Joel 2

Joel 2

Vernon McGee - In understanding this prophecy, it is of utmost importance to note the time of fulfillment indicated in this passage: “And it shall come to pass (afterward).” Joel has been telling us about the coming Day of the Lord. As the first of the writing prophets, he introduced it, and he tells what is going to take place during that period. He has emphasized the fact that it will begin with the darkness of the Great Tribulation Period (our Lord Jesus gave it that name). We noted the importance of the time sequence in Hosea 3:5 reads: “Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.” We identified the “last days” as that time of the Great Tribulation Period which ushers in the kingdom by the coming of Christ to the earth, which is the beginning of the Millennium. This leads us to conclude that Joel is now speaking of a very definite period of time, that this prophecy is to be fulfilled during the Day of the Lord, after the night of the Great Tribulation. Then God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. (Thru the Bible Commentary) What does it mean that God will pour out His Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28)? A PROPOSED TIMELINE OF THE DAY OF THE LORD Below is a schematic of the Day of the Lord. Note that they are 2 suggested possible starting dates - (1) After a pre-tribulation rapture or (2) In the Middle of the Tribulation (aka The Seventieth Week of Daniel), which is the time the Antichrist commits the "abomination of desolation" in the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem (Da 9:27-note; 2 Th 2:3-note; 2 Th 2:4-note) which sets in motion the 3.5 year Great Tribulation (Begins - Mt 24:15-note, named - Mt 24:21-note). This 3.5 year Great Tribulation is synonymous with (1) The Time of Jacob's Distress (Jeremiah 30:7-note) and (2) "A time of distress"(Da 12:1-note). Notice also (and this is critical) that this same 3.5 year period is synonymous with other time phrases = 1260 days, 42 months, "time, times, and half a time", (if these numbers/phrases are symbolic as some non-literalists claim, then why did the Spirit go to such lengths to inspire four separate synonymous time phrases? Are they simply a coincidence? I think they are given so the Spirit taught reader will NOT miss this crucial time when God pours out His wrath on the godless world and on the nation of Israel). This 3.5 year period of divine wrath unleashed on the planet is without question a major component or manifestation of the time referred to as the Day of the Lord. The Great Tribulation will be "cut short" by the return of the Messiah (Mt 24:22-note, Mt 24:30-note) Notice point (3) below shows that the Day of the Lord extends throughout the Millennium until the heavens and the earth pass away (2 Pe 3:10-note, cf Rev 20:11-note = " earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them") John MacArthur on the Day of the Lord in the book of Joel - The theme of Joel is the Day of the Lord. It permeates all parts of Joel’s message, making it the most sustained treatment in the entire OT (Joel 1:15; 2:1; 2:11; 2:31; 3:14). The phrase is employed 19 times by 8 different OT authors (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6,9; Ezek. 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1,11,31; 3:14; Amos 5:18 [2x], Amos 5:20; Obad. 1:15; Zeph. 1:7,14 [2x]; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5). The phrase does not have reference to a chronological time period, but to a general period of wrath and judgment uniquely belonging to the Lord. It is exclusively the day which unveils His character—mighty, powerful, and holy, thus terrifying His enemies. The Day of the Lord does not always refer to an eschatological event; on occasion it has a near historical fulfillment, as seen in Ezekiel 13:5, where it speaks of the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem. As is common in prophecy, the near fulfillment is an historic event upon which to comprehend the more distant, eschatological fulfillment. The Day of the Lord is frequently associated with seismic disturbances (e.g., Joel 2:1–11; Joel 2:31; Joel 3:16), violent weather (Ezekiel 13:5ff.), clouds and thick darkness (e.g., Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:7ff.), cosmic upheaval (Joel 2:3,30), and as a “great and very terrible” (Joel 2:11) day that would “come as destruction from the Almighty” (Joel 1:15). The latter half of Joel depicts time subsequent to the Day of the Lord in terms of promise and hope. There will be a pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh, accompanied by prophetic utterances, dreams, visions (Joel 2:28,29), as well as the coming of Elijah, an epiphany bringing restoration and hope (Mal. 4:5,6). As a result of the Day of the Lord there will be physical blessings, fruitfulness, and prosperity (Joel 2:21ff.; Joel 3:16–21). It is a day when judgment is poured out on sinners that subsequently leads to blessings on the penitent, and reaffirmation of God’s covenant with His people. (Introduction to Joel) Related Resources: The Prophet’s Watchword Day of the Lord -- Richard L. Mayhue - Grace Theological Journal 6:2 Fall 1985 Video on the Day of the LORD by Ray Bentley - At Epicenter Conference with Joel Rosenberg Heaven & earth fled away (Rev 20:11-note) || V Pre-Tribulation Rapture The Seven Year "Tribulation" 70th Week of Daniel Daniel 9:27-note (3) Day of Lord extends thru the Millennium 2 Pe 3:10-note < Great White Throne Judgment of Unbelievers Rev 21:10-note (1) Day of the Lord begins