Samuel Amirtharaj

APRIL 29, 2016

MIDDLE OLD TESTAMENT
“1. The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. 2. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye
inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? 3. Tell ye your children of it,
and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. 4. That which the palmerworm hath left
hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm
hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.”
 Without going into any details, Joel directly affirms that what he is going to say is the word of God. He
entitles that the words he is going to say/write are the words of God. Therefore, we can be sure that it is
God’s word and can gain the precious lesson mentioned in this book.
 There has been a locust invasion. We should understand that the prophet talks in the past tense. It is not
future, but rather it has already happened and the prophet questions the old men of Judah. Verse 4 makes
it plain that the disaster has already happened also Chap. 2: 25 makes it more clear where God promises
that he will restore what the cankerworm has eaten. Therefore, the prophet immediately starts with words of
condemnation even before any formal introduction.
 Why did the locust invasion occur? The answer is found in Deuteronomy 28, the chapter of blessings and
curse. There, Moses tells that to that people that if they will “not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy
God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these
curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:”2 Further along we find in vs. 38 “Thou shalt carry much
seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.” And vs. 42 “All thy trees
and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.” Thus this plague was a result of their disobedience to God’s
word. This was God’s displeasure on the people of Judah. This is why Joel later in his message calls for
repentance.
 The palmerworm, cankerworm, caterpiller, locust is generally believed to the different stages of a locust.
“The palmerworm, locust, etc., are thought to be different forms, at different stages of development, of one
insect.”3 Also the stairstep parallelism is used in vs. 4.
 Also the prophet, reminds them of the past. He tells them that such a thing has not happened before and tells
them to remind the future generations the result of their evil doings.
 The wise man says, “…the curse causeless shall not come.”4 It is a principle. Many of the sufferings we face are
the result of our mistakes. We should not blame God. We should examine ourselves to see where we have
fallen, repent and do the works pleasing to God. But the people of Judah were so insensitive to the results of

1 http://bibletools.info/Ezek_38.1 - Seventh – Day Adventist Bible Commentary on Ezekiel 38: 1

