Before you read the Scriptures, know that there are those who would call the apostle’s vision “symbols”, and attach meanings that support their theologies. Really cleaver people whose interpretations are supported by consensus and even historical persons. In their efforts to obscure God’s message words are not immune when they conflict with what they proclaim.
The apostles had the prophets, but the prophets did not have the benefit of the apostles who had been taught by Jesus. Isaiah’s “new heavens and new earth” would still experience death. Jesus’s revelation to John will not. The term “The Day of the Lord” is used 25 times in Scripture. Most describe the second coming of Christ.
“Behold, a day is coming for the Lord when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. (Zachariah 14:1-3 NASB)
“For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head. (Obadiah 1:15 NASB)
“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2 NASB)
“Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, tread, for the wine press is full;
The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
The sun and moon grow dark
And the stars lose their brightness. (Joel 3:13-15 NASB)
Peter uses this term to describe the end of the Millennial Kingdom. It is interesting that after 1,000 years of knowing better, judgement will still catch the unprepared by surprise.
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:10-13)
Scripture reveals little about the days that follow. Much remains a mystery. God leaves us with hope in a future without end.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new ….'” (Revelation 21:2-5 NASB)
His Family Table 