before the "Tribulation" (2) Day of Lord begins in Middle of the "Tribulation" Messiah returns to cut short the Great Tribulation 1000 Years The Millennial Reign of Christ Rev 20:4,5,6-note New Heaven New Earth Rev 20:11-15-note 3.5 Years Synonymous times 3.5 Years Synonymous times Joel 2:28-32 - Holy Spirit Poured Out! Dorothy Sayers tells of a Japanese convert struggling to grasp Christian theology. “Honorable Father, very good. Honorable Son, very good. But Honorable Bird, I do not understand at all." ...Do you have any Holy Spirit hang ups? How can we sum up the Spirits work in our lives? The Spirit created us in his very image; then we chose to abandon that love relationship & went our own way. So, He gave us the revelation of truth(this exposed our true condition & God's salvation…thus hope was born!). In responding to his truth w/repentance & faith we realize the Holy Spirit regenerated us, forgave us, redeemed us, changing our very nature & came to live in us. He transforms us; He fills us; He makes us overcomers; He gifts us; He sends us; & He glorifies us. He Teaches us; Sanctifies us; Illuminates us; Baptizes us; & He brings us Comfort! Q: How much time do you give in thinking about the Holy Spirit? Q: How about thanking Him for all He has done or is doing in your life?(I know not to pray to him per se) - (Brian Bell) VARIOUS INTERPREATIONS Gilliland has a well reasoned analysis regarding the three major interpretative views of Joel 2:28 - This short paragraph in Joel (Joel 2:28-32) is the section of his prophecy which most closely connects with the New Testament....When it was alleged that those who spoke in tongues "the wonderful works of God" were "full of new wine" (Acts 2:11-13), Peter quickly responded by citing this prophecy concerning the Spirit and prefacing his defense by stating, "this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel ..." (Acts 2:16). It was not a matter of intoxication but of inspiration! However, the full import of Peter's quotation of Joel has generated no small discussion. What exactly was the nature of the correspondence between "this" in Acts 2 and "that" in the prophecy of Joel 2? Many suggestions concerning the relationship of these two passages have been expressed....Of the many variations which are voiced, most seem to fall into one of the following three categories: THE NORMAL-FULFILLMENT VIEW Some teach that Acts 2 is a complete accomplishment of Joel's prophecy and that Peter's citation of the prophet is in the normal sense of fulfilment. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place as prophesied and the Church has replaced Israel in the programme of God and no further or future fulfilment need be expected. Many who take this view see the judgments, when the sun and moon will be darkened and the earth will shake, as metaphorical of severe disturbances in society and nature, and as having been fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in ad 70. THE NON-FULFILLMENT VIEW Such is the opinion of C. C. Ryrie: "Peter was not saying that the prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost or even that it was partially fulfilled". Those who agree with this have strongly emphasised that Peter deliberately avoided any mention of "fulfillment". In Acts 2:16 he did not say this "fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet Joel". He carefully says, "this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel". This is quite a contrast with Peter's remark in the previous chapter where, referring to Judas and Psalm 69, he said, "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled" (Acts 1:16). In other words Peter is indicating analogy not fulfillment. The parallel is that both in Joel and Acts there is an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit evidenced by supernatural effects. There is no mention in Joel of speaking in tongues but there is mention of seeing visions and dreaming dreams. The two situations were not equal in all respects but did share this common feature of the pouring out of the Spirit and its visible proof. Fulfillment awaits a coming day of millennial blessing. Thus Peter is not confusing two dispensations, rather he is comparing two blessings. THE NEAR-FULFILLMENT VIEW Others, while rejecting option (a), feel that option (b) does not allow for the full force of Peter's language. He does not say "this is like that ..." or, "this is an illustration of that ...". His words are so emphatic that it is difficult to completely deny some sense of fulfillment in Peter's language. That there was "a" fulfillment of Joel's words they do not deny, but this does not preclude a further fulfillment in a later time frame. FOUR CONSIDERATIONS In choosing between, or in combining, the above options the following four considerations need to be kept in mind. First, any opinion which tends toward the view that the Church has replaced Israel must be rejected. Such supercessionism, though popular in much preaching and in many publications, does not stand the test of Scriptural examination. The cumulative testimony of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, both prophet and apostle, is that "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew" (Romans 11:2-note). Though Israel and the church may share blessings this is totally distinct from the transfer of blessing. Second, it is vital to notice that Peter, by the Holy Spirit, makes some changes to the quotation from Joel and introduces explanatory clauses which are not found in the Hebrew text of Joel 