There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. – Heb. 4:9
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, - Rev. 1:10
There is a special Greek term translated “Lord’s” in Revelation 1:10 that is found only one other time in the New Testament and that is in 1 Cor. 11:20. In 1 Cor. 11:20 it is translated “the Lord’s Supper.”
Some have attempted to interpret Revelation 1:10 and the words “the Lord’s day” to refer to the eschatological “day of the Lord.” However, that is impossible as this eschatological phrase never varies from “e hemera kuriou” when translated into Greek (1 Thes. 5:2) whereas Revelation 1:10 is “te Kurike hemera.”
Second, the terms “kuriake hemera” were well known in the first century as it was used throughout the Roman world to describe the observation of Caesar worship on the first Sunday of the month. On that day the citizens of the Roman Empire were expected to offer up a pinch of incense unto Caesar and say “Caesar is Lord.” Caesar received worship as the god/man.
No doubt, John was exiled on the island of Patmos for refusal to offer up that pinch of incense on Sunday and proclaim “Caesar is Lord.” The island of Patmos was a prisoner island for political prisoners. Christians were viewed by Rome as devoted to another king other than Caesar.
Both John and Paul took this term and applied it to the proper worship of Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul denied that the observance of the Supper by the Corinthians was the “Lord’s” or “kuriake” Supper, or a supper that was observed as prescribed by the true God man (1 Cor. 11:20).
John defined the first day of the week – Sunday – as “the Lord’s Day” or the day belonging to the Lord, and to be observed as instructed by the Lord.
Albert Barnes says in his commentary on Revelation 1:10 and this phrase “the Lord’s day”:
(1) that this refers to some day which was distinguished from all other days of the week, and which would be sufficiently designated by the use of this term.
(2.) That it was a day which was for some reason regarded as peculiarly a day of the Lord, or peculiarly devoted to him.
(3.) It would further appear that this was a day particularly devoted to the Lord Jesus, for
(a) that is the natural meaning of the word Lord as used in the New Testament, (compare Barnes on "Ac 1:24") and
(b) if the Jewish Sabbath were intended to be designated, the word Sabbath would have been used. The term was used generally by the early Christians to denote the first day of the week. It occurs twice in the Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, (about A.D. 101,) who calls the Lord’s day "the queen and prince of all days." Chrysostom (on Psalms 119) says, "It was called the Lord’s day because the Lord rose from the dead on that day." Later fathers make a marked distinction between the Sabbath and the Lord’s day; meaning by the former, the Jewish Sabbath, or the seventh day of the week, and by the latter, the first day of the week kept holy by Christians. So Theodoret, (Fab. Haeret. ii. 1,) speaking of the Ebionites, says, "They keep the Sabbath according to the Jewish law, and sanctify the Lord’s day in like manner as we do." — Professor Stuart. The strong probability is, that the name was given to this day in honour of the Lord Jesus, and because he rose on that day from the dead. No one can doubt that it was an appellation given to the first day of the week, and the passage therefore proves
(1) that that day was thus early distinguished in some peculiar manner, so that the mere mention of it would be sufficient to identify it in the minds of those to whom the apostle wrote;
(2) that it was in some sense regarded as devoted to the Lord Jesus, or was designed in some way to commemorate what he had done; and
(3) that if this book were written by the apostle John, the observance of that day has the apostolic sanction. He had manifestly, in accordance with a prevailing custom, set apart this day in honour of the Lord Jesus. Though alone, he was engaged on that day in acts of devotion. Though far away from the sanctuary, he enjoyed what all Christians hope to enjoy on such a day of rest, and what not a few do in fact enjoy in its observance. – Albert Barnes – New Testament Commentary, “Rev. 1:10”.
There is strong historical support among early Christian writings that the phrase “the Lord’s Day” did not refer to any eschatological “day of the Lord” but was understood and applied to the celebration of the resurrection day of Christ.
1. Ignatius pastor of Antioch and companion of the Apostles in about A.D. 70 says,
And after the observance of the Sabbath, let every friend of Christ keep the Lord’s Day as a festival, the resurrection day, the queen and chief of all the days [of the week]. Looking forward to this, the prophet declared, “To the end, for the eighth day,” on which our life both sprang up again, and the victory over death was obtained in Christ… Roberts, Alexander and Donaldson, James Editors, The Ante-Nicene Father’s, “Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians” Vol. I, p. 63
2. Theopelus in A.D. 167 says,
Both custom and reason challenge from us that we should honor the Lord’s Day, seeing it was in that day, our Lord Jesus Christ, completed His resurrection from the dead.
3. Dionysisus in A.D. 170 says,
We passed this holy Lord’s day in which we read your letter, from the constant reading of which we shall be able to draw admonition.
4. Dynidions in A.D. 170 says,
We celebrate only the Lord’s Day
5. Clement a Christian in A.D. 192 says that a Christian:
According to the commandment of the Gospel, observes the Lord’s Day, thereby glorifying the resurrection
6. Clement of Alexandria in A.D. 194 says,
He, in fulfillment of the precept, according to the gospel, keeps the Lord’s Day, glorifying the Lord’s resurrection in himself.
7. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage in A.D. 250 says,
The eighth day, that is, the first day after the Sabbath is the Lord’s Day.
8. The Apostolic Constitutions written about 250 A.D. says,
On the day of our Lord’s resurrection, which is the Lord’s Day, meet more diligently.
9. Anatolius in about A.D. 250 says,
The solemn festival of the resurrection of the Lord can only be celebrated only on the Lord’s Day.
10. Anatolius, Bishop of Laodicea in Asia Minor in about A.D. 270 says,
On regard for the Lord’s resurrection which took place on the Lord’s Day will lead us to celebrate it.
11. Peter Bishop of Alexanderia in Egypt about A.D. 306 says,
But the Lord’s Day we celebrate as a day of joy because on it he rose from the dead.
Notice that these dates are not that far apart and these quotes come from all parts of the Roman Empire.
Often we hear that every day is the Lord’s and no day is any different than any other day. However, if that is true, then the words “the Lord’s Day” are not true and make no sense. John called one day of the week “the Lord’s day.” David said “this is the day the Lord hath made” using the singular “day” not “days.” God did not raise up Jesus Christ on every day of the week.