Sound the Trumpet
One Year Bible: Dec. 9
Joel 1:1-3:21
“Sound the Trumpet”
If you blink, you will miss the message of the book of Joel because it is only three chapters long and will be covered in one day. Joel is one of the “Minor Prophets,” which means the prophecy is shorter than a major prophecy but certainly not less important.
In fact, to miss the book of Joel would be a big loss because it is filled with important revelations about “The Day of the Lord.”
Joel preaches to the people of Judah because Jerusalem plays an important role in the end-time prophecies. He begins his short book with these words, “In all your history, has anything like this happened before?”
What are the people to tell their children?
We like to call things “Acts of Nature,” but we used to call them “Acts of God.”
Joel lets the people know that God himself leads the army of destruction to bring the nations to their knees.
The locusts have destroyed the vineyards. There is no more wine for the drunkards. The locusts have destroyed grapevines, fig-trees, crops, grain, fields, and olive oil.
There are no offerings to be offered in the Temple by the priests either.
The food has disappeared along with all joyful celebrations. There are fires burning, and the wild animals cry out…
He proclaims, “The Day of the Lord is near, the day when destruction comes from the ALMIGHTY: How terrible that day will be.” (1:15)
He calls the people to “sound the trumpet!”
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now while there is time.” (2:12)
In the midst of the “Day of the Lord,” God will pour out his spirit of conviction.
Perhaps you recognize this famous passage found in Joel 2: 28-32, “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on servants-- men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth--blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
When will this happen?
“I will gather the armies of the world into the ‘Valley of Jehosophat’. (Joel 3:2, 12)
Where is that located, we may wonder?
In verse 14, it is called ‘The Valley of Decision,” which refers to God’s decision to punish the nations for their repeated disobedience and breaking of the covenant.
The name “Jehoshaphat” means “The Lord Judges.”
I have listened to many teachings of prophecy where people just want to know the actual place, date, and time.
Is this so that they can get it booked on their calendar?
Perhaps, we, like the O.T. hearers of this prophecy, have somehow missed the point…
We see natural disasters on the rise, much like the contractions that lead to childbirth, but we miss the meaning behind all of this.
“The Lord Judges”!
He won’t tarry forever. Now is the day to look, listen, and see as God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is being poured out upon us.
Did we catch what he proclaimed in Joel 2: 28-32?
Sons and daughters will prophesy. While Christians are arguing amongst themselves about the role of women in the church, God is going to pour out his spirit, and “men and women alike” are going to be proclaiming his visions (Vs. 29) Old men will dream dreams, and young men will see visions.
These revelations will NOT be contrary to God’s Word. They will remind us of HIS Truth and call us to repentance.
Do you see nature’s calamities on the rise as the nations deny God?
It is time to “Sound the Trumpet”!
