ISAIAH 24 THROUGH 27 PREVIEW THE END OF THIS AGE AND MILLENNIAL KINGDOM TO COME

These chapters in Isaiah 24 through 27 are often referred to as the “Little Apocalypse” because they look beyond the immediate historical judgment of Israel’s neighbors to the final Tribulation and the ushering in of the Millennial Kingdom (Rev 20). When studying these chapters in Isaiah you should also read and study these chapters: Isaiah 34-35, Daniel 7-12, Ezekiel 37-39, Zechariah 10-14, Matthew 24, and Revelation 4-20.

All of these sections together will be a solid foundation for understanding the second coming of Y’shua ha Meshiach (Jesus the Messiah) and the events which will take place on the earth at this time. As you begin to seriously read and meditate on these scriptures it is impressive to see how the Bible interprets itself through both Old and New Testaments.

The Bible is one book—not two. Tear out the page that says New Testament in your Bible. All scripture is connected and without a firm understanding of what is called the Old Testament it is impossible to truly understand the Bible and how current world events are documented in the Bible.

The following short study on chapter 24 will get you started on the rest of the above scriptures.

Isaiah 24:1-12 - The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate.

Mankind wars against one another and thus God empties the earth leaving it devastated and as a distorted wasteland. As we read on we see a true description of atomic war.

Also note: “because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate.” is exactly what Daniel 7:25 speaks of, changing the times and laws.

In previous posts we have seen that the Bible is written in its own time and calendar. We observe the Roman calendar and feast days—here we see the curse (Lev 26/Deut 28) devouring the world. God is calling His people to “come out of Babylon” and learn His calendar.

They shall not drink wine with a song; Strong drink is bitter to those who drink it. The city of confusion is broken down; every house is shut up, so that none may go in. There is a cry for wine in the streets, all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone. In the city desolation is left, and the gate is stricken with destruction.

There is no joy during destructive warfare and it’s after affects. Have you ever seen photos of the destruction of Europe after WW 2? It took many years to rebuild the ruins. We all remember how the nations shut down the population during COVID-19. All joy was gone!

Isaiah 24:13-23 - When it shall be thus in the midst of the land among the people, It shall be like the shaking of an olive tree, Like the gleaning of grapes when the vintage is done…The earth is violently broken, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall totter like a hut; its transgression shall be heavy upon it, and it will fall, and not rise again.

Then the moon will be disgraced and the sun ashamed; For the Lord of hosts will reign On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before His elders, gloriously.

These are amazing verses describing an atomic war! The earth is violently broken, split open, shaken exceedingly! It is atomic war “turning the earth upside down”. God’s judgment on man is really God stepping back and allowing us to be anarchists. He allows us to virtually destroy ourselves. When Y’shua returns the second time He will be SAVING US FROM OURSELVES!

Mankind loves to blame God for everything. We as individuals have a tendency to blame God for our troubles. Look into the mirror…we are responsible for 95% of our problems!

Elohim has given us his law and instructions in a book. When we obey that book as individuals and as a community we are blessed. When we disobey we are cursed. Men refuse to repent and come to Y’shua.

Elohim patiently waits. Elohim has given humanity 6000 years to learn and we have learned nothing. At the end of 6000 years, at the point of extinction, He will return and save us from ourselves and establish His Royal Government. Then we will learn of His ways (Ref: Rev 20).

On the Jewish calendar, which may be off about 200 years, the current date is 5784/2024. This is the number of years which have passed since Adam’s creation. The 6000 year mark is quickly approaching!

 

BOOK OF HAGGAI

 

The author is the only person named Haggai in the Old Testament. His name means “festive” or “festal.” He is mentioned by Ezra (Ezra 5.1; 6.4), but nothing is known of his personal life. Haggai was the first post-exilic prophet who ministered to the remnant that had returned from the Babylonian captivity. His prophecy is clearly dated in 520 BC, the second year of Persian King Darius.

Haggai was sent by God to awaken the people from their lethargy to undertake the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem after Persian King Darius gave them permission to return and rebuild. His prophecy begins with the restoration of the temple, but goes on to describing the Lord Jesus Christ, the future establishment of God’s Kingdom, the judgment of God on ungodly world powers, and the blessing awaiting nations that willingly return to God. When reading the prophets we should always try to understand them in their historical (that time), personal (our lives), and prophetic (future) context.

1. Rebuke of Indifference     1.1-6 - The people are urged to build the temple, call to serious reflection.

In the second year of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel, the Governor, and Joshua, the High Priest. The Lord sees that the people in the land think the time has not come to rebuild the temple. They are comfortable in their own homes while the House of God lies in ruins. The Lord tells them they have sowed much and reaped little, eaten without being satisfied, clothed themselves but are not warmed, and what they earn does not purchase much.

