The Day of the Lord is Near! Updated (part 1)

Joel 2:1, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;”

About the book of Joel

The imagery and symbolism in this book compares to the prophecies in Ezekiel, Daniel and the book of Revelation. Although the prophecies addressed the historical future of Israel and Judah, like Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation, Joel also addresses the role of Israel in the end times. Two major themes are: 1) the wrath of God's judgment upon disobedience and, 2) the restoration of Israel.

The call of Joel 2:1 is to awaken the people of Judah to the judgment of God hanging over their head. God sought through Joel to correct their Godless living and return them in repentance to Himself. Joel sees the drought and plague of locusts as judgment for the sins of Judah. There is a direct correlation between sin and judgment. Sin always exacts a tremendous price. How can people think they can live anyway they choose and not reap the consequences of their choices? God created us with the freedom of choice but we must also understand that there are consequences attached to each choice.

The nation of Israel paid a great price for their disobedience and rebellion. Their power and influence as a nation began to decline before the end of the reign of Solomon. After Solomon's death, the leadership split into two groups, the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. The King of the Northern Kingdom, Israel, was Jeroboam. The King of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, was Reoboam the son of Solomon. Neither Kingdom ever returned to the glory of the early days of Solomon's reign.

The Northern Kingdom, was captured by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. The Southern Kingdom fell, Jerusalem was destroyed and its King and people were carried away to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 587B.C. Both Israel and Judah suffered in captivity because of their unwillingness to heed the voice of God. They were given multiple opportunities to repent and return to God. Joel's message was written over 100 years before the captivity of Israel and about 250 years before the captivity of Judah.

 Joel was not the only prophet that preached repent and return. The book of Amos is dated about 755 B.C., Jonah 760 B.C., Isaiah preached from 740 – 680 B.C., Hosea 710 B.C., Micah 700 B.C., Nahum from 663 – 612 B.C., Jeremiah 627 – 585 B.C., Zephaniah 625 B.C., Habakkuk 607 B.C., and Ezekiel 592 – 570 B.C. Israel and Judah were both destroyed because of their disobedience and rebellion against the laws of God.

Joel 2:15, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?”
Here Joel repeated the call of 2:1 with the difference being a call to national repentance to be performed in a national gathering of all the people before the Lord. The priests were to proclaim a day of humiliation for all the people regardless of age or distinction. Joel summons all ranks and classes to assemble in the temple for this solemn service.

National sin is a common factor in God's execution of judgment but national repentance will bring God's forgiveness. 2 Chron. 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” However, national forgiveness requires national repentance. It was to begin with the leadership and go down the ranks to include everybody including the children.

Why were the children to be included? The children are the next generation and they will mirror the example of their parents. That is what has happened to our world. Over time, each generation has let the principles of God slip out of our societies. Consequently, we have a ungodly world society. Do you know why America has enjoyed the blessings of God since its inception in 1776? Because it was built upon the principles of God as outline in His Word. As a nation we have believed in Godly principles. Since the 50's and 60's our nation has been slowly slipping away from those foundation principles. The only hope for this nation and the world is to repent and return to Jesus Christ. On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" by Edward Mote, 1797-1874.