How long that day will last

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The time, called by the prophet the great and the terrible day, is usually named in scripture the day of the Lord. The space from the creation of man upon the earth to the end of all things is the day of the sons of men. The time that is now passing over us is properly our day. When this is ended, the day of the Lord will begin. But who can say how long it will continue? With the Lord one day is as 1,000 years, and 1,000 years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8.

From this very expression, some of the ancient fathers drew the inference that what is commonly called the day of judgment would indeed be 1,000 years. And it seems they did not go beyond the truth. No, probably they did not come up to it. For if we consider the number of persons who are to be judged, and the number of actions which are to be inquired into, it does not appear that 1,000 years will suffice for the transactions of that day. So it may not improbably take in several thousand years. But God shall reveal this also in its season.

1771 text

2. The time, termed by the prophet, the great and the terrible day, is usually in scripture stiled the day of the Lord. The space from the creation of man upon the earth to the end of all things, is the day of the sons of men: the time that is now passing over us, is properly our day. When this is ended, the day of the Lord will begin. But who can say, how long it will continue? With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. And from this very expression some of the ancient fathers drew that inference, that, what is commonly called, the day of judgment, would be indeed a thousand years. And it seems they did not go beyond the truth: nay, probably they did not come up to it. For if we consider the number of persons who are to be judged, and of actions which are to be enquired into, it does not appear, that a thousand years will suffice for the transactions of that day. So that it may not improbably comprise several thousand years. But God shall reveal this also in its season.