"Get ready for the Day of the Lord!" cries the fiery preacher. Those in the audience listen almost in terror as the pulpit-pounder describes horrifying phenomena that he says will soon engulf the entire earth.

In graphic detail they hear that the sun and moon will cease to give light, that heavenly bodies will collide with the earth, and that plagues will stalk the land—disease, starvation and war! Great earthquakes will topple whole cities as fierce and relentless storms punish men, women and children. Thus will Almighty God lash out in anger and exact a cruel revenge on a sinful mankind!Does the Bible teach that “gloom and doom” is all there is to this period of time? Is Jesus Christ going to return to the earth merely to destroy it?

"The time of judgment is at hand, and you had better be ready!" the voice thunders through the loudspeakers.

But, we might ask, is this picture of the Day of the Lord accurate? Does the Bible teach that "gloom and doom" is all there is to this period of time? Is Jesus Christ going to return to the earth merely to destroy it? Just what is the Day of the Lord anyhow?

The Bible refers to this same time in a variety of ways. The expression "Day of the Lord" is synonymous with the "day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:12 1 Peter 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
American King James Version×), the "day of the Lord Jesus" (2 Corinthians 1:14 2 Corinthians 1:14As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.
American King James Version×), the "day of judgment" (1 John 4:17 1 John 4:17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
American King James Version×), the "great and awesome day" (Joel 2:31 Joel 2:31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
American King James Version×), the "day of vengeance of our God" (Isaiah 61:2 Isaiah 61:2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
American King James Version×) and "the great day of God Almighty" (Revelation 16:14 Revelation 16:14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
American King James Version×). Other passages simply refer to this time as "the day," "that day," or "the day of God."

Regardless of how it is referred to, it is going to be the most awesome time in all of human history! And it's imperative that you understand what will happen during this period and the incredible changes it heralds for our world.

So what is the Day of the Lord?

In its broadest sense, the Day of the Lord simply refers to the era wherein God will take control of the earth. Right now we are living in the "day of man," since God presently allows wayward mankind to rule over this planet apart from Him.

The Bible also indicates that we could refer to this time as the "day of Satan," since Satan is now the "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4 2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
American King James Version×) and "deceives the entire world" into following his social and religious systems (Revelation 12:9 Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
American King James Version×). But his influence on the earth is only temporary according to God's purpose.

The Bible reveals that Jesus Christ will remain in heaven "until the times of restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21 Acts 3:21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
American King James Version×). Thus, something that used to be here is going to be restored—put back in place. But what was removed that needs to be restored?

The answer is simple—God's direct rule over the entire earth! It will be restored during the Day of the Lord.

One day!

More than 2,500 years ago, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a disturbing dream. In it, he saw a vision of a huge statue with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet of iron mixed with clay (Daniel 2:31-33 Daniel 2:31-33 [31] You, O king, saw, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and the form thereof was terrible. [32] This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, [33] His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
American King James Version×).

As he was admiring the statue, a supernatural stone came out of the sky and smashed the statue's feet and toes! The entire statue then collapsed into dust and was blown away by the wind, with no trace left behind. Then the stone quickly grew into a great mountain that filled the entire earth! (Daniel 2:34-36 Daniel 2:34-36 [34] You saw till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image on his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. [35] Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. [36] This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
American King James Version×).

The only one able to explain the vision was the prophet Daniel, who at that time was a captive serving in Nebuchadnezzar's court. Daniel explained to the king that the statue represented a succession of empires that would dominate the known world from that time forward.

The final stage of these governments—represented by the feet and toes of mixed iron and clay—would be an alliance of 10 distinctly governed nations or regions. During the time of their unified kingdom, the God of heaven will come to the earth to destroy every vestige of these national powers. He will then establish His own Kingdom that will last forever (verses 41-45).

The Day of the Lord is referred to in some scriptures as the day of the final battle—when Jesus Christ and His army of angels and resurrected saints defeat the army of the final human empire. Not surprisingly, this final empire is referred to as mighty "Babylon," now falling for the second time (Revelation 18:2 Revelation 18:2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
American King James Version×).

Jesus foretold that on this day He will be visible in the sky like lightning: "For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day" (Luke 17:24 Luke 17:24For as the lightning, that lightens out of the one part under heaven, shines to the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
American King James Version×).

The final cataclysmic battle takes place at Jerusalem. The prophet Joel gives some vivid details of the devastation that will take place, beginning with an alarm of war being sounded: "Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand" (Joel 2:1 Joel 2:1Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD comes, for it is near at hand;
American King James Version×).

He then goes on to describe an immense army coming down to Jerusalem—an army including soldiers from virtually every nation on earth!

These armies will be gathered by Satan and his demons in one last, desperate attempt to prevent the Kingdom of God from being established on the earth. "For they are the spirits of devils, performing signs, which go out to 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 Revelation 16:14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
American King James Version×).

