The Day of the Lord: Part Five By Joel M. Killion E-mail: joel@innerlifeministries.com Web-site: innerlifeministries.com
	Peter's Insight Second Peter 3:10-13 (KJV) contains a wealth of New Testament insight into the Day of the Lord. The following is a concentrated exegesis of this passage.  Please refrain from lightly skimming these four verses.  Prayerfully study and re-study each and every part until “the light bulb” comes on through the wisdom and revelation of the Holy Spirit in your heart. As you’ll notice, each verse is preceded by the verse number.  Within each verse, you will see brackets which contain the definitions of words and my objective insights.  In between each verse, you will also find further thoughts to “chew on.” Finally, as you study these fours verses, you will see a number of similarities between Peter’s insight and Zephaniah’s (To read “Zephaniah’s Insight” click here.); these parallels, of course, are not a coincidence as the Lord did this on purpose. Now, let’s get started… Verse 10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief [stealer - Strong’s 2812] in the night; in the which the heavens [the abode of God - Strong’s 3772] shall pass away [pass by, pass over, come near, approach, come forth - Strong’s 3928] with a great noise [crash - Strong’s 4500], and the elements [elementary, fundamental, rudimentary principles - Strong’s 4747] shall melt [be dissolved and destroyed - Strong’s 3089] with fervent heat, the earth [carnality] also and the works [of carnality] that are therein shall be burned up [wholly consumed - Strong’s 2618]. Let’s break this verse down and look at through a microscope, shall we? “…The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…” Therefore, it will not be an obvious, conspicuous event, nor will it come with “bells and whistles” as so many have said. Rather, like a well- trained “thief,” the Lord’s Day will make a silent, stealthy entrance, unbeknown to the five natural senses of natural men. Those who are “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” will be sensitive to the “coming” and “going” of the Lord (Rev. 1:10; 4:2, KJV). Like the “sons of Issachar,” they will have an “understanding of the times” and seasons they are in (1 Chron. 12:32, KJV). If you are “in the Spirit” - “in Christ” - then know that “…you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness. Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect)” (1 Thess. 5:4-6, AMP). Paul goes on to say in this same verse, “…The elements shall melt with fervent heat…” - The Greek word for “elements” is the same Greek word for “principles” in Hebrews 5:12 (KJV).  It can also be paralleled to mere “philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8, 20, KJV).  The apostle Paul saw these “elements of the world” as being a yoke of “bondage” (Gal. 4:3, 9, KJV).  Oftentimes, these “elements” were presented as superior to faith in Christ. In the day of the Lord, Heaven comes near (approaches) with a great crash and melts every “element” (principle) that is not in “perfect” alignment with the principles of the Kingdom of God and His Christ.   Even the fruit (“the works that are therein”) of those worthless “elements” will be “wholly consumed.” Now, to the next verse, Verse 11) Seeing then that all these things [“…the elements…and the works that are therein…”] shall be dissolved [destroyed, broken up, melted, loosened - Strong’s # 3089], what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. The Holman Christian Standard Bible states verse eleven as, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, [it is clear] what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness.” The Amplified Bible says, “Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities.” Isn’t it interesting that the Amplified Bible says these things are “in the process” of being dissolved? This certainly is a presently-progressive operation of the Lord in His Day. But to answer Paul’s question - “…what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” - obviously, it would be in our best interest to rid ourselves of everything that is not absolutely unified to the pure principles of the Kingdom of God as seen in His Holy Word.  Our “conversation” and “manner of life” should be “God-like,” not conformed to the “elements” of Babylon (religious-political systems) and Egypt (worldly systems).   As we progressively divorce (severe) ourselves from these “evils” we will find ourselves - more and more - “hastening” the appearing of the “Manifest Presence” of the Lord in our midst. Paul, the apostle, understood this principle as the next verse says… Verse 12) Looking for and hasting unto [speeding, urging - Strong’s 4692] the coming [parousia; nearness, presence - Strong’s 3952] of the Day of God, wherein the heavens [the abode of God - Strong’ s 3772] being on fire shall be dissolved [destroyed, broken up, melted, loosened - Strong’s 3089], and the elements [fundamental, rudimentary principles - Strong’s 4747] shall melt [liquefy - Strong’s 5080] with fervent heat? Did you know that it is possible to “make the day come more quickly”? (NIRV).  Well, it is.  Therefore, it is also possible to “delay” it.  But how do we “hasten” the day?  We do so by judging and purifying ourselves, “even as He is pure” (1 Jn. 3:3, KJV; also look at Rev. 19:7).  Therefore, make the “choice” to “put away the [images of] strange gods that are among you, and purify yourselves…” (Gen. 35:2, AMP).   As St. Francis de Sales once wrote, “Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.” Remember, it is your choice. Everything - from “the heavens” to “the elements” - will be set on fire through a baptism of fire and will “melt with fervent heat.” On the personal level, if we apply this to our individual lives today, we can see that everything within us - everything that we are and ever will be; “the heavens” (our spirit, “the abode of God”) and the “the elements” (our rudiments of our soul and body) - will be tested and purified by the fire of the Cross. Nothing will escape the Day of the Lord. Nevertheless, Paul leaves his readers with a “promise,” Verse 13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein [in which, in whom - Strong’s 1722] dwelleth [permanently resides - Strong’s 2730] righteousness [holiness, justice, innocence and justification in character like unto God - Strong’s 1343]. What is the result of the destruction in verses 11-12? What is the purpose? The purpose is the production of “new heavens and a new earth,” which is a “new mind” and a “new body.” And “wherein” will “the new heavens and new earth” dwell?  The better question is “in whom” will they dwell?  “The new heavens and new earth” abide with those “in whom” dwelleth “righteousness,” in those who endure the fervent heat of verses 11-12. So the question is - Will you endure to the end? Conclusion This short essay, while it seems to be in-depth, is really very basic and hasn’t even scratched the surface of all that the Lord has said in His Word concerning His Day.  So much more could have been added, but the main points have been made nonetheless. The Day of the Lord is intense.  But don’t be offended by this; neither be offended by His methods, strange as they are to your natural mind.   We must, above all things, “fix our eyes” on “His” purpose.  If you carefully re-read this treatise, you will find His purpose interwoven through it all. Presently, Jesus is going throughout “His” temple (in His day) with “a scourge of small cords,” driving out “all” (not just some, but all) unrighteousness.  He is turning tables, driving out all filthiness - the stinky cattle of humanism and carnality.  He is thrusting out all but the “dove” of the Spirit (Jn. 2 and Mt. 21).  He is preparing “one” who will become that which wholly pleases the Dove for there must be a people upon whom the Spirit can “descend” and “remain” (come “and” stay) (Jn. 1:32).  This is the “real” test of true and genuine “sonship;” is your life one in which He can “remain?”  Is your life “compatible” with His? Or is it, in any way, shape or form, unpleasant to His heart? The fire of God’s passion is His motivation as He gathers out “all things that offend” (Matt. 13:41, KJV).  He is dealing with every offensive part within “His” Body (He is the Head and he will not be joined (yoked) to a “sick” Body; it must be as holy as He is holy); He is putting out and cutting off everything that “offends” His eye (Matt 5:29-30).  Like a good parent, He is using His “rod” on those He loves (Prov. 10:13; 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 26:3; 29:15). The Day of the Lord has many levels within it.  Each level has a door that leads to the next level.  Those who “overcome” will ascend to the degree that they overcome.  Many faint on the elementary levels while some go a little higher (Matt. 22:14).  The purpose of this “mountain” (Isa. 2:2-3) is to purify a Bride worthy of the Son, one who is “…without spot or wrinkle or any such things […holy and faultless]” before the Father of Lights (Eph 5:27, AMP). Do you “love” the will of God? Is He your “first” love? If so, then you will not murmur and complain when He works His will “into” the fibers of your life. Many have and are now hiding themselves “…in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains…” (within the safety of “their” hiding places) and they are crying out “…to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face [“Presence”] of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb’” (Rev 6:15-16, KJV).   The Day of the Lord is too hot for the “multitudes” so they are seeking shelter, looking for “another way.”  The enthroned Manifest Presence (“face”) of the Lord is not their “cup of tea,” as it exposes every unholy way; so they are unhappy with the by-product of its reality.   Others, on the other hand, are viewing His Day from His perspective; therefore, they are rejoicing in His Presence. If we, through revelation, see and know the Day that He has made, we too will be glad and not sad like those who are in darkness and death. Psalm 118:24, KJV: This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 2 Peter 3:12, the Message: Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival… The Day of the Lord was made and enacted by the Lord and it is presently at work because He is presently at work; in fact, He has never stopped working (Jn. 5:17).  It may not be a day we particularly “like,” but that is our problem, not His. So, let us “be eager for its arrival” - daily. Let us rejoice and be glad “in it.” In the Spirit... It is imperative that we live “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s Day. Only then will we be sensitive to the Voice of the Lord which is “a great voice, as of a trumpet” (Rev. 1:10, KJV). Only then will we rejoice in HIS DAY. That is the only way we will survive and stay in unity with the Lord and His purposes in these days of shaking and judgment. In the Spirit… We HEAR “a great voice, as of a trumpet”; we behold the Throne set in Heaven and we see the One Who sits on it (Rev. 4:2). The hand of the Lord carries us away to a great and high mountain and shows us His City (Ezek. 37:1; Rev. 17:3; 21:10); We are purposefully led, not knowing the things that shall befall us in the path of obedience (Acts 19: 21; 20:22); We are Jews (“the circumcision”), both inwardly and of the heart because we worship Him in the Spirit – His Spirit is IN us and we are IN Him (Rom. 2:29; 8:9; Phil 3:3); We speak mysteries (1 Cor. 14:2); We are made perfect (Gal; 3:3); we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Gal. 5:16); we live according to God (1 Pet. 4:6) We WALK in the Spirit – it BECOMES a lifestyle – the Word becomes flesh (Gal. 5:25); We pray always with all prayer and supplication (Eph; 6:18).