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;
Zion, is God’s holy mountain. The watchers of the land are to issue a warning from God that the ‘day of the LORD’ is near at hand. This warning is being sent to all of the inhabitants of Zion and not just the daughter of Zion.
Joel 2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
darkness (‘A day of darkness’) – misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
darkness (‘…and of thick darkness’) – darkness
This army is unique in it’s darkness(lack of light, Truth), wickedness, destruction.
mountains – symbolic of greater nations
‘a great people… not been ever the like‘ – there have been some pretty gruesome armies and actions in the past and yet this people are notable and unique in there destruction from invaders of the past.
neither shall be… – there are yet many more generations to come
Joel 2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
This army is like an army of locust in a lush and bountiful land. Like a parasite it sucks the life out of the land (people). The inheritance (spiritual) of the people is devoured up and wasteland (both physical and spiritual) is what they leave behind.
Joel 2:4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
They seem to be swift and well prepared.
Joel 2:5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
stubble – straw (as being dry)
They head right for the ‘tops of mountains’. Mountains are symbolic of greater nations. They will occupy the high positions of the nations they infest, seizing control of it. They easily consume the land like fire on a field of dry straw.
Joel 2:6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
The people will even see the thing coming. blackness may actually mean to grow pale.
Joel 2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
The have no fear of the people, obstacles will not prevent them, They seem to have their marching orders and are intent on fulfilling them.
Joel 2:8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
These work together against Zion (Israel) as though a common goal, each with his task in it. Even against resistance, they will not be divided nor will they let the Truth deter them.
Joel 2:9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
They are persistent. While you guard the normal entry points, they enter by the unexpected methods. They will find a way to strip you of your belongings. The distractions of the world today are become non-stop and designed to keep you focused on anything but the Truth. They want everything you have, your time, your thoughts, your tax returns and your cooperation and consent. The true sheep of Jesus will recognize that these are not the proper voice of authority.
Joel 2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
Heavens, sun, moon and stars – provide guidance for people in search of Truth. The earth is symbolic of the chosen people and they which inhabit the land with them.
Joel 2:11-12 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
Even at the late hour God is prepared to have mercy on those who would turn away from their sinful, faithless ways. This army is sent by God and is capable of destroying all that are in it’s influence/jurisdiction. Therefore, the only means of ending this army is by turning to and crying out to God for His forgiveness and mercy. Simply cursing them and determining to vote their leaders out of office is to not understand the real problem.
Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
There is no material expression which we can please our Father with. God created and owns all of your possessions. It is the inward things, the immaterial things that you can offer to God which are pleasing, the things of the heart. Your love, your time, your attention. Our Father has granted us free will and wants the gift of your heart. Isn’t that what people seek amongst each other? God is merciful even to those who most offend if their hearts are truly open and seeking. He would rather offer kindness and grace than have you lost to confusion, anger and misery that might come upon you as a result of your own free will.
Joel 2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Who knows, maybe He will turn away from His anger and even leave a blessing for you. Even enough to offer back to Him, the blessing of a caring and loving soul with eyes to see and ears to hear Truth and the Spirit to recover from the numbness and awaken from the sleep.
Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Get the Word out, don’t remain silent, dedicate a fast to His mercy and grace. Call on others of true concern to join you. Don’t allow the land to go unwarned.
Joel 2:16 Gather 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.
Call, gather and prepare the daughter of Zion, God’s chosen, from the new born Christian to the patient and wise ones. The time of the marriage feast is arriving. It is time for the true Christians to join in the Truth of Jesus our King.
Joel 2:17 Let 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?
The porch is like the approach to the alter. Just before the arrival of the Day of the LORD there should be heard a crying out of those who are truly seeking Truth and pleading of the faithful Christians. They should be asking that God not forsake us so that we not be seen as having cried in vain. Without the intervention of God, it might be that even the elect would be lost.
Joel 2:18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
God will not let His people come to nothing. He will show the nations that He is our Father and that He will not allow us to be removed or left behind. Therefore cry out and be heard and counted.
Joel 2:19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
When God chooses to rule over the land, notice that the yield is corn, wine, oil and all that God utilizes to bless the soul. When we would have others rule over the land instead of God, the result is the removal of those things, the plundering of the fruit of the land, and the devouring of the heritage of the Zion. When the land is yielding corn, wine and oil, then know that God is watching over that land. Even all of the beast of the field prosper.
God’s people are a reproach among the heathen, we should almost surely be experiencing that. Those who smirk about or belittle God’s people (even quietly, privily or insincerely) can know therefore with certainty that they are among the heathen. We are looked down upon, joked about and in general belittled when we seek out or follow after our real Father. If you care for them at all you will pray for their awakening, remembering that many were once among them.
