Then And Afterwards Series

Joel Pt 6 Then and Afterwards

Introduction/Review

Continue with our study of Joel- look at v2.18-32.

Chap 1- locust plague- God’s judgment

Chap 2- military invasion- God’s judgment

Chap 1/2- God calls for a corporate response

Begin our study today in Luke and Acts.

Lk 24.49, Act 1.8, 12-15, Act 2:1-4

Peter interpreted what was happening- Act 2.16

The Apostles followed the pattern we see in Joel 2-

if we want to see deliverance on a national level-

gather together- pray/fast w/wholeheartedness.

What we see- Acts/Joel- also- prelude to end of- age.

(Mat 21.21, Dan 12.1, Jer 30.7, Heb 12.26-29)

Joel 2.18

Then- in this word- see- major transition- rev- v2.12-17

Then- when people gather together, pray, fast, and cry out to God, THEN, God will be zealous for His land-

1st half of Joel deals w/crisis/need for response-

2nd half begins w/THEN and describes

God’s blessing on those who responded.

God vindicates those who respond- wholeheartedly.

In Joel 2.18-32- see the extravagant blessing that is in God’s heart for His people- Jews/Gentiles.

Whatever blessings God is going to release at the end of the age- we can pray and ask God to release, at least, in part NOW.

It is in God’s heart to bless His people- call on Him now.

As we look at the last half of Joel 2 we are going to see-

v2.18-27- release of natural blessings

v2.18-32 release of spiritual blessings

V2.18 (Ezek 39.25, Zech 1.14, Zech 8.2)

Zealous- great energy/enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause.

God is zealous for His- holy name, inheritance, land.

Wholehearted fasting/prayer-awakens Gods zeal.

His land- God chose the land of Israel before He chose Abraham and has built human history around it.

(Zech 8.2, 14.4, Psa 48, Mat 5.35, Psa 132.13, Ezek 5.5)

Jerusalem is where God will rule the earth for 1000 yrs.

Satan wants to destroy the Jews because Christ will return when they cry out to Him. (Rev 12.1-5)

Hitler had a Satanic plan to annihilate the Jews.

I fear for any country that mistreats Israel- pray for US-

US meant to be an intercessory nation for Israel.

v2.19

One way God shows compassion to a people is to heal their land and make it productive. (Isa 35.1-2, 51.3)

A picture of agricultural/economic restoration.

v2.20 (Jer 3.17)

Picture-political/military restoration-victory over enemies

(Joel 3.2, Zech 12.3, 14.2, Zeph 3.8, Ezek 38.4, Rev 16.3-4, 19.19)

Joel prophesied- Babylonian army would come- north- picture of anti- Christ army- also come from- north.

Ezek 39:12 (NASB) “For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. (Ezek 39.12, Isa 34.2-3)

God will destroy the anti-Christ army- millions will die.

v2.21

Do not fear- Joel exhorted Israel to rejoice before the victory came- even while surrounded by the enemy.

Isa 54:1 (NASB) “Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous Than the sons of the married woman,” says the Lord.

God calls Israel a barren woman and calls her to rejoice even before she bears children.

2 Cor 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight-

For many- their faith- based on sight- appearance.

Our life w/God is to be based on eternal hope, not outward appearance of present circumstances.

Many do not view life through eyes of faith-

Jn 20.26-29

Admonished Thomas-unbelief-what would He say to us

v2.22

Again- picture of agricultural/economic restoration.

During- end times- severe earthquakes, famines- yet-

God calls His people/even- animals not to fear.

During the end times you will have two responses-

the nations will fear and (Lk 21.26)

God’s people will rejoice. (Isa 24.14-16)

v2.23-24

Rain brings- crops to maturity- produces prosperity.

Zech 10:1 Ask rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain— The Lord who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man.

God called Israel- pray- God gave man dominion over creation- Jesus spoke to- wind/waves- we must pray.

v2.25-27 (Isa 40.2)

God is going- bless Israel/all His people- Jew/Gentile.

God’s heart is all about relationship- He is with us.

v2.28-29

v18-27- natural blessings, v28-32- spiritual blessings

After this- after turn to God corporately w/prayer/fasting.

It is going to take many together to turn our nation.

(many- pain not high enough yet, still too comfortable, others- in pain because of the state of our nation- economics, etc., but do not look to God corporately for deliverance)

What did Jesus tell His disciples-

Lk 24:49 (NASB) “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”