The year is 520 BC, it is the sixth month, the month of Elul, and it is the first day of the month. In ancient times kings issued decrees on the new moon, or the first day of the month. It is interesting to note that the month of Elul is an important month on God’s calendar. This is a month of reflection and the sounding of the warning shofar (trumpet) that the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) are approaching.

Prophetically the month of Elul is a preparatory month for the festivals that occur in the next month--Tishri--The feasts of Trumpets and Day of Atonement, serious end time rehearsals. In the month of Elul the shofar is blown each day as a warning that the Feast of Trumpets is approaching.

The fact that this word comes to Haggai at this time is prophetically important in the historical and prophetical context. The Lord, through Haggai, is warning the people that they are too comfortable and need to wake up to the work the Lord has for them to do. Their religious life and culture cannot function properly without the temple services. They have been complacent. The trumpets of Elul are a wakeup call. God cannot return to their lives without a temple. Note that Solomon’s Temple was dedicated at the Feast of Tabernacles 1 Kings 8.

Today the Lord is calling His people to rebuild their temples. We are His temple, He lives within us. We need to seek the Lord in a deeper way so that His temple (our bodies) will be holy and consecrated to Him. God is restoring all things and the trumpets of Elul should be recognized as a wakeup call to prepare ourselves. Momentous times are directly ahead of us. Prophetically in our day the Laodicean church is an example of the church today. Rev 3.14-22.

2. Israel’s chastening from God     1.7-11

The Lord continues to chastise His people. “Go up to the hills, get timber, rebuild my house and I will look on it with favor and be glorified,” they are told. They have been expecting much, but doing little. The Lord says he has “blown” on what they have labored for--blown it away in the wind. The Lord’s House is in ruins while they all run to the comfort of their own homes. That, they are told, is why it does not rain and drought conditions are in the land.

The Lord is chastising His people for their lack of motivation. He is using the weather to chastise them. Now He has sent His word through the prophet Haggai. The trumpets of Elul are blowing! In our personal lives we often get comfortable with things the way they are. Sometimes we get caught up in the cares of life and our spiritual life suffers. The Lord knows this happens and sends us someone or something to rouse us up and return us to Him. “Rise up, my fair one, and come away!” Prophetically the exhortation to the Laodicean church (Rev 3.18-22) is what the Lord is saying to His church today. The temple service must be restored for the people to prosper. So our temple must be in order.

3. Obedience of the nation     1.12-15

Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people respond to the word Haggai is giving. “I am with you declares the Lord”, he tells them. The people are aroused and begin to work on rebuilding the temple on the twenty fourth day of the month of Elul, just before the beginning of the month of Tishri 

The people respond and begin to work! This is what the Lord desires of us. When we hear Him call get up and get to work. There is much to be done. Ask the Lord how you can prepare for the work He is calling you to do. Prophetically we see how the Philadelphia church in Revelation acted as an example for us today. Rev 3.7-13

4. Encouragement for building     2.1-5 - The glory of the new temple

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month (Tishri) another word from the Lord is given to the people through Haggai. He asks them who among them saw the glory of the first temple? How does this temple compare? It must seem as nothing compared to the first temple. Zerubbabel, the Governor, Joshua, the High Priest, and all the people are exhorted to be strong and take action! The spirit of the Lord is in their midst--God is with them in this endeavor.

The 21^st of Tishri would have been the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). The Feast of Tabernacles is a joyous seven day feast that follows the Feast of Trumpets (Warning Blasts) and the Day of Atonement (Wrath, redemption, and judgment of God). The people have heard the trumpet, they have taken the word seriously as the times require, and they have celebrated the undertaking during Sukkot (Tabernacles).

This book is prophetic towards the end time. Historically the people have heard the warning trumpet (Haggai, the meaning of the month of Elul, and Yom Teruah), they have responded positively by taking the warning seriously (Feast of Trumpets) and have repented of their casualness (Day of Atonement), and then joyously celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles before beginning the work of restoration.

This is a symbol or type of how the Lord wants His people to react and be prepared to endure the tribulation and persecution at the end of the age. Then His glory will be revealed to the world in His temple--we are the temple, His body!

5. Promise of future glory     2.6-9

The Lord promises in a little while He will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all the nations. The precious things of all the nations will flow here and fill His Temple with His glory! The silver and the gold belong to the Lord and this latter House will be greater than the former one declares the Lord.

Historically the Lord was promising His people blessing in this new temple. This temple would become the place where Jesus would be dedicated and teach during His ministry. The glory of all nations would come to hear Him. Prophetically it is a picture of the temple we are becoming in the Lord.