2 Deuteronomy 28: 15
3 Scofield Reference Notes – Comments on Joel 1: 4
4 Proverbs 26: 2
 their work that it required a prophet to remind them the results of their sins. Also, we should not fail to instruct
the people the results of the evil doings. By doing this, we are helping them not to follow our path.
Vs. 5 – 14 – “5. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it
is cut off from your mouth. 6. For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the
teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. 7. He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree:
he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white. 8. Lament like a virgin girded
with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. 9. The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of
the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn. 10. The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted:
the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. 11. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the
wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. 12. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree
languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are
withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men. 13. Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye
ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink
offering is withholden from the house of your God. 14. Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,”
 This is a call to repentance from the prophet Joel to the people of Judah. He also describes the effects of
the plagues on different people.
o He calls on the drunkards and he weeps to them saying that their vegetation is destroyed because
of these creatures. There was no wine for necessary use or for the debauchery.
 In vs. 6 & 7, we read that a nation is come up upon my land. Many use this as an evidence to say that the
plague of locust is figurative. We should take into notice of the following verses:
o “25. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26. The conies
are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27. The locusts have no king, yet go
they forth all of them by bands;” Proverbs 30: 25 – 27
 Here we see that the lower creatures are also referred to nations and multitudes.
 In vs. 8. We see a virgin lamenting for the husband of her youth. How does a virgin lament for her husband?
It seems like there might be a controversy here. The following mosaic law helps us to understand this
dichotomy
o “23. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and
lie with her; 24. Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them
with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because
he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.” Deuteronomy
22: 23, 24.
o In mosaic law we see that if a virgin is engaged to a person, she has already become the wife of
the person she is engaged to. So, this apparent contradiction is cleared.
o In spiritual sense, the people of Israel were engaged to God. They were ready to brake their
wedding covenant. And this is what the prophet seeks to explain to them.
 o “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of
Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54: 5.
 In vs. 9, we see that meat and drink offering is cut off from the land and the Joel tells the priests to mourn
because they cannot sacrifice to the Lord anymore. Their distinguishing practice from all other nations was
worship to Jehovah and now even this was hindered because of this plague. Also, the livelihood of the
priests largely hinged on the offerings of the people in which they were permitted to have a portion. Now,
because of this famine, they livelihood was threatened.
 From vs. 10 – 13, Prophet Joel describes the aftereffects of the plague and he describes how different
occupation are affected. As a result of this punishments, God calls the ministers to lament for their sins and to
lie in sackcloth. Throughout the Bible, sackcloth is mentioned to signify humbleness and penitence. God calls
the ministers to repent and seek God for their sins and of their people. Also, there is called forth a universal
revival. In this passage we see the earnestness of God in saving his people from the approaching
destruction. In fact, God is interested in saving his people than the people were interested in their own
salvation. We should keep in mind that this occurred before the captivity of Babylon. The temple was not yet
destroyed.
 We see here an allusion to the fourth plague of the seven last plague (Revelation 16: 8, 9). “In the plague that
follows, power is given to the sun "to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat." Verses 8, 9.
The prophets thus describe the condition of the earth at this fearful time: "The land mourneth; . . . because the
harvest of the field is perished. . . . All the trees of the field are withered: because joy is withered away from the
sons of men." "The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate. . . . How do the beasts groan!
the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture. . . . The rivers of water are dried up, and the
fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness." "The songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith
the Lord God: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence." Joel
1:10-12, 17-20; Amos 8:3.”5
 John the revelator and Ellen White allude the aftereffects of this plague to fourth of the Seven last plague. But
Sis. White also gives us the assurance that though the people of God will not be free from suffering, “while
persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish.
That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of
their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied. While the wicked are dying from
hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants. To him that "walketh righteously"
is the promise: "Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." "When the poor and needy seek water, and
there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake
them." Isaiah 33:15, 16; 41:17.”6
 Also, in vs. 13 we see the word of the ministers. Though it was also the sins of the people but still it is the work
of the minister to lead people to God. The minister shouldn’t be distant from his people, but he should bear

5 The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White Pg. 628. 1

6 The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White Pg. 629. 2
 responsibility to the sufferings of his people, just as Christ died for our sins. The minister should be a replica of
what Christ does to the church.
 An amazing lesson to be learned in vs. 14 is that there will come a time when we will call God but he will not
hear us. Our probation will have been ended. Our case would have been decided. A fine distinction between
drawn between the righteous and the wicked. But before the probation closes, God sends us warning. He calls to
people to sanctify and gather at the house of God. So also we should gather and pray for God’s mercies.
 “Let the many ministers of Christ sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, and seek God while He is to be found.
Call upon Him while you are now lying at the foot of the cross of Calvary.7
Vs. 15 “Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.”
 The phrase “the day of the Lord” is used 27 times in the Bible. Out of the 27 times the phrase is mentioned,
25 times it refers to the judgment context. This phrase is employed to talk about judgment upon various
nations. It is used to against the Israel the northern kingdom (Amos 5: 18), upon Egypt (Ezekiel 30: 3), Edom
(Obadiah 15), against Babylon (Isaiah 13: 6), against Judah (Isaiah 2: 12; Joel 1: 15; 2: 1). On the day of
the Lord, there is no chance for repentance, but rather the day of the Lord is the conclusion for probation of
any nation. Thus any chance of repentance should be done before the day approaches.
 Joel now seems to shift from the present condition to the future judgment. He tells the people that a future
judgment is coming. Therefore, he cries, alas for the day of God’s judgment is near.
 Interestingly, in the New Testament this phrase “the day of the Lord” has been used to describe of the second
coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5: 2; 2 Peter 3: 10). As God’s faithful witnesses in the last days, like Joel,
we ought to cry to the people regarding the day of the Lord. We should show the fulfillment of the signs of the
times and point the people to prepare their hearts to stand in the day of judgment. As the remnant movement,
we need to call people with the first Angel’s message to “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his
judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”8
The hour of God’s judgment is come. This Judgment hour message is our present truth. This is the message that
needs to go forth.
 “Troublous times are right upon us. The fulfilling of the signs of the times gives evidence that the day of the Lord
is near at hand. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the future. Bold robberies are of
frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of
demons are taking the lives of men and women and little children. All these things testify that the coming of
Christ is near at hand.”9

