On That Day – Chris Adams

As I was reading Zechariah 12 this week in my Bible in a Year reading plan, I came across this phrase, “on that day”, over and over.

This refers to Judah’s eventual restoration under the Messiah’s rule when He comes back again.

Verses 10-14 describe mourning over the pierced Messiah. We know this becomes reality but it also refers to how our disobedience will also cause us to weep and calls for repentance when we do. God taught the nation of Israel this over and over…and often they just didn’t get it. Often neither do we!

From judgment to blessing, from being scattered to being restored, Israel would return to Jerusalem. We see that same sentiment in Isaiah 12, a written prophecy to encourage the Israel that they would leave Babylonian captivity: On that day you will say: I will give thanks to you, LORD, although you were angry with me. Your anger has turned away, and you have comforted me.” But it also refers to something greater that would come one day, “on that day.” It will be a complete eternal restoration for all of Christ’s followers.

It was this phrase that caught my attention. God knows the exact day this will take place. Perhaps you have heard those who predict when Jesus will return. My D-group reading this plan with me even talked about this a few days before we read the chapter in Zechariah. Not one of those false prophecies has come to pass, and nor will any others made in the future. Why? Because Jesus said multiple times we will not know:

“Now concerning that day and hour no one knows — neither the angels of heaven nor the Son — except the Father alone.”
Matthew 24:36

“So in the meantime, Jesus tells us, “Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 25:42

“This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Matthew 25:42

“Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:13

Paul also says the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 5.

“For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2

BUT, knowing He is coning back “on that day” to right all wrongs is a source of our Christmas joy! Jesus tells us this as well:

“Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”
John 16:20-24