We Studied the “Day of the Lord” in the Bible (Here’s What We Found)

Summary

The script explores the biblical concept of the 'Day of the Lord,' a theme spanning from creation to final judgment. It discusses humanity's recurring rebellion against God, symbolized by Babylon, and God's interventions, such as the Exodus. It highlights Jesus' role in confronting evil through his sacrificial death, embodying the Passover lamb. The script concludes with a vision from Revelation, depicting Jesus' ultimate triumph over evil, inviting believers to resist the corrupt 'Babylon' culture and hope for God's promised renewal.

Takeaways

• 📜 The 'Day of the Lord' is a biblical concept often associated with the end times, including events like Armageddon or the apocalypse.
• 🗡 Jesus's image of returning on a white horse with a sword symbolizes His role in bringing final judgment.
• 🌏 The biblical narrative begins with God creating the world and entrusting humans to rule it, which leads to the temptation and fall of humanity.
• 💔 The promise of defining good and evil independently results in broken relationships, violence, and humanity's rebellion against God.
• 🏛️ The city of Babylon represents humanity's collective defiance, attempting to elevate themselves to God's status.
• 🗣️ God's response to humanity's rebellion is to confuse languages and scatter people, making Babylon an enduring symbol of defiance.
• 🦁 The story of Egypt mirrors that of Babylon, with Pharaoh representing a more extreme form of the same defiance and oppression.
• 🎵 The Israelites' song after their liberation from Egypt celebrates God as their warrior and savior from evil, marking 'The Day' of their rescue.
• 🍖 The Passover is an annual celebration of liberation, symbolized by the sacrificial lamb, representing hope for future deliverance.
• 🐑 Amos, the shepherd turned prophet, announces another 'Day of the Lord,' this time as judgment against Israel for its corruption and violence.
• 🕊️ Jesus, resisting the temptations of power, confronts the root of evil rather than the Roman oppressors, aiming to overcome it through self-sacrifice.
• 🔪 Revelation foresees a final 'Day of the Lord,' where Jesus, symbolized as a sacrificial lamb, confronts the ultimate corruption of Babylon the Great.
• ⚔️ Jesus's authority to define good and evil is represented by the sword in His mouth, signifying His role in the final judgment.
• 🛑 The Day of the Lord serves as an ongoing call to resist the corrupt culture of Babylon and to anticipate God's ultimate redemption of the world.

Q & A

What is the phrase 'the day of the Lord' often used to refer to?

The phrase 'the day of the Lord' is often used in religious contexts to refer to the end of the world, encompassing events like Armageddon or the apocalypse.

What does the image of Jesus returning on a white horse symbolize?

The image of Jesus returning on a white horse symbolizes the final judgment, where he is depicted as wielding a sword to bring about justice and end times.

Why did humans rebel against God in the biblical story?

Humans rebelled against God because they were tempted by a mysterious unhuman character who promised them the power to define good and evil on their own terms, essentially placing themselves in God's position.

What is the significance of the city of Babylon in the biblical narrative?

Babylon, or Babel in Hebrew, represents humanity's corporate rebellion against God, symbolizing a culture that redefined good and evil and sought to elevate themselves to God's place.

How did God respond to humanity's rebellion in the story of Babel?

In response to humanity's rebellion, God confused their language and scattered them, preventing them from uniting to further elevate themselves to God's place.

What is the significance of the story of ancient Egypt in relation to Babylon?

The story of ancient Egypt shows Pharaoh, like Babylon, redefining evil as good and taking care of themselves at the expense of others, ultimately leading to their downfall when God turns Pharaoh's evil back on him.

What is the Passover and why is it celebrated?

Passover is a symbolic meal of a sacrificial lamb celebrated by the Israelites to commemorate their liberation from the corrupt human system of Egypt, marking 'The Day' when they were rescued.

How did the Israelites' hope for 'The Day' evolve over time?

The hope for 'The Day' evolved as the Israelites faced new threats, leading them to anticipate God bringing 'The Day' again to save them, similar to their liberation from Egypt.

What was the shocking news that the prophet Amos was appointed to announce to Israel?

