How could Joel write that the Day of the Lord `is at hand', `is nigh at hand', `is near'?

This is indeed a problem and one which some expositors fail to face. We may not be able

to fully understand what is meant here but prayerfully and in all humility we should

consider it.

First this is not a problem of translation.

"Is close at hand"! "Is upon us"! We search the book of Joel in vain for an answer

but I Cor. 2: 13 exhorts us to compare "spiritual with spiritual" and if we can find the

same or similar expression in Scripture and see how that is used we can get a clue to help

solve the problem in Joel.

Matthew 3: opens with John the Baptist preaching . . . . .:

He is not alone in this call. In Matt. 4: 17 the Lord Jesus Christ says:

Mark 1: 14, 15 has similar words and if we understand that the kingdom referred to

and the repentance required are the same as those referred to and required by the O.T.

prophets then we can appreciate that we are again dealing with the repentance of Israel

and the restoration of their kingdom by their Messiah from heaven. But although this

kingdom was at hand, it wasn't set up! Instead of solving the problem of Joel we seem to

have added to it. Let's add more!

In Matt. 16: 28 the Lord says:

This is repeated in Mark 9: 1 and Luke 9: 27. Some claim that this was fulfilled at

the transfiguration which took place soon after (Matt. 17: 1-9), but that does not seem to

be correct especially as Mark 9: 1 has: