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     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 time of God's Day of the Lord judgment, as shown above.  In accord with the common pre-trib view that there will be two phases to His return (see NOTE #1 below), questions concerning which phase is being meant in a given reference are relevant.  Also, I can see the word day  sometimes pointing to both phases (or events) as a whole, especially from a first century perspective.  Consider the example of a binary star, which looks like a single star to the naked eye but is seen to be two stars when viewed through a telescope.

     A help in better understanding the distinctions that can be made between the coming Day of the Lord and the Day of Christ are the similar distinctions that 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 first invented, the day of the Mustang came during the day of the automobile.  Moreover, 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 last days' Day of the Lord judgment will begin (relative to other things) and what sense is being meant with the other similar or variant phrases is pivotal to a correct rapture view.  The following key references are given with the sense indicated that best aligns with all of Scripture, along with some clarifying thoughts.  Importantly, note that every case of the word day  in the specific phrase, "Day of the Lord," is used in the same sense.

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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.

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     Here, Peter is speaking to those gathered on the Day of Pentecost and quotes from a prophecy of Joel's (Acts 2:16-21/Joel 2:28-32).  One thing is very evident in this verse:  The phenomena being spoken of concerning the sun and the moon will precede the beginning of "that great and notable Day of the Lord."  Note that these phenomena parallel exactly with what John sees after the 6th Seal is opened in Revelation chapter six.  There, 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."  Then, in verse 17, the people exclaim, "For the great day of His wrath is come;  and who shall be able to stand?"  What John beheld at this time was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy.  Further, this gives us a very important reference point, connecting the opening of the 6th Seal with when the period of God's last days' Day of the Lord judgment will begin.  Be mindful of how this ties in with our next reference.

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REFERENCE #2

1 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).

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     Paul writes these words to the Thessalonians just after explaining to them about the rapture in the closing verses of chapter four (1 Thess. 4:13-18).  Then, as chapter five 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 event of the rapture and the beginning of the Day of the Lord so closely coincide, both will equally happen suddenly and unexpectedly.  This world will by no means be expecting the rapture event, nor be prepared for what all will take place that same day and afterwards.

     Notice how that REFERENCE #1 ties in with this second reference.  Whereas Joel's prophecy makes a close connection between the Day of the Lord and certain phenomena occurring, Paul makes a close connection between the Day of the Lord and the rapture.  This means, if the phenomena of which Joel prophesied is fulfilled with the opening of the 6th Seal (which is so), 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!

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REFERENCE #3

2 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.

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     As with the previous reference, when mankind is least expecting it, the Lord will return as a thief for the Church, and the period of God's Day of the Lord judgment 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. 20:1-10), just before the time of the Last Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15, esp. vs. 11), all of which is part of the period of the Day of the Lord.  So, in strict accord with Peter's words, this world will indeed be burned up during this time, just near the end of it.  This becomes more clear when his words are compared with Revelation 20:11 in conjunction with 21:1.

     Concerning the "Day of God" phrase that Peter used in verse 12, in light of the context and the like destruction there spoken of, we can understand this as being a variant form of the Day of the Lord phrase he used in verse 10—like a synonym of it.

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REFERENCE #4

2 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 (strict sense) 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 (Christ's Holy Spirit through the Church)  who now letteth (see NOTE #2) will let, until He be taken out of the way (at the time of 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 (His Second Advent):

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     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.  This is also the position of most everyone who holds to the common pre-trib view.  While he may be alive even now, this is different than being revealed.  Before any of this occurs, the Church will be gathered to Christ during the rapture.  It is upon the basis of this that Paul beseeches his readers to not be troubled.  Read the account again with these things in mind.

     Be wary of statements, suggestions, and even other translations that would have "the Day of Christ is at hand" to read something like "the Day of the Lord is present, or already come."  The word "Christ" in the King James Version is not a mistranslation, but is correct according to the Textus Receptus manuscript from which it was translated (see Appendix #3).  Also, according to the universally respected Greek Dictionary of Strong's Concordance, the meaning of the word from which "at hand" is translated could go either way.  Be careful about accepting it to be changed from the way that it is.​

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     Other Bible references where the Day of the Lord and similar phrases are found should also 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!

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NOTES: 

1. That there will be two phases to Christ's return is the belief that Jesus will initially return for His Church (first phase), then at least seven years later, with His Church (second phase).  While I have always believed that Scripture supports this (and still do), I have come to see something a little differently concerning the first phase.  Now, pay close attention!  According to the common pre-trib view, at the first phase, Christ will return secretly (not visibly) for the rapture, and I still believe this represents what the event will be like for those left behind on the United States' side of the earth.  But, there is scriptural support that at this same time, He will be seen in the sky on Israel's side of the earth for a "sign" appearance that He will make (Matt.24:30).  Whereas the duration of this appearance will no doubt be extremely short (on the order of a glimpse/1 Cor. 15:52), it will cause the people on Israel's side of the earth to respond and exclaim as John records in Revelation 6:15-17.  This is something that I have yet to see brought out by anyone else, in person, in print, or in the web world.  We will be focusing on this in depth beginning with PROPOSITION T.

2. The Greek word from which "letteth" is translated is katecho (G2722), which means "to hold down."  Fairly common knowledge, and as is shown in a Webster's Dictionary, the archaic meaning of the word "let" is "hinder" or "prevent."  In the day that the KJV came to be, this was the meaning of the word.  By such knowledge, we can realize that verse seven actually means, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:  only He who now hindereth will hinder, until He be taken out of the way."  Further, I believe in accord with the common pre-trib view that the "He" of this verse is Christ's Holy Spirit, which indwells His Church.  When the Church is gathered out, the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit through the Church will be "taken out of the way."  The result?  "And then shall that Wicked be revealed" (vs. 8).

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