Topical Bible: Day: Prophetic

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In biblical literature, the concept of a "prophetic day" often transcends the literal 24-hour period, symbolizing a specific time frame within God's divine plan. This symbolic use of "day" is prevalent in prophetic writings, where it can represent a period of judgment, blessing, or significant eschatological events.

Prophetic Days in Scripture

1. The Day of the Lord: One of the most significant uses of "day" in a prophetic context is the "Day of the Lord." This term appears throughout the Old and New Testaments, signifying a time when God will intervene decisively in human history. It is often associated with both judgment and salvation. For instance, in Joel 2:31 , it is written, "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD." This day is characterized by cosmic disturbances and divine retribution, yet it also heralds the ultimate redemption for God's people.

2. The Day of Judgment: In the New Testament, the prophetic "day" frequently refers to the final judgment. Jesus speaks of this day in Matthew 12:36 , saying, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." This underscores the accountability and moral reckoning that will occur at the culmination of history.

3. The Day of Christ: The Apostle Paul often refers to the "Day of Christ" as a time of future hope and fulfillment for believers. In Philippians 1:6 , Paul expresses confidence "that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This day is anticipated as a moment of completion and reward for the faithful.

Symbolic Interpretation

In prophetic literature, a "day" can symbolize a longer period, such as a year or an era. This symbolic interpretation is rooted in passages like Ezekiel 4:6 , where God instructs the prophet, "I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year." This principle is often applied in eschatological studies to interpret prophetic timelines.

Theological Significance

The prophetic use of "day" emphasizes God's sovereignty over time and history. It serves as a reminder that human events unfold according to divine timing and purpose. The prophetic "day" calls believers to vigilance, repentance, and hope, as it points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

Eschatological Implications

The prophetic "day" is central to eschatological teachings, highlighting the tension between the "already" and the "not yet" of God's kingdom. While certain aspects of prophecy have been fulfilled, the ultimate "day" remains future, urging believers to live in anticipation of Christ's return and the establishment of His eternal reign.

In summary, the prophetic "day" in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses judgment, redemption, and the consummation of God's plan. It serves as a powerful reminder of the divine orchestration of history and the hope of future glory for those who are in Christ.

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2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
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Daniel 8:14
And he said to me, To two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
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Daniel 9:24-27
Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
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Daniel 12:11,12
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
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Revelation 11:3
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.
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Revelation 9:15
And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
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Revelation 12:6
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.
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Library

'Until that Day'
... simply by the corruptions in the Corinthian Church, emphasises this prophetic and
onward ... part of a very lamentable and general tendency of this day, whereby the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/until that day.htm

The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... By many a prophetic Old Testament text that day of wonderful light and glory
was spoken of as a day when God's salvation should appear. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /the gospel day seen in.htm

So Much for the Prophetic Scriptures in the Gospels, Christ's ...
... This is evidence enough from the prophetic Scriptures. ... or the resurrection: "It shall
be more tolerable," He says, "for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment ...
/.../tertullian/on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxxiii so much for the.htm

Elements of Prophetic Interpretation.
... And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he ... PROPHETIC SYMBOLS
are objects, real or imaginary, representative of agents or objects possessing ...
/.../a brief commentary on the apocalypse/elements of prophetic interpretation.htm

Of the Erythr??an Sibyl, who Pointed in a Prophetic Acrostic at ...
... vain superstition, she became really filled with inspiration from above, and declared
in prophetic verses the ... Earth's oozing pores [3460] shall mark the day; ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xviii of the erythraean sibyl.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... But to this day, also do the tears of Christ plead with the Church on ... it was not
to be the Messiah of Israel's conception, but He of prophetic picture: just ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

A Full-Length Picture in Colors.
... greatness. The yellow glory light of the coming day is never out of the prophetic
sky. Its reflection is never out of the prophetic eye. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a full-length picture in colors.htm

The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... And here is suggested one of the most formidable dangers of the present
day. ... 1. The great subject of prophetic enquiry is salvation. ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the prophetic theme rev gervase.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... scribes were to be found in court and temple, and probably among the prophetic guilds;
although the common people, as in the same land to-day, doubtless had ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

Apostles To-Day?
... If the Irvingites, therefore, believe that in their circles the prophetic activity
has ... John's day could be detected only by a higher spiritual discernment: and ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii apostles to-day.htm