Joel 2

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 – Joel 2:1

The sounding of the trumpet ( shofar ) in the Hebrew scripture pictured many things. It was used for marking sacred times and seasons (Psa. 81:3). It was used to call God’s people together (Num. 10:2). Of course, in those days they did not have cell phones and email. We see in scripture that there was a specific trumpet call for the leaders to assemble (Num. 10:4).

The trumpet was used not only to gather the people but to direct the movement of God’s camps (Num. 10:2). God’s people are going somewhere, and we are being guided by the trumpet call of God. The trumpet was also used in Israelite worship (Num. 10:10; Psa. 150:3). There is a call going out today as never before to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Interestingly, the shofar is again being used for worship in some Gentile churches and particularly among messianic Christian congregations in the land of Israel.

Trumpets were also used in warfare (Num. 10:9; Josh. 6:16). In Numbers 10:9, the Lord tells us to blow the trumpet when the battle gets intense and the Lord will remember and help. When we consider that Gideon sounded the trumpets and with 300 men defeated 120,000 Midianites (Judges chapters 6 & 7), we might conclude that the trumpet is one of the most powerful weapons this world has ever known. I can remember during one time of testing in Israel that I went out into our yard and sounded the trumpet, summoning the Lord’s help.

Most importantly, the trumpet is used for the coronation of Israel’s kings (2 Ki. 11:14). Today we await the sounding of the last trumpet which will bring about the coronation of Jesus as King of this world.

We note here that the trumpet is to be sounded in Zion. It was to be sounded in the midst of the Lord’s people. Peter says: “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pet. 4:17). Surely, a trumpet is sounding today for God’s saints to shape up and get it together, spiritually speaking. It is a time of putting on spiritual armor for the last day (Eph. 6:10-18).

The trumpet call is alarming to many for it signifies the coming of the Lord’s kingdom. With this, Joel moves into an eschatological mode (this regards last things). We have said in the first chapter that the Day of the Lord can be partially fulfilled many times leading up to the final day. In that sense, the Day of the Lord is always near to us. It was near in the time of Joel, it was near in the time of Jesus and it is near for us in our time.

The Day of the Lord was upon the people of Joel’s day as they experienced a terrible plague of locusts. However, even that plague was a picture of a more horrible day of judgment that was to come in the end-time (cf. Matt. 7:22; 10:15; 11:22, 24; 12:36; Acts 17:31; 1 Thess. 5:4; Heb. 10:25; 2 Pet. 2:9; 3:7; 1 John 4:17; Jude 6). Phillips says: “‘The Day of the Lord’ is Joel’s signature tune, the dominant color on his canvas of catastrophe.” [1]

As we have said earlier, the Day of the Lord will come as a dreadful time for the unprepared and the unbelieving. In Joel’s day the people were not obedient and not prepared so the day was a time of terror and disaster. But for those who are prepared and watching, the Day of the Lord will be a time of great blessing. In Matthew 24:31 we read: “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”

The apostle Paul tells us further: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Cor. 15:51-52).

Paul says further: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16). So indeed, the last trumpet sound will bring forth the resurrection of the righteous dead and the glorification of the righteous living. We can understand why the trumpet of God will bring exceeding joy to those who are prepared and awaiting the Lord’s coming.

Joel goes on to describe the day as, “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” (2:2). The prophet is here remaining in an eschatological mode as he begins to describe the darkness and gloom of the last-day invasion in Israel. The stage is being set for the great last day Battle of Armageddon when all the nations on earth will come to invade modern Israel (Rev. 16:16; cf. Joel 3:2).

This battle will be much worse than any locust plague. Likely, in this battle the nations will try to cut Israel in two from Haifa port eastward, at Megiddo (Armageddon) along the Valley of Jezreel. Since Israel, for the most part (excluding desert areas), is only about 50 miles wide (80 km.) and 150 miles long (241 km.), whatever happens in one place will affect the whole land. Can we even imagine how dark such a day will be for the people of Israel?