Vs. 1 – 11“1. Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the
land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 2. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day
of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath

7 Selected Messages Book 3 by Ellen G. White Pg. 189. 4

8 Revelation 14: 7
9 Review and Herald, March 14, 1912 Par. 1
not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 3. A fire devoureth
before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a
desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. 4. The appearance of them is as the appearance of
horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. 5. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like
the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 6. Before their face
the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 7. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb
the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 8.
Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall
not be wounded. 9. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the
houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 10. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall
tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 11. And the LORD shall utter
his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the
LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?”
 Synonyms parallelism is being employed in the phrase “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in
my holy mountain.” In antiquity the blowing of the trumpets has a very significant meaning. It is used to
assemble God’s people together. It is used to signal a war or a command to march (see Numbers 10: 1- 11).
Also, trumpets are a signal or a warning of an approaching enemy (ref. Ezekiel 33: 3). In this case, it is used
to bring to mind the urgency. So, here we see that the days preceding the day of the Lord are very
important as the preparation done during those days decide their destiny. As the day of the Lord nears, the
trumpet signal intensifies.
 Also, the command is given to blow the trumpet in Zion. This gives an internal evidence that the temple was
still present and thus a post-exilic date would not fit. So, the warning that were to be sounded is sounded at
the temple of God. The people were to be gathered at the temple. Why? Because the day of the Lord, the
day of punishment is near. The day in which God is going to bring his judgments is near.
 From vs. 2 – 11 we see that God is warning through his prophet to his people about the future judgments
that was going to take place. Most likely it refers to Babylonians. Though many commentators take the route
to say that it is also the locust plague, I prefer to say that it refers to the Babylonian captivity locally. Vs. 2
clearly talks about literal army than a band of locusts. The fact that this army is mentioned as the Lord’s
army (see vs. 11), shouldn’t trouble us, as God through Jeremiah calls Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon
as his servant in couple of places.
 “And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant;
and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.” Jeremiah 27: 6
 “Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee
will I destroy kingdoms;” Jeremiah 51: 20
 From vs. 3 – 10 we see the terrible things that could be done to the land, if this army invades them. All the
damages and the calamities that could occur, are mentioned here. But in vs. 10 and 11, there is a shift from
the literal local to the spiritual global. We see that when the army of the Lord comes, the sun and the moon shall
be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. This part is again repeated in vs. 30 & 31 of the same
 chapter. This is clearly alluding to the New Testament. Jesus mentioned it as one of the signs of his coming (cf.
Matthew 24: 29; Mark 13: 24 – 24; Luke 21: 25 – 26), the Apostle Peter used this as a fulfillment to their
time as well (Acts 2:20), and the apostle John sees this same sign when the sixth seal was broken (Revelation 8:
12). Thus we can be sure that this has global fulfillment in the last days before Jesus comes.
 So, God is telling to them all that they would suffer if they will not return to him. God is gracious as he shows
to them what will befall them if they don’t listen to his word. He does this not to threaten them but he loves
them and he wants to bring them back to him. This portion of the chapter ends with a question. In vs. 11, we
see the day of the Lord mentioned for the third time so far in the book. Another interesting point we find is
that in this portion of the chapter (Vs. 1 – 11), starts with the idea of the day of the Lord near, and it also
ends with the same idea. So, In-between these verses we find the description of the day of the Lord. We see
in these passages what will take place in day of judgment. God foretells the destruction that would come.
