The prophet Joel warns about the horrible plague of the locusts and natural calamities which are insignificant compared to the coming day of severe judgment. (Joel 1:15) says, “The day of the Lord IS NEAR, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. HOW TERRIBLE that day will be!”
“That is why the Lord says, “TURN TO ME NOW, WHILE THERE IS TIME. Give me all your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your remorse REND (qâra‛: repent, changing your mind) YOUR HEARTS and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered; He is full of kindness and anxious not to punish you.” (Joel 2:12-13)
This is so fitting for our time, on May 14th 1948 Israel, once again became a nation and Joel said this, “In those days and at that time,” says the LORD, “when I RESTORE the PROSPERITY (šĕbût: captivity) of Judah and Jerusalem, (this is the other thing He will do at this time) I will GATHER the ARMIES OF THE WORLD into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, for scattering my people among the nations, and for DIVIDING UP MY LAND.” (Joel 3:1-2) We know that General Titus completely destroyed the temple, killed over one million Jews and scattered the remaining Jews all over the world. For 1,878 years Israel was excluded from it’s homeland. It’s Hebrew language, and many customs were lost to them. Now the Hebrew language has been restored and from Jan 1989 to Dec 2002 1.1 MILLION JEWS came from Russia to live in Israel. During the time when it was very difficult to leave Russia.
“In that day the Lord will reach out His hand A SECOND TIME (May 14th 1948) to reclaim the surviving remnant of His people…” (Isa. 11:11) The first time was King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon about 607BC brought the Jews into captivity for 70 years. Only 10% of them returned when they were set free.
WERE RIGHT THERE, LET’S BE FAITHFUL…
-Bill Stockham