This great battle assumes that the people of Israel will be gathered back to their land. We have observed this great movement going on since the 1880s and now we have a mostly regathered people of Israel back in their own land. The nations of the world have never been happy with the modern nation of Israel. Most of the Muslim Arab nations have fought several wars to eliminate the nation and the United Nations has constantly condemned Israel. On the average the UN passes around 30 anti-Israel resolutions each year. [2] In Zechariah 12:2 God says: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.”

Smith says of Joel: “I think he did a tremendously commendable job in describing something he had never dreamed of, and yet the Lord gave him an insight into the battle of the future day.” [3] Joel describes this: “… a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come” (Joel 2:2). Nothing like this has ever happened before and neither will it happen again in all the history of the world. This is not talking about Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, World War I or World War II or any other war. Clearly the Battle of Armageddon will be history’s largest war since it will directly involve all nations. Since Israel is a very small country the Battle of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 12) will also be part of this attack.

After that awesome war ends and the kingdom of Christ is established, then the Millennial reign will begin. We know there will yet be another and final great war. It will come at least one thousand years after the Battle of Armageddon. After Satan is released, he will make one last attempt to destroy Israel. It is of note that this last battle on earth is not international in scope but is mostly conducted by a great nation in the north along with certain allies.

Unlike Armageddon this large army will be completely destroyed by God before it ever reaches Jerusalem (Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39). This conflict is usually called the battle of Gog and Magog. Unfortunately, many commentators confuse this battle with Armageddon. The two cannot be compared. This great battle ends all earthly battles forever. Soon after this, the Kingdom of God will be fully consummated on earth. That kingdom of peace and righteousness will last forever. Evil people, evil angels, evil spirits and the devil himself will be permanently banished from the earth.

More Lessons From Locusts

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. Joel 2:3

Joel has already connected the destruction of locusts to the great end-time battle of Armageddon. Now he goes back to the locust attack for more comparisons and lessons. Some who have observed locust infestations speak of the ground as having the appearance of being burned after the plague passed (cf. Joel 1:19-20). [4] We know in real battles there is sometimes a “scorched earth” policy where everything is burned and destroyed. The recent attack of Russia on Ukraine has given us some terrible pictures of such a policy. Apparently, the end-day battle will display this same characteristic, but on a much larger scale.

The land is like the Garden of Eden before them and like a desert waste behind them. Interestingly, the Garden of Eden is only mentioned here and in Ezekiel 36:35 outside the book of Genesis. [5] Today, through innovative Israeli farming methods, some places in Israel are beginning to look a little like the Garden of Eden. After the War of Armageddon, Israel will no doubt be ravaged. The Book of Revelation makes plain that after the last great war with Gog and Magog, God will finally make Israel a veritable Garden of Eden (Rev. 22:1-2).

“They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry” (2:4). “The locusts are likened first of all to horses; in fact the head of the locust is so like that of a horse that the Italians call it cavalette (little horse)…” [6] Other Bible references compare the two (Job 39:19-20; Jer. 51:27; Rev. 9:7-12). They gallop noisily like horses and the sound of the locust swarm can be heard as far as six miles away (9.6 km.). [7]

“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” (2:5). Phillips says of Joel: “He went on to portray a country overrun by foreign troops – just as his country had been overrun by locusts…he was also referring to the terrible wars that will be fought during the days of the Antichrist.” [8] In Revelation 9:9, we hear that the sound of a locust invasion is like that of horses and chariots.

“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” (2:6-7). Just as people and nations fear a locust invasion, so will the invasion of Antichrist cause fear and panic in the last days. The locusts illustrate the military skill that will be seen in the end-day army.