2 or in the Septuagint Greek translation. The most remarkable of these changes is where Peter replaces the "afterward" ("after this") of Joel 2:28 with "in the last days". (ED: See discussion of Last Days) The latter is an expression which denotes the great age of Messianic fulfillment. The outpouring is a signal indicating that this end time era has arrived and the New Testament often associates the events of Christ's first coming with the "last days" (Acts 2:17). Peter is not affirming that this outpouring will never happen again. (ED: NOR IS HE SAYING THAT THE SPIRIT WILL NOT BE POURED OUT ON EVERY PERSON BORN AGAIN DURING THE MESSIANIC AGE WHICH OVERLAPS WITH THE CHURCH AGE). Third, in the quotation from the ancient prophet three items are predicted as belonging to "the last days". (1) The Spirit will be poured out, (2) supernatural signs will happen on earth and sky, and (3) salvation will be granted to those whom the Lord shall call (ED: AND WHO CALL ON THE LORD). It is noteworthy that Peter highlights the first and third of these items in his message. The Spirit is in evidence and in Acts 2:39 he announces the salvation promise to "as many as the Lord our God shall call". He does not elaborate the second of the three predictions for the simple reason that this part of the prophecy received no fulfillment at Pentecost nor since. Such a fulfillment awaits the judgments which will accompany the "great and awesome day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31). It is a well recognized feature that Old Testament prophecy does not always distinguish between events connected with the two comings of the Lord Jesus (ED: THE FIRST COMING INAUGURATING THE "MESSIANIC AGE" AND THE SECOND COMING THE "DAY OF THE LORD" WITH ITS "COSMIC CHAOS"). Fourth, it is also worth remembering that while Joel's prophecy did anticipate the outpouring of the Spirit on "all flesh", the Old Testament prophet made no mention of the fact that simultaneous with this outpouring there would be a baptism into one body. This truth of the church as one body was a revelation unique to the New Testament and formed no part of Old Testament prediction. It may well be that on the lips of Peter the expression "all flesh" had a wider connotation than in the Old Testament prophet. Certainly, in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) Peter was to witness this blessing as inclusive of Gentiles. CONCLUSION In conclusion, it is clear that Peter sees in the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost a preliminary fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (some speak of a partial fulfillment, but this is something of a contradiction in terms; preliminary is less objectionable). The "last days" have already commenced (ED: WITH CHRIST'S FIRST COMING) and they will continue until the Second Coming of Christ, at which time there will be a further outpouring of the Holy Spirit (ED: ESPECIALLY ON ISRAEL - SEE Zechariah 12:10ff-note). Price puts it succinctly: "Pentecost fulfills Joel's prediction about the coming of the Spirit. It does not exhaust it, however". It must have been quite startling to Peter's audience to be told, not only that the Spirit had been poured out, but that the one responsible for this outpouring of blessing was none other than "that same Jesus whom ye have crucified" and whom God had made "both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). Whether it is the Savior's exaltation as the risen Christ in this era, or as the reigning Christ in the age to come, His exaltation in both periods will be demonstrated by the supernatural effusion of the Holy Spirit. (What the Bible Teaches – Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah - recommended little known resource from scholars in the United Kingdom. ) Joel 2:29 "Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 1Co 12:13 Ga 3:28 Col 3:11 In those days - In those days when Israel's son's and daughters will prophesy," in those days when God displays wonders in the sky...the sun...the moon, (Joel 2:30-31), in those days preceding the great and awesome Day of the LORD. (Joel 2:31) Garrett - The major characteristic of the outpouring of the Spirit is its universality. All the people of God receive the Spirit. The text specifically erases the major social distinctions of the ancient world: gender, age, and economic status. In an era in which men (not women), the old (not the young), and the landowners (not slaves) ruled society, Joel explicitly rejected all such distinctions as criteria for receiving the Holy Spirit. For Paul the fulfillment of this text is that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female, and neither slave nor free (Gal 3:28). In this text, however, the Spirit is universal in that he is given to all Israel (cf. Ezek 39:29; Zech 12:10) rather than to all humanity (note “your sons and daughters … your old men … your young men”; italics added). This does not mean, however, that Joel altogether excluded Gentiles from participation in the kingdom of God. Rather, speaking to his own dispirited generation, he emphasized that Israel and not some other nation would have this great proof that God is among them. From the biblical perspective the Gentiles’ reception of the Spirit does not mean that God is no longer God of Israel but that Gentiles have submitted to Israel’s God. In summary, for Joel the gift of the Spirit to Israel was vindication of their status as the people of God as well as the source of their power to reconstitute as a community of obedience under