The Day of the LORD, Epiphany or Consuming Fire

Continuing: the day of the LORD is the day of epiphany. To the world it is seen with great fear and anxiety, and for those hungering and thirsting for His appearing it is with great reverence and expectation we wait to see Him as He is. These are what is describes as the veil over the understanding of those who reject Him, and do so because they want to keep the corrupted world the way it is, without form and void of any value. It is the veil removed (apocalypse) for those who accept the change, as they return to seeing through eyes uncorrupted by the distortions that have taken the world into hypnotic stupor as pawns of the corrupt. There is no apocalypse (removing the covering of lies and falsehood) for the unbelieving, only a continuations of ignorance and stupor as they go headlong into self-destruction.

This description with its contrasts are what we read in Hebrews 12 just after we are told of our being corrected by the LORD, and of those who reject it for what are defined as mere morsels compared to what they are being offered. “18 For you [Friends] are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard pleaded that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.
25 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

As we saw in previous posts this day is also a day of darkness and distress upon the earth, and this mostly as result of the corruption now having been fully worked into all the institution of church and civil government, all places of teaching and information distribution, and producing a stupefied popular culture. Those who study along well know governments are symbolized in scripture as the sun and the moon, as the great lights in heaven when they are shining and reflecting God’s intended form of just governing on the earth. This is why we are told of the sun turned to darkness and moon into blood (draining life from the body) before the day of the LORD. The Greek word metastrepho is used to tell of this “turn” in Acts 2:20, when it quote this description from Joel 2. The word derives from words literally meaning to twist from within (meta, meaning in the midst, and strepho, meaning to twist, as in to turn or reverse).

Here is the Strong’s Greek Dictionary defintion #3344: metastrepho (pronounced met-as-tref’-o) from 3326 and 4762; to turn across, i.e. transmute or (figuratively) corrupt:–pervert, turn.

Metastrepho is only used three times and one other is translated as “pervert” in Galatians 1:7 in telling of those that have from within changed the Gospel. We find our receiving the true Gospel described in chapter 4 as having been under teachers and governors as children, until the appointed time of the father. This is followed by telling of our being delivered from bondage and from under the “elements” of the world.

Galatians 1
6 I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another [but rather a mislabeled counterfeit] ; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert [metastrepho] the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 4 (See Hebrews 12 and our being sons and our Good Father correcting us.)
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be LORD of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

When this time is described in Acts 2:20 it is, the great and “notable” day of the LORD. The Greek word here is epiphanes, and is only used this one time. It is the adjective form of the word epiphaino, from two words meaning upon (epi) and (phaino) to lighten, as to shine or show.

Strong’s #2016: epiphanes (pronounced ep-if-an-ace’) from 2014; conspicuous, i.e. (figuratively) memorable:–notable.

Strong’s #2014: epiphaino (pronounced ep-ee-fah’-ee-no) from 1909 and 5316; to shine upon, i.e. become (literally) visible or (figuratively) known:–appear, give light.

What we see in these illuminations is that what is being taught are first principles, which if God’s free us from the world, or if of the world bondage and in need of being corrected. It is telling of our understanding producing self-control that frees us from the need of law to control us, and tells of the opposite as our being in ignorance (stupor) under those who teach and say we need laws so they can control us. The first principles of the world are laws, violence, and control (tyranny).

The Greek word stoicheion translated “elements” in Galatians 4:3, is the same word translated “principles” in Hebrews 5:12. The context is in addressing those teaching what they didn’t really understand, and their being in need of being taught the first principles of the oracles of God. Before this it describes the son who learned these things through what He suffered. The chapter ends telling what is learned is the ability to discern good and evil, self-control through understanding and therefore no longer governed by external law.

Hebrews 5
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

This takes us to, as Hebrews 12:29 says, our God as a consuming fire. The word used in 2 Peter 3:10 & 12 translated “elements,” is also from stoicheion. Peters is describing the end of the age and the day of the LORD. He is speaking of the light of LORD appearing as the consuming fire, and what melts (luo – loose) are the principles that the world is operating upon, and the corrupted heaven and earth are replace with a new heaven and new earth founded on the First Principles of the Oracles of God (New Jerusalem – yarah shalom – founded on teaching truth that produces peace by mutual and reciprocal security in life, liberty, and estate).

Strong’s #4747: stoicheion (pronounced stoy-khi’-on) neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4748; something orderly in arrangement, i.e. (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively):–element, principle, rudiment.

2 Peter 3 ends with Peter telling of the unstable and unlearned wrestling with the scriptures, and in doing destroy themselves. It is telling of those who have changed the truth of God and in doing created a lie that confuses the world and produces only chaos. The opposite is true when it is understood. The Truth sets us free (luo) from the law, as the elements of the world melt away.

2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and Savior:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of 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.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

The word epiphany is used in Luke 1:79 to tell of the day of the LORD’s “appearing” as a great light in a dark world, and to those sitting under the shadow of death (under the shade of death’s tree as the counsel (teaching) of the world’s ways). It tells us this is to guide us into the ways of peace.

Luke 1 (John, the baptist, as the Holy Spirit preparing the WAY)
68 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people,
69 And has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he swore to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 And you, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for you shalt go before the face of the LORD to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

This is talking of orderly arrangement of our ideas and the elevated human mind. To those wanting the darkness the light comes a consuming fire that burns them up, yet they laid it not to heart.

Isaiah 42
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5 Thus says God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that gives breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time held my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, You are our gods.
18 Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
20 Seeing many things, but you observes not; opening the ears, but he hears not.
21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers; for a spoil, and none say, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
25 Therefore he has poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it has set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.