But this destruction would have been avoidable had they obeyed the voice of God. This becomes clearer
when we continue. But now, God mentions about the day of the Lord, and he asks a question which has been
echoed in many parts of the Bible in many different ways? Joel asks in vs. 11 “for the day of the LORD is
great and very terrible; and who can abide it?”
 We see this question being raised in Malachi 3: 2, but mostly importantly in Revelation 6: 17.
 “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6: 17.
 The answer to this question is the 144,000. We see their character described in Revelation 14: 1 – 5. To survive
the day of the Lord, we need the characteristics described. This is why Ellen White says that we should strive to
be among the 144,000.
Vs. 12 – 17 “12. Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and
with weeping, and with mourning: 13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your
God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14. Who
knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering
unto the LORD your God? 15. Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16. Gather the
people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the
bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD,
weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to
reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their
God?”
 This portion from Vs. 12 – 17 is an answer to the question raised earlies “who can abide it?” and a remedy
to the sin sick. If the people of Judah would have followed the prescribed remedy, they would have avoided
the punishments foretold.
 The fourfold remedy
o Turn to God with all heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning,
 This is not something new but this is what God has always wanted his people to fulfill. God
wants a complete surrender from them. Only true repentance would avert the judgment. In
Deuteronomy we find this beautiful promise from God. God says that he will not forsake
 them even if they repent and seek him with whole heart. God requires complete surrender.
The main reason this is mentioned was because the people of Judah turned their backs to
God. They have gone after other gods while they still sacrifice and make prayers to the
God of heaven. This is the main reason why God specifically mentions to them that they
need to turn to him with all their heart.
 “29. But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek
him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 30. When thou art in tribulation, and all these
things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and
shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31. (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not
forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware
unto them.” Deuteronomy 4: 29 – 31.
 “12. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto
you. 13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your
heart.” Jeremiah 29: 12, 13.
 Jesus also mentioned that we cannot serve God and mammon at the same time. Ellen White
writes that “A partial surrender to truth gives Satan free opportunity to work. Until the soul-
temple is fully surrendered to God, it is the stronghold of the enemy.”10 A complete surrender is
what God requires and a complete surrender is what will help us to stand at the day of the
Lord. It is said of the 144,000 the living saints that “they are without fault before the throne of
God.” Revelation 14: 5. Thus should be our experience if we want to stand in the day of God.
o Rend you heart and not garments,
 To rend our heart and not our garments means to come to God with a broken heart, a
contrite and humble spirit and not with outward forms and ceremonies. The rending of the
garments at that point of time represented the deep overpowering grief. Albert Barnes on
his notes on the Bible says the following, “The rending of the clothes was an expression of
extraordinary uncontrollable emotion, chiefly of grief, of terror, or of horror… it was not
used on occasion of death, unless there were something very grievous about its
circumstances.” Very often this was accompanied with fasting. Thus the rending of the
garments shows that a great calamity has occurred and it was sign of somber grief. So God
wanted the people not to rend their garments but he wanted them to rend their heart. What
does he mean when he say that?
 The garments here may represent their outward ceremonies. Over the course of time, this
became a formal ritual instead of showing this sign from the heart. This is typical Jewish
mentality. Their lives were full of formalism as they neglected the call to truly surrender.
Perhaps the people might have thought that observing the outward ceremonies and forms will
save them, but God calls them to rend their hearts. In Isaiah 57: 15 we find that God dwells in
those who are of the contrite and humble spirit. When we humble our hearts and rend our

