Day of the Lord Archives

_{Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com}

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”.

You can contact Stephen Daniels at BibleBulletin@protonmail.com

Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 1
Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 2

1948 or The Day of the Lord?

Did Israel’s founding in 1948 fulfill Old Testament prophecy, thereby inevitably setting modern Israel on the path to conflict in the Middle East?

As we explore this question, Part I examined five key passages often cited to support this claim—passages fundamental to Christian Zionism. We asked: When these and other prophecies are read in their proper context, do they truly describe 1948, or do they instead point to The Day of the Lord?

In Part II, we examined the Day of the Lord—the most anticipated and most misinterpreted event in Israel’s prophetic history. ‘In that Day,’ God, under the reign of the Messiah, will resurrect the remnant of Israel—those who lived by faith in the Christ-line, just as their father Abraham instructed.

Now, in Part III, we will examine these five disputed passages to determine where they truly belong in the prophetic timeline of world history.

1. Isaiah 66:8-9

“Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” (NIV)

Some claim this verse refers to Israel’s declaration of statehood in 1948. However, Isaiah 66 is the final chapter of the book, describing the New Heavens and New Earth—the ultimate restoration of Israel, not a political event.

Verses 15-16 speak of cosmic upheaval and divine judgment, placing this prophecy in the Day of the Lord. The “nation born in a moment” refers to the instantaneous resurrection of Israel at Christ’s return, not the gradual formation of a modern state through political processes.

2. Ezekiel 37:21-22

“Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations…and will gather them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all.” (ESV)

This passage is often used to support 1948, but the prophecy explicitly connects Israel’s gathering with a resurrection and the reign of one king—Christ.

Verse 13 makes this clear: “Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves…and brought you up from your graves.”

Since this resurrection has not yet occurred, this prophecy remains future and is tied to Christ’s return, not 1948.

3. Isaiah 11:11-12

“In that day the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people… and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel.” (KJV)

The phrase “in that day” is a prophetic marker for the Day of the Lord. The chapter describes a world where “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of God” and Christ reigns in peace.

This has not happened, as 1948 was strictly a political event. This passage speaks of a supernatural gathering under the Messiah.

4. Zechariah 14:2-3

“I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken… Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.” (ESV)

Some link this to Israel’s modern wars, but the context reveals that this battle occurs at Christ’s return.

Verse 4 removes all doubt: “On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives.”

Modern Israel’s wars are not this final battle. The Day of the Lord is a supernatural event where Christ Himself fights for Israel. This has not happened yet.

5. Zephaniah 3:19-20

“At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth.” (NIV)

The phrase “at that time” points to The Day of the Lord—when God gathers His faithful remnant.

Verse 12 clarifies: “They will trust in the name of the Lord.”

This gathering is spiritual and global, taking place at the final resurrection. Modern Israel remains politically contested and far from receiving the global “honor and praise” described here. This prophecy awaits its full fulfillment.

1948: Not a Fulfillment

When read in context, these scriptures do not refer to 1948. Instead, they describe the future Day of the Lord, when:

Christ returns.

Israel is resurrected and spiritually restored.

Peace and righteousness fill the earth.

None of this occurred in 1948. While that event may have set the stage for the world-altering events described in the Book of Revelation, it was by no means the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies.

In fact, there is no mention of 1948—or even recent centuries—anywhere in the Bible. Any attempt to link these passages to modern political events is mere speculation.

The Want of War

When examined in their contexts, these popular Christian Zionist scriptures appear to describe—not the founding of Israel in 1948—but rather the end-times Day of the Lord, still future. While 1948 may have laid the groundwork for the rebuilding of the Temple and its occupancy by the Antichrist (2 Thes. 2:3-4), the obvious lack of resurrection and renewal, lasting peace, and the Messianic reign precludes it from being the fulfillment of these prophecies. These prophecies describe events that can only be realized at the Second Coming of Christ to the earth.

As one can imagine, a plethora of Old Testament verses can be leveraged to justify war in the Middle East and beyond.

Our endless wars in the Middle East are fueled not only by diplomatic failures, but just as much by doctrinal distortions—scriptural misinterpretations used to manipulate public sentiment. The neoconservatives, governments, and industries that profiteer from these never-ending wars rely heavily on Christian Zionism to rally the troops back home and secure financial and political backing.

While we as pastors may not agree on every interpretation of scripture, one thing we should agree on is that entering a world war based on doctrinal error would be both tragic—and the devil’s greatest triumph. We as Christian ministers must stand against any further global conflicts justified by Old Testament prophecies, to prevent the bloodshed of our children and proclaim the pathway of peace.