But their efforts will be for nothing as they are defeated by the returning Christ. Indeed, His weapons will be earthquakes, a hail of fiery stones from heaven, and a "plague" that virtually melts soldiers away while they are still standing (Revelation 16:18-21 Revelation 16:18-21 [18] And there were voices, and thunders, and lightning; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were on the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. [19] And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. [20] And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. [21] And there fell on men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
American King James Version×; Zechariah 14:12-13 Zechariah 14:12-13 [12] And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand on their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. [13] And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.
American King James Version×). Modern weapons, destructive as they have become, will be no match for the infinite power of Jesus Christ!

Then, after the battle is over, Christ will ascend the throne of rulership over the entire earth and at last establish His Kingdom: "And the Lord shall be King over all the earth" (Zechariah 14:9 Zechariah 14:9And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
American King James Version×).

So the Day of the Lord can be correctly understood as the day of the final battle at Jerusalem—the day when all the combined armies of the world are defeated and the Son of God establishes His rule over the earth.

These momentous events, it should be noted, take place after the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15 Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
American King James Version×; Revelation 16:17 Revelation 16:17And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
American King James Version×). However, a number of scriptures also include events that precede this trumpet as part of the Day of the Lord. So it is also correct to see this "day" as a lengthier time period.

The year of trumpets and plagues

The apostle John opens the book of Revelation by telling his reader that he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" (Revelation 1:10 Revelation 1:10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
American King James Version×—not Sunday, as many assume, but he was having a vision of the Day of the Lord). According to Vine's Dictionary of the New Testament, the Greek word herera, translated here as "day," can mean a "period of undefined length marked by certain circumstances . . . The Day of the Lord is the Day of His manifest judgment on the world" (pp. 270-271).

This understanding is borne out by the message of the book—the visions John saw and recorded for us concerning this awesome march of events that culminates in Jesus Christ's Kingdom being established here on earth! Christ also included what will happen just prior to His return as part of "the day when the Son of Man is revealed" (see Luke 17:28-30 Luke 17:28-30 [28] Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; [29] But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. [30] Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
American King James Version×).

Leading up to these events is a series of ever more frequent and intensifying calamities, the first manifestations of which occurred shortly after Christ's first coming. They are represented by the opening of "seals" in Revelation 6.

The visions of the first four seals are known as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." They represent false Christianity, war, famine and disease epidemics. The same global problems were also foretold by Jesus Christ directly (Matthew 24:1-12 Matthew 24:1-12 [1] And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. [2] And Jesus said to them, See you not all these things? truly I say to you, There shall not be left here one stone on another, that shall not be thrown down. [3] And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? [4] And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [6] And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
American King James Version×).

When the fifth seal is opened, Satan initiates a great persecution of true Christians (Revelation 6:9 Revelation 6:9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
American King James Version×; Revelation 12:12-17 Revelation 12:12-17 [12] Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time. [13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. [14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. [15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. [16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. [17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
American King James Version×). This will also be the time of "Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7 Jeremiah 30:7Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
American King James Version×)—when the devil is allowed to vent his wrath on the nations that have been enjoying the blessings of Abraham. (For more understanding on this critical topic, read our free Bible study aid The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy.)

The "Beast"—the European-centered world government foretold in Revelation 13—will have risen to power at this time. As this union of civil and religious rule enforces its "mark" on all mankind, true followers of Jesus Christ who refuse to receive this mark will be afflicted, hated in all nations, betrayed and in some cases even martyred for their refusal to disobey God (Revelation 13:15-16 Revelation 13:15-16 [15] And he had power to give life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. [16] And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
American King James Version×; Matthew 24:9-10 Matthew 24:9-10 [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
American King James Version×).

This time, referred to by Jesus as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21 Matthew 24:21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
American King James Version×), will be Satan's last attempt to harm the people of God!

These events signal the beginning of the 3 1/2-year countdown to the final battle! According to Revelation 13:5 Revelation 13:5And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given to him to continue forty and two months.
American King James Version×, the Beast will rule the earth for 42 months (3 1/2 years). This same period of time was revealed to the prophet Daniel as the time when this powerful church-state union would come like a whirlwind into the "Glorious Land"—that is, the Holy Land (Daniel 11:40-41 Daniel 11:40-41 [40] And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. [41] He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
American King James Version×)—and would shatter the power of the "holy people" for "a time, times, and half a time" (Daniel 12:7 Daniel 12:7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was on the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
American King James Version×). This also refers to the 3 1/2 years—each "time" evidently representing one year in prophecy.

It is during the 3 1/2-year period, "immediately after the tribulation," that terrifying heavenly signs will be seen (Matthew 24:29 Matthew 24:29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
American King James Version×). These heavenly signs—visible phenomena in the sky—constitute the sixth seal of Revelation in Revelation 6:2 Revelation 6:2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
American King James Version×. They occur between the persecution of God's people and beginning of His wrath upon the earth.

The prophet Joel tells us that the heavenly signs will occur before the Day of the Lord: "And I will show wonders in heavens and in the earth . . . The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord" (Joel 2:30-31 Joel 2:30-31 [30] And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
American King James Version×).

The tumultuous and chaotic events Joel writes about earlier in the same chapter occur after the heavenly signs and during a period leading up to the great Day of Battle. Over the course of this period the "seven trumpets" of the "seventh seal" are sounded (Revelation 8-9). Each trumpet brings a new plague upon the earth as God, in His great mercy, begins the process of leading deceived and defiant human beings to repentance so that Jesus Christ can rule them.