All will be shaken at the end of the age and the Millennial Kingdom will be a time when the earth is filled with the knowledge and glory of the Lord. In the New Jerusalem the Lord becomes the temple. Rev 21 All governments and their systems are being shaken today!

6. Clean and unclean in Levitical matters     2.10-14 - Unfaithfulness reproved

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (Kislev) in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord again comes to Haggai. The Lord tells Haggai to get a ruling from the priests on some Levitical issues. The Lord is testing them on their knowledge of clean and unclean. Their answers are satisfactory and show proper knowledge. They have responded faithfully and are experiencing the Lord’s blessing on their efforts.

This divine communication comes on the 24^th of Kislev, three months to the day from when the people began the joyous work of rebuilding the temple after the Feast of Tabernacles. This date would later become significant as the eve of the celebration of Hanukkah which begins on 25 Kislev. This pronouncement would begin the purification of the temple or any altar that had been established prior to completion of the temple. The Lord desires our temple (bodies) are pure and dedicated to Him. We are not to tolerate sin in our lives--we are to be pure in heart.

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights that would later celebrate the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus in 167 BC.

This festival celebrates the Menorah burning for eight days with a one day supply of oil. Jesus is the light of the world and He was conceived by Mary on the 25^th of Kislev. God has an appointed time for every prophetic event. Jesus would later proclaim these truths in this physical temple. John 8.12; John 10.22-39

7. The application of these truths     2.15-19

Now the Lord tells the people to think back on how nothing they did prior to beginning the rebuilding of the Temple profited them. They were defiled because of their disobedience. They experienced no yield from all their labor--they were struck with mildew, blight, and hail. They are told from this day onward, the 24^th of Kislev, they will prosper because they are obeying. The temple service will bring their lives back into God’s proper balance. Their “dress rehearsals” (of the end time feasts) have brought them blessings!

This applies to our walk. If we are in tune and obeying the Lord and walking in His Torah, obeying His commands (1 John 5.1-3) we will be blessed and our lives will prosper. If we constantly kick against the pricks we will struggle. Our hearts must be pure and circumcised. If our hearts are right God will bless us in our work and lives. God desires to bless His people even in difficult times--we are to abide in Him and defeat sin in our lives through obedience to Him and the word. This as we know is an ongoing process.

8. God’s future blessing for Zerubbabel     2.20-23 - The coming of the ideal age

The word of the Lord comes a second time to Haggai on the 24^th of Kislev. He speaks to the Governor, Zerubbabel, telling him that the Lord is going to shake the heavens and the earth, will overturn the thrones of kingdoms, and destroy the might of the nations. God will overturn their chariots and drivers each by the sword of their brothers. On that day, Zerubbabel, the servant of the Lord, will be a signet--one chosen by God.

Historically the Lord is declaring that this temple will see or witness the shaking of the nations. As mentioned earlier this is where Jesus would teach, where He would be dedicated. This would be an earth shaking event. Zerubbabel’s faithfulness in rebuilding will make this all possible. Zerubbabel also represents the lineage of King David and our Lord Jesus Christ and His lineage with David. When we came to know the Lord it shook our world!

Prophetically in our time, a generation will see the shaking of the earth and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. The power of the nations will be overturned as they fight against each other and the Lord’s people at Armageddon. It’s not by might or by power, but by my spirit says the Lord. The end of the age will culminate in the return of God’s signet--the Lord Yeshua! All of this is what we rehearse when celebrating the fall feasts of the Lord: Trumpets (Yom Teruah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). The sound of the last trumpet, the redemption of God’s people (and wrath on the wicked), and the wedding feast of the Bride and Groom.

Source: Jewish Study Bible

 

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS

 

Lamentations, called ‘ekhah (“alas”) in Hebrew, after its initial word, commemorates the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC. It is the Bible’s primary literature of destruction and became the paradigm for later Jewish literature of destruction. Lamentations is a form of mourning for a destruction that was to become a linchpin in Jewish history and religious thought. Lamentations eternalizes the destruction, thereby helping to make it a central event in the Jewish memory.

The five chapters are five separate poems, each with a distinctive tone and theme. All of the poems accept the biblical theology that the disaster is God’s punishment for Israel’s sins. The Babylonians are never mentioned by name. It is God who is responsible for the destruction. There is never any doubt about God’s power, and it is this power, and also His mercy, that the poet calls on for help in their present plight.

The recitation of Lamentations takes place on Tish’ah be’av, the 9^th of Av (July or August), which commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples, 586 BC and 70 AD, and around which the commemoration of other Jewish destructions and catastrophes have happened. When reading the prophets we should always try to understand them in their historical (that time), personal (our lives), and prophetic (future) context.

CHAPTER ONE: JERUSALEM IN MOURNING, WITH NO ONE TO COMFORT HER

1.1-11 The city is described as a woman widowed, abandoned, and shamed.

