Third Day theology is a prophetic movement within Christianity that focuses on biblical scriptures that mention the phrase “third day” and seeks to apply what it sees are the benefits and promises of those scriptures for our time. Adherents claim that the third day is now, the third thousand years of Christ’s reign. Sequentially, the third day follows the first and second days.
The first day is where we leave the old ways behind. The second day is the process of holding onto the promises of God that have not yet been fulfilled. Day three is the victory and receiving of the promises of God with an emphasis on personal development and spiritual improvement. Therefore, a third-day church is a church that is looking for new ways to “do church” by leaving the old ways and moving onto the new ones that will be revealed, allegedly, by the Holy Spirit unto greater spiritual growth and prosperity. Generally, Third Day Churches are charismatic, Pentecostal, emphasize present-day apostles, prophets, prophetic utterances, and approve of women pastors.
Some examples of scriptures used in Third Day Churches and how they are applied is as follows:
- Gen. 22:4, “Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.”
- The context is Abraham offering Isaac. Prophetically, God provided the Son, therefore, the church will see a great influx of believers.
- Ezra 6:15 – “And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.”
- The Temple of God was finished on the third day; therefore, the church will experience more fulfillment of the calling of God.
- John 2:1, “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.”
- In this account, Jesus creates wine for a wedding. Therefore, new works of God will develop in the church in people and in ministries.
Is this biblical?
I do believe in patterns in the Bible and, at first, I was intrigued by the “Third Day” idea. But, in order to maintain their distinction and emphasis, Third Day churches must read into the text more than is there. They are practicing a form of ” eisegesis,” and is not the most proper way to interpret Biblical texts. (“Exegesis” which in general, means to let the text tell us what is being said, is the best way to interpret Scripture.) Eisegesis can lead to serious problems and should be abandoned by the Christian church. So, be very cautious of this movement.
