< Joel 2 >

Having described the invasion of the land by the four great kingdoms by the metaphor of locusts, the LORD recounts how terrible their armies would be against Israel, referring to them invaders as "his army" v.11Joel 2:11XWaiting for response and calling the occasion "The day of the LORD" v.1Joel 2:1XWaiting for response of which their were many over the centuries.

Therefore, the LORD called upon Israel to turn unto him with all their heart and he would repent of the evil he had brought upon them and greatly bless them.

The last invasion before the establishment of the Kingdom of God in Israel will be that of Gog (Ezekiel 38:17-18)Ezekiel 38:17-18XWaiting for response who is also the King of the North (Daniel 11:40-41)Daniel 11:40-41XWaiting for response but he will be defeated by God through the Lord Jesus Christ who will have returned from heaven, dispersing this northern army v.20Joel 2:20XWaiting for response (Ezekiel 38:22-23)Ezekiel 38:22-23XWaiting for response (Daniel 11:45).Daniel 11:45XWaiting for response Thus the LORD will do great things for Israel v.21.Joel 2:21XWaiting for response

The LORD will continue to do great things for them v.26Joel 2:26XWaiting for response and he will pour out his spirit in all flesh v.28,Joel 2:28XWaiting for response i.e. upon faithful men and women of every ethnicity, as happened when the apostles began to preached the gospel throughout the world (Act 2:1-4). That, however, was just an earnest of the spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5),2 Corinthians 5:5XWaiting for response a foretaste and guarantee, of the great outpouring which will occur when the faithful are raised from the dead, and given spiritual bodies (1 Corinthians 15:44,51-52).1 Corinthians 15:44,51-52XWaiting for response These two events are called "the former and latter rains", referring to the fact the the farmer in Israel required rain when planting the seed and again in the time of harvest. This represents the sowing of the word of God by by apostles when they received the Holy Spirit and the harvest of the earth when our Lord Jesus returns. During the time in between the seed develops and appears again as flourishing plant ready to be reaped, which all happens unseen by the world, as is the development of "trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD that he might be glorified". (Isaiah 61:3).Isaiah 61:3XWaiting for response

Now is also the time, including now, when men and women can call upon the LORD and be saved. v.32Joel 2:32XWaiting for response (Acts 2:17,21).Acts 2:17,21XWaiting for response