1.1-3 Alas! The city sits alone. Once a princess among the nations, now weeping in great sorrow. All her allies have betrayed her, Judah has now gone into exile and harsh oppression. These verses point out that her idolatry and pursuit of allies, rather than her husband, the Lord, have left her desolate. Her oppression recalls her harsh treatment by the Egyptians long ago.

1.4-6 Once busy streets are now empty of pilgrims to the Temple, for the Temple is destroyed and the people are gone. The Lord has afflicted her for her sins. Gone from Zion is all joy.

1.7-11 Now only sorrow and woe with none to help her. Again the sin of the people is acknowledged. Her uncleanness indicates her ritual impurity. The Temple has been violated as a woman is sexually violated. The people sigh as they look for something to eat. They have sold all their treasures, just to find something to eat.

1.12-22 Jerusalem calls out for sympathy. The imagery of war--fire and nets--explains God’s actions against Judah. The yoke of submission is used to show the sins of the people. Like wine in a winepress the blood has been squeezed out of them. With no comforter, their mourning cannot be completed. The Lord is in the right, because they have disobeyed Him. The people admit they were wrong. The enemy is no more righteous than they are and also deserves punishment.

Imagine America defeated by her enemies. We have to forage for food, we have no electric service, no TV. There are no sports to watch. We go to our ruined homes and weep, there is martial law and curfew. Our life of ease is now over  it is very painful. During the day we bargain for food and at night just lay around depressed.

Life as we know it is over. Our enemies from Iran, Russian, and China mock us. We are prisoners in our own country as our enemies now have occupied our country. Hard to image isn’t it? That is what it would be like.

We have a tendency to overlook the Old Testament prophets and water down their content. Why would God give us so many books relating to destruction and suffering? He is a God of Love is He not? We like to emphasize the love side of God and ignore His angry side. Surely this word is not for us today. God would never do this to us, we have Jesus.

Jesus Himself spoke of difficult days in Matthew 24. What God is telling us in these books is that He hates sin and cannot tolerate it in His church. He is telling us that we need to take our walk with Him seriously and to obey His commandments. We all have a tendency today to live our faith in a casual fun loving way. There is a time for fun and God does not deny us that, but we have spent so much time trying to make Christianity appeal to everyone that we have watered down the message and allowed all sorts of “idolatry” into the church.

Many churches incorporate new age philosophy and pagan customs into the church as they try to make it appeal to the masses. You can’t take new age and pagan rituals, put the name of Jesus on it, and expect the Holy Spirit to be part of that. God wants us to come out of that. We are to be a peculiar people, a people unto the Lord. Our worship should reflect the instruction we find in the Bible, not the customs of the world. There is way too much entertainment, rock and roll, and new age philosophy in our assemblies. So, much that it is near impossible to hear the true voice of the Lord. He who has ears to hear and eyes to see will understand.

Even though this is harsh, God does love us and deals with each of us in a very personal way. The Lord allows us to experience difficulties in our personal lives so that He can transform us into His image. We spend much of our time trying to escape His dealings with us. If we can learn to yield to His wisdom we will develop a deep relationship with Him. Only then do we really begin to understand His great love towards us. Then we can minister to others in love.

The other thing to remember is that all of the terrible things that happened to Israel and Judah were because of disobedience to God. They refused to walk in His ways. They sinned out rightly and arrogantly. They were, therefore, judged harshly. We do not have to experience such harsh judgment if we love Him and walk according to His commands. We are not destined for wrath, but to obtain salvation. (1 Thess 5.9) Wrath comes upon the children of disobedience. (Colossians 3.6) The Book of Revelation reveals what is coming to those who refuse to repent and turn towards the Lord. We are not exempt from the persecution of man, only the wrath of God, if we walk in His ways.

When sinful men and women repent God immediately shows mercy and compassion on them. If we are walking with the Lord then we will be prepared to instruct repentant people in the way in which God desires them to walk. The question is: Are we prepared? That is what these books of the prophets are saying to us today. They are harsh and use colorful language, but the Lord is telling us that we have a great inheritance and a serious work to perform. Let’s get to it!

CHAPTER TWO: THE DETAILS OF HOW GOD DESTROYED JUDAH

2.1-22 In chapter one the tone was one of despair and mourning, now the tone is angry. God is depicted as an angry enemy who destroyed Jerusalem with violent force.

2.1-9 God has made the Temple like an abomination. This is because idolatry was an abomination and they were worshipping the sun, sacrificing their children, and practicing fornication in their religious rites. The “horn of Israel” all it’s might and power has been consumed. There are no more feasts and festivals, rather the enemy has raised a shout of exultation over them! God is measuring the wall of the city, not to build, but to destroy it. The king is in captivity and the prophets have nothing to say.

2.10-19 The survivors bewail their suffering. The elders are devastated and wail. Children cry and ask their mothers for food. The prophet weeps at what he sees. The people are denounced for listening to the false prophets who told them they were living righteously, rather than expose their sins to them. They could have been restored if they would have repented, but they preferred to listen to the deception. All their enemies hiss and sneer at them now. They have waited for a long time to see this day!

2.20-22 The prophet calls out for divine compassion. Mothers are eating their children things are so terrible! Days are spent burying the dead. There is no sanctuary.

Imagine America’s large cities in ruins like the pictures of Germany after World War Two. Imagine trying to get your life back to normal. There is the smell of death all around. You weep all day because you know that this was brought on by the nation’s sin. You wish you could go back and right all the wrongs you did--but it is too late.

The enemy who is occupying the land is harsh and shows little pity. Clean up will take years and then what? The future seems bleak with no hope. You just want to get through the day and fall on your bed or wherever it is you sleep. As you fall asleep you stomach growls with hunger.

CHAPTER THREE: INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE LAMENTS

3.1-66 Reflection is mixed with lament; hope alternates with despair. A Job-like individual crying out to God in his suffering, trying to provoke a response from God. The male voice represents a survivor, perhaps going into exile. He may also be thought of as the collective voice of the people.

3.1-9 The man laments on God’s personal dealings with him. The rod of the Lord has tried him. He feels walled in and weighed down with chains, his prayers go unanswered. Have you ever felt this way? What was the end result? It should be a better relationship with the Lord and a deeper understanding of His ways.

3.10-20 He continues to share how God is dealing with him. He has been shot with arrows, people laugh at him and mock him (for his faith), he has forgotten what happiness is. This is a man under the dealings of God. This is us going to work and dealing with a miserable co-worker, a lousy boss. God puts you in that position to work something out of you, and then, back into you. It is miserable to experience, but if we persevere and understand what is happening to us, God will impart Himself into us!

3.21-24 This man understands what is happening to him. He has hope because he understands God is transforming him into a new creature, he is putting on the new man. (Col 3.10) This man is walking in the spirit as an overcomer. God’s grace is sufficient.

3.25-39 The Lord is good to those who trust Him. Wait (bear with it) patiently for the Lord to work out in your life what He desires. Understand that each of us must go through certain things alone. Sitting alone in the Lord’s chastisement of love. (Hebrews 12.6) Putting your mouth to the dust is accepting discipline. Accept suffering, for a time, with patient trust. God afflicts only in response to human misconduct. In other words, the Lord is molding us into His image through our trials.

3.40-48 We are exhorted to let the Lord search and examine us. Lift up your heart, confess your rebellion so that you can be healed. At times we feel abandoned and just want to turn away and do what we want to do. The Lord is reaching out His hands in love and beseeching us to trust in Him. He will cleanse us from our sin. We know this in our mind, but we need to understand it in our hearts. Weeping takes place at night, but joy comes in the morning! Psalm 30.5

3.49-66 His eyes flow with tears, he feels overwhelmed by the situation. He cries out to God, and is told not to fear! He is hanging on--soon he will be made new. He cries out for God to deal with his adversaries. By asking God to pursue his enemies he is calling for God to reestablish justice in the world and in his personal life.

Have you been experiencing things you don’t understand in your life? Have you been saying, “Why me, Lord, don’t they understand?” Are you struggling with family, job, friends, feelings or hurt, despair, no one understanding you? Hallelujah! God is doing great things in your life--call out to Him and let Him work. You are being tried like gold in the fire!

CHAPTER FOUR: THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM

4.1-10 The prophet contrasts between former grandeur and wretched present. Gold and gems are cast away as worthless objects. This symbolizes how the people of Jerusalem now feel. They are compared to jackals, the vilest of scavenger animals, and ostriches which are known for neglect of their young. Children are starving and are too weak to cry. Jerusalem’s slow agony in the siege is worse than the sudden destruction of Sodom, a quick death would be preferable. It is so bad that mothers cook their children for food!

4.11-16 Their misery is divine chastisement. Fire has burned the city. Even foreign kings are shocked that God would let Jerusalem’s enemies conquer them so brutally. Prophets and priests are singled out for blame for not being righteous and misleading the people. They are now shunned like lepers. The Lord has turned His back in sorrow and cannot look.

4.17-22 Jerusalem’s allies (Egypt) cannot help them. The Lord’s anointed, the kings and princes, cannot help as the nation has lost her independence. Her enemies are told to exult while they can--they too will be judged for their iniquity. A final word of encouragement to Israel in the last verse.

