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Many passages of Scripture can throw light upon this tremendous event.
Zech.xiv.1-11 is well worth reading and states that "then shall the Lord go forth and
fight". Matt. 24: 1-31 is another valuable passage showing that "except those days be
shortened, there should no flesh be saved" (verse 22). In this crazy attempt to wipe out
the Jew it appears Satan is prepared to wipe out humanity but God steps in. What a
tremendous day that will be when God, in the person of Christ, breaks into the world.
Rev. 19: 11-21 tries to describe that day but it is far from easy to understand. We could
go on for much longer but perhaps we have thrown enough light on to what is behind
Joel 2: 20 and what is behind the expression:
"I will remove from you him that cometh from the north" (Joel 2: 20, J.N.D.).
No.5.
2: 21 - 32.
pp. 47 - 54
We now come to the central part of Joel's prophecy and will, in this study, deal with
the longest section of the ones entitled "Good bestowed; land and people". To help us
we set out the following structure:
2: 21-27. Temporal gifts and signs
2: 21a.
Words to the soil
2: 21b.
Reason
2: 22a.
Words to the beasts
2: 22b.
Reason
2: 23a.
Words to the people
2: 23b-27.
Reason
2: 28-32. Spiritual gifts and signs
2: 28, 29. Pour out My spirit
2: 30, 31. Wonders in heaven
2: 32.
Deliverance
The return of Christ, merely alluded to in Joel 2: 20, heralds in a time when "The
Lord shall be King over the earth" (Zech. 14: 9). However we must remember that His
Kingship will not be immediately acknowledged. Initially He is to rule with a rod of iron
(Psa. 2: 5) and this is understandable if we appreciate what the world would have just
gone through. Rev. 13: gives us that sad picture, from one point of view, and
Matt.xxiv.21 describes that time as "a great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be".
Joel 2: 21. After the great battle, swiftly passed over by Joel in 2: 20, there will be
the need for food for the animals and the people. It is not surprising, therefore, that the
first words of the Lord are addressed to the soil (adamah) which is told not to fear
because He, the Lord, will do great things. What exactly--we are not immediately told.