Amos was appointed to announce that God was bringing another day of the Lord, this time against his own people, Israel, due to their corruption and violence, making them like Babylon.

How did Jesus confront the evil of Israel and Rome?

Jesus confronted the evil of Israel and Rome by willingly going to Jerusalem for Passover, intending to die as the final showdown, using his death to exhaust the power of evil.

What is the significance of Jesus being symbolized as a sacrificial bloody lamb in the Revelation?

In the Revelation, Jesus as a sacrificial bloody lamb symbolizes his victory over evil through his own blood, showing that he overcame evil not by taking lives but by giving his own life.

What is the invitation and promise of the Day of the Lord according to the script?

The Day of the Lord is an invitation to resist the culture of Babylon and a promise that God will one day free the world from corruption, bringing about a new era of righteousness and justice.

Outlines

00:00

📖 The Biblical Concept of 'The Day of the Lord'

The phrase 'The Day of the Lord' often refers to the end of the world in biblical context. It is associated with images such as Jesus returning on a white horse with a sword for final judgment. Understanding these images requires looking back to the beginning of the Bible, where God created the world and gave humans the power to rule. Humans, tempted by a mysterious character, chose to define good and evil on their own, leading to broken relationships and violence. This culminated in the building of Babylon, symbolizing humanity's rebellion against God. God scattered them by confusing their language.

05:02

📜 Babylon as a Symbol of Rebellion

Babylon represents humanity's collective rebellion against God. This concept reappears in the story of ancient Egypt, where Pharaoh enslaves and kills Israelites, embodying a greater evil. God turns Pharaoh's evil back on him, leading to the Israelites' deliverance, which they celebrate annually as 'Passover'. This event marks 'The Day', symbolizing their rescue from oppression. As Israel later faces new enemies, the hope arises that God will bring another 'Day of the Lord' to save them.

🔮 Prophetic Announcement and Israel's Downfall

The prophet Amos announces a shocking message: another 'Day of the Lord' is coming, but this time against Israel. Israel's leaders, like Babylon, have redefined good and evil, resulting in corruption and violence. This leads to Israel's downfall and exile. The continuous oppression by empires sets the stage for Jesus' birth during the Roman occupation. Jesus, however, identifies the real enemy as the mysterious evil influencing all nations and peoples.

✝️ Jesus' Confrontation with Evil

Jesus confronts evil not by overthrowing Rome but by resisting the temptation to exploit power. He predicts a final confrontation with evil during Passover by sacrificing himself. This act of love, resembling the Passover lamb, defeats evil and offers a new way to escape Babylon. However, the power of evil persists, and humanity continues to build new Babylons.

🗡️ Final Judgment and the Revelation

The last book of the Bible, Revelation, foresees a future 'Day of the Lord' where God's kingdom confronts 'Babylon the Great', symbolizing all corrupt nations. Jesus, represented as a sacrificial lamb, arrives pre-bloodied to signify his prior sacrifice for humanity. His sword, symbolizing his authority, will bring final justice. Meanwhile, the 'Day of the Lord' invites resistance against Babylon's culture, promising ultimate liberation from corruption.

Keywords

💡Day of the Lord

The 'Day of the Lord' is a term from the Bible that refers to a future time of divine judgment and salvation. In the script, it is used to describe both the end of the world and specific historical moments when God intervened to rescue or judge people. It is central to the video's theme of God's redemptive acts throughout history, culminating in the final judgment.

💡Armageddon

Armageddon is a term derived from the Bible, symbolizing the final battle between good and evil. In the script, it is mentioned as part of the 'Day of the Lord,' representing the ultimate confrontation and the end of the world as we know it. It illustrates the culmination of the struggle against evil that is a recurring theme in the video.

💡Apocalypse

The term 'apocalypse' comes from the Greek and means 'uncovering' or 'revelation.' In the script, it is associated with the end times and the unveiling of hidden truths. It is integral to the video's exploration of the final judgment and the unveiling of God's ultimate plan for humanity.

💡Babylon

In the script, 'Babylon' is used metaphorically to represent human rebellion against God and the systems that elevate human power above divine authority. It is an icon of corruption and a symbol of the world's defiance of God's order, as seen in the building of the Tower of Babel and the actions of the Egyptians.