This chapter symbolizes how a sinful life destroys us. Man rebels and does want he wants, refusing to obey God’s laws. The end result is misery--and even then many are too hardened to repent! How many times have you met this type of person? We reap what we sow.

The Book of Revelation constantly repeats that men refused to repent no matter how bad things got. God would prefer we repent, but divine justice must prevail. There is a point of no return for the unrepentant. Judgment begins at the house of God--get with God and repent now alone with Him.

CHAPTER FIVE: AN APPEAL TO GOD TO TAKE NOTE OF THEIR SUFFERINGS

5.1-18 The institutions of society have been broken down. Families lack the head of the house, inheritances are lost, the elite are no more, economic deprivation is widespread, so is violence in the streets. Rebelliousness against God brings only calamity. There is no music in the land, only hard work and toil. Woe to us that we have sinned! The remnant are now repenting.

5.19-22 The people recognize the Lord and praise Him. They ask to not be forgotten, but plead for the Lord to take them back and renew them as days of old. The last verse says, “truly you have forgotten us,” and is a plea to be remembered. It is Jewish custom when reading Lamentations to repeat verse 21 after 22 in order to have a positive ending.

Of course the Lord will forgive and restore. A remnant always emerges. What we often fail to realize when we talk about the remnant is that the remnant usually has gone through difficult times because they were disobeying God. They had to go through suffering in order to be cleansed of their sin.

The remnant become purified after they learn their lessons well. The remnant is always a small residue of believers who have experienced difficulties before they come out shining. Be careful about boasting of being among the remnant!

Sources: The Jewish Study Bible and The Open Bible

 

THE BOOK OF JOEL

 I’ll be taking a short break on posting new articles, but I’ll post some short studies from the minor prophets. Read these books with the knowledge that Yehovah is speaking to the world that will experience Yeshua’s second coming. He is coming to save Israel!

Joel asks his readers to imagine a terrifying plague of locusts and its horrifying impact on society and the natural environment. Then the locusts become a mighty army sent by the Lord against Judah. At the point where human society and culture in Judah are at the brink of destruction, we are asked to identify with a prophetic voice that calls on them to return to the Lord and too fast and lament. Then the book moves to Judah’s salvation and to a series of passages dealing with the ideal future, in which the fate or judgment of the Nations figures prominently.

This book shows end time concerns. It conveys images and reassurances of “once and for all” actions of the Lord on behalf of Judah and Jerusalem, and against those who have persecuted them. It teaches that the “Day of the Lord” is coming--the day when the Lord will manifest Himself in the destruction of His enemies and the exaltation of His friends. This day is accompanied by extraordinary phenomena in nature. The attitude of a person’s heart and life before the Lord will determine their reaction to this day.

Joel is quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost, and its promise of the “day of the Lord” is partially fulfilled by the coming of the Holy Spirit. This illustrates the “duality” or “multiple” fulfillment of prophecy. It is a warning of Judgment and a sign of ultimate deliverance to all believers--both Jewish and Gentile in the coming age. When reading the prophets we should always try to understand them in their historical (that time), personal (our lives), and prophetic (future) context.

The author of the Prophecy    1.1

The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son Pethuel. Joel means “Jehovah is God.” The book of Joel and his prophetic word is not set in any particular period. Most scholars think around 400-350 BC.

I. The locust plague as the harbinger of the Day of the Lord    1.2-2.17

The divine judgment against Judah and their response.

  A. The threefold calamity: locusts, drought, and conflagrations     1.2-20

    1. The invasion of the locusts    1.2-12

1.2-3 The prophet tells the old men and all the inhabitants of the land to listen. What they are about to hear has never been heard or seen in the land. They are instructed to tell all generations. This call emphasizes the link between generations, and the everlasting truth and relevance of what they are going to be told.

1.4-7 A plague of locusts coming upon the land is described as an invading army. This army is vast beyond counting with teeth like a lion and fangs like a lion. The vines and fig trees have been stripped bare.

These verses are describing the end time battle for Jerusalem and the many nations that will come against Israel and the Jewish people (Revelation 9.3-11).

The four locusts may refer to the four nations that will rule over Judah--Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and finally through the present age, Rome. Rome represents the “Babylonian” system.

1.8-12 The prophet laments like a young newlywed who has lost her husband. The offerings at the temple have ceased and the priests mourn. The country is wasted and the farmers are dismayed. Vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and apple trees have withered because of the desolation. Rev 9.15-21

The time of prosperity has ended because the swarm of locusts, armies of the nations, have desolated the land. The vine and three trees represent the nations of the earth--all are affected.

    2. A call to repentance    1.13-14

1.13 The priests are told to lament and spend the night in sackcloth. There is no temple service, because there is most likely no temple.

