The Day of the Lord: Part Five
By Joel M. Killion
E-mail: joel@innerlifeministries.com
Web-site: innerlifeministries.com
When is the Day of the Lord?

This is a very important question - one well worth our attention.

And while many give the responsibility of “spiritual understanding” to the “professional clergy,” we
must be those who “study” to show ourselves approved unto God and not men, who rightly divide the
Word of Truth through the wisdom of the Spirit of Revelation (2 Tim. 2:15).  

The “timing” of the day of the Lord is not a mystery; the answer is quite simple.

According to the Word, the Day of the Lord…

“…Is near…” - Ezek. 7:7; 30:3; Joel 3:14; Zeph. 1:14;

“…Is at hand…” - Isa. 13:6; Joel 1:15; 2:1; Zeph. 1:7; Rom. 13:12; 2 Thess. 2:2;

“…Is nigh at hand…” - Joel 2:1;

“…Cometh…” - Isa. 13:9; Joel 2:1; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:1; I Thess. 5:2-3;

To say that the Day of the Lord is “at hand” literally means that it is “near (in place, kindred or time),
nigh at hand, present or within the grasp” (Strong’s # 7138 and 7126); when something is “at hand” it is
quite simply “within our reach” or “close by.”

Therefore, contrary to popular opinion, the Day of the Lord is not a literal twenty-four hour day which
can be “posted on our calendars” (I Thess. 5:2, Message); rather, it is an eternal day, of the Spirit.

Plus, it is not “afar off” in the distance, in “the sweet by and by.”  The Day of the Lord is a present
reality - it is nearer than we think.

However, when the Day of the Lord comes to “each” generation, it does so unexpectedly, “as a thief in
the night,” unbeknownst to the masses (II Peter 3:10, KJV).  The “casual” onlooker will always be
surprised because the Lord “won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would”
(I Thess. 5:2, the Message).

Nevertheless, those who have cultivated a quality in their intimacy with the Lord are acutely sensitive
to His activities as they progressively unfold.  And since they live in His Light, they are not surprised as
by “a thief.”  As it relates to “the times and seasons” of the unfolding of the purposes of God, they are
not ignorant for they are “awake unto righteousness” as sober watchmen.  They “know perfectly” well
that the Day of the Lord “…cometh as a thief in the night…”  Therefore, they are “…not in darkness, that
that day should overtake…” them “…as a thief” for they are “…the children of light, and the children of
the day…” (I Thess. 5:4-10, KJV)

Many say that “the day of the Lord” is the seven-year tribulation period at the end of the age. Yet a
thorough study of the Word shows that His day is past, presently progressive and future, working in
our lives to bring us step by step into the likeness and image of Christ Himself.

J. Preston Eby once wrote that “The Day of the Lord is that special period of time, not twenty-four
hours, and not one singular time, when the Almighty God actively manifests Himself in dealings to end
unrighteousness and establish the reign of His righteousness.  Many individuals and churches and
nations through history have encountered their own unique ‘Day of the Lord,’ their Hour of Visitation.  
I am making known a Day unto you, beloved, and the day I am proclaiming is the Day of the Lord, and
it is upon us now.”

Finally, we should consider that while the day of the Lord is available to us today, “many” choose to
live in “The Day of Adam (or Man),” which is a life lived unto “the god of self” who forever exalts the
un-holy Trinity of “I, me and mine.”

Others have made the choice to live in “the day of Evil” (Prov. 16:4; Jer. 17:17-18), which is a life lived
around the subtle, or even not-so-subtle, influences of the Evil One, where He leads them though “the
power of suggestion.”

So you see there are actually “two days” actively operating at the same time in the earth:

“The Day of the Lord” & “the Day of Evil”

Those who are “of” the Light, walk “in” the Light of day.

Those who are of Darkness, walk in the day of Adam and, therefore, live in the day of Evil.

Which “day” we will live in is up to us and us alone.


The Battle of Armageddon

The book of Joel is the book of the Day of the Lord; through prophetic insight the Lord unveils His
power, purpose and people.

Chapter One details the horror that overcomes the people of God.

Chapter Two reveals Jehovah’s solution, an “army” which executes His Word. The Lord utters His
voice before His great army and they who “do” [not just “hear”] His Word are strong (Joel 2:11).

The Day of the Lord is the container for “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14,
KJV), the battle of Armageddon - A battle for which the prophets are now preparing the people of God
(Ezek. 13:5).  

The battle of Armageddon is a violent, spiritual (super-natural) war between two kingdoms:

The Kingdom of Evil & the Kingdom of God (Joel’s Army);

Unrighteousness & Righteousness;

Injustice & Justice;

Darkness & Light;

Wrong & Right.

Ezekiel chapter 38-39 represents this battle as being between Gog and the Saints  of the Most High (the
overcomers) [Gog represents “every force of evil” that is marshaled as a rival against God (Rev. 20:7-
10); Gog, the chief “prince” may also be “the prince and power of the air” (Ezek. 38:2; Eph. 2:1-3)]:

The expediation of Gog against the Israel of God (38:1-13);

The intervention of God against Gog (38:14-23);

The defeat and destruction of Gog (39:1-20) and;

The results of Gog’s defeat (39:21-29).

