The Time is at Hand
Most of us are familiar with the birthing process of a baby. As a woman nears the last phase of her pregnancy, and the time for her to deliver her newborn arrives, the pains of her child labor increase in frequency and in intensity.
At some late point in the labor, she or her doctor will announce: “the time is at hand.” At this point, most young fathers, having only casually played along with the pregnancy, finally are aroused into a sense of urgency! It’s time, did you say it’s time! I can’t believe its time!
In a very similar fashion, the Lord has related to his servants “signs and pains” that signal that the time of the Lords return is at hand!
Isaiah 26:17 Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight,
In this ages old analysis, Israel has been portrayed as the “Woman in labor.” It should not be lost upon the earnest Bible student that this forecast of “a woman, in travail, paining to be delivered” should occupy a prominent place on Gods clock! It was alluded to in the very first prophecy in Genesis 3:15 and returned to again for its “climactic time of travail” in Revelation 12:2.
Throughout the entire history of Israel (the woman) and the Biblical narrative, there is the constant mention of a “looming day,” a “time of travail” that stands imminently on the horizon of world history. It is known as the “Day of the Lord.”
This auspicious day of infamy is referenced 30 times in the Bible. The following scriptures are but a few revealing examples of that ominous day!
Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
Zephaniah 1:7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
Just what is the Day of the Lord? It is the time of God's judgments on the nations. Yes, All nations on earth will come under his judgment. But God's judgment on the nations will ultimately end in world peace.
Thus, the Day of the Lord is defined herein as being a dreadful day for the nations, for the judgment of God is destined to fall upon a world that has revolted against the “Seed of the Woman,” namely, Gods own son, Jesus Christ!
The phrase “day of the Lord” therefore identifies specific events that will take place at the end of history. In light of this imminent date in history, God has made it a point to impart to us plenty of details about “that day” so that we would know for sure that “the time was at hand” and that we might not get caught unaware!
The New Testament also denotes that the day of the Lord is a day of wrath, a day of visitation, and the great day of God the Almighty. (Rev. 16:14)
In I Thessalonians 5:1-3 It is said that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, like a thief in the night. Christians are told to be prepared for it, though it will not be a time of judgment for believers.
Finally, The book of Revelation describes this mysterious time known as the “Day of the Lord.” It conveys vital information about what it is, when it is and how long it will last?
In its opening lines, we find startling insights as to when all these things might happen!
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Then, at the end of “the Revelation” the epic phrase is mentioned one more time for good measure! “The Time is at Hand!”
Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
I should think that these alarming words would lend a sense of urgency to every believer and nonbeliever alike. These words literally echo from Heaven that Almighty God is “Set” to execute judgement upon an unrighteous world!
Things Pointing to “Time Being at Hand” (Day of the Lord)
- Remnant returned to Israel
- Jerusalem becomes a burdensome stone
- Partitioning the Promised Land
- Two State diplomatic Solution
- Doctrinal Falling Away
- Days of Noah Occurring again
- Third Millennium
- Powers of Atom shaken
- UnNatural lusts
- Pride in Sin
- Rise of ten regional powers/kings
- Scoffers of Christ’s return
As if to expound on the Day of the Lord and the “time being at hand,” Jesus himself turned to that old analogy of a Woman in labor, travailing to give birth, as a means to convey to us that, not only is judgement coming, but also that He is coming soon!
John 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
In Revelation 1:10 The Apostle John wrote, "I was in the Spirit on the “Lord's Day,” and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet" The phrase John used; the Lord's Day; is used nowhere else in the Bible.
What was John writing about? John was not describing Sunday; if he were, he would have called it "the first day" of the week as he did in the Gospel of John. In fact, he was not referring to any day of the week.
John was describing the period of time the rest of the book calls the prophetic Day of the Lord; the end-time sequence of events that will culminate in Jesus Christ's return as King of kings and Lord of lords, and as the King of Israel in the “Day of the Lord” when all would bend their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is truly Lord! (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10; Isaiah 45:23)
Until that Day, we wait, we watch, we pray, we serve, while we long to see our coming King, knowing full well that………………. “TheTime is at Hand!”
I Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Focus on Jerusalem Prophecy Ministry
Focus on the Bible
Author: Darrell G. Young
October 7, 2021
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