______________________________________________________________________________

In Part I, we asked: Is America’s zeal for war fueled by a misguided interpretation of prophecy? The answer is hidden in “The Day of the Lord,” the most abused of all Old Testament prophecy.

The Day of the Lord

Throughout biblical history, no event held more significance for the ancient Children of Israel than “The Day of the Lord.” This phrase, along with its companion phrases, “The Lord’s Day” and “in that Day,” appear over 200 times in scripture. Twenty prophets describe it in detail, including Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zephaniah, and Zechariah—the writers of the five prophecies we began examining in Part I of this series. Jesus illustrated “that Day” in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, and John wrote an entire book about it—the Book of Revelation (see Rev. 1:10).

“The Day of the Lord” refers to the future Tribulation and the Messiah’s return with his armies to reclaim the earth. During this time, Christ will resurrect the righteous of Israel (and others justified by faith), known as the “Remnant” of Israel. He returns to fight for the restoration of their lands, culminating in the establishment of a new, heavenly Jerusalem.

For these faithful individuals, this will be a day of reward and reunification, encompassing all believing Children of Israel throughout history—not just those within modern Israel’s borders at any given time.

The Great Incentive

This day serves as recompense for those who sacrificed to protect the Christ-line, the lineage leading to the Messiah. They were entrusted with this hope from the Patriarchs: Abraham’s hope was clear: “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10, NIV).

The Bible does not mention Abraham or his descendants awaiting a man-made political state in 1948.

Throughout the Old Testament, when the Children of Israel strayed, God sent prophets to remind them of their great hope: the coming Messiah who, with them, would reclaim their lands. Similar to us today, the Lord’s coming was their great Hope.

Each time the unfaithful Children of Israel lost their lands and carried into captivity, God provided prophetic words reminding them of His eternal promise to return these lands to the Remnant after the First Resurrection

For the faith-filled Children of Israel, the Day of the Lord remained their enduring hope.

Alarmingly, many of these 200 scriptures today are being misused to “document” the formation of the State of Israel in 1948. In reality, they refer to a future time.

If the scripture is to be our sole arbiter of truth, God will restore these lands to Abraham and his believing children only once: at Christ’s return.

The Day of the Lord -or- 1948?

As readers, how can we distinguish if a prophet is speaking of The Day of the Lord or some other event?

The key is in the context.

The Day of the Lord is characterized by unparalleled, cataclysmic events and cosmic disturbances that set it apart from any other earthly occurrence.

When studying a prophecy, check for these telltale events in its surrounding chapters:

Key Events Associated with the Day of the Lord

1. The Rapture: Many Christians believe that the Day of the Lord will commence with believers being “Gathered Together” with Christ in the air, an event commonly known as “the Rapture” (2 Thessalonians 2:1). This is distinct from Christ’s physical return to earth in Revelation 19.

2. Revealing of the Antichrist: Following the Rapture, the Antichrist will be revealed, positioning himself in the Jerusalem Temple and proclaiming himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Global tyranny and executions will ensue.

3. Global Turmoil: This period will be marked by significant tribulation, including wars, diseases, and cosmic disturbances.

4. Christ’s Second Coming: Jesus will return bodily to earth, leading to the Battle of Armageddon, where forces opposing God will be defeated. This event will also usher in the resurrection of the faithful (Revelation 19:11–21).

5. Millennial Kingdom: Christ will establish a thousand-year reign on Earth, often referred to as the Millennial Kingdom, characterized by peace and righteousness (Revelation 20:1–6).

6. Final Rebellion and Judgment: After the Millennium, there will be a final military uprising against God, which He will swiftly defeat. This will lead to the final judgment and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 20:7–21:1).

These events are often introduced in prophetic literature with the phrase “in that day,” signaling their significance.

By carefully examining the context and specific descriptions within prophetic passages, readers can discern whether a prophet is referring to The Day of the Lord or another event.

It is important to note that none of these cataclysmic events occurred in 1948 or at any time since. Scripture indicates that the true gathering and spiritual transformation of Israel will happen after the First Resurrection, which follows Christ’s return to earth.

Reexamining Prophecies

In the third and final segment of this series, we will re-look at these five commonly quoted prophecies in light of The Day of the Lord. By examining these scriptures in their surrounding contexts, each individual reader will discern for himself or herself if these prophecies refer to the events of 1948, or instead to the future Day of the Lord.

Bible Rebel

Curious Fearless Faith

Day of the Lord

Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 3