This invasion is part of the Great Tribulation spoken of in Revelation 7:14. It is clear that many believers will become martyrs in this time (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:14). It is also clear that two thirds of the people in Israel will be struck down and the remaining third will be refined like silver and gold (Zech. 13:8-9). This is probably why God is looking for victorious saints to stand in the last days (Rev. 2:7, 10, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Guzik says, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” [9]

The scripture gives us some dreadful pictures of this day (Isa. 13:8-9; Jer. 30:6-7; Nah. 2:10). We know that this awful battle will bring forth the final trumpet sound and the appearing of the Messiah Jesus who will rescue the remnant of Israel and totally defeat the Antichrist and his army. Antichrist and the false prophet will be assigned to Hell and Satan will be locked up for the period of one thousand years (Rev. 19:17-21; 20:1-3).

“They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks. They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows” (2:8-9). This is a spiritual picture of the last day battle. Antichrist will have his international army well trained and disciplined as they come to destroy Israel and Jerusalem. We know from scripture that they will plunder and rape, but they will not completely conquer Jerusalem before the Messiah returns.

In Zechariah 14:2-3, God says: “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.”

“Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine” (2:10). Just as the vast swarm of locusts blackened the sun and moon, in the last days the sun and moon will be strangely darkened (cf. Rev. 6:12-14; 8:12; 9:2). Apparently, some evil people were looking forward to the Day of the Lord in order to escape their troubles. Amos said to them: “Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light” (Amos 5:18).

Many of the prophets have this same message of darkness in the final day (Isa. 8:22; 60:2; Jer 13:16; Zep 1:15-16). Darkness does not indicate that God is absent. Pett says: “It is interesting, however, that God is often spoken of as being in darkness (Psalms 18:11), and in clouds (Exodus 16:10)…and thick darkness (Exodus 20:21; Psalms 18:9), in order to shield his glory from his creation.” [10]

“The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?” (2:11). While the army of Antichrist will be great, the army of the Lord will be greater. Psalm 68:17 says: “The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands…”

It will still be a serious time. Phillips comments: “We know from many Old and New Testament prophets that the Antichrist will take over the world in the day of the Lord…the blood bath of the great tribulation will threaten to exterminate the Hebrew people completely…Joel was the first prophet to catch a glimpse of this great climax…(cf. Rev. 19:11-21). One word from Jesus and the battle will be over.” [11] God says, “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations” (Zech. 12:3-4).

Rending Of The Heart

“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12

Pett comments: “We now come to the purpose of YHWH’s severe judgment. It was in order to call priests and people to repentance.” [12] Wiersbe says: “Now that he had their attention, Joel told the people to stop looking around at the locusts and to start looking ahead to the fulfillment of what the locust plague symbolized…” [13] It is never too late for sincere repentance.

When God observes this in his people, he can literally change the course of history. Signs of true repentance usually included fasting, weeping and mourning. I have noticed in my life and ministry that sincere tears always seem to get God’s attention. In much the same way the tears of our children always get our attention. Fulgentius of Ruspe (467-533) once said: “if we wish to keep the fruits of our seeds, let us not stop watering our seeds with tears that must be poured out more from the heart than from the body.” [14]

“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing – grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God” (2:13-14). The great F. B. Meyer says, “To rend the garment is easy, but a broken and contrite heart can be imparted only by the grace of the Holy Spirit.” [15] There are many places in scripture where we see the people rending their garments (Gen. 37:29, 34; 1 Sam. 4;12; 1 Ki. 21:27; Isa. 37:2). This custom is still observed in modern Israel today. The presence of grain offerings and drink offerings signify that the good harvests have returned.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber” (2:15-16). Texas Baptist professor Bob Utley says, “‘Blow a trumpet in Zion’ This is the exact phrase used in Joel 2:1 in the sense of preparing for battle, but here it is used in a religious sense for assembling for a holy convocation (i.e., time of prayer and repentance).” [16] We have seen already how the same trumpet can be used for several different purposes. The trumpet seems to be a call for national repentance. The mere fact that a plague of locusts was upon them was proof that the nation had sinned (Deut. 28:36-46).

“Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber” (2:16). This gathering was not to exclude anyone. Normally the bride and groom were not to be disturbed for their first year. The groom was even exempted from military duty during that special time (Deut. 24:5).

“Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?”’” (2:17). The area between the portico and altar was a sacred area for the priests. Guthrie says: “The intercession of the priests for Israel in this verse is one of the noblest passages in Joel.” [17] Scorn from the Gentile nations was something Israel feared yet something that too often happened.

The Lord Answers

Then the LORD was jealous for his land and took pity on his people. Joel 2:18

We can believe from this verse that God noticed their wholesale repentance and drove the locust plague away. He no doubt then moved to heal the land and restore his blessings to his nation. The Lord was still concerned that his people would not miss the end time message that the locusts conveyed. He wanted them to fully understand the Day of the Lord that was coming.

“The LORD replied to them: ‘I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations” (2:19). Once again, we see the present and future seemingly dealt with in the same verse. God would send them a bountiful harvest with grain, wine and oil. That was for their present need.

However, the promise to no longer make them an object of scorn was for the distant future. We remember from our Bible history that Babylon later made them an object of scorn and carried most of the people away into exile. Even after a large number returned under Zerubbabel, they were still made objects of scorn by the hateful Samaritan, Ammonite and Arab leaders. Still, the prophet was speaking of a far distant day when there would be no more scorn toward Israel forever.

“‘I will drive the northern horde far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land; its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea. And its stench will go up; its smell will rise.’ Surely he has done great things!” (2:20). Once again Joel begins to speak in an eschatological manner. He is speaking of the coming Day of the Lord in the distant future. This could very well have reference to Armageddon and the battle with all nations or it could even refer to the far distant battle of Gog and Magog. Coffman makes plain that this is not a battle with locusts since words like a “northern army,” “forepart and hinder part” are military words more applicable to human armies rather than locusts. [18]

Guthrie remarks: “To our modern world, one of the most refreshing things about the Bible is its frankness; a bad smell is still a bad smell, even in scripture.” [19] When the last days do arrive, we will see Israel spending months to bury dead and rotting enemy soldiers. Perhaps in both the coming great wars.

Pfeiffer and Harrison describe the stench of dead locusts: “The terrible locust swarms will be removed and scattered in the desert, the Dead Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea…The stink of dead locusts is often referred to as intolerable and the cause of plagues. Augustine quotes from Julius Obsequens to show how a vast cloud of locusts, cast into the African Sea, were rolled up putrid on the shore, and a plague broke out killing 800,000 persons.” [20] We can know that as the last-day battles close out there will be a terrible stench of dead enemy soldiers all over the land of Israel. The armies of all nations will be completely destroyed by God.

“Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things! Do not be afraid, you wild animals, for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches” (2:21-22). Here the Lord arises to bless Judah and to return her joy. We see that God also blesses the wild animals by restoring their pastures and thus bringing forth their necessary food supply. In their own way they praise him (Psa. 148:10). It is truly amazing that God supplies all living things with their needed food (Psa. 104:27-28). Knowing this we should not worry about our food and provision. Neither should we forget to praise and thank him.

“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil” (2:23-24). Since Israel had suffered a drought along with the locust invasion God now returns the refreshing rains.

There is no rain at all in Israel after about April or May. The former rains usually begin around Tabernacles time in October. These are light rains. It is good not to stand under a tree for these former rains because all the dust of half a year will come down upon you as a mud shower. These former rains loosen up the ground for sowing. Usually, the hard rains come in late December and January. This moisture can come in the form of snow at times. The winter rains are usually accompanied by brisk winds. Then the latter rains come around Passover or in the March/April season. They help ensure the harvest. The early and latter rains are both symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Isa. 32:15; 44:1-5; 55:10-13). [21]

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm – my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed” (2:25-26). We realize that Joel is talking in terms of the present and the future here. God is repaying them in the present with his blessing for the locust invasion. Yet, future blessing is involved as well. In the future they will not be shamed. This promise has already appeared in 2:19. Clearly, Israel will suffer shame of nations, as they still do today, until the Lord appears in the last days.

“Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed” (2:27). Pfeiffer and Harrison say: “Through his prophetic vision, Joel rises above the religious experience of the local locust plague to a wider view of history. He dips into the future and sees spiritual revival in Israel and deliverance from all surrounding enemies.” [22] Once again, God promises that in the future Israel will never be shamed again. We can realize by this the great offense that current antisemitism is to God.

The Coming Day Of The Lord

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. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29

Suddenly, Joel comes forth with an astounding last day promise of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, the last days were instituted with the ministry of Jesus, including his death and glorious resurrection (Heb.1:2). When Jesus ascended to Heaven, he sent forth the Holy Spirit in a completely new way (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). In Old Testament days the Holy Spirit came upon certain important and godly people so that they could do the works of the Lord. These were people like Joseph (Gen. 41:38), Joshua (Num. 27:18), and David (1 Sam.16:13). Now the Holy Spirit would come and abide on all of God’s people, and he would stay forever (Jn. 14:16). Now the Holy Spirit would come upon men, women, young people and servants. Even sons and daughters will now prophesy and see visions.

We cannot miss the fact that it was these verses Peter quoted on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell on the Jews (Acts chapter 2). Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). He called for repentance like Joel had called centuries before. On that day the church was born and about three thousand Jewish people were added to the young assembly (Acts 2:41). Guthrie says: “…the universalized gift of the Spirit lies in the distant future from Joel’s standpoint. It was therefore a true insight of Peter’s in Acts 2:16ff. to apply this promise to the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost…” [23]

It is sad and tragic fact that so many in the church today reject these scriptures. They almost despise the Holy Spirit baptism and especially spiritual gifts. Many church members and religious denominations consider it almost heresy to speak in tongues or prophesy in the church. How far removed we are from the simple gospel!

We notice that God is now pouring out his Spirit. It is freely poured out for every believer to take and enjoy. Fulgentius of Ruspe speaks again saying that God, “does not ration his gift of the Spirit.” [24]

Peter would say in Acts 2:39: “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Peter makes clear that the promise of the Holy Spirit is for every believer in Christ, without exception (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13).

I still remember an event that happened many years ago while I was alone in my hotel room. At that time, I was a bewildered preacher, knowing that there was much more in the gospel than I had ever experienced. Finally, in desperation, I laid hold on this verse, realizing my qualification as being one of those who was “far off.” At that moment, I took this verse as my own, opened my mouth in faith, and to my utter amazement began to speak rapidly in a language that I did not understand. That gift of tongues has never left me in all these years and is a constant affirmation that the Holy Spirit of God resides in my life. How sad it is that in our theology we have separated the blessing of salvation from the blessing of the Holy Spirit’s filling.

“I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (2:30-31). Once more, Joel jumps from his present Day of the Lord with the locust plague to the final Day of the Lord which would happen centuries later. We live today in what the Bible calls “the present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). God has allowed the devil to wear the title “prince of this world” for many centuries. He has tried his hand at ruling the world and has made an awful mess of it. This evil prince now stands condemned and is about to be cast out. (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). He has lost all the authority he ever had (Mt. 28:18).

The Bible makes plain that there will be a lot of turbulence and tribulation as the devil is judged and overcome. There will be lots of bloodshed and many saints of God will become martyrs in the last days as we have said. We also see natural turbulence with fire and billows of smoke. The Bible speaks a great deal of fire in the last days (Mal. 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:7; 3:12).