God’s favor. The surprising turn of events in the New Testament (Acts 10:45) has not invalidated that vision but has extended it. (NAC) Charles Feinberg states "There is no recorded case in the Old Testament where the gift of prophecy was granted to a slave. In the latter days, however, the fond desire of Moses (Nu 11:29) will be realized. The dreams, visions, and prophecy spoken of here are the three modes mentioned in Numbers 12:6. Note that verse 29 reiterates the same truth given in verse 28: “I will pour out my Spirit.” The time element is also repeated. (The Minor Prophets) Keil and Delitzsch have an interesting comment on the outpouring of the Spirit on servants or slaves - The outpouring of the Spirit upon slaves (men-servants and maidens) is connected by vegam, as being something very extraordinary, and under existing circumstances not to be expected. Not a single case occurs in the whole of the Old Testament of a salve receiving the gift of prophecy. Amos, indeed, was a poor shepherd servant, but not an actual slave. And the communication of this gift to slaves was irreconcilable with the position of slaves under the Old Testament. Consequently even the Jewish expositors could not reconcile themselves to this announcement. The lxx, by rendering it ἐπὶ τοὺς δούλους μου καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς δούλας μου, have put servants of God in the place of the slaves of men; and the Pharisees refused to the ὄχλος even a knowledge of the law (John 7:49). The gospel has therefore also broken the fetters of slavery (Ed: Compare Paul's words in Col 3:11-note on the radical transformation of the Gospel on its recipients producing "a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all."). (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament) Servants (05650)('ebed from 'abad = work in any sense) means a slave or bondservant. Slavery in Israel amounted to indentured servitude. A fellow Israelite could not be held indefinitely against his will. In fact, his time of service was limited to 6 yr (Ex 21:2). The master could be punished if evil intent against the slave was proven (Ex 21:14) or if the slave died (Ex 21:20). These types of servants held a position of honor (Ge 24:2ff; 41:12, 15:2). Joel 2:30 "I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth: Mt 24:29 Mk 13:24 Lu 21:11,25,26 Ac 2:19,20 Rev 6:12-17 Blood, fire and columns of smoke: Ge 19:28 Jos 8:20 Jud 20:38,40 Song 3:6 Rev 18:9,18 COSMIC SIGNS AT THE COMING OF CHRIST I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke - Cosmic signs are clearly linked with the future Day of the LORD and the events he has just described in the previous verses. Acts 2:16-21 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 (PETER IS QUOTING Joel 2:28) ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS ; 18 (PETER IS QUOTING Joel 2:29) EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. 19 (PETER IS QUOTING Joel 2:30)‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. 20 (PETER IS QUOTING Joel 2:31)‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. 21 (PETER IS QUOTING Joel 2:32) ‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’ Comment: Note that Peter is quoting from the Septuagint and not from the Hebrew text. Most of the NT quotes from the OT are taken from the Septuagint, which certainly underscores the authenticity and usefulness of the Septuagint which I fear many Bible students have largely neglected as a source to aid their study of the Old Testament Scriptures. Keil and Delitzsch - Judgment upon all nations goes side by side with the outpouring of the Spirit of God. The wonders which God will give in the heavens and upon earth are the forerunners of judgment. Mōphethīm (see at Exodus 4:21) are extraordinary and marvelous natural phenomena. The wonders on earth are mentioned first, in Joel 2:30b; then in Joel 2:31 those in the heavens. Blood and fire recall to mind the plagues which fell upon Egypt as signs of the judgment: the blood, the changing of the water of the Nile into blood (Ex 7:17); the fire, the balls of fire which fell to the earth along with the hail (Ex 9:24). Blood and fire point to bloodshed and war. Timrōth ʿâshân ("columns of smoke") signifies cloud-pillars (here and in Song 3:6)... This sign has its type in the descent of Jehovah upon Sinai, at which the whole mountain smoked, and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a smelting-furnace (Exodus 19:18). We have not to think, therefore, of columns of cloud ascending from basons of fire, carried in front of caravans or armies on the march to show the way (see at Song of Sol. 3:6), but of pillars of cloud, which roll up from burning towns in time of war (Isaiah 9:17). (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament - Volume 10: The Minor Prophets) Joel 2:31 "The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. The sun will be turned into darkness : Joe 2:10 3:1,15 Isa 13:9,10 34:4,5 Mt 24:29 27:45 Mk 13:24,25 Lu 21:25 Rev 6:12,13 Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes: Zep 1:14-16 Mal 4:1,5 COSMIC SIGNS PRECEDE THE DAY OF THE LORD The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood - A similar description is given by John describing the Lamb's breaking of the sixth seal on the Scroll ("the title deed to the earth") I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Revelation 6:12-13-note Jesus described similar signs that would accompany His return Matthew 24:29-commentary “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.