Thursday, August 19, 2021

What is “The Lord’s Day?”

By Maria Merola
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, July 5, 2007 
http://www.DoublePortionInheritance.com/

In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle Yahuwchanon (John) was “in the spirit” on what is called “The Lord’s Day,” as he was shown prophetic visions of things that would take place in the future.

Yahuwchanon (John) 1:

9 I Yahuwchanon (John), who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Yahuwshuwa Mashiyach, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of Elohiym, and for the testimony of Yahuwshuwa Mashiyach.
10 I was in the Ruwach (Spirit) on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet…
For many years, I have heard pastors in churches speak of “The Lord’s Day” from the pulpit, as if it was referring to “Sunday,” as the designated day of worship.
Often-times I have encountered those who use Acts 20:7 as an excuse to say that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday. They rationalize that the disciples “broke bread” on the “first day of the week.” However, a careful examination of the entire counsel of Scripture, reveals that John was not caught up to heaven on “Sunday Morning.” Acts chapter 20 provides proof that the disciples were still keeping the feasts, and the weekly Sabbath, after our Messiah ascended back to the Father.
Acts 20:

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

7 And upon the first [day] of the weekwhen the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

The first thing that I want to address is the word “day” in verse 7 which is in italics in the King James Version of the Bible. Whenever a word is italicized in the KJV, it means that it was added into the text to help the sentence structure flow better. 

A new calendar “date” begins at sundown according to our Creator (Genesis 1:5). It was Pope Gregory in 1582 who caused the calendar date to change at midnight. This means that this was not the “day time hours,” but it was a new calendar “date” on Saturday evening when the weekly Sabbath ends. Thus, the new week begins at sundown on Saturday, which is called “Havdalah” meaning “exiting the Sabbath.”

The second thing that I want to point out is that the word “week” in verse 7 is actually the plural “weeks” which is “Sabbaton” in Greek.
Verse 6 gives us “context” because it says that the Apostles had just sailed away from Philippi “AFTER THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD.” Leviticus 23:6 tells us that we are commanded to eat no leaven for “SEVEN DAYS” and we are also commanded to eat “UNLEAVENED BREAD” during these same “SEVEN DAYS.”

This tells us that the Apostles were now “counting seven Sabbaths” following the completion of the Feast of Unleavened Bread as commanded in the Towrah:

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:

15 And you shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:


16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering unto YHWH.

Leviticus 23:15-16 commands us to begin counting seven Sabbaths on the “morrow” after the weekly Sabbath following Passover. On the fiftieth day it is called “The Feast of Weeks” otherwise known as “Pentecost” in Greek meaning “fiftieth day.” The Apostles were not observing a weekly event of “breaking bread” on Sunday as many have falsely assumed. They had just finished observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, and now, it was sundown on Saturday Night and it was the “first of the weeks” (plural).

This event in Acts 20 took place years after our Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection; and yet the Apostles were still keeping the Feasts of YaHuWaH outlined in the Towrah (Mosaic Law)! This is further proof that the Towrah (Mosaic Law) was not made obsolete because of Messiah’s sacrifice.

The English phrase which begins Acts 20:7 is translated from the Greek phrase “EN DE TA MIA TON SABBATON.” A literal translation into the English is as follows:

“In the first of the sevens . . .”

There is a two-fold meaning to what is termed as “The Lord’s Day,” because in 2nd Peter 3:8, we find out that one day is as a thousand years to YaHuWaH:

2nd Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with YHWH as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The logical conclusion that I had come to years ago, was that “The Lord’s Day” was the seventh day of the week, (Sabbath) because of Yahuwshuwa’s own claim that he himself is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5). 


I still believe that the 7th day weekly Sabbath is indeed “The Lord’s Day.” However, this term goes much deeper than just the weekly “Lord’s Day” or the Sabbath. This term has to do with the prophetic 7,000th year since creation, which some people refer to as “The Sabbath Millennium.”

If there is one thing that I have come to understand about scripture, there is always corroborating evidence in both the Tanakh (Old Testament) well as the Briyth Chadashah (New Testament) to support a doctrine. We can never ever use just one passage of scripture to form a doctrine. Yahuwshuwa told us that all things written about him in the Law, Prophets and Psalms, must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). Therefore, when establishing any doctrine, Yahuwshuwa taught that “out of the mouth of two or three witnesses” everything must be established (Matthew 18).
Concerning the subject of “The Lord’s Day” or “YaHuWaH’s Day” we must also have other evidence in the “Towrah, Prophets, & Psalms” that must agree.
Law, Prophets & Psalms: The Two or Three Witnesses

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.


Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 

Matthew 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of Elohiym is preached, and every man pressed into it. 

John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets , did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Acts 13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the Elohiym (God) of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets , from morning till evening.

The Law of Moses and Yahuwshuwa agree that we must have “two or three witnesses” in order to establish any kind of doctrine or matter. “Every word” in scripture and its interpretation is validated on the basis of “two or three witnesses” elsewhere in scripture.

Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

1st Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

2nd Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

1st Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses.
The First Day of the Week: Saturday Night at Sundown

Many in the Christian Church have supposed that because there is one reference in Acts 20:7 to the disciples breaking bread on the first day of the week, that they have found “proof” that “The Lord’s Day” is Sunday (the first day of the week). As I explained previously, this was the “first of the weeks” (plural) following the Days of Unleavened Bread. Additionally, we know that the First Century Believers never went to church on Sunday morning. How do we know this?
You will see below, that YaHuWaH commands us to do work for 6 days out of the week, and then we are to rest on the 7th day! On Sunday morning in Jerusalem during the 1st Century, people went to work!