I still remember how a messianic Jewish leader in Israel explained the billows of smoke. The Hebrew is tem-ah-rot esh, and it means palm trees of smoke. The leader claimed that this is a clear reference to atomic explosions. Joel had never heard of an atomic bomb, but he did see a lot of palm trees. We noticed while living in the Galilee that unattended palm trees take on a globular shape and look much like little mushroom clouds. We have several wicked and rogue rulers in our world today with atomic bombs at their disposal and it is almost unthinkable that they will not use these if they are about to lose a military conflict.

The Bible also speaks of wonders in the heavens and problems with the sun and moon shining. It seems that the whole creation is going into convulsions and birth pains in order to free itself from Satan. Jesus says that there will be great signs in the heavens as well as earthquakes, famines and pestilence on the earth itself (Lk. 21:11). Guthrie comments: “It has been said that Joel, short book though it is, is yet a veritable compendium of Old Testament eschatology.” [25]

Pfeiffer and Harrison comment: “The darkening of the sun and the extinction of the lights of heaven are frequently mentioned in the scriptures as harbingers of the Day of the Lord or of approaching judgment (2:2, 10; 3:15; Isa 13:10; 34:4; Jer 4:23; Mt. 24:29; Rev 6:12).” [26] Wiersbe notes that there is no record of any of these things happening on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. [27] In other scriptures we note that there will be wars on an unprecedented scale as forerunners of this last day (cf. Isa. 13; Zeph. 1:7).

“And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls” (2:32). What a promise this is! Everyone, absolutely everyone, who calls on the Lord Jesus will be saved. The Jews on the Day of Pentecost believed this promise and called on the Lord for salvation. We read that about three thousand were saved in a single day. This wonderful promise is still available today. If we repent of our sins and call on Jesus, we will be saved. It is just that simple.

But make no mistake, the Day of the Lord will be an exceedingly difficult time. Despite what some say, God’s people will be involved in it. Many of God’s people will become martyrs and some valiant souls will be survivors as this verse tells us. Regarding the last day, we need to get all of our spiritual armor of Ephesians chapter 6 in place and stand ready for the last-day onslaught. We need to get plenty of practice in overcoming before this day comes is upon us.

Footnotes

1. Phillips, Exploring The Minor Prophets, Joel, p. 68.

2. Jim Gerrish, Does God Play Favorites? God’s Unique Relationship with Israel (Minneapolis: Cornerstone Publishing, 2000, 2003, p. 308.

3. Smith, Smith’s Bible Commentary, Commentary on Joel, vs. 2:1-32.

4. Charles L. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets, Joel (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1948, 1990), p. 72.

5. Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 822.

6. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets, Joel, p. 76.

7. Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 823.

8. Phillips, Exploring The Minor Prophets, Joel, p. 75.

9. Guzik, Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Joel, vs. 2:6-11.

10. Pett, Commentary on Joel, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, vs. 2:2-10.

11. Phillips, Exploring The Minor Prophets, Joel, p. 76.

12. Pett, Commentary on Joel, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, vs. 2:12-13.

13. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 1409.

14. Alberto Ferreiro, Gen, Ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, The Twelve Prophets (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003), p. 69.

15. F. B. Meyer’s ‘Through the Bible’ Commentary, Joel, vs. 2:12-27. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/fbm/joel.html.

16. Bob Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Joel, v. 2:15. http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/old_testament_studies/VOL12OT/VOL12BOT_01.html.

17. Guthrie, ed. The New Bible Commentary: Revised, p. 722.

18. Coffman, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible, Commentary on Joel, v. 2:19.

19. Guthrie, ed. The New Bible Commentary: Revised, p. 722.

20. Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 824.

21. Pett, Commentary on Joel, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, v. 2:23.

22. Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 825.

23. Guthrie, ed. The New Bible Commentary: Revised, p. 723.

24. Ferreiro, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, The Twelve Prophets, p. 74.

25. Guthrie, ed. The New Bible Commentary: Revised, p. 724.

26. Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 825.

27. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 1412.