10 Review and Herald, November 28, 1899 par. 5

 hearts by shows godly sorrow for sin and turn to God with repentance, then God will listen to
our plea. Christ also warned regarding this spiritual malady in Matthew 23 when he spoke to
the hypocrites about their condition.
 “The fasting which the word of God enjoins is something more than a form. It does not consist
merely in refusing food, in wearing sackcloth, in sprinkling ashes upon the head. He who fasts
in real sorrow for sin will never court display. The object of the fast which God calls upon us to
keep is not to afflict the body for the sin of the soul, but to aid us in perceiving the grievous
character of sin, in humbling the heart before God and receiving His pardoning grace. His
command to Israel was, "Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your
God." Joel 2:13.”11 True fasting leads to repentance and this is what God wants.
 In verse 14, we see that prophet Joel explains that if they would repent and bring fruits
meet to repentance, God may repent of the punishment that he said will come upon them.
Thus, it is very important for us to understand the conditional nature of God. If the
circumstance on which the judgment was proclaimed changes, then God will repent of his
punishments that he has already proclaimed. The prophet Joel understood this and he asks
the worldly to turn to God and the lukewarm to rend their hearts and not their garments.
 “To rend the garment is easy, but a broken and contrite heart can be imparted only by the
grace of the Holy Spirit. The love of God should bring us to repentance. He takes no pleasure
in our miseries and if men repent and turn from their sin they find an immediate and loving
welcome to the Father’s heart and home. Joel had called for the trumpet to announce war; he
now directs the trumpet blast to summon the people, from the highest to the lowest, to plead
for help. Prayer and true repentance and faith bring an immediate answer. As the husband
yearns over his erring but repentant wife, and is indignant with those who have maltreated her,
so will Jehovah remove from us, when we turn to Him, those who have cruelly oppressed us.”12
o Blow the trumpet and sanctify wholly,
 The blowing of trumpet is again mentioned to show the urgency and the intensity of the call
to repentance. There is a call to proclaim. This is a call not only for individuals but also as a
group, as a nation. It is the whole nation that was a reproach to God; therefore, Joel calls
them to proclaim a fast and call a solemn assembly. Joel calls all classes of people. Such a
fast one called only during the day of atonement.
 There is power in unity. We are living in the anti-typical day of atonement. God calls us to fast
and weep for the sins that we have committed. In Isaiah 58: 1 we see this call from God to us,
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression,
and the house of Jacob their sins.” We are called to cry aloud and lift our voice like a trumpet.
We are called to warn the world. This is our Mission. In Revelation 14: 6 – 12 we find our
message. All that God now wants from us is to fulfill our mission by preaching the message.

11 Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing Pg. 87. 1, 2

12 Through the Bible Day by Day F.B. Meyer – comments on Joel 2: 12 – 27.
 o Priests and ministers weep between the porch and altar.
 Joel encourages the priests and ministers to weep between the porch and altar. It is at this
spot where the priests brought their sacrifice victims. But now God doesn’t call them to bring
in a lamb for sacrifice, but he calls the priests to intercede for the sins of their people, a
replica of what Christ is doing for us.
 Peter says that we are the chosen generation, a royal priesthood. Thus we are to pray to God
that the reproach may not fall on us nor his people. We also see in the Bible where people
have interceded for God’s people. Like Moses, like Daniel, our great savior, Jesus. Ellen White
counsels us that “Let the many ministers of Christ sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, and
seek God while He is to be found. Call upon Him while you are now lying at the foot of the
cross of Calvary. Divest yourselves of all pride and as representative guardians of the
churches, weep between the porch and the altar, and cry "Spare Thy people, Lord, and give not
Thine heritage to reproach. Take from us what Thou wilt, but withhold not Thy Holy Spirit from
us, Thy people." Pray, oh, pray for the outpouring of the Spirit of God!”13
 From vs. 18 – 27 God promises what will come to them if they submit to God’s call to repentance. God
promises temporal restoration to them. But from vs. 28 – 32, God promises spiritual restoration. Again this
portion deals more with the last day than the days of the prophet Joel.
Vs. 28 – 32 “28. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29. And also
upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30. And I will shew wonders in the
heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the
moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 32. And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”
 It was God’s initial plan to pour out his spirit to all of the nation of Judah, but they didn’t turn to God wholly.
Therefore, that which did not fulfill to the literal Israel transferred to the spiritual Israel. “Afterward. Heb.
’achare-ken, “after this.” The phrase is indefinite as to time. It was God’s plan to bestow upon the restored
state of Israel the spiritual blessings here described (see on Eze. 39:29). Because of the failure of the
people, and the consequent rejection of the Jewish nation (see p. 33), the promises were not fulfilled to
literal Israel. These promises were transferred to spiritual Israel. Peter identified the events on the day of
Pentecost as a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:16-21). Instead of “afterward” Peter used the
phrase “in the last days” (v. 17).”14
 At the day of Pentecost when the apostles were speaking in tongues, the people gathered for the Passover
thought that they were drunk. But, Peter defended that the spirit’s manifestation at that point of time was of
God and it was not wine as the people perceived by quoting this passage. Thus Peter recognized that this
was partially fulfilled at the day of Pentecost.

