words are compared with Revelation 20:11 in conjunction with 21:1.

REFERENCE #4---II Thessalonians 2

  1   Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (at the rapture), and by our gathering together unto Him (during the rapture),

  2   That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the Day (strict sense) of Christ (His Second Advent!) is at hand.

  3   Let no man deceive you by any means:  for THAT DAY (again, His Second Advent!) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

  4   Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;  so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

  5   Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

  6   And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

  7   For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:  only He (the Holy Spirit) who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way (with the Church at the rapture).

  8   And then shall that Wicked (the Antichrist) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming (once again, His Second Advent):

All Paul was saying to the Thessalonians was that the particular day of Christ's Second Advent was not "at hand" as was being rumored.  The same thing would be true if such was being rumored today.  Before Christ returns to reign, the Antichrist will be revealed and the seven years of Daniel's 70th Week will transpire.  According to Paul's words, we who are a part of the Church will not see the Antichrist revealed.  While he may be alive at this time, that is different than being revealed.  The Church will be gathered to Christ during the rapture, before any of this occurs.  It is upon this basis that Paul beseeches his readers to not be troubled!  With this in mind, read the account again.

Other Bible references concerning the Day of the Lord and similar phrases also need to be considered in light of whether the word day is being used in the broad or strict sense.  One thing is certain:  Whether the sense is broad or strict, what days these shall be! 

NOTE:  I later developed a master thread concerning A Totally Different Pre-Daniel's 70th Week Rapture Interpretation that I have, of which the above is a part.  Here is a link to that thread, which includes more information on this interpretation and a running list of all the other threads I have which pertain to it: (https://www.worthychristianforums.com/topic/253935-a-totally-different-pre-daniels-70th-week-rapture-interpretation/).  

Edited February 2, 2023 by not an echo
to reset illustration and add link

[Marilyn C]

4 hours ago, not an echo said:

 

Concerning phrases similar to the Day of the Lord, some of these point to a particular day.  For example, "the Day of Christ" can point to the very day of Christ's Second Coming, which will take place during the Day of the Lord.  In accord with the interpretation that there will be two phases to His return, questions concerning which phase is being meant in a given reference are also relevant.  Moreover, though the two phases of His return are separated by seven years, I can see the word day sometimes pointing to both phases as a whole, especially from a first century perspective.  Like distinctions can be made between "the day of the automobile" and "the day of the Ford Mustang."  Whereas the day of the automobile has continued for over a century since it was invented, the day of the Mustang came during the day of the automobile.  Also, the day of the Mustang can be understood as being the very day it was unveiled or as taking in all the years it has been manufactured.  I know my son would smile right here if I mentioned that he used to have a Cobra Mustang.  I think I will!

 

Hi not an echo,

Some very good work there bro. I agree mostly. Just a small detail you may like to look at further is the `Days` of God`s prophetic timetable.

 

....I.......(Day of Christ).................I................(Day of the Lord)............................I..................(Day of God)....................>

 

The Day of Christ is the period of time for the maturing of the Body of Christ, and then the specific day when he returns for His Body, (rapture).

The Day of the Lord (God Almighty) is the period of time to do with Israel and the nations. And is invariably connected with the wrath of God poured out in judgment on an unbelieving world. It refers to that period from the termination of the Day of Christ through the tribulation and the Millennium and terminating with the creation of the new heavens and earth which preclude the `Day of God.`  (as you so rightly laid out)

The Day of God is when God will purge and purify the heavens and the earth by fire. Peter is the only one who uses the phrase `the day of God.` It concludes the period of `the Day of the Lord,` and goes on into eternity. 

[douggg]

@ not an echo

The rapture could happen anytime in the blue shaded zone.

 

Edited April 27, 2020 by douggg

[Marilyn C]

31 minutes ago, douggg said:

 

Hi douggg,

Now the Rapture is NOT anytime but when God says it is -

`...till we call come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect, (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:...` (Eph. 4: 13)

And we are not there yet.

[Marilyn C]

42 minutes ago, douggg said:

 

Hi again douggg,

The Body of Christ will be gone at the rapture, catching away, and then and ONLY then will God deal with Israel and the nations in judgment.

The call for `peace and safety` is what the world clamours for after the Russian war, (soon).