This time is heralded as the "great day of His wrath" (Revelation 6:17 Revelation 6:17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
American King James Version×)—a "day" that, following the prophetic "day for a year" principle (see Ezekiel 4:6 Ezekiel 4:6And when you have accomplished them, lie again on your right side, and you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed you each day for a year.
American King James Version×; Numbers 14:34 Numbers 14:34After the number of the days in which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know my breach of promise.
American King James Version×), is referred to in Isaiah 34:8 Isaiah 34:8For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.
American King James Version×as one year: "the day of the Lord's vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion." That year—the last year of the 3½-year period—will include the most intense part of God's wrath upon sinful mankind.

On the heels of these tremendous events and their culmination in the immense battle at Jerusalem, a new era in history begins! And the Scriptures reveal that the Day of the Lord will then continue throughout the 1,000 years that follow.

The Millennium

The wonderful truth that Jesus Christ is going to establish His throne—His Kingdom —upon the earth and rule with His saints for 1,000 years (a millennium) is well documented in Scripture (Revelation 11:15 Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
American King James Version×; Revelation 20:4 Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to 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 on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
American King James Version×). When Jesus returns as King of Kings, He will land exactly where He left from—the Mount of Olives, just east of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (see Acts 1:9-12 Acts 1:9-12 [9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. [10] And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; [11] Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven. [12] Then returned they to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
American King James Version×; Zechariah 14:4 Zechariah 14:4And his feet shall stand in that day on the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall split in the middle thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
American King James Version×).

From that time forward, He will begin the healing process for the nations and teach people to obey God's laws—so much so that the knowledge of the true God will cover the earth as water now covers the seabeds! This wonderful time of peace and rebuilding is pictured for us in the book of Isaiah: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9 Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
American King James Version×).

From the earliest days of Christianity, some Bible scholars have traditionally believed that God has allotted a time period of 7,000 years to deal with mankind. In this "7,000-year plan," each day of the week is understood to represent 1,000 years, with the "seventh-day Sabbath" as the final millennium—the time when Jesus Christ will rule the earth and give it rest from the influence of Satan the devil.

The Day of the Lord sometimes refers to this 1,000-year period, as it is the "day" when the Lord will rule the earth. The apostle Peter seems to have been referring to this particular understanding in 2 Peter 3: "But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise . . . But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night" (2 Peter 3:8-10 2 Peter 3:8-10 [8] 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. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the 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.
American King James Version×; see also Psalms 90:4 Psalms 90:4For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
American King James Version×).

The Bible also confirms the identification of the Millennium as a 1,000-year-long Sabbath day in the book of Hebrews. The author uses the keeping of the Sabbath as an illustration of the "rest" or reward that Christians are striving to enter.

"For there is a place where it is said, concerning the seventh day, 'And God rested on the seventh day from all his works' . . . for if Y'hoshua [Joshua] had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another 'day.' So there remains a Shabbat-keeping [Sabbath-keeping] for God's people. For the one who has entered God's rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest" (Hebrews 4:4 Hebrews 4:4For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
American King James Version×, Hebrews 4:8-11 Hebrews 4:8-11 [8] For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. [9] There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. [10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [11] Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
American King James Version×, Complete Jewish Bible).

So the Millennium itself, in some cases, is represented as a "day"—indeed, the Day of the Lord. Isaiah 19 and numerous other references in the prophetic books of the Bible describe the time when Jesus Christ will be ruling over the nations and teaching them His ways. The phrase "in that day" often occurs in these passages and should in this context be understood as meaning the Millennium—the day when the Lord rules the earth and all its nations!

But the Kingdom of God will not end after the 1,000 years are finished. In fact, God's Kingdom will have no end (Isaiah 9:7 Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
American King James Version×). Finally, then, the Day of the Lord, meaning the time when the Lord will rule, can also be applied to what comes after the Millennium.

Eternity beyond

In the broadest sense, the Day of the Lord begins shortly before the Millennium starts and continues through the endless eons of time afterward—for all eternity. Daniel was told in no uncertain terms just what would happen: "But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever" (Daniel 7:18 Daniel 7:18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
American King James Version×).

Adding a dual meaning to a passage we examined earlier in 2 Peter, the apostle seems to also include events beyond the Millennium—when the earth's surface and atmosphere are burned away—as part of the Day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:10 2 Peter 3:10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the 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.
American King James Version×).

Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of the new heaven and earth that will replace what we know today: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God'" (Revelation 21:1-3 Revelation 21:1-3 [1] And 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. [2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And 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.
American King James Version×).

So God the Father and Jesus Christ will dwell for all eternity with those who have been born into Their family! God proclaims, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7 Revelation 21:7He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
American King James Version×).

So, incredible as it may sound, each one of us has an awesome invitation from Almighty God, the great Creator of the universe, to spend His Day—all eternity—ruling with Him over the vast universe. What a day that will be!

Are you ready for the Day of the Lord?