1.14 The nation is called to a solemn assembly, to fast and cry out to the Lord--all the inhabitants are called to participate. This is a solemn day and it is time to repent. We all fall short and need to humble ourselves before the Lord. When we stumble there is one place we can always go (Matt 11.28). At the end of the age the nation will be crying out to the Lord for salvation (Zechariah 12.9-13).

   3. The terrors of the Day of the Lord    1.15-20

1.15-20 Alas! The day of the Lord is near. Food is not available, there is no joy or gladness. The barns and granaries are empty and in ruins. A fire has consumed the land--even the water is gone! Rev 8.10-11

This is a scene of an extraordinary day of judgment for the wicked and unrepentant. God is not showing pity to anyone, not even the animals in the field. This burning fire has all the earmarks of nuclear war. Day of the Lord: Isaiah 13.6, Ezekiel 30.2-3, Zephaniah 1.14-15. Those who repent are not destined to wrath (1 Thess 5.9). God’s anger/chastisement is designed to get men to repent and receive His mercy.

  B. The scourge as the forerunner of the judgment day    2.1-17

Military imagery is used in this section, the army is a personification of the locusts (Proverbs 6.6-7). This section also stresses the need to turn back to the Lord before the arrival of the Day of the Lord, otherwise we will become victims of God’s power. God desires that men repent and turn back to Him.

    1. A vivid picture of the coming judgment    2.1-11

2.1-2 Blow the trumpet! Sound the alarm! Let all the earth tremble for the day of the Lord has come. This is a day of darkness, gloominess, and thick clouds of darkness. These armies are a vast horde…there has never been anything like this before or after. 

This is a picture of Revelation 18 and 19. The final days will be like nothing that has ever happened before (Matt 24.29-31). The nation of Israel will be on the ropes--but the Lord will come and save them when they cry out to Him.

2.3 This horde burns everything that is before and behind them. Everything is wiped out.

2.4-5 This army is like a herd of wild horses, intense noise, confusion, and destruction.

2.6 Everyone trembles in fear before them.

2.7-10 This army is all warriors, scaling walls, in formation, well disciplined. They totally ransack the city like brazen thieves. The earth trembles before them, the sun and moon are darkened. This is a great war.

2.11 The Lord roars ahead of His army of many thousands, uncountable thousands. The judgment of God on the wicked is seen here (Rev 19.11-16)

This army represents the second coming of Yeshua at the end of the age (Rev 19).

    2. An exhortation to repentance    2.12-17

2.12-14 Even with all this calamity on the horizon the Lord says, “Turn back to Me with all your hearts, and with fasting, weeping, and lamenting. Rend your hearts, rather than your clothes.” The Lord is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in kindness. If we return, He may relent and leave a blessing behind.

God only desires that we turn from our sinful ways and humbly come to Him. From an eternal stand point God is slow to anger. Throughout history mankind has treated each other violently and uncaringly. In this sense, you could ask how God puts up with us? Man brings judgment on himself--God demands justice and fairness--we covet, steal, and kill on a personal and national level. God reaches out in love--that is why He came in the person of Jesus Christ. Man refuses to repent. God leaves us to our own devices and we treat each other with cruelty--this is the nature of war. When we are about to destroy ourselves--He will appear. His appearance will bring wrath on the wicked and salvation to the repentant.

2.15-17 The warning trumpet is sounded (Rev 1.10). A fast is proclaimed, an assembly called! The congregation is to gather and purify themselves. The bridegroom comes out of his chamber, the bride from her canopy. The priests weep and ask God to spare His people--otherwise the nations will taunt, “Where is your God?”

God is searching our hearts to see if we are willing to contend for our nation, our world. Do we care? Are we seeking Him? Even the bride and bridegroom are disrupting their plans to plead with the Lord. On an individual level there is not a lot we can do, but we can contend in prayer. We can seek God’s direction for our lives. We can turn toward God and He will hear us. On the world stage calamity is inevitable, but God wants His people to contend for individual souls. There is a need to turn back to the Lord on a communal level before the day of the Lord arrives. God is looking for men and women who care enough to contend for the nations.

II. The averting of judgment and bestowal of blessings    2.18-3.21

 A. The blessings in the immediate future    2.18-27

2.18-24 In these verses the Lord is aroused by the response of His people. He is going to restore them and “drive the northerner away” from them. The stench of their enemies demise will be intense. Then the Lord will restore the land and it will bloom again. The people will rejoice and be glad as the rain returns and the land prospers.

In the Hebrew the “one from the north” is interpreted as “yetzer ha-ra” which means “the evil inclination” which is constantly hidden in the heart of man. This verse is then understood as stating that in the future, God will drive this inclination away from humanity into a land barren and desolate. This brings to mind the Apostle Paul speaking of the spiritual body in 1 Corinthians 15.35-58. The word rain in Hebrew can be interpreted as “teachers.” Proper teaching will help our souls prosper.

