The word “day” is used in the Word of God with different meanings which must be deduced from the context of the passage. Sometimes the word means a literal twenty-four-hour period of time, sometimes it symbolizes a year, and sometimes an era or epoch of time. In this article we would like to look at some of the different periods of time in Scripture that are spoken of as days. It is important to notice that when Scripture mentions a particular day in this context, it is often connected with responsibility.
Man’s Day
This expression is found in 1 Corinthians 4:3 JND: “For me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man’s day.” While this day is not mentioned elsewhere in the Word of God, the truth connected with it is found throughout Scripture. When God created man in His image and likeness and placed him in this world, it was with the expectation that man would walk in obedience and dependence on Him. When man exercised his own will in disobeying God, he began the time span spoken of as “man’s day.” This has perhaps become more pronounced since Christ has been rejected and Satan has been called both the god and prince of this world.
It is the time period when man has been allowed, more or less, to have his own way in this world, although God has intervened from time to time and is accomplishing His purposes in spite of man’s plans. It is the exhibition of Cain’s world — the world that began when Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, built himself a city, and then surrounded himself with everything calculated to make him as happy as possible in a world blighted by sin, but leaving God out. The momentum of this world is increasing today, but it will eventually come to an end.
The Day of Christ
The day of Christ is mentioned first in Philippians 1:1010That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; (Philippians 1:10), although it is called the “day of Jesus Christ” in verse 6. It is mentioned again in Philippians 2:1616Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:16), and the same time period is also referred to as “the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:8) and “the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14). Paul also refers to it simply as “that day” several times. It is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, but this is an erroneous translation, for here it should read “the day of the Lord.” Likewise, the Lord Jesus could say in John 8:5656Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56), “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day.” How much Abraham understood of the implications of all this we do not know, but evidently he looked forward to the coming of the Messiah and “a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:1010For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)).
The day of Christ is connected with God’s work in His people, with a view to displaying them with Christ in the day of His power; it is thus connected with responsibility. All the various circumstances in our lives and all our experiences in the school of God are forming in us that which will be displayed for the glory of Christ in that day. In that day, each one will be the fruit of His work, both His work on the cross for us and His work in us during our Christian lives. Having “begun a good work” in us, He will indeed “complete it unto Jesus Christ’s day” (Phil 1:6 JND). All this will be in view of the time when Christ “shall come to be glorified in His saints, and ... admired in all them that believe” (2 Thess. 1:10).
The day of Christ is the day of His glory on the heavenly side, just as the day of the Lord is the day of His glory on the earthly side. In the day of Christ, His people are seen with Him. Not only will there be the display of what God has wrought in us by His sovereignty, but there will also be the display of rewards — what has been the result of the exercise of our responsibility down here in this world. Even in this, we know that all is of God, for “it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:1313For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)). It will be our joy in that day to cast our crowns at His feet and to proclaim for all eternity, “Thou art worthy!”
The Day of the Lord
As the day of Christ is the heavenly side of things, so the day of the Lord brings before us the earthly side. This day is a day of judgment, and it is connected with the Lord Jesus taking His rightful place in this world and reigning in righteousness. It is first mentioned in Isaiah 2:1212For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: (Isaiah 2:12): “The day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty,” and it is mentioned many times in Scripture, mostly in the prophecies of the Old Testament. It is primarily connected with judgment, for terrible judgments will precede the setting up of that glorious millennial kingdom. For this reason, strong language is often used to describe it, such as, “The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:1111And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (Joel 2:11)). It is referred to as the day of the “Son of Man” in Luke 17:2424For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. (Luke 17:24) and will come upon this world as “a thief in the night” — unexpected and unwanted.
More than this, the day of the Lord will include not only the judgments preparatory to the setting up of Christ’s kingdom, but takes in the entire millennial age and also the judgments at the end of the millennium — the judgment of those who rise up in rebellion when Satan is loosed for a little season and the judgment of the wicked dead at the great white throne. If man has spoiled God’s creation and rejected His Son, God will have Him honored and glorified in this world — the very place where it has taken place. “He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet” (1 Cor. 15:25).
We must remember, of course, that while the day of the Lord is characterized by judgment, it is judgment only on those who oppose God’s rightful king. God has declared, “Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion” (Psa. 2:66Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (Psalm 2:6)), and all who resist this will fall under judgment. For those who look for Him and welcome Him, the day of the Lord will usher in unprecedented blessing and a time of peace for this world such as it has never known since the fall of man. It will indeed be a time when “the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations” (Isa. 61:1111For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11)).
The Day of God
The day of God is mentioned only once in Scripture: “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12). (The expression “that great day of God Almighty” in Revelation 16:1414For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:14) is clearly a reference to God in His power and describes the day of the Lord.) The day of God brings before us what is sometimes called “the eternal state,” for it is a state of things that goes on for all eternity, long after the millennial kingdom has come to an end. It is also referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:28: “Then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” When Christ has “put down all rule and all authority and power,” He will deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father” (1 Cor. 15:24). At this time (at the end of the day of the Lord), God will destroy this present earth and the heavens — “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” (2 Peter 3:10). Then comes the day of God, “by reason of which the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements, burning with heat, shall melt” (2 Peter 3:12 JND). Through the judgments during the day of the Lord and the subsequent destruction of the earth and the heavens by fire, sin will forever be removed, ushering in the day of God.
The day of God (and it is God in trinity who is in view here) will be a time of peace, where sin will never rear its head again. If the day of the Lord is necessary for the public vindication of God’s holy character, the day of God is for the everlasting satisfaction of His heart. We get a description of that day in Revelation 21:1-81And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:1‑8), where there is “a new heaven and a new earth” — the new creation resulting from the removal of sin forever, through the work of Christ. In that day will be the ultimate and visible fulfillment of John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29): “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” God will forever dwell with men, and all tears will be forever wiped away.
No sun or candle do they need;
no night
Is there, but endless day — the day
of God;
And every heart pours forth eternal
song.
W. J. Prost