Joel 2:20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
‘northern army’ – Compare this with the king of the north in Daniel 11, and also Jeremiah 4, Jeremiah 50, Ezekiel 38, the beast(s) of Revelation 13.
utmost sea – western, or later sea (or people)
God calls this locust army the ‘northern army’. He will drive it out toward the eastern ‘sea’ with the west behind it. It will be sent into a desolate and barren land because he magnified himself before our Father and thought to ruin His people. There, our Father will bring that army to it’s apparently quick end. You can read about the stench of the valley and the clean up operation in the valley of passengers which God says that we shall call the Valley of Hamongog. God will give Gog a place for burial within Israel. Ezekiel 39
Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Those who know their Father are encouraged not to fear the desolating of the land. For some, difficult trial may be the only hope they have of awakening to the Truth before the Day of the LORD. God is preparing a better world for His people.
Joel 2:22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
The beasts of the field will again enjoy the pasture and the fruit of the land which is the Word and grace of our Father. The fig tree and the vine are planted by God to provide nourishment (Truth) to those that desire of them.
Joel 2:23-24 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
Who is the former and latter rain given to? The children of Zion, those who believe in Christ. What is the rain? Truth, Grace and Faith.
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
The locust army which God delivered to the land is now removed from the land. The land is restored and God is King and ruler. Righteous judgement, long missing from our land is restored. Blessings from God are again offered to those who accept Him as their King.
Joel 2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
The people will not again seek worldly rulers. All will recognize that God is and ever was the God of Israel. No one will ever again shame us out of believing in Christ and into believing in a vain existence like the atheist.
Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
afterward – in the latter/last time?
dream – to bind, make or plump, to dream, to recover
see – see, view, discern
This prophecy was fulfilled at the Pentecost (as an example) and will be again in the last days.(see Acts 2) There will come a day when the Spirit of God will be poured out abundantly. God will be manifest to all people.
Joel 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
The sources of light (Truth) in the world will be overturned with darkness (confusion, unreliability) before our Father will send the wake-up call.
Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
‘the name’ – honor, authority, reputation, character
Jerusalem will be delivered along with Zion. We do not deliver ourselves but require the Father to deliver us.
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God is, after all, your True Father. If you love and respect your human father and mother, how much more deserving is your real Father. Would you be pleased with the love and attention that you received of your own children (which also He created) if it was equivalent to the time you devote to your real Father? He has brought you through this world and to this point with still the opportunity to seek Him out even in this late hour!
Some must be brought to the lowest point in order to gain (or regain) value for the Truth and righteousness. While the locust army will destroy greatly, the devastated may actually now have a better chance to appreciate that which our Father has always offered them. Don’t overlook that the devastation came by the free will of the people over time and after generations of degradation. By the time that this army appears people will already be on the verge of becoming numb to the Truth! A soul that is numb is the same as dead or worse. Can you imagine an existence that contained no light or Truth, only confusion and darkness forever?
Zion is representative of Jesus. The children of Zion are the modern day house of Israel and includes all of the tribes of Israel. They are sifted, though, among all nations since they were sent into captivity in Assyria many centuries ago. But, in general, it is the Christian nations, those that serve as a wilderness for the remnant. Now when I say Christian nations in this sense, I mean nations that identify with the Christian church. In reality, very few people of these nations are actually Christian, though they do have, at their core, a remnant of elect ones who have been a blessing to the nations wherein they dwell.
These nations (mountains of Israel) are becoming increasingly difficult to identify as godly or Christian at all. The locust army has already begun stripping away the fruitfulness (both material and spiritual) of their lands wherein they have been blessed of God for many generations. I don’t think I should be presuming to be able to make a list of them but I will say that I am satisfied that America is prominent among them (which makes it all the more disgusting that we willfully cast aside our heritage and chose leaders that darken our land and despise Truth and judgement).
Christ is the resting place for Zion without which we are looked upon with low regard, a shame among the peoples of the earth.
God refers to the land invaded by Gog as mountains of Israel. They will devour up the assets of the land(especially the spiritual treasures). And God says that He will drive them out of the land (out of the south/west) unto the place where they will be buried there in the house of Israel. It will take Israel seven months to bury Hamongog. Also those passing through will mark any bodies for burial as they are found. Hamongog will find it’s end in a desolate and barren place. I pray that anyone reading this (the Bible) will not be caught up in the deception and desolation of this locust army.
I think it would be pretty accurate to envision the locust army as an endless army of governing bureaucrats and their minions, armed and leading desolate freeloaders. All of which are intent on redefining Truth, spreading ‘fairness’, saving the planet …etc, in order to control you in ever increasing ways. Let’s face it, the world is become a nearly complete distraction designed to keep you preoccupied with just trying to follow their ever wearying rules. Rules created now daily. Rules designed to deprive you of your God given Spirit. If you want an example, you can look to Europe or check out the agendas of the United Nations. Look at your own country now, can you not see the plundering of your own treasures here at home.
Look at America and see the direction that our appointed leaders are going. Also, see where they are coming from, colleges and universities where they are taught what is acceptable or trendy to think and believe instead of what is known to be true.
Relay the Truth.
washichek 