PITP #08

The day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come... Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain... The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come... Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 1–3)

When the world's wickedness fills the vats to overflowing, the great and terrible day of the Lord draws near — so wake up, examine yourself, and seek the outpouring of His Spirit.

Yahweh Is God

The name Joel means Yahweh is God. This is significant, because the first of the five pillars of Islam states that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. That is a lie. There is one God, the Almighty, Yahweh — the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega, the one who was and is and is to come.

In Deuteronomy 6, God gave His people the Shema: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." That is our desire tonight, for as Jesus told us, this is the first and greatest commandment.

Though Joel is called a minor prophet and has only three chapters, it is powerful. God spoke through this man about 2,800 years ago. We know little about him, but his name is a declaration of truth: Yahweh is God. If you are in Christ, He is your God.

A Vision Born From Current Events

Joel saw a vision from God that correlated with an event in his own day. If there had been a Jerusalem Post 2,800 years ago, it would have reported an invasion of locusts into the land. Crawling locusts and flying locusts came and stripped everything, and the people — who were farmers — mourned and lamented because their crops were destroyed. There was no joy in the land.

As Joel looked at this, God gave him a vision of another invading "locust," not an insect but an army that would come into the land and decