Concerning phrases similar to the Day of the Lord, some of these point to a particular day.  For example, "the Day of Christ" can point to the very day of Christ's Second Advent, which will take place during the Day of the Lord, as shown above.  Similar to the view that there will be two phases to His return, questions concerning which event is being meant in a given reference are also relevant.  Moreover, in accord with my interpretation that it will be a "sign" appearance that Christ will make (concurrent with the rapture) some seven years before His Second Advent, I can see the word day sometimes pointing to both of these events as a whole, especially from a first century perspective.  Kind of like a binary star, which looks like a single star to the naked eye but is seen to be two stars when viewed by a telescope.

     A help in better understanding the distinctions that can be made between the Day of the Lord judgment and the Day of Christ are the similar distinctions that can be made between "the day of the automobile" and "the day of the Ford Mustang."  Whereas the day of the automobile has continued for over a century since it was first invented, the day of the Mustang came during the day of the automobile.  Also, the day of the Mustang can be understood as being the very day it was unveiled or as taking in all the years it has been manufactured.  (I know my son would smile right here if I mentioned that he used to have a Cobra Mustang.  I think I will!)

     Understanding precisely when the period of the last days' Day of the Lord judgment will begin relative to other events, and what sense is being meant with the other similar or variant phrases is pivotal to a correct rapture view.  Along with some thoughts to clarify my interpretations, the following key references are given with the sense indicated that will align with the rapture view put forth in this study.  Note that I interpret each case of the word day in the specific phrase "the Day of the Lord" as being used in the same sense.

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REFERENCE #1

Acts 2

 20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable Day (broad sense) of the Lord come.

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     Here Peter, speaking to those gathered on the Day of Pentecost, quotes a prophecy of Joel's (Acts 2:16-21).  One thing is very evident in this verse:  The phenomena concerning the sun and the moon here being spoken of will occur before the Day of the Lord commences.  Note that these phenomena parallel exactly what John sees after the 6th Seal is opened in Revelation chapter six.  In verse 12, he writes, "And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake;  and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood."  If what John beheld at this time is the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, we have an important reference point, not only for when the 6th Seal will be opened, but also for when the period of the last days' Day of the Lord judgment will commence.  Be mindful of how this ties in with the next reference.

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REFERENCE #2

I Thessalonians 5

  1   But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

  2   For yourselves know perfectly that the Day (broad sense) of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  3   For when they shall say, Peace and safety;  then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;  and they shall not escape (i.e., shall not be raptured with the Church).

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     Paul writes these words to the Thessalonians just after explaining to them about the rapture in the closing verses of chapter four (I Thess. 4:13-18).  Then, as chapter five opens, he makes a close connection between the rapture and the beginning of the Day of the Lord.  He likens the suddenness and unexpectedness of this time to that of the coming of "a thief in the night."  When Christ returns for the Church, He will likewise come suddenly and unexpectedly, or as a "thief" to take it away (e.g., Matt. 24:42-44 and Lk. 12:39-40), whereupon the period of the Day of the Lord will commence.  Because the rapture and the beginning of the Day of the Lord so closely coincide, it has become commonplace to say that Christ's return for the rapture of the Church will be "as a thief in the night," and rightly so, in my view.  This world will by no means be expecting the rapture event, nor be prepared for what all will take place afterwards.

     Did you notice how that REFERENCE #1 ties in with this second reference?  Whereas Joel's prophecy makes a close connection between the Day of the Lord and certain phenomena occurring, Paul makes a close connection between the Day of the Lord and the rapture.  This means, if the phenomena of which Joel prophesied is fulfilled with the opening of the 6th Seal, we have a connection of this seal with both the Day of the Lord and the rapture.  Indeed, what John saw with the opening of this seal and what Joel and Paul prophesied is like corroborative evidence.  It's like what we learned in math:  If A=B and B=C, then A=C.  Detectives love finding evidence like this!

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REFERENCE #3

II Peter 3

 10  But the Day (broad sense) of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;  in the which (i.e., in the period, era, or age of 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.

 11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

 12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day (broad sense) of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

 13  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

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     As with the previous reference, when mankind is least expecting it, the Lord will return as a thief for the Church, and the period of the Day of the Lord judgment will commence.  Note that what Peter speaks of concerning the earth being "burned up" (vs. 10) will not take place until after Christ's 1000 year reign (Rev. 20:1-11. esp. vs. 11) and just before the Last Judgment (Rev. 20:12-15), all of which is part of the period of the Day of the Lord.  In other words, this world will be burned up during the period of the Day of the Lord---but near the end of it.  This becomes more clear when Peter's words are compared with Revelation 20:11 in conjunction with 21:1.

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REFERENCE #4

II Thessalonians 2

  1   Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (at the rapture), and by our gathering together unto Him (during the rapture),

  2   That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the Day (strict sense) of Christ (His Second Advent) is at hand.

  3   Let no man deceive you by any means:  for THAT DAY (strict sense) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

  4   Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;  so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

  5   Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

  6   And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

  7   For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:  only He (Christ's Holy Spirit through the Church)  who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way (at the time of the rapture).

  8   And then shall that Wicked (the Antichrist)  be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming (His Second Advent):

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     All Paul was saying to the Thessalonians was that the particular day of Christ's Second Advent was not "at hand" as was being rumored.  The same thing would be true if such was being rumored today.  Before Christ returns to reign, the Antichrist will be revealed and the seven years of Daniel's 70th Week will transpire.  According to Paul's words, we who are a part of the Church will not see the Antichrist revealed.  While he may be alive at this time, that is different than being revealed.  The Church will be gathered to Christ during the rapture, before any of this occurs.  It is upon this basis that Paul beseeches his readers to not be troubled.  Read the account again.

     Be wary of statements, suggestions, and other translations that would have "the Day of Christ is at hand" to read something like "the Day of the Lord is present, or already come."  The word "Christ" in the King James Version is not a mistranslation, but is correct according to the Textus Receptus manuscript from which it was translated.  Also, according to the universally respected Greek Dictionary of Strong's Concordance, the meaning of the word from which "at hand" is translated could go either way.  Be careful about accepting it to be changed from the way that it is.

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     Other Bible references concerning the Day of the Lord and similar phrases also need to be considered in light of whether the word day is being used in the broad or strict sense.  One thing is certain:  Whether the sense is broad or strict, what days these shall be!

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