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Hoyte Nelson's Poems/ Reflections & Biblical Essays
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Essay "ON THAT DAY" “ These (the lost) will pay the penalty of eternal
destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
when He comes to be glorified in His
saints on that day…” (2 Thessalonians 1: 9,10).
(NASV) What
will happen when Jesus comes again, “on that day?” There are many references
in the New Testament about that day: The
last day, in the last day, at the
last day, or the day of the Lord,
etc., each picturing a different phase of the various events that will take
place when Jesus come again. As I understand the scriptures, the problem is that
often times these different references are interpreted as taking place at
different “times” rather than expressing the different events that will
happen when Jesus comes again. The Apostle Peter, in his first message following
Pentecost, was responding to the Temple crowd in response to the healing of the
man at the gate of the Temple. (Acts 3: 1-10) Peter’s message (Chapter 3:
13-26). [It is here that the apostle lays the foundation for our understanding
of the last day, and this is what he says, “and
that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until
the times of restoration of all things
about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time”
(Acts 3: 20,21). (NASV) The
New Testament writers give to us the following truths: “And this is the will
of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may
have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6: 40). Again, “he that rejecteth me, and
receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken,
the same shall judge him in the last
day” (John 12: 15). Again, “and have hope toward God, which they
themselves also allow, that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the
just and unjust” (Acts 24: 15). I
begin this article by quoting a part of this passage of scripture from Paul’s
second letter to the Thessalonians Church (chapter 1: 7-10).
I believe this passage is the most enlightening passage on the sequence
of events that will happen “on that day.” This reference is not to be
understood as an order of events, but the time frame of that “day” in which
these events will take place: Jesus speaks of a judgment “in the last day”
(John 12: 48b), and the apostle Paul tell us when this day will take place; This is what he said, speaking of
both the lost and the saved: “… and
(they) that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished
with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of his power; when He comes to be
glorified in His saints… on that
day” (2 Thessalonians 1: 9b-10). “On That Day,” means the
time (period) when our Lord comes to brings to pass all the different references
to His Second Coming recorded in the scriptures. This will all happen “when He
comes to be glorified in His saints on
that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our
testimony to you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1: 7-10): First, allow me to share some scriptures that indicate that the
word “day” often mean “periods of time: “And this is the will of him
that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have
everlasting life: and I will raise him up
at the last day” (John 6:40); “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not
my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the
same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “Your father Abraham
rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it,
and was glad “ (John 8:56). “I must work the works of him that sent me, while
it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work”(Romans 2:5). “But
after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasures up unto thyself wrath against
the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (John
9:4). “The night is far spent, the day
is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put
on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). When the scriptures speak of:
“that day,” “on that day,” “the last days,” and “the day of the
Lord.” etc. it should be understood that all these are references to the last
day, or the end-time. It should also be understood that end-time events will be
“on that day” as purposed by God from eternity. I will now share some events
recorded in the Scriptures about the coming of Jesus, not all reference the
“day,” but all refer to the same event: In Matthew’s gospel, there is
recorded a very interesting happening in what is called the “The Judgment of
the Nations” (25: 31 – 46). This passage of scripture gives us the account
of our Lord, sitting upon His glorious Throne, and before Him are gathered
“all the nations.” It is Judgment time. The question is this: Is our Lord
referring to nations as nations, or is He referring to nations as the peoples of
the nations. The context of the passage suggests that it is the people; because,
only people could have done the things referenced in this passage. In part, this
is what is said, “The king answer
and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to
the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, (Individual Christians) you did it to
Me…” “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we [personal pronoun] see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or
naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?” “Then He will
answer them, ‘Truly I say to you,
to the extent that you did not do it
to one of the least of these, you did
not do it to Me.’ “These will go away into eternal punishment, but
the righteous into eternal life.”
This is referencing individuals because nations, as nations, do not have
“eternal life,” but the saved people of the nations do have eternal life!
