Revelation Part 19
The theme of the Day of the Lord carries a very personal warning and exhortation for each of us. Jesus Himself told His disciples: “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). The events that we read about precede Christ’s return, and they will also catch the world by surprise.
Clearly, this “day” is not a literal day but a prophetic period—a time of God’s decisive intervention in history. The Hebrew word yom usually refers to a 24-hour day, but when paired with “of the Lord,” it takes on deep theological meaning. It describes not only the final climactic judgment but also earlier historical judgments: against Egypt, Edom, Israel and Babylon. Each of these foreshadowed the ultimate Day of the Lord. The plagues on Egypt were a preview of the judgments to come at the end of the age. Thus, the Day of the Lord has both a historical application and an eschatological fulfillment. It unfolds progressively, moving toward the climactic moment when God will directly intervene in human affairs.
This sets the context for the rest of Revelation. John’s vision is not ancient history but an unveiling of events that reach into our own day. The Day of the Lord is the backdrop for the seals, trumpets and bowls to follow. It is the time when God will bring judgment upon rebellious nations, confront a deceived world, and ultimately prepare the way for the Kingdom of God. The prophets Joel and Zephaniah describe it as destruction upon the unrighteous; John shows us how God’s wrath and mercy play out in the final chapters of history.
But this theme also carries a personal warning. Jesus Himself told His disciples:
“Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
Luke 21 warns against complacency, urging believers to watch and pray always, that they may be counted worthy to escape what is coming and to stand before the Son of Man. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins reminds us to keep oil in our lamps, to be spiritually prepared rather than caught unready. Paul exhorts us in Romans 2 that God will render to each according to his deeds—eternal life to those who persevere in doing good, but tribulation and wrath for those who obey unrighteousness. We are constantly reminded throughout scripture to watch and be ready.
What exactly does it mean to “be ready?” It means stirring up the gift of God within us (2 Timothy 1:6), developing character, producing the fruits of the Spirit, and using the talents entrusted to us. It means watching, working and growing, not becoming apathetic or distracted by the world. It means caring for one another (Matthew 25:31–46) and living faithfully until the Lord returns.
Why is the Day of the Lord necessary? Because the world in its rebellion must be cleansed. Humanity, apart from God, cannot govern itself, and Satan’s influence drives societies toward chaos and confusion—“tohu and bohu,” the same emptiness as in Genesis 1:2. The Day of the Lord demonstrates God’s power, His ability to foretell and fulfill, and His faithfulness to intervene at the appointed time. Just as He foretold the destruction and rebuilding of the temple, just as He judged Israel and the nations in the past, He has declared the coming climax of this age.
We live in a time that already foreshadows this. War, political upheaval, false ideologies and human suffering fill the earth. Today there are more than 100 million refugees worldwide—over 6 million from Syria, 6 million from Venezuela, 6 million from Ukraine, 6 million from Afghanistan. The scale of displacement, violence and unrest echoes the kind of world Revelation describes. We are watching the stage being set for the events described to occur on.
Thus, when John says he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” he signals the theme of the entire book. Revelation is not primarily about the past—it is a revelation of the Day of the Lord, the climactic end of this age, and the dawn of the Kingdom of God. It is a warning, a promise and a call to readiness. For just as John was transported into this vision 2,000 years ago, we are called to live today with eyes lifted toward the coming of Christ, watching, working and waiting for redemption to draw near.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
