There are two significant days mentioned in the Bible -- “the day of the LORD” and “the day of Christ” (also called “the day of Jesus Christ” or “the day of our Lord Jesus Christ”).
Since “the day of the LORD” is clearly a period of divine judgment revealed in the Old Testament, it should not be confused with “the day of Christ” (found only in the New Testament). Unfortunately the King James Bible called “the day of the Lord” the day of Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, which totally skews the meaning of that passage. Almost all the other translations have “the day o the Lord” which is correct.
We know from other Scriptures that the Resurrection/Rapture of the saints will occur on a specific day (which is still in the future). Now we will see that “the day of Christ” relates to that event in the verses shown below:
THE DAY OF CHRIST APPLIES TO CHRISTIAN READINESS
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ (Phil 1:10)
THERE WILL BE REJOICING ON THE DAY OF CHRIST
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. (Phil 2:16)
CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE BLAMELESS ON THE DAY OF CHRIST
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Cor 1:7,8)
Here the day of the Rapture (“the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”) and “the day of Christ” are shown to be one and the same. Since the saints will be perfected and glorified on that day, they will then be “blameless”. But until then they are to be “sincere and without offence” and “holding forth the Word of Life”.
CHRISTIANS WILL BE PERFECTED ON THE DAY OF CHRIST
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Phil 1:6) This ties in with 1 John 3:1-3: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
In view of all these passages it should be clear that every believer is required to purify himself or herself in preparation for the Rapture on the day of Christ. Paul seems to also imply that immediately after the Rapture, the event known as the Judgment Seat of Christ will take place. Here all the works of the saints will be assessed for their eternal value. Those which are precious will receive corresponding rewards or crowns. Those which are worthless will be "burned up".
Since “the day of the LORD” is clearly a period of divine judgment revealed in the Old Testament, it should not be confused with “the day of Christ” (found only in the New Testament). Unfortunately the King James Bible called “the day of the Lord” the day of Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, which totally skews the meaning of that passage. Almost all the other translations have “the day o the Lord” which is correct.
We know from other Scriptures that the Resurrection/Rapture of the saints will occur on a specific day (which is still in the future). Now we will see that “the day of Christ” relates to that event in the verses shown below:
THE DAY OF CHRIST APPLIES TO CHRISTIAN READINESS
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ (Phil 1:10)
THERE WILL BE REJOICING ON THE DAY OF CHRIST
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. (Phil 2:16)
CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE BLAMELESS ON THE DAY OF CHRIST
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Cor 1:7,8)
Here the day of the Rapture (“the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”) and “the day of Christ” are shown to be one and the same. Since the saints will be perfected and glorified on that day, they will then be “blameless”. But until then they are to be “sincere and without offence” and “holding forth the Word of Life”.
CHRISTIANS WILL BE PERFECTED ON THE DAY OF CHRIST
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Phil 1:6) This ties in with 1 John 3:1-3: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
In view of all these passages it should be clear that every believer is required to purify himself or herself in preparation for the Rapture on the day of Christ. Paul seems to also imply that immediately after the Rapture, the event known as the Judgment Seat of Christ will take place. Here all the works of the saints will be assessed for their eternal value. Those which are precious will receive corresponding rewards or crowns. Those which are worthless will be "burned up".
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