(It seems logical to me, studying the context of this passage that it is the
peoples of all the nations whom are gathered together for judgment “on that
day”). The Apostle Paul wrote, “For
we know that if our earthly house of this
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5: 1). It must be understood
that when we look at the many references given in the scriptures as to the
end-time, a particular point of reference is not intended to present to whole
truth about all that will take place “on that day,” but is referring to a
single point of emphasis. I doubt
if anyone, who has ever written on the subject of the end-time, has ever been
able to vision the great and awesome happenings that will take place “on that
day.” I do believe, however, that all things chosen by God for the end-time
will be fulfilled “on that day,” or “time-frame.” (2 Thessalonians
chapter 1: verses 7-10, and chapter 2 verses 1 and 8b) [It should be remembered
that time is not a factor with God. That is why Peter said, “But, beloved, be
not ignorant of this one thing, that
one day is with the Lord as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3: 8). [See: 1 Thes. 5: 1,2
as to “the day of the Lord as referencing the same ‘time-frame’”]. Again, Paul, writing to the
church of the Thessalonians, back in his first epistle, gives us what could be
called “a glimpse” into a phase of the larger picture (1 Thessalonians 4:
13-18), where the apostle answers the question: But what about the dead; will
they be left behind? Paul answers his own question: “But I would not have you
to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this
we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For
the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord; Wherefore comfort one another with
these words.” This passage was not intended to tell the whole resurrection
story, but only to answer a vital question concerning the dead believers, will
they be left behind, “On that Day.” No! The Judgment seat of Christ is
one reference to “that day” when the saints are caught up together to meet
the Lord in the air: (On the day)
Romans 14:10 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at
naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of
Christ.” Again in 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done
in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.”
(Another part of the Resurrection story, “On that Day!) The Apostle Peter records
another phase of “that day:” 2 Peter 3:9-13, “The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, (not
promises) as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; (without
notice) in 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. Seeing
then that all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness; looking for and
hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire
shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless
we, according to his promise, look
for “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelt righteousness.”
The promise is recorded in Isaiah 65:17, “For, behold, I create new
heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into
mind.” There are many differing renderings of this same
happening found in the scriptures: “the day of the Lord, or “on that day,”
“When he comes,” “according to his promise” (Isaiah 65: 17), etc. I
repeat, there is no one reference gives the whole picture. Luke, in The Acts of
the Apostles, speaks of “a
resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked” (Acts 24: 15); he does not
differentiate as to the “day.” The day when Jesus comes to be glorified in
His saints, on that day” (2 Thess. 1: 11,12). The Judgment seat of Christ, and
the Great white throne Judgment will happen “when he comes to be glorified
with His saints.” “On that day” refers to the time frame of coming, or as
we might say, “the day in which we live.” When we read about all the
different references to the last days; it should be remembered that “on that
day” it will all happen in God’s time-table, not ours! “And when the chief
Shepherd shall appear (one time), ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth
not away” (1 Peter 5:29). Again, this is when
it will all happen: 2 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in
his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony
among you was believed) in that day.
[Time frame] We now turn to the book of the Revelation for further
insight. In the introduction of the book of the Revelation, we are given the
only reference to the Second Coming of Christ, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and
all kindred’s of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen!”
(Chapter 1: 7). I repeat, It is important to remember that Revelation 1: 7
was recorded before John is called to “come up here” to record the unveiling
of the Revelation (Apocalypse), [John re-afirms this truth in Chapter 22: 8],
and that the next references to our Lord’s coming in the conclusion of the
book wherein John again quotes our Lord as saying, “Behold I am coming quickly
(Chapter 22:12), and He completes the book of the Revelation with this
conclusion: (Revelation 22:20,21), “He which testifieth these things saith,
Surely I come quickly. Amen.” [And John says,] “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you all. Amen.” Now, what is the Millennium?
The millennium is the account of the resurrected martyred Christian saints who
are then honored before the Throne of God. Remember the earlier saints, “who
cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou
not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation
6: 10) “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto
them: and I saw the souls of them that
were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had
not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his
mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with
Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the
thousand years were finished. This is
the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is
he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death (eternal
destruction) hath no power, but they [The martyred saints] shall be priests of
God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:
4-6). This is the Millennium! All the grandeur of heaven is in their view. They
have sealed with their blood their own testimony of God’s redeeming grace in
Christ Jesus. Now, following the honor given
to these resurrected saints, Satan is released from his bondage (for a short
time), but loses his final battle. He is now slain by the mouth of Him who sits
upon the Throne, and eternally chained in the bottomless pit, along with the
host that followed him. The Great White Throne comes into view as the King of
Kings and Lord of Lord is seated on His throne in heaven. The heavens and the
earth are no more: “fled away, for there was no place for them;” (Revelation
20: 11b) as the graves give up the dead that are in them. The books record of
the damned who are now sent to their eternal dwelling place. The “Book” of
life is there, and all the saints of God enters into the ”New Heaven and the
New earth” (Revelation 20: 11 through 21 and eternity---). John, having finished recording
that which was given to him by the angel of the Lord, (Chapter 22: 6-9), is back
on the earth. He has given the message of the Revelation to the seven churches
(Chapter 22: 16), and waits for the coming of the Lord.
(Chapter 22: 20,21) Amen! |