In Part 1, we followed the emerging pattern of the third day through the Old Testament, which established the pattern of the third day being associated with a point of transition. The New Testament then reveals the fulfillment.

The ‘third day’ is then a moment when circumstances change and God brings something new out of what appears to be an ending.

A day on which the greatest event in human history took place — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

A Wedding and the Third Day

There is a remarkable reference to the third day at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.  

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, John 2:1.

Jesus and His disciples were invited.

During the wedding celebration the wine ran out.

Mary went to Jesus, although He told her that His hour had not yet come. Yet, He instructed the servants to fill six stone waterpots that were used for Jewish purification.

Jesus miraculously turned the water into the best wine.

Transformation

This is a beautiful illustration of transformation — what Christ does in a believer’s life:

• Lack becomes abundance
• The ordinary becomes extraordinary.

However, the timing of this particular miracle is striking.

At this start of His ministry, it revealed that Jesus is the One who would demonstrate His authority – transform what was ordinary into something amazing.

Jesus and Jonah

Jesus Himself later made a specific connection between His death and resurrection and the three days of Jonah.

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, Matthew 12:40.

Jesus would die but the grave could not hold Him, Acts 2:24.

Secondary Lesson

There is a second lesson in Jonah’s story, Jonah 4.

God brought deliverance to a large city of around 600,000 inhabitants.

Against Jonah’s will.

Why should such a wicked city see the salvation of God?

Afterwards Jonah sits on a hill in anger.

This tells us that God’s eternal purposes are greater than our understanding, Isaiah 55:8,9. His love and mercy are far beyond our human understanding.

The Ultimate Third Day

However, the greatest significance of the third day is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus often told His disciples that He would suffer, be killed and rise again on the third day, Matthew 16:21; 17:22–23; 20:18–19; 27:62; Luke 9:22; 24:6–7.

The disciples were unable to comprehend what that meant. However:

• Jesus was arrested
• Cruelly beaten, whipped and mocked
• Crucified
• His broken body, 1 Corinthians 11:24, laid in a tomb.

Their leader was dead. All hopes and dreams were dashed.

• This was utter defeat
• The grave had the final word.

The Third Day

On the third day, everything changed.

The stone was rolled away.

The tomb was empty.

The Spirit of God had raised Christ from the dead, Romans 8:11.

Death was defeated.

Hope was restored.

The earthquake, the open graves, Matthew 27: 52,53, and the resurrection demonstrated that God’s purposes cannot be defeated by man.

What looked like the end was the beginning of a new day.

What Satan had designed for evil, God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, Genesis 50:20.

This was and is the ultimate third-day.

Three Days of Transformation

There are two more extraordinary third-day incidents. One is Saul’s encounter on the road to Damascus.

This highly respected, devout Pharisee was determined to persecute the followers of this new ‘cult’ that threatened the established order.

Then He encountered the risen Christ.

Saul was struck blind for three days, Acts 9:1–9.

A period of profound confusion.

Everything Changed

The man who was determined to eradicate the followers of Christ, was now himself helpless.

Ananias was finally sent to him, and Saul received his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit and baptised, Acts 9:17–18.

He began an entirely new relationship with God

Saul was never the same again.

Persecutor to disciple, to brilliant teacher of the Gospel.

The dark valley and fiery trials can be the very place where God changes us and the way we see things.

Saul Known as Paul

Scripture later identifies him as Saul, who also is called Paul, Acts 13:9.

Saul, his Hebrew name, became known as Paul, his Roman name – meaning small or humble.

The power of God transforms anyone who is prepared to yield everything to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

A Dramatic Three-and-a-Half Days

There is one more dramatic reference to a three-day period.

There will be two witnesses, prophets, who testify during a period of great opposition. When they finish their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss makes war against them, overcomes them and and kills them, Revelation 11:7.

For three and a half days their bodies lie in the street of Jerusalem, while those who oppose them celebrate, Revelation 11:8–10.

However, the story does not end there.

The breath of the life from God enters them, just as it did to the dust of the earth that became Adam, Genesis 2:7.

Witnesses see them stand on their feet. A loud voice calls them into heaven, Revelation 11:11,12.

Defeat was turned into the ultimate victory.

The Final Word

God always has the final word.

There is a great earthquake in which a tenth of the city falls – seven thousand are killed, Revelation 11:13. The remainder were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The message is sobering. God is not mocked, Galatians 6:7, for His word will accomplish whatever He desires, Isaiah 55:11.

The Heart of the Third Day

The resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the heart of the third-day pattern.

It is not merely a period of time. It points to a decisive point in history and a Person.

The One who conquered death and opened the Way to new life, John 14:6.

Scripture repeatedly uses the third day as significant moments of:

• Transition
• Divine intervention
• Redeemed life
• Transition from one state to another.

Fulfillment

In the Old Testament we discovered the emerging pattern.

In the New Testament we see the fulfillment in Christ.

The third day changes everything – a time of transition.

God could act instantaneously but God’s work is a process that reaches a divinely appointed point of completion.

The Proven Hope

When we find ourselves in seasons of darkness, waiting, uncertainty, or fiery trials, this gives us hope.

The third day points us beyond our circumstances, into ‘Now Faith‘, Hebrews 11:1.

• Hope replaces despair
• Ending becomes a God-appointed new beginning.

The night may seem long, but God is still working.

He has the final say.

Invitation

Through Christ we are invited into an eternal covenant relationship with the great I Am Who I Am, Exodus 3:14.

The God who raised Jesus from the dead is the God of resurrection, redemption, restoration and new life.

Jesus Christ, Himself, being the heart of the third day.

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Dr. Wendy is a servant of the Lord. Her desire is to help believers grow in their understanding of Scripture and walk confidently with Christ in these end-time days.

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