The Day of YHVH’s Wrath

There comes a time in the chronology of end times events that accompany the return of Yeshua when YHVH will pour out his wrath upon rebellious men. The Bible refers to this as “the day of YHVH” or “the day of his wrath” — a phrase which occurs more than two dozen times in the prophetic writings of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Zephaniah, Zechariah and Malachi. What is this day?

First, let’s discuss whether “the day of YHVH’s wrath” is a literal day, or rather a time period, since the Hebrew word for day (Heb. yom) can have both meanings. The prophet Isaiah may give us a clue. In several places, he mentions “the day of YHVH’s vengeance” (or words to this effect). This is the time period when YHVH will judge the nations including Babylon the Great, which is in existence at Yeshua’s second coming (see Rev 17, 18 and 19). In three places, Isaiah indicates that the day of YHVH will last for one year (Isa 34:8; 61:2 and 63:4). Interestingly, in Isaiah 63:4, the prophet couples the idea of the day of YHVH’s vengeance being a year long with the jubilee year (i.e., “the year of my redeemed has come”). This occurs as the Messiah (the subject of Isa 63:1–6) judges the enemies of Israel (notably Edom) and at the same time he is about to redeem his people. This could be a reference to the regathering and return scattered Israel to its Promised Land inheritance, or to the redemption of the righteous dead at the first resurrection. Perhaps while Yeshua is judging Israel’s enemies at his second coming, he will at the same time begin regathering the lost and scattered 12 tribes of Israel in a major way. Yeshua seems to allude to this in Matthew 24:31 when he sends out his angles to gather his elect from the four corners of the earth.

What Is the Wrath of YHVH/Elohim?

In the Book of Revelation, the term wrath of God/Elohim or similar language is found ten times in reference to YHVH’s fierce judgments against unrepentant and rebellious sinners. It is my belief that these judgments occur just prior to the return of Yeshua the Messiah.

But to better understand the term “the wrath of Elohim” and it’s end time prophetic implications, let’s quickly review its broader use by the biblical prophets as they apply it to Continue reading →