It is work-time, let us refuse to be distracted in this season.
When God tells of a coming event, he prepares his people. (See Mark 13:7)
There are always stages to this preparation:
Let's look at the sequence of events by the prophet Joel, some are repeated but the arrangement is consistent.
First from Joel1:1 -12, we have an
1. Evaluation of situation, economic, but invariably he is looking beyond to their spiritual, moral and social state. The invasion of the locust has left the Holy land and people derelict. Locust (viz destruction or 'the destroyer') had overtaken the land (the land God gave his people).
2. So, from Joel 1:13 the Lord calls for a realignment of the hearts and actions of all: from the elders, the children, to the priests and farmers. Why? because this was tied to the state of the land (Kingdom) and left them prone to punishment in the forthcoming judgement.
3. He wants to save so the Lord is not ambiguous but tells them precisely what to do:
"Declare a holy fast;
call a sacred assembly..."
If short consecrate yourself, the people and the land by prayer and fasting to see where you need to be realigned.
He then calls for repentance i.e turning from the wrong to the right i.e. a re-orientation. (Joel 1:13 -14, repeated in 2:12 -13, 15, see Ephesians 5:26 )
4. Then they are to "Sound the alarm." Let all know that the time is short before the Lord's Day. Announce it loudly. Joel 2:1)
[While, I do know that the Church has varying views on the Lord's day, - some believe this is the second coming/Armageddon and that the Church will be raptured before then, while others sew this as the rapture - either way, this refers to a sequence of preparation before a judgement - either the rapture or the Lord's second coming.)
5. Their actions of self-evaluation, realignment, repentance and awareness of the times leads to YHWH acting on their behalf in Joel 2:18.
[THEN the Lord was jealous for his land and took pity on his people.
The Lord replied to them:
“I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,
enough to satisfy you fully;..."
20 “I will drive the northern horde far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land;..."]
This means he removed the evil and the destroyer from them made them victorious and caused their economy and environment (world) to prosper.
[22 "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."]
6. He then filled his people with joy and an abundance of rain for a natural harvest,
[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.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.]
7. And [filled them with his spirit for] a spiritual harvest and renewal/revival broke out!
[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.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.]
All this was the sequence of preparation of the people before his judgement.
It entailed:
1. Evaluation
2. Realignment with His word (will)
3. Awareness and proclamation of the (times) i.e warnings of the impending Day.
4. Victory, Strength, spiritual awakening and abundance of the people BEFORE the 'Day'
5. Salvation for all who call on his name.
(If the alarm had not been sounded (published, spread) early enough, would the people know what name to call?)
Joel shows how the Lord in his loving kindness and goodness reveals to his people the way of preparation and salvation for themselves and their world.
YHWH never leaves us in the dark about his plans and on what we need to do. We might not have all the details, but we always have all we need in His scripture because he is the Good Shepherd.
His voice (word) is vital because it is by it (through his Holyspirit) we are directed step by step.
As he was clear then, he is still clear today.
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13
''as you look forward to the day of God and speed it's coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. '' 2 Peter 3:12 -14
P.S
I'd like to kindly refer us to the writing on Tuesday titled Transmutation. The Lord expressly spoke about two hands. "Like the human body, two good hands – each strengthening and complementing the other." While this did have a three-layered meaning, they all stand. The head is Jesus Christ our Lord. We constitute the other parts. It is not either or, it is both. May we all be at peace as one in Jesus' name amen.
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