Sunday is a Regular Work Day: “Six Days You Shall Work”

Exodus 23:12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest : that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to YHWH (the LORD): whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 34:21 Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest : in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

Exodus 35:2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to YHWH (the LORD): whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

Leviticus 23:3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of YHWH (the LORD) in all your dwellings.


So, with that in mind, let us see what the Law and the Prophets refer to as “The Day of the Lord.”

You will notice that this passage in Revelation is referring to the second coming of Yahuwshuwa Messiah. This is a prophetic event being spoken of here:


Revelation 1:

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Aleph and Taw (Alpha and Omega), the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Yahuwshuwa Messiah (Jesus Christ), was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Yahuwshuwa Messiah (Jesus Christ).

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alef and Taw (Alpha and Omega), the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.


Okay, now we can see that John was being “taken up in the spirit,” meaning eternity future! He was being shown the things that will happen in the future. At the beginning chapter of Revelation, John the Apostle is giving an overview of what the vision was all about. He is telling us that he was “in the spirit” in other words, the “realm of eternity” where past, present and future all coincide! How do we know this? Because Yahuwshuwa just declared to him that he is “Alpha and Omega, the first and last…”

What this means is that only through the eternal one Yahuwshuwa Messiah, was John able to see these things in eternity future! Notice that the “great voice” was as that of a “trumpet.”

We know that the day when all the saints are resurrected is at the “Last Trump.”

1st Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
John is therefore being taken into the spirit or eternity future to that event called “The Lord’s Day” when we shall all be changed at the “Last Trump.” This is confirmed again when John is once again telling us that he was “taken up” with a voice that sounded like a trumpet:

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
#5456. phone fo-nay probably akin to 5316 through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language:--noise, sound, voice.

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.


Okay so let’s take notice of some common denominators with Revelation 1:10 and Revelation 4:1-2:


1.) John heard a voice that was like a trumpet.

2.) John was taken up by this same “voice” that sounded like a trumpet.
3.) John was in the spirit.

4.) John went to heaven where he as shown the future “Lord’s Day.”

Now, let us take a look at all the verses in the Old and New Testament scriptures, (Tanakh & the Briyth Chadashah) where “The Day of the Lord” is mentioned:

“The Day of the Lord” or “The Lord’s Day”

Isaiah 2:12 For the day of YHWH (the LORD) of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of YHWH (the LORD) is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the day of YHWH (the LORD) cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of YHWH (the LORD) Elohiym (GOD) of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for YHWH (the Lord) Elohiym of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Ezekiel 13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of YHWH (the LORD).

Ezekiel 30:3 For the day is near, even the day of YHWH (the LORD) is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of YHWH (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 YHWH (the LORD) cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

Joel 2:11 And YHWH (the LORD) shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of YHWH (the LORD) is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of YHWH (the LORD) come.

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of YHWH (the LORD) is near in the valley of decision.

Amos 5:18 Woe unto you that desire the day of YHWH (the LORD)! to what end is it for you? the day of YHWH (the LORD) is darkness, and not light.

Amos 5:20 Shall not the day of YHWH (the LORD) be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

Obadiah 1:15 For the day of YHWH (the LORD) is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

Zephaniah 1:7 Hold thy peace at the presence of YHWH Elohiym (the Lord GOD): for the day of YHWH (the LORD) is at hand: for YHWH (the LORD) hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of YHWH (the LORD) is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of YHWH (the LORD): the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, the day of YHWH (the LORD) cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Eliyahuw (Elijah) the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHWH (the LORD):

Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of YHWH (the Lord) come:

1st Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of YHWH (the Lord) Yahuwshuwa (Jesus).


2nd Corinthians 1:14 As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are our’s in the day of YHWH (the Lord) Yahuwshuwa (Jesus).
1st Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of YHWH (the Lord) so comes as a thief in the night.

2nd Peter 3:10 But the day of YHWH (the Lord) will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.


Once again, let’s observe some common denominators about this day which is called “The Day of the Lord.”

1.) It is a day of destruction.
2.) It is a day of darkness.
3.) It is a day that is referred to as “great” and “terrible.”
4.) It is a day that is referred to as being “near” or “at hand.”
5.) It is accompanied by the coming of YaHuWaH (the Lord).
6.) It is accompanied by a trumpet, and great noise.
7.) It is accompanied by signs in the heavens.
8.) It is accompanied by fire and fervent heat.
9.) It is a day of fierce anger, wrath and vengeance.

In Revelation 1:10 we have some of these common denominators evident so that we may accurately say that “The Lord’s Day” is the same event referred to as “The Day of the Lord” every place else in scripture:

1.) It is accompanied by a trumpet, and great noise.
2.) It is accompanied by the coming of YaHuWaH (the Lord).
3.) It is accompanied by a cloud or a cloudy day.

Now we can see that “The Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10 cannot be Sunday. The Lord’s Day is the future Day of Judgment which will take place on the Sabbath Millennium or the 7,000th year from creation!

How do we know this? Because all of the other things that are accompanied by it are consistent with all the other passages in scripture that are referred to as “The Day of the Lord!”

“The Lord’s Day,” more accurately called “The Day of YaHuWaH” has always been the Sabbath.

The 7th day of the week prophetically points to Yahuwshuwa--- always! He will rule and reign for 1,000 years starting on the Sabbath Millennium (7,000 years from his creation) where he will “rest” from all of his labours!

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