““LIFE IS ALWAYS BEST REMEMBERED BY GREAT DAYS THAT HAVE PASSED IN OUR LIVES. EVEN HISTORY ITSELF GLISTENS BY THE GREATNESS OF SUCH DAYS”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about some great days of the past, not found in your history books of life, yet are the most important for you to know. Stay tuned …

…You’ll not find a record of these special days of history everyone should know about, in our schools of study. These special days I’m speaking about are only found in the revelation of God known as the Judeo-Christian Bible. Yes, my friend, within the pages of this voluminous book given to us by the Creator, is a record of these special days all of us should know about, for the express purpose of changing our lives. Indeed, knowing about them, can bring about the most important transaction of life called the salvation of the soul. Now I know for our secular listeners today, this sounds very strange and perhaps a bit threatening to the sanctity of one’s present living, but bear with me, you should know about these days and as the FOX NEWS channel often says, “We report, you decide.” So after another pause for a moment of music for your refreshment, I’ll return with today’s message entitled: FOUR GREAT DAYS!.

…As we look into the bible to discover what it has to say about things, one can marvel that special days are often marked out for our remembrance. I find there are at least four of special note everyone should learn about. So today I want to share with you what these “days” are all about and how they seriously apply to us all. Well let’s begin.

For starters, we all may not know what we mean when we talk about a special “day.” The reason is the expression, “day,” can have a number of meanings. First it can mean a twenty-four hour period.  This meaning is used immediately in the bible. We read in,

Gen 1:1-3 (NIV)  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Here we are confronted with the first meaning of the word “day.” It is used here as the creative "day" (yom) and is variously interpreted by some. However almost all Bible believing followers of Jesus Christ today believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible, and therefore understands this use of the word “day,” to describe the first 24 hour period of time within the six, 24-hour solar days of Creation written in Genesis chapter One.

However there is a second use of the word, “day” in the bible and literature. It refers not to a literal 24 hour period but a selected period of time encompassing many days, perhaps years or even centuries that are marked out as significant and special. In Scripture In find there are many such periods of time but today we are looking at “Four Great Days,” found in the Bible that are important for us to learn about in human history. So let’s look at the first great day which is found in.

Luke 2:11 (NIV)  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Luke 19:9 (NIV)  Jesus said to [Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector] “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

Luke 23:43 (NIV)  Jesus answered [the dying thief on the cross next to Him], "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Although this first special “Day” is mentioned through various events we would call this first great day,

1. THE DAY OF SALVATION – Here in Scripture is a period of time marked out since the beginning (Gen. 3:15) that all mankind should take note of. It is the crowning event of human history where God entered the world of humanity for the express purpose of redeeming that which was lost. You see the entire Bible speaks of mankind’s broken relationship with his Creator due to our rebellion to the Laws of God called sin. Because we have sinned, Scripture warns us God has a penalty for all disobedience to Him.

Rom 6:23 (NIV)  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Although God promises to punish all lawbreakers in His perfect universe, God also doesn’t want to do that to His highest creation, the human race or more particularly, you and me. So to “save” us from our sins as the Scripture reported, God Himself became a man in order to offer Himself up as a sacrificial payment in place of us all. Oh what a love story this is, but nonetheless it is true and historical for it did happen. The beginning of this great day began when Jesus of Nazareth was born. The angel of God declared to the virgin Mary,

Luke 1:28-33 (NIV) "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you…" 30 the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

This was the beginning of a great Day promised, the Day of Salvation. It is a period of time encompassing the birth, life, death and resurrection of the man Christ Jesus, or more knowledgeably, “God the Son, the second Person of the Triune Being who created all things.

Yes, the DAY OF SALVATION is important for all, for unless you know of it, your future is dim and damning. Now knowing this of course come the next great day for us all. It is found in the Bible in verses such as,

Heb 9:27 (NIV)  Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

2. THE DAY OF DEATH - We all know of this special day, or period of time called death. Now it begins with our actual physical dying. Death in the Bible is described as a “separation” for life on the earth. Our bodies no longer live here and cease to function by death, eventually by decomposition returning to the earth from whence it came. Death is a hideous thing and all of us shudder at its eventual happening, Yet the DAY OF DEATH is not meant to be a negative event, but a positive one, can you believe it? In the bible, the apostle Paul speaks about death, his own impending one and said,

Phil 1:21 (NIV)  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain

What did he mean by this? The answer is, he looked forward to the time when his physical body, his sin laden body would one day drop off from the earth, and most amazing of all, the soul and spirit within it, the real you and me, would leave for a brand new body God creates for all His children. Paul also spoke of this great DAY OF DEATH being a positive experience for once our bodies die, those whoa re Christians by trusting alone in Jesus Christ as one’s God and Savior, we leave for Heaven and eternal life. The Bible tells us death for the Christian is positive and promising,

2 Cor 5:8 (NIV)  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Eph 4:30 (NIV)  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 John 2:25 (NIV)  And this is what he[ God the Son] promised us—even eternal life.