💡Passover

Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In the script, it is depicted as a celebration of God's rescue from a corrupt system and serves as a recurring symbol of hope for God's future deliverance, including the ultimate Passover lamb, Jesus Christ.

💡Prophet

A 'prophet' in the script refers to individuals chosen by God to deliver messages, often of warning or judgment. The prophet Amos is mentioned as an example of someone who announced the coming 'Day of the Lord' against Israel, illustrating the role of prophets in God's plan to confront and correct human wickedness.

💡Exile

Exile in the script refers to the historical period when the Israelites were conquered and taken captive by foreign powers. It symbolizes the consequences of turning away from God and becoming like 'Babylon.' The experience of exile is used to highlight the need for God's redemption and the hope for a new era of liberation.

💡Rome

Rome, as mentioned in the script, represents the oppressive empire that ruled over Israel during Jesus' time. It is used to illustrate the political and military power that Jesus did not confront directly but instead overcame through his teachings and sacrificial death, challenging the empire's moral and spiritual authority.

💡Revelation

Revelation, in the context of the script, refers to the last book of the Bible, which provides a vision of the end times. It is central to the video's message about the final 'Day of the Lord,' the ultimate confrontation with evil, and the establishment of God's kingdom.

💡Sacrificial Lamb

The 'sacrificial lamb' is a recurring symbol in the script, representing the act of giving one's life for the sake of others. It is used to describe both the Passover lamb and Jesus Christ, who willingly gave his life as a sacrifice to overcome evil and provide a way of salvation for humanity.

💡Evil

Evil in the script is portrayed as a pervasive force that corrupts and destroys, tempting humanity to redefine good and evil on their terms. It is the antagonist that Jesus confronts and overcomes, not through violence, but through love and sacrifice, demonstrating a new kind of power that can transform the world.

Highlights

The Day of the Lord is a biblical phrase used to refer to the end of the world and final judgment.

Images of Jesus returning on a white horse with a sword symbolize the final judgment.

The biblical story begins with God creating the world and entrusting humans to rule it.

A mysterious unhuman character tempts humans to define good and evil on their own terms.

The resulting broken relationships and violence lead to humanity's rebellion against God.

The city of Babylon represents humanity's collective rebellion and attempt to elevate themselves to God's place.

God confuses the language of the people of Babel to scatter them and prevent a unified rebellion.

Egypt is portrayed as a bigger, more oppressive version of Babylon, redefining evil as good.

God turns Pharaoh's evil back on him, leading to his downfall and the liberation of the Israelites.

The Israelites celebrate their liberation from Egypt with the Passover, a sacrificial lamb meal.

The Day of the Lord is a time of hope for God to save Israel from new threats.

The prophet Amos announces that God will bring another Day of the Lord against Israel due to their corruption.

Jesus sees the real enemy as the unhuman evil that has lured nations into rebellion, not just Rome.

Jesus resists the temptation to exploit his power for self-interest, unlike the nations that have fallen to evil.

Jesus plans to confront the evil of Israel and Rome by dying as a Passover lamb, an act of love.

Jesus' death and resurrection defeat evil and open a new way for humanity to escape from the cycle of sin.

The power of evil still persists, with humanity continuing to build new versions of Babylon.

The Revelation predicts a final Day of the Lord when God's kingdom will confront the corrupt nations.

Jesus, symbolized as a sacrificial lamb, will bring final judgment with his authority to define good and evil.

The Day of the Lord is an invitation to resist the corrupt culture of Babylon and trust in God's promise of liberation.

Transcripts

The day of the Lord.

It is a phrase in the Bible that religious people use usually when talking about the end of the world.

Yeah, things like Armageddon or the apocalypse.

You might be familiar with this image of Jesus returning on a white horse.

He has got sword to bring final judgment.

Everyone wants to know how will it all go down.

A lot of these images come from the last book of the Bible

To understand them, you have to go back to the first book.

When the story begins. we watch God create an amazing world.

Then He gives humans power to rule over it on his behalf.

