The Day of the Lord

Old Testament prophets provided many prophecies about end times, and the disciples could turn to them as a reference. Some referred to the end as the Day of the Lord.

Then and now, the end of the world means different things to different people. Some think of it as a time of hope, others think of it as a time of fear.

The Gospel of Luke records some of Jesus’ words concerning the last days. Jesus let the disciples know it would be a difficult time. He described, Men’s hearts failing them for fear . . . for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Lk. 21:26 KJV)

There are several schools of thought within the Christian groups today concerning the world’s final events. There are also areas of agreement. Jesus said, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (v. 33 KJV)

When Paul began his ministry, he wrote about the day of the Lord in his letters. He said to the Corinthians, Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling off an eye, at the last trumpet. (I Cor. 15:51 NIV)

Originally published September 3, 1982.

How Slow of Heart

Isn’t it strange how we can fail to recognize God’s entrance into our lives? As human beings with limited sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, we can misread, misunderstand, or miss Him altogether.

It happened to two disciples shortly after Jesus death and resurrection. They walked to their village called Emmaus, discouraged because they did not believe women who told them Jesus had risen. How could they recognize Jesus in that frame of mind?

Jesus asked them what they discussed so earnestly. They wondered about this stranger who did not know the tumultuous events of the past few days. But they told him about the prophet of God—“we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel,” they said. (Lk. 24:21a NIV)

“How foolish you are,” declared their mysterious companion., “and how slow of heart. . . .” (v. 25a) With great care, from the books of Moses through the prophets, Jesus taught them that God’s Son would suffer and die before a resurrection. Later, eating with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened. . . . (v. 30b,31a)

Originally published April 6, 1985; April 7, 1989; April 24, 1992.
Picture: Japanese Garden, Como Park, 2009. Photo by Ken.

The Stones

Jesus was at the center of two mobs within a week. One received Him as the fulfillment of prophecy. People lay garments and branches on the road to show their adulation. They acknowledged Him as their Messiah by singing and shouting their praises. When Pharisees tried to silence this mob, Jesus replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Lk. 19:40b NIV) That was on Sunday.

On Friday, just five days later, another mob cried, "Crucify him! . . . Crucify him!" (Mt. 27:22b,23b) The people in this group were probably not the people of the first group. However, they had the backing of the Pharisees, the religious leaders, and their demands prevailed. Jesus was crucified with no human praise, no human adulation.

But don’t forget the stones. Even then, Jesus wasn’t without praise. When He died, The earth shook and the rocks split. (Mt. 27:51b) The centurion and his guards saw the earth quake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" (Mt. 27:54b)

Originally published April 13, 1984.
Picture: Lindenwood Park, Fargo, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

His Father's Plan

Imagine riding triumphantly into Jerusalem knowing that crucifixion was in your immediate future. Jesus understood prophecy, and He knew what what was going to happen to Him. He had learned Scriptures as a child and knew many passages that foretold His future. Perhaps Psalm 22 was vivid in His mind: I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. . . . (Ps. 22:14 NKJV)

Nevertheless, Jesus steadfastly rode the donkey forward to meet His destiny. What did He think as He looked out over the large crowd? He could have avoided both the time of praise as He entered the city and the time of confrontation with the Pharisees that would follow.

If He had, He would have avoided His Father’s plan. So He went forward, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and fulfilling what He had said of Himself earlier: I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down. . . . (Jn. 10:17b,18a NKJV)

Originally published March 21, 1986
Picture: Landscape, Las Vegas, NV, 2008. Photo by Solveig.