The day is coming when there will be no more inclination towards sin--we shall all be changed on that day of resurrection. We will experience that which we now hope for. This will be the day all God’s enemies will be put under his feet. Until that day, the Lord exhorts us to contend in prayer, living, and shining His light in the world. Are we willing to spend time in prayer? Are we willing to yield to His wisdom lay down our lives? If we are, we will experience personal revival.

In the darkest hour of mankind the Lord will have an army of people who are contending in spiritual warfare and righteous living. We are not going to be “raptured” out to watch and observe--we will be contending! That is the message here. We are being prepared for the new world that is to come. This is our training ground for future rule with the Lord in the Millennial Kingdom. Now we are to contend.

2.25-27 The Lord says he is going to restore the years the locust have eaten, the people will have plenty to eat (good teachers and shepherds), and they will praise God again. They will know that He is in the midst of Jerusalem and be ashamed no more (Rev 21).

Once we turn back to the Lord our lives once again have meaning and purpose. The word once again comes alive and has deep meaning for us. We can hear and see again. Have you ever been ashamed of something you’ve done in the past? When we return to the Lord we are often ashamed of past things we have done--but He forgives us and restores us in love. He is quick to show mercy--but if men refuse to repent--the day of wrath in inevitable.

  B. The outpouring of the divine Spirit    2.28-32

2.28-32 - After that (repentance and restoration) the Lord says He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Sons and daughters will prophesy, old men shall dream dreams, and young men see visions. All this is done before the great and terrible day of the Lord. There will be portents in the sky--blood, fire and pillars of smoke. The sun will become dark and the moon like blood. Those who call on the name of the Lord will escape (eternal damnation). There will be a remnant on Mt. Zion and in Jerusalem. Anyone who invokes the name of the Lord will be delivered (for eternity).

Based upon our above actions, there is a glorious future for the faithful.

All who turn to the Lord are included. God will always provide light in a dark world--because God would that all men are saved. That is why we go through “much tribulation to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14.22, John 16.33, 2 Thess 1.4).

God has never raptured his people out--they have gone through and provided light to those in darkness. That is what Jesus did--He went through until the end. Why should we be any different? The rapture comes when the Lord returns with His heavenly army at the end of the age (Rev 19.11-16), at the final trumpet sound! 2 Thess 4.16-18

The other thing we see God doing throughout history is pouring out His spirit in a great way prior to calamities. Many revivals preceded dark times and events.  He knows what is coming and is merciful wanting to save as many as possible. Those who refuse God’s graciousness, however, are doomed. Rev 9.20-21, 16.9-11

  C. Judgment upon the Nations    3.1-17

This portion pictures the enemy gathering massive forces against Jerusalem but finally being destroyed. (See Ezekiel 39 and 39 for similar ideas.)

   1. The avenging of wrongs committed against the Judah    3.1-3

3.1-3 In those days, after God brings Judah and Jerusalem back from captivity, the nations will be gathered in the valley of Jehoshaphat. There God is going to finally contend with the nations over His people because they have divided the land and cast lots (attempted to destroy) His people.

This is the great day of the Lord. The nations will be gathered against Israel and the Lord is going to return (Rev 19.11-21). This issue of the land, the people, and the covenant will be decided with finality.

    2. Judgment upon Tyre and Sidon    3.4-8

3.4-8 Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia are condemned for oppressing and coming against Judah. They are accused of destroying and taking Judah captive. Now the Lord is going to reverse the outcome and Judah’s enemies will become her captives. See Isaiah 14.2 These are great end time verses for Israel’s ultimate salvation. Have we taken our enemies captive? Note: we are grafted into Israel.

    3. World judgment    3.9-17

3.9-13 The Lord tells the nations to prepare for battle. They are told to beat their plowshares into swords and their pruning hooks into spears (a reversal of Is 2.4 and Micah 4.3). God is challenging the nations to come to the valley of Jehoshaphat where He will judge them for their wickedness. The Lord is swinging the sickle to reap the nations. God’s word is going to divide and try men’s hearts.

See Rev 14.14-20.

3.14-17 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. The day of the Lord is at hand and the Lord will roar from Zion against all Judah’s enemies. The Lord will be a shelter to His people and Jerusalem will be holy unto the Lord.

See Rev 19.9-21

D. The blessings following the judgment    3.18-21

3.18-21 The mountains shall drip with wine, the hills with milk, and rivers of water shall flow from the House of the Lord. There will finally be peace on earth and the Lord shall dwell in Zion. See Rev 22.1-7

The Millennial Kingdom will be a time of teaching the nations about the goodness of Jehovah our God.

Sources: The Jewish Study Bible and The Open Bible