When Joel wrote about the day of the Lord it was understood that this was some dreadful event coming like the invasion of a foreign army or a natural calamity like locusts destroying the crops and causing a famine. There was also a hopeful expectation to the day of the Lord that in the end it would be the ultimate event where God rescues his people.
The day of the Lord is also the day of Christ’s coming. It refers to his first coming and his second coming. There is an already and not yet aspect to the day of the Lord. Christ has come. The Holy Spirit has come on the day of Pentecost. The return of Christ and final judgement has not yet come. That is the already and not yet aspect of the day of the Lord.
We are looking at Joel chapter 2. One thing to remember is that when Joel wrote this was all in the not yet context. We will include some New Testament verses that move to the already happened. The Pentecost Sermon Peter preached explains that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit showed that after Pentecost that much of what Joel wrote about the day of the Lord became already. In other words, it already happened by Jesus’ work on the cross.
We will also look at the part of Joel’s prophecy that is still not yet for us. That is the second coming.
The Day of the Lord is coming
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)
In general people were looking for some wonderful event for Israel in the day of the Lord. Something like when the Passover came, and it was dreadful for Egypt and wonderful and celebratory for Israel. They had waited 400 years in Egypt before that great day came.
Now Joel is calling them to sound the alarm on the holy hill, the temple of Jerusalem. But they are to tremble. Amos had said, Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. (Amos 5:8)
The day of the Lord is going to be a spiritual event. It will be glorious for those that are spiritually prepared, but darkness and dread for those who are not prepared. Yes, there is reason to tremble regarding the day of the Lord. It is close at hand. From a human perspective it does not seem close at hand. There is still more than 700 years from when Joel wrote these words until the day of the Lord, the coming of Christ.
To us that seems like a long time to wait for the day of the Lord in the Messiah’s coming. But we have waited since the call of Abraham and the coming would come in God’s time. That is why we need to see the Lord’s time in the day of the Lord second coming of Christ. Peter says we should not consider the Lord slow regarding the day of the Lord.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:8-10)
It seems so obvious to us that the religious leaders in Jesus’ day had spiritual myopia when they did not see that Jesus was the promised Messiah. That is true they did not have eyes to see, but there are the two parts of Joel’s prophecy that they did not know were two parts. When they did not see the second coming aspect of the day of the Lord they mistakenly rejected Jesus as Messiah.
Jesus told his disciples to wait for the coming Holy Spirit and this happened on Pentecost day.
The cross and Pentecost (already)
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-29)
It was the Lord’s time. They waited for the coming Messiah. They waited for the resurrection of the crucified Messiah, and they waited for the coming Holy Spirit and we are waiting for the return of Christ.
Joel in Peter’s Pentecost Sermon
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Acts 2:17-21)
Peter specifically applied Joel’s prophecy to the death of Jesus on the cross. Something spectacular was happening on the day of Pentecost that was the manifestation of God. It was the day of the Lord described by Joel 700 years before.
Peter goes on to quote the not yet part of Joel's passage. It is the second coming cataclysmic final judgement in the return of Christ.
Final judgement (Not yet)
30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
When we look at Joel’s prophecy or Peter’s explanation of the meaning or if we consider the already coming of Jesus or the not yet return of Christ there is one thing that stands out in every aspect of the day of the Lord. That is to be spiritually prepared.
How to be prepared for the Day of the Lord
32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the LORD has said,
even among the survivors
whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:28-32)
What did Peter say we are to do as a result of Joel’s prophecy? He said we are to repent and be baptized. That day three thousand people were saved when Peter explained the meaning of Joel chapter 2 and they were standing in awe as they saw the miraculous sign. They were the ones asking Peter, what should we do?
We need to be ready. How many missed the coming Christ. We need to be prepared for what is not yet, the return of Christ. That day of the Lord will come suddenly. For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
What Paul said to the Thessalonians was the same consistent message the Lord gave to the children of Israel through the prophet Joel. Return to me with all your heart. (Joel 2:12) This is an inward matter of the heart not outward symbolism. Rend your heart and not your garment. (Joel 2:13)
We are looking back at Joel's prophecy now, so we can see more clearly. Part of Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled at the coming of Christ. It already happened. Part of his prophecy is telling us about the second coming of Christ. This is the not yet aspect and what we long for and await as believers in Christ.
