Joel 2:1 Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near
Isaiah 2:12 For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;
Ezekiel 7:5-7 “Thus says the Lord GOD: Disaster after disaster! Behold, it comes. An end has come; the end has come; it has awakened against you. Behold, it comes. Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land. The time has come; the day is near, a day of tumult, and not of joyful shouting on the mountains.
Ezekiel 7:10 “Behold, the day! Behold, it comes! Your doom has come; the rod has blossomed; pride has budded.
Ezekiel 7:12 The time has come; the day has arrived. Let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon all their multitude.
Obadiah 1:15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.
Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night
James 5:8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Ezekiel 12:23 Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.
There is a difference between “Day of the Lord” and “Coming of the Lord”. “The Coming of the Lord” is the day the Lord comes back like a thief in the night. He is not a thief to those who are expecting His return. He is a thief to those who remain. He comes to take His bride out of the coming of the “Day of the Lord”. We know this as the rapture of all believers, dead or alive, to be changed and bodily be in His presence forever more. These believers are those who came to an understanding of the gospel, their sin and separation from God, confessing and repenting of their sin, repenting and turning away from their sinful nature, and expectantly looking too, trusting in, and relying on salvation through Jesus Christ. This is not just words on their lips but deep in their heart, soul, and mind. They are changed from the inside and live to humbly serve, honor, follow, trust, obey, and look for the “Coming of the Lord”.
There are those who reject their sin, sinful nature, and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ. They find all they want in this world and do not look for the coming of the Lord. They do not live to honor Him. They live self-centered, self-reliant, and self-satisfying lives. It is hard for them to see any need of Jesus Christ for their eyes are fixed on what this world offers and makes them happy. Day after day they chase after that which can never satisfy their soul and they jump from one thing to another in hopes of finding inner peace, rest, and joy. Their heart is hard to things of God, His Word, and the need for Jesus Christ. There is no looking for the “Coming of the Lord”. For them is reserved the “Day of the Lord”. This is not going to be a time anyone would want to go through. War, famine, disease, plagues, fires, earthquakes, floods, and the wrath and anger of Jesus Christ. The “Day of the Lord” will surely come and will follow the “Coming of the Lord”.
Now is the time of Lord, the time of grace, mercy, hope, peace, rest, and a life with assurance of eternity in heaven.