` For you yourselves (believers) know perfectly that the Day (time period) of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when THEY, (unbelievers/world) say, "Peace & Safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon THEM as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And THEY shall not escape.` (1 Thess. 5: 2 & 3)

The world clamours for `Peace & Safety` after the terrible war in the Middle East, by the Russian Federation, & Iran, Libya and Ethiopia. The `sudden destruction` will be the judgments from God coming suddenly - burning of all grass, 1/3 trees, water polluted etc etc. (Rev. 8)

...............(maturing of the Body of Christ)..............X (war).....(tribulation)...............>

 

[douggg]

9 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi douggg,

Now the Rapture is NOT anytime but when God says it is -

`...till we call come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect, (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:...` (Eph. 4: 13)

And we are not there yet.

Like the term "pre-trib" some one at one time came up with.    I came up with the term "Anytime Rapture", which I based on Luke 21:34-36...

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

 

 

[Marilyn C]

27 minutes ago, douggg said:

Like the term "pre-trib" some one at one time came up with.    I came up with the term "Anytime Rapture", which I based on Luke 21:34-36...

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

 

 

And to whom is the Lord speaking there to Douggg? Why yes the people in partial darkness, the Jews NOT the Body of Christ who walk in the LIGHT. (1 Thess. 5: 4 & 5)

[douggg]

5 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi again douggg,

The Body of Christ will be gone at the rapture, catching away, and then and ONLY then will God deal with Israel and the nations in judgment.

The call for `peace and safety` is what the world clamours for after the Russian war, (soon).

` For you yourselves (believers) know perfectly that the Day (time period) of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when THEY, (unbelievers/world) say, "Peace & Safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon THEM as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And THEY shall not escape.` (1 Thess. 5: 2 & 3)

The world clamours for `Peace & Safety` after the terrible war in the Middle East, by the Russian Federation, & Iran, Libya and Ethiopia. The `sudden destruction` will be the judgments from God coming suddenly - burning of all grass, 1/3 trees, water polluted etc etc. (Rev. 8)

...............(maturing of the Body of Christ)..............X (war).....(tribulation)...............>

 

Hi Marilyn,

Many in Judaism anticipate the messiah will arrive following Gog/Magog.

Futhermore, part of the criteria for the messiah, as stated by their sage the RAMBAM, Maimonides, the messiah is supposed to fight the battles of God in defending Israel.

Which it will appear that is what the little horn person coming from north and west (Daniel 8:9) into the middle-east will have done.    So he will be embraced by the Jews as the messiah and anointed the King of Israel (coming in his own name).

 

 

[douggg]

34 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

And to whom is the Lord speaking there to Douggg? Why yes the people in partial darkness, the Jews NOT the Body of Christ who walk in the LIGHT. (1 Thess. 5: 4 & 5)

It doesn't say body of Christ, nor Jews, to whom Jesus was speaking in Luke 21.    But to them gathered in the temple complex.    In the time of Herod's temple, the outer court was called "the court of the gentiles" because the gentiles were allowed there.    Back track to Luke 21:1 and you will see where Jesus is in Luke 21.     Jesus would have been close to the court of women, as he saw the widow cast in her mites.    Probably in the court of the gentiles so everyone could hear - both Jews and Gentiles, and scribes and pharisees.

Which is indicated in last verses of Luke 21.

37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

The greatest crowds would have been in the outer court, the court of the gentiles, of the temple.

________________________________________________________________

Effectively, in application of course, Luke 21:34-36 applies to Christians.   Who will be the ones taken in the Rapture.

Edited April 26, 2020 by douggg

[Marilyn C]

1 hour ago, douggg said:

Hi Marilyn,

Many in Judaism anticipate the messiah will arrive following Gog/Magog.

Futhermore, part of the criteria for the messiah, as stated by their sage the RAMBAM, Maimonides, the messiah is supposed to fight the battles of God in defending Israel.

Which it will appear that is what the little horn person coming from north and west (Daniel 8:9) into the middle-east will have done.    So he will be embraced by the Jews as the messiah and anointed the King of Israel (coming in his own name).

 

 

And that `man` (A/C) is the Assyrian, the king of the north, (of Israel but NOT the far north). (Isa. 31:  8,  Dan. 11: 40) And he comes from the `terrifying beastly` Federation - Islam.

Now when the Russian Federation and Iran, Libya & the Ethiopian armies get wiped out on the Golan Heights (next year I believe), then there will be a power vacuum in the Middle East. The world will clamour for `Peace and Safety,` and the Islamic peace negotiator will assure them that the Sunni aspect of Islam desires peace. it is deception as we well know. (Dan. 8: 23)