Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand- Joel 2: 1, NIV.
Dear God, It is good to know that even the darkest days are made bright by Your presence. Please help us to be ready when the day of Your return arrives. We ask for this blessing in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
This text was obviously considered a part of the judgment prophesied against Judah. However, Biblical scholars seem to think that the “terminology is inappropriate for describing locust swarms, but is found elsewhere in obvious eschatological contexts. The most acceptable approach is that Joel begins chapter one with the immediate arrival of the locust swarm. Then in chapter two he focuses on the greater judgment and destruction of the “Day of the LORD” (Hebrew – Greek Key Word Study Bible, p. 1109, margin).
With this explanation in mind, we will look at this day as the day when Christ will return to the earth. The root meaning of some of the key words in the text, at different times can have opposite meanings, which is quite interesting, and quite appropriate, because of what the “Day of the LORD” will represent to different people. For example, the word used for blow, in the phrase “blow the trumpet” can also be used to describe “clapping the hand in victory” (Ibid, p. 2036, OT Dictionary). Blowing the trumpet in Israel was a practice that had different functions at different times. During war, it was usually to give a warning that the enemy was approaching. At other times it was used to call an assembly of the people. Still at other times, it was used for solemn assemblies, and/or, for festal gatherings (Numbers 10).
When Christ returns, it will be a day of joy and gladness for those who are awaiting His coming. They will rejoice and be glad, for they have made a covenant with Him, and they, by His grace, have remained in the covenant! They will be able to clap their hands in victory! They have “fought [the] good fight.” They have “finished the course.” They have “kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4: 7)!
Unfortunately, there will be those who will not be happy to see Jesus return. Their reaction will be quite different – the exact opposite of the first group. They will be running and hiding, “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘ “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb” ‘ (Revelation 6: 15, 16)!
The other phrase, “[S]ound the alarm” can also refer to opposite functions. It can refer to making a joyful noise, or a shout of joy, or triumph, as well as, “a signal to begin battle,” or, a shout to “destroy” (Hebrew – Greek Key Word Study Bible, p. 1989, OT Dictionary). To those who are in the covenant relationship with the LORD, the “Day of the LORD” will represent the end of war, because they would have already won the victory over sin and death, by the blood of the covenant that has been applied to their lives. Theirs will be a shout of triumph!
To those who are outside of the relationship, it will be a sound of destruction. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to destroy sin, but sinners who refuse to let go of their sins, will be destroyed with it. In God’s plan of salvation, the destruction of His creatures was never what He intended.
Which group are you making plans to be in? We will continue.