There are forty-one references to the Third Day in the New International Version of the Bible. They are found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Many of these verses appear to refer to Millennial days. (A thousand years in the sight of the Lord are but a day. - Psalms 90:4, Second Peter 3:8) The Apostle Paul, as a type of the Jewish people, was blinded and received his sight on the Third Day. (Acts 9:9) I believe this is a picture of how the Jews, who are now blinded to the identity of the Messiah, will see and understand in the Third Millennium. See the prophet Hosea; “After two days he will revive us; on the Third Day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” (Hosea 9:2)

Another wonderful picture of the Jews is the story of Mary and Joseph searching for Jesus. They represent the Jews searching for the Messiah. And they found him on the Third Day.

Sometimes, a reference to the Third Day is inserted for no apparent reason. An example is in John 2:1, “On the Third Day a wedding took place.” Three days after what? I say no apparent reason because I know that everything placed in the Word by the Lord has a reason. Perhaps, it is because in the Genesis account of Creation the Third Day is twice blessed. (Genesis 1:9 and 12) For this reason, Jewish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesday, the Third Day. To Christians, the most important Third Day references are those of Jesus when He spoke of being raised back to life on the Third Day. (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, Luke 9:22, 18:33, etc.) The Seventh Day is holy to the Lord. He said so. It is the fourth of the Ten Commandments.

In the Book of Numbers we find two references to the Third Day and the Seventh Day. Numbers 19:19 and 31:19 both are speaking of purification. The Third Day and the Seventh Day are set aside for purification. In the terms of our calendar, it has been 2,002 years since the birth of Jesus. We are now in the Third Millennium since Jesus, or the Third Millennial Day. In terms of human history, according to God’s Word, there has been slightly over 6,100 years. We are now in the Seventh Millennium of human history, or the Seventh Millennial Day.

If the Third and Seventh Days are set aside for purification, it is possible that this is a picture of the Third and Seventh Millennial Days being set aside likewise. The Revelation describes terrible events taking place on earth which are culminated by the arrival of Jesus as Lord of lords and King of kings. The events of the tribulation are to purify the earth for the promised kingdom which will last for one thousand years - the Millennium.

It is interesting that both the Third and Seventh Millennial Days should coincide in this millennium. This must mean that the Lord Jesus will come sometime in the next one thousand years. If I am wrong, let me know in one thousand years. Even so, come Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)