“Gog will fall (Ezek. 39:4).  God’s sons will be a fire (39:6).  This will happen in the Day of the Lord (39:
8).  The implements of warfare shall be burned for seven years, denoting a complete end to them (39:
9).  ‘Hamon-Gog’ means ‘the multitude of Gog, tumult of Gog’ (39:11).  These enemies of the Lord shall
be buried (permanently removed) for seven months (completion) so that the land can be fully cleansed
(39:12).  God will be glorified in His Day (39:13).  The land shall be completely purged of Gog and his
allies (39:14-15)…The fowls shall come and eat the flesh of the mighty and the princes (39:17-20; Rev.
19:17-21).  This is the supper of the great God and reveals the negative side of the Day of the Lord as
God’s sons, in covenant with Him at His table, partake of His judgments.  God will then set His glory
among the nations (39:21; Rev. 21:22).  Then He can turn the captivity of His creation and have mercy
on the whole house of Israel (39:25 & chapter 37).”  [Page 125 of “Principles of Present Truth from
Ezekiel” by Dr. Kelley Varner]

Dr. Kelley Varner further adds - “For now, the battleground is our homes, schools, and churches.   As
God judges nations, denominations, and imaginations, the true Church will emerge triumphant in her
God, strong through the One ‘whose right it is’!”

The primary battlefield, however, is the human soul - our mind (what “we think”), emotions (what “we
feel”) and will (what “we want”).  These imagi-nations possess the greatest need for reconstruction.  
However, every thought, feeling and desire will be adjusted according to His will “to the degree” that
we maintain a yielded posture to His Lordship.

The Day of the Lord is “a cloudy day” and “a day of despair” for those who “have gone astray… [and]
turned…to [their] own way” (Isa. 53:6, Ezek. 30:3).  As they live “unto themselves” - fulfilling the lust
of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life - they will increasingly fall victim to the reality of
darkness (ignorance, death) and not light (understanding, life) (Amos 5:18).

Nevertheless, the apostle Paul had good advice for the “believers” in his day:

Romans 13:12, KJV: 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.

“The armor of light,” which is “the whole armor of God,” is the battle dress of Joel’s Army in the Day of
the Lord which must be “put on” (Eph. 6:11) – this is very important; it is not enough for us to merely
be “saved;” we must, voluntarily, “put on” the armor of God which is “Christ,” the “New Man” (Gal. 3:
27; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10).

Ephesians 6:13-17 details “the whole armor of God.”

Here is a listing of the armor:

I) The Girdle of Truth;

II) The Breastplate of Righteousness;

III) The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace;

IV) The Shield of Faith;

V) The Helmet of Salvation;

VI) The Sword of the Spirit.

In addition, “Put on…bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as
Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness” (Col. 3:12, 14, KJV).

This is the full military dress of the “overcomer” (Rev. 3:21; 21:7).

And while many have every intention of “flying away” out of tribulation, it should be noted that there is
no armor for the backside.

George Warnock said it like this: “God has provided armor for His people - not wings!”  There is,
therefore, no provision for retreat.  

Jesus did not live a righteous life, die a horrible, bloody death and resurrect from the bowels of ruin
just to see us timidly “escape” trouble when it comes; He has fully provided everything we need to
“stand in the evil day” as overcomers (Eph. 6:10-18, KJV).

In closing, let us read an excerpt from “The Day of the Lord” by George Warnock:

“The day of darkness is the inevitable result of God's glory coming into the midst of His people.  And so
of course there is tribulation, for the haters of truth will certainly rise up against the light.  There was
no real reproof of sin in the earth until Jesus came on the scene.  But when He came as a Light into the
world, the lovers of darkness grew more intensely hateful against Him whose very presence angered
them.  Egypt never knew such darkness in her history as in the day of redemption for God's people.  
And as that day drew nigh we are told:

“‘There was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: they saw not one another, neither rose
any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings’ (Ex. 10:22,
23).

“And so, whenever the Lord would rise up on behalf of His people, and went before them against the
enemy, there always seemed to be a blending of His glory with desolation and judgment: ‘A day of
darkness and gloominess...’  Why?  Because ‘the morning’ is ‘spread upon the mountains’ as God's ‘great
people’ align themselves for battle.  And ‘all faces gather blackness...’  Why?  Because ‘The earth shall
quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall
withdraw their shining: And the LORD shall utter His voice before His army; for His camp is very great:
for He is strong that executeth His word...’ (See Joel 2:2-11)  It seems so unlike God; and it seems so
unlike His people who walk in love and truth.  But what is it all about? Here is a people so disciplined by
the Cross, and walking in such love and truth that they become a torment to those who walk in
darkness.  Don't think for one moment that the reason we live in ease and contentment is because our
society is a democratic one. It is rather BECAUSE WE LACK THE GLORY OF GOD THAT
TORMENTS THE WORKERS OF EVIL.  Our feeble marches and protests are just accepted by the
masses as the democratic right of the people.  But in that day there will be open persecution.  And God's
judgments will fall as the sharp sword of the Word goes forth from hearts that have known rejection,
humiliation, weakness, and poverty of spirit.

“There is no darkness or evil in God.  But when light is rejected, there is darkness.  When love is
rejected, there is hate.  When peace is rejected (the Prince of Peace), there is war.

“We read in the scriptures how the sun will be turned into blackness, and moon into blood.  It is
because God has arisen out of His holy habitation (the Church) to judge the world for their iniquity:

“‘The sun and the moon shall be darkened; and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also
shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake’
(Joel 3:15-16).  Paul tells us that the heaven-quakes and the earth-quakes signify that God is shaking
everything that can be shaken, so that the things which cannot be shaken may remain, steadfast and
sure (See Heb. 12:27-28).”

[If you wish to contact Mr. George Warnock, you can do so by writing to him at P.O. Box 652,
Cranbrook, BC, V1C 4J2, Canada]


Click here to read part three of the Day of the Lord.