Episode 125: Joel 2-3 - The Day of the Lord - Deliverance & Judgment - PART 1

Joel 2 & 3 - “The Day of the Lord” - Judgment & DeliverancePast, Present and Future**Initial Thoughts for ROCK1. Joel 2 Generation Blog & Podcast –Mike Bickle – “Explanation: The term Joel’s army has been used to signify the people who walk out the principles of prayer with fasting as taught in Joel 2:12–17.The term has been used much like “Joseph Company,” “Gideon Band,” or “David Company” to signify the people who embraced the godly qualities that Joel taught about prayer, fasting, and wholehearted obedience. Paul Cain had a prophetic word about a “Joel’s army in training,” referring to a group of people who would give themselves to prayer and fasting according to Joel 2:12–17. When used like this,“Joel’s army” does not refer specifically to the destroying army mentioned in Joel 2:1–11, but to people who walk out the lifestyle portrayed in Joel 2:12–17. The misunderstanding comes from giving the title “Joel’s army” to both the destroying army (Joel 2:1–11) and the group of people who give themselves to fasting and prayer (Joel 2:12–17).”2. Johnny Enlow – Red Sea moment – Judgment & Deliverance**Why study the Book of Joel?The reason is because it was meant to be received as a prophetic book to equip end-time forerunners to prepare the unprepared for the unique dynamics that will occur in the generation in which Jesus returns. We study this three-chapter prophecy because God has uniquely designed its message to prepare the end-time Church for glory and crisis in the Day of the Lord. Joel is a dynamic instruction manual to prepare the Bride of Christ for such a time as this.In the Lord’s kindness, He has given this book as a preparatory tool to equip the generation living at the Lord’s return for the heightened scope of glory and crisis they will encounter. (Mike Bickle)**Context / Background – Joel 2 & 3931BC – Kingdom Divides (Northern = 10 tribes / Southern = 2 tribes?? Joel written (800s)??722BC – Assyrians (Judgment)?? Joel written (from 606-586) – Mike Bickle??586BC – Babylonians/Nebuchadnezzar – (Judgment) - 70-year exile (586BC-516BC) 516BC - Persians conquer Babylon - Cyrus decrees Jews can return to Jerusalem 516BC – Begin to Rebuild Temple??Joel written (400s-300s)??175BC – Antiochus IV Epiphanes conquered Israel – Seleucid Dynasty. Deposed rightful High Priest (Zadok Priesthood ended) – outlawed Jewish religious rituals (i.e. circumcision), desecrated the Temple (slaughtered a pig), ordered Jews to worship Zeus 166BC – Maccabean Revolt – successful, cleansed Temple, Hanukkah established! Hasmonean Dynasty began ruling.153BC – High Priest, Jonathan the Hasmonean – NOT a Zadokite! Hasmoneans had NO TIES to the line of David – so illegitimate priesthood and rulership (kingship)! Later – King Herod 110BC – Got Rome to recognize the Hasmonean Kingdom – start conquering surrounding peoples, forcing them (Gentiles) to convert to Judaism (especially Gentiles)**Prophetic Fulfillment(s)?Day of the Lord = Judgment, Justice, Vindication“Within Joel, the “day” refers not only to the final day of judgment upon the nations (3:2) but also to God’s ongoing judgment of Israel, both past and future (1:15, 2:2, 11), and instances of His intervention between Israel and the nations (3:1-2, 12, 14, 16). In each case, the “day of the Lord” indicates a time when the presence of the Lord brings judgment and/or deliverance and blessing, depending upon the circumstances. Therefore, although the “day” heralds destruction for the nations, it also functions as a time of salvation for God’s people: the Lord remains a refuge amid the chaos of judgment (3:15-16).”1. Past fulfillments (Red Sea, Assyrians, Babylonians, Acts 2, Romans 10, AD70, Islam) 2. Current Application / Ongoing fulfillment3. Future fulfillment (Return of Christ, Final Judgment)**AN OVERVIEW OF JOEL’S MESSAGE A. Joel 1 – a natural disaster (agricultural crisis) B. Joel 2:1-11 – a military crisis (Babylonian invasion of Israel as a type of the Antichrist’s empire) C. Joel 2:12-17 – the response that God requires in order to release protection and blessing D. Joel 2:18-31 – the breakthrough of God’s blessing (agriculturally, militarily, spiritually) E. Joel 3 – God’s punishment of His enemies (end-time Gentile nations attacking Israel)**JOEL 2:1