Splitting the Day of the Lord

As ancient Israel's size and influence declined, her prophets began to increasingly predict a new act from God that would accomplish three things on a global scale: (1) a purifying judgment that would reset the scales of justice and remove the degrading effects of evil; (2) the carving out of a remnant community deeply devoted to Yahweh, expanding to include international participation; and (3) the ushering in of a messianic age in which goodness, harmony, and righteousness would pervade every dimension of life on earth. Jesus' disciples connected the prophetic Day of the Lord with his coming and redemptive work. Yet many questioned whether the full impact was made manifest in Jesus, since wars did not cease, broad judgment on sin and evil was not unleashed, and the full blessings of the predicted messianic age were not evident. Jesus did something that no one had anticipated, however, by splitting the Day of the Lord into two divine acts instead of one. This is what distinguishes Christianity from its Jewish roots, as well as its Islamic successor--neither of which acknowledge this unique aspect of Jesus' person and work, or the reworking of how and when the Day of the Lord would take place.
""Dr. Brouwer, a long-time friend of mine, offers here a unique contribution to long-standing research and study regarding the nature of the two-age construction as evidenced in Scripture. He redefines the realized and apocalyptic eschatological contours of the prominent Day of the Lord imagery within a covenantal-incarnational framework. In this light, Brouwer has designed a hermeneutical tool with the nomenclature 'Splitting the Day' as the key for apprehending the Old and New Testament documents not only individually but also as a coherent collection. That said, in his captivating review of the broader literary horizons, the esteemed theologian produces a creative introduction to the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, upending traditional approaches to the text. In expounding his subject matter, as always, Professor Brouwer's clear and eloquent prose will undoubtedly ignite the imaginations of a broad and diverse audience for some time to come.""
--H. David Schuringa, North Star Ministry Consultants LLC
Wayne Brouwer is Associate Professor of Religion at Hope College and Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at Western Theological Seminary, both in Holland, Michigan. He is the author of Covenant Documents: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time (2015) and numerous other books and articles.