13 Manuscript Releases Vol. Pg. 277. 3

14 http://bibletools.info/Joel_2.28 - SDA Bible Commentary on Joel 2: 28
  Ellen White writes the following, “If this prophecy of Joel met a partial fulfillment in the days of the apostles,
we are living in a time when it is to be even more evidently manifest to the people of God. He will so
bestow His Spirit upon His people that they will become a light amid the moral darkness; and great light will
be reflected in all parts of the world. O that our faith might be increased, that the Lord might work mightily
with His people.”15
 “In immediate connection with the scenes of the great day of God, the Lord by the prophet Joel has
promised a special manifestation of His Spirit. Joel 2:28. This prophecy received a partial fulfillment in the
outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full accomplishment in the manifestation
of divine grace which will attend the closing work of the gospel. . . .”16
 Though during the days of the early rain there was a partial fulfillment, Ellen White says that it will be even
more evident in the last days. This does not mean that everyone is going to prophesy or predict the future.
We should understand the word prophecy in its proper meaning. When we talk about prophesying, we tend
to think of predicting the future. But the word prophecy in Greek also means to simply speak or sing by
inspiration in prediction or simple discourse. So, prophesying should not be limited to prediction or
proclaiming a future prophecy, but we must also give room for its complete meaning.
 We are counseled that in the last days there will be a latter rain of the Holy Spirit, a special manifestation of
the spirit through which the work on earth will be finished. Ellen White says the following, “The outpouring of the
Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant. The Spirit
awaits our demand and reception.”17The Holy Spirit awaits our demand and reception. It is not any slack in
God’s park that is withholding this blessing, but it is our slackness.
 When do we receive the Holy Spirit? It is when we turn to God with all of our hearts and rend our hearts and
not our garments. “We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We can
discern the character of God, and accept Christ by faith, only as we consent to the bringing into captivity of
every thought to the obedience of Christ. And to all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure.”18
 Again in vs. 30, 31 is mentioned the natural phenomena that would occur prior to the day of the Lord. For its
fulfillment (cf. Matthew 24: 29; The Great Controversy Pg. 307, 308). Thus, this portion specifically has more
meaning to the last days than the days in which Joel was living.

“1. For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2. I
will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there
for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. 3.
And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might
drink. 4. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me
a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head; 5.

