In the prophetic book of Joel the Second Day of the Lord (which is a next conflict warning) Israel
is told about a terrible conflict to come. This day could mean the Babylonian
captivity in 587 BC, or the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the
alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the
Lord is coming. It is close at hand— a day of darkness and gloom, a day of
clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and
mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. Before them fire devours, behind them a flame
blazes. Before them the land is like the
garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste— nothing escapes them. They have
the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry. With a noise like
that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire
consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle. At the sight of
them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale. They charge like warriors;
they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their
course. -Joel 2:1-7
God calls upon
His people to repent and get their
hearts right with Him (Read 2:12-13) God does promise that after this
devastation restoration will occur (Read 2:18-27).
Why do you think the people are given a warning?
Joel
2:28 - “And afterward, I will pour out my
Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will
dream dreams, your young men will see visions”. Very familiar words are
spoken by Peter at Pentecost after the God’s people, believers in Christ,
filled by the Holy Spirit. “‘In the last days, God says, I will
pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. - Acts
2:17.
How was (or is) this prophecy being
fulfilled in your world and life?
