Pod Prep: 8-4-17
The Prophet Joel And The Day Of The Lord
INTRODUCTION TO PROPHETIC WRITINGS
Prophetic writings usually contain duality. Portions of the message pertain to the time in which the prophet spoke for God. His message applies to those he is warning. Portions of the message applies to future; usually end time periods of history. The themes behind the warning messages also contain timeless advice and warnings to believers in all ages. Joel's writings contain an obvious example of this duality of applications. Joel 2:28-32 talks about the Day of the Lord his end time vengeance on a defiant world. Note verses 30-31.
Joel 2:30 "And I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.
(RSV)
When these verses are compared with the book of Revelation, these items are benchmarks of the second coming of Christ and the end of the age. However Peter quoted the first portion of this message in the first New Testament sermon on Pentecost. See Acts 2:17-21. The duality of the message and its partial fulfillment at the first Pentecost of the church is revealing.
Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
29 Even upon the menservants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
(RSV)
Further, most of these prophecies are primarily warnings from God about the nations backsliding into idolatry and corruption. The punishment is revealed but then the author also remind the listeners of God's grace and his final blessings of Israel. The prophets' messages contains good news and bad news. His words help the people understand why God's wrath is coming.
THE FIRST NEW COVENANT SERMON BY PETER
Peter was inspired to quote Joel and understand that a portion of the prophet's message applied to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the birthday of the church, Pentecost 31A.D. Joel's message described the vast giving of the Holy Spirit and the awesome heavenly signs of the second coming of the Messiah to conquer the evil world.
Rev 7:9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
(RSV)
Rev 7:14 I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Thousands were converted on the first Pentecost but even greater numbers are coming when this prophecy has it final fulfillment at the Great Tribulation Second Coming period to end this evil age. The duality of some prophesies can repeat themselves in smaller models more than once.
THE LORD'S DAY OR DAY OF THE LORD ARE SO MISUNDERSTOOD
Many, looking hard for scripture to prove that the Sabbath Law was altered say the term 'The Lord's Day' is Sunday. The Lord's Day is actually his day of conquest and vengeance against Babylon the Great and all evil powers of this age. Note the book of Revelation is about the Day of the Lord. A book describing tumultuous events and battles and plagues.
Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.
Joel in his message describes much of what will happen in God's day of vengeance on an evil world.
Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.
Joel 1:19 Unto thee, O LORD, I cry. For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and flame has burned all the trees of the field.
20 Even the wild beasts cry to thee because the water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near,
2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations.
Christ will return at the last trumpet blast and Joel is one of the first prophets to write about these end time events.
The Day of the Lord is also a time of repentance. A lot of repentance will take place during the tribulation. If we brethren can repent now we can be spared the suffering that is coming. We all need to listen to words of the prophet regarding repentance.
Rev 3:10 Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the
whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.
11 I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
(RSV)
We can be in places of safety during the tribulation if we repent and obey God now. We do not need to prove our dedication during the tough times we already have done so.
Joel 2:12 "Yet even now," says the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
t numbers will repent and receive the Holy Spirit 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly;
Repentance is a message for all times but during the Great Tribulation vast numbers will repent and receive the spirit. This is the prime message of Joel. Joel also includes a positive end time message from God.
A PROHETIC BLESSING FOR GOD'S PEOPLE
God loves Israel and spiritual Israel. He will protect and bless them forever in the near future. Prophets had positive portions of their warning messages. Joel's is very comforting.
Joel 2:25 I will restore to you the years which the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.
26 "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
Israel will be blessed forever. The locust plague of Joel's time is also mentioned in Revelation. Is it possible that the locust of the future are green drones? Joel description of God's vengeance lines up with the Book of Revelation. God will destroy evil in the end.
Joel 3:11 Hasten and come, all you nations round about, gather yourselves there. Bring down thy warriors, O LORD.
12 Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the nations round about.
13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the wine press is full. The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
THE WRITING PROPHETS SENT AND PRESERVED THEIR MESSAGES BY SCRIBES.
NOW, THE INTERNET MAY BE THE BEST WAY TO SEND AND PRESERVE MESSAGES.
WHAT IS THE BATTLE FOR NET NUETRALITY?