15 EGW S.D.A. Commentary Vol. 4 Pg. 1175. 2

16 The Faith I Live By Pg. 292. 5
17 Christ's Object Lessons Pg. 121. 1
18 Gospel Workers Pg. 57. 1
Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things: 6. The
children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far
from their border. 7. Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your
recompence upon your own head: 8. And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of
Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it. 9. Proclaim ye this
among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10.
Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11. Assemble
yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to
come down, O LORD. 12. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit
to judge all the heathen round about. 13. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the
press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. 14. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for
the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars
shall withdraw their shining. 16. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the
heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of
Israel. 17. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be
holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.”
 God always plans prosperous blessings for his people. God plans to purify his people from all the evil
influences and from the schemes and atrocities of the gentiles. Through Joel God promised to the people of
Judah that he will judge all the nations around them. The nations who had scorned them, the nations who had
abused the sons and daughters of Judah, nations who stole silver and gold from the house of God, nations
who had done all sorts of evil. God promised that he will gather them at the valley of Jehoshaphat, which
means “Jehovah-judged.” God wanted to deal justly with the people of Judah and also the other nations.
He sought to recompense everyone according to their deeds. But sadly this didn’t happy to the literal Israel.
God promised them great blessings on condition of purity which the people of Judah did not comply to. Thus,
these literal blessings are transferred to spiritual Israel.
 Before looking into the spiritual global application, we should spend some time to clear some misconceptions
that people gain from this passage. The valley of Jehoshaphat is mentioned nowhere else in the scriptures.
But there are many speculations made. But in the 2 Chronicles 20 we find a record of event where
Jehoshaphat defeated “Ammonites, Moabites and the Edomites” who pursued to “to cast us (Israelites) out of
thy possession, which thou (God) hast given us (Israelites) to inherit.”19 God fought for his people and slew
the gentiles who wanted to wipe out God’s people. The place where they battled is called as the “valley of
Berachah.”20 Thus we may assume the imagery of this episode is being emphasized in Joel.
 Even at the end of time, God is in a purification process. He doesn’t want to leave the taint and scar that sin
has caused. So, we see the Armageddon take place. In Revelation 16: 1421 we find that the devil will
deceive the whole world by means of miracle and he will gather all the nations of this world to battle

19 2 Chronicles 20: 11
20 2 Chronicles 20: 26
21 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to

gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

 against God. Also we find in Revelation 14: 13 – 20 the two harvest and it is interesting to note that the
language there is borrowed from and is alluded to Joel 3. The use of the word ‘sickle’ strengthens this point.
Again in Revelation 20: 8, 922 we find the same symbolism is employed. Satan tries to compass the camp of
the saints to destroy them, but fire comes down from heaven to devour them. Ellen White explains more
vividly on this event…
 “Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little
company that are resisting his supremacy…As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the
near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God.”23
 “Satan consults with his angels, and then with these kings and conquerors and mighty men. They look upon
the strength and numbers on their side, and declare that the army within the city is small in comparison with
theirs, and that it can be overcome. They lay their plans to take possession of the riches and glory of the
New Jerusalem. All immediately begin to prepare for battle. Skillful artisans construct implements of war.
Military leaders, famed for their success, marshal the throngs of warlike men into companies and divisions.
 “At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves on--an army such as was never
summoned by earthly conquerors, such as the combined forces of all ages since war began on earth could
never equal. Satan, the mightiest of warriors, leads the van, and his angels unite their forces for this final
struggle. Kings and warriors are in his train, and the multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its
appointed leader. With military precision the serried ranks advance over the earth's broken and uneven
surface to the City of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of the New Jerusalem are closed, and the
armies of Satan surround the city and make ready for the onset.”24 {GC 664.3}
 “Fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are
drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has
come that shall burn as an oven. The elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are
therein are burned up. Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10. The earth's surface seems one molten mass--a vast,
seething lake of fire. It is the time of the judgment and perdition of ungodly men--"the day of the Lord's
vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion." Isaiah 34:8.”25
 Before the final destruction, the second death, there is a judgment as Revelation 20: 12 says that the books
were opened and God judges every one according to their works. After the destruction of the wicked who
sought to destroy God, we have the promise that iniquity will not rise again the second time very similar to
the promise found in Joel 3: 17 where the Bible says that “there shall no strangers pass through her any
more.” Thus, this portion of the scripture refers to the final battle against God and Satan, against God’s
people and Satan's followers, and with the vindication of God’s character. From vs 18 – 21 is described the
sweet ever after that God has planned for his people.

22 “8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them
together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured
them.”
23 Christian Service Pg. 157. 1
24 The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White Pg. 664. 3
25 The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White Pg. 672. 2.