Yes the Bible speaks of this DAY OF DEATH as an important event all of us should take note of and heed the warnings and promises pertaining to it. However, there is a third great day that is interconnected with the first two. It is described for us in,

2 Th 1:10 (NIV)  on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

3.THE DAY OF GLORIFICATION -– Imagine that! God promises all who become His children through faith alone in His Person and work, not any religion itself, He promises to give us not only everlasting life and existence, but life that is glorious and bright. Further Scripture speak of this everlasting day that has no ending,

1 Cor 15:20-22 (NIV)  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

1 John 5:11-12 (NIV)  And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Indeed Paul the apostle talks about the time coming when we leave this sin laden body of dust and are given a new glorified body that will live forever. This great DAY is coming, the DAY OF GLORIFICATION for all who have trusted Christ. Now there is a fourth great day in Scripture and history. The Bible speaks of this in warning. It is,

4. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT – We read about this in various Scripture. For starters we discover in,

2 Th 1:8-10 (NIV)  He [The Creator] will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Heb 9:27 (NIV)  Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Jude 1:6 (NIV)  And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

The Bible speaks of this great day coming called, the Day of Judgment. It is not for the believer in Christ, but for all humanity that has opted to live life without the Creator God as ruler of their being. Million upon millions of souls who die without Christ in the heart, and without receiving a new spirit granted upon salvation, will be raised from the dead and stand before the very throne of the Creator God, Jesus Christ. Again we read of this momentous Day in,

The Great White Throne Judgment

Rev 20:11-15 (NIV)  Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Will you enter and experience this great Day of Judgment coming and be passed by and thrown into the junk heap of eternity in a place called Hell? It’s our choice in this life, and the answer is found in Jesus Christ and His relationship to you and me.

Now there you have it four great Days.

 

1.  THE GREAT DAY OF SALVATION

2.  THE GREAT DAY OF DEATH

3.  THE GREAT DAY OF GLORIFICATION

4.  THE GREAT DAY OF JUDGMENT

 

God tells us of these momentous periods of time for the purpose of us avoiding some and grasping the others. Right now among the many listeners to this radio program are multitudes that need to embrace the Day of salvation that historically has happened. Yes, Jesus Christ really went to the cross on a hill in Palestine and died there for the sins of the world. Perhaps the greatest verse in the Bible I cannot quote enough is also the most promising and pleasing,

John 3:16-17 (NIV)  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 

How beautiful are these words to those who heed them, and how condemning it is to those who mock them or neglect them. Now realize this, God gave us the Word of God so we all might know of our peril as sinners living in God’s holy universe. God is permitting sin to exist only for a short period of time in which the world of humanity lives. That time is drawing to a close perhaps sooner than we all think. This is why the Bible also warns for all to take heed, and not delay in surrendering our lives to God’s right to rule, through the Lordship and Saviorhood of Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 6:2 (NIV)  For he [God] says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal God and Savior by a confession of faith, you are in perilous danger for if the moment of your death would strike you now, you will forever be lost and one day soon face the Judgment Throne of God where you will be consigned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity. Hell will not cease to exist for you all who reject God’s love offer to be saved. What a pity it will be for within the horrors of Hell will be good people and bad people. You see what you do in this life to be good or bad has no bearing on being lost in Hell. It’s not our works or failure of them, but whether you have been rescued from death through the work of Jesus Christ. The answer is found in one thing. Do you know Jesus Christ? What I mean is have you personally somewhere in your lifetime actually looked up to Heaven in your heart and mind and surrendered your life back to God, recognizing His love for you through Jesus Christ?

I’m not asking if you are a member of a church, been baptized, confirmed, or live a good life believing in God. None of that will save you. The Bible give the formula to be in a right relationship with God,

Acts 16:31 (NIV) “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

John 10:9-10 (NIV) “ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved .. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Yes FOUR GREAT DAYS are found in the pages of scripture. Now that you know them and I’ve reported them to you, it’s up to you to decide which ones will be yours. Will it be the day of salvation and glorification? Or, will it be the day of death and judgment. May God grant you repentance unto eternal life, here and now.