But the humans are tempted by this mysterious unhuman character who offers them a promise:

you could define good and evil on your own terms and put yourselves in God's place.

This is what they do.

The resulting stories are about the broken relationships and violence that results.

Yeah, this promise creates huge problems.

Now everyone has to protect themselves and fight for survival.

They are all using death as this weapon to gain power.

It all leads to a story about the building of the city of Babylon.

Or in Hebrew, "Babel".

Everyone comes together to elevate themselves to the place of God.

God knows how devastating this could be:

a whole culture redefining good and evil, as if they are God.

So God confuses their language and scatters them.

From here on Babylon becomes like an icon in the biblical story.

It is an image that represents humanity's corporate rebellion against God.

The next time we see it is in the story of ancient Egypt.

Yeah, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, feels threatened by these immigrant Israelites.

He starts killing all of the boys and enslaving the rest.

This is really evil.

Yeah, Egypt is like this bigger, badder Babylon.

They take care of themselves at the expense of others by redefining evil as good.

So God turns Pharaoh's evil back on him.

His pride drives him forward and he is swallowed up by death.

After this great deliverance, the Israelites sing a song about how God is their warrior who liberated them from evil.

The Israelites referred to this moment as "The Day".

The day they were rescued from a corrupt human system.

Every year since then, the Israelites have celebrated the day of their liberation with the symbolic meal of a sacrificial lamb.

It is called "Passover".

Eventually Israel comes into its own land have their own kings.

They face new enemies.

So that past day of the Lord celebrated every Passover begins to generate hope

that God will bring "The Day" again to save Israel from new threats.

Out in the hills was a sheep herder named Amos.

He was appointed by God as a prophet to announce shocking news to Israel

that God was bringing another day of the Lord against his enemies.

This time, the target is Israel.

What?

Sadly, Israel's leaders had also redefined good and evil for themselves, resulting in corruption and violence.

God's people have become like Babylon.

The oppressed become oppressors.

Babylon seems like a trap no one can escape.

So the day of the Lord comes upon Israel.

They are conquered, taken captive into exile.

From then on, Israel suffered under the rule of continuous oppressive empires.

This is the story Jesus was born into.

Yeah, in his day the oppressive empire over Israel is Rome.

So, is Jesus going to confront Rome, take him out?

Well, no.

Jesus saw the real enemy as that mysterious unhuman evil,

the evil that has lured Babylon, Egypt, Rome, Israel.

All humanity has given in to evil's promised of power

This is what Jesus resisted alone in the wilderness

when he was tempted to exploit his power for self-interest.

But he did not.

After that he started to confront the effects of evil on others.

He started saying that he was going to Jerusalem for Passover

for a final showdown to confront the evil of Israel and Rome by dying.

Dying?

That feels like losing.

Jesus was going to let evil exhaust all of its power on him, using its only real weapon: death.

Jesus knew that God's love and life were even more powerful,

that he could overcome evil by becoming the Passover lamb, giving his life in an act of love.

Something changed that day.

When Jesus defeated evil, he opened up a new way for anyone to escape from Babylon

and discover this new kind of power,

this new way of being human.

Okay, so something changed.

But, the power of evil is still alive and well.

We keep building new versions of Babylon.

Right, so the last book of the Bible, the Revelation, points to the future and final Day of the Lord.

It is when God's kingdom comes to confront Babylon the Great,

this image of all the corrupt nations of the world.

Yeah, this is it. Armageddon. Final judgment.

How is Jesus going to finish off evil?

Well, it is not how you would expect.

In the Revelation, the victorious Jesus is symbolized by a sacrificial bloody lamb.

When Jesus does arrive in the end, riding his white horse to confront evil,

he is bloody before the battle even starts.

Pre-bloodied?

That is a strange image.

Yeah, it is because Jesus is not out for our blood

Rather, he overcame with his blood when he died for his enemies.

The sword in his mouth is a symbol of Jesus's authority to define good and evil

and hold us accountable when he brings final justice once and for all.

In the meantime, the Day of the Lord is an invitation to resist the culture of Babylon.

It is a promise that God will one day free our world from corruption

and bring about the new thing that he has in store.