Joel: let all the inhabitants of the earth tremble.

by Alejandro Roque Glez.

 “… let all the inhabitants of the earth tremble: for the day of the Lord Yahweh comes, for it is near at hand…”

(Joel 2:1-12)

This passage from the prophet Joel actually indicates toward the End Times, in the same way other prophets did at different times, before and after. Coincidence?

The man of God Joel prophesied around the years 840-830 BC during the reign of Jehoahaz in northern Israel, and Joas in the south. Because in his book he did not write the date of his ministry, it is thought he lived during that time by keeping in mind on the fact that there is no mention of World Empires. These are brought to the Holy Scriptures only when they threatened the existence of the Israelite kingdom, and as the prophet does not refer to them here––among other things––it gives us the clue that he probable lived in the time when yet the Assyrians were not a threat to the nation.

The prophet Joel is also quoted by the apostle Peter centuries after when the Christian Church began its mission of evangelization (Acts 2:17-21). Joel lived a time when the land of Israel was surrounded by enemies and people did not seek Yahweh God, needing a spiritual revival. It helped in that God, because of it, made him see and understand more clearly the judgments which approached them; albeit emphasizing the future and End of human history as we know it today, without forgetting the role of the Church and children of God, led by the Holy Spirit of the Lord.

There are two staged wars leading up to the decisive confrontation and final showdown. First it will occur an avalanche from the nations adjacent to the Jewish state, which is about to take place today, and is where Syria-Damascus will be left useless and unsuitable, totally destroyed (Is 17:1). It will follow a temporary peace, but three years later Gog and Magog (Russia and neighborhood) will rebel against the power of the Antichrist and shall invade the earth’s navel––meaning Israel––accompanied by a confederation of Arab armies which are influenced by the Persians of Iran.

Once this happens the conflagration shall increasingly be regenerated until becoming worldwide and nuclear, then it will be a “day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness,” invaded by a “great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations” (v.2); portraying the End Times because as discussed below, it is followed by the Lord’s Millenarian Kingdom; the one promised in the Holy Scriptures.

It is the millennial unfolding of God’s strives to build a nation of humans spiritually converted and ready to receive that glorious body under the image of Christ transfigured (Mt 17:1-7); which in turn would be able to rise above eternity without having to sink back into spiritual misery and self-destructive moods.

The prophet––immersed in those revealed military moods––tells us that “a fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns…behind…a desolate wilderness… and nothing shall escape them” (v.3); same as the apostle remembers later in the New Testament (2 Ped 3:10). “Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains” (it means airplanes, tanks and rockets); “noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble” (v.5); that is to say, a heat and nuclear capacity that even melts the metals; and everything creating such a terrifying impact on earth that “before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness” (v.6). It will be a frightful time (v.31) of unique affliction (Mt 24:21).

Noise of chariots, tanks, missile attacks, submarines, supersonic aircrafts, and the all modern means of destruction are employed in that world war (v.4-11) which will shake not only the earth but also the heavens, because once God realizes that modesty and temperance had gone off from men’s hands––as in Noah’s time––he will intervene directly, and “the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood” (v.30-31).

This Third World War will congregate together in partnership and association many nations (3:2, 9-14) in the Valley of Jehoshaphat––Valley of the Decision––and there where is played that trumpet announcing the war of wars “Proclaim you this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up.”

(Also read the author's book entitled: 'The Great Peacemaker from Hell,' which recreated in a narrative form the final events; and the writings titled: 'The Prophet Ezekiel: Gog, Magog, and the Third World War,' next to 'Prophet Daniel: The Last Four Empires of Mankind').

[These and other Old Testament prophecies are explicatively compiled in the author's book entitled: 'Minor Prophets of the Old Testament;' in print and digital editions]

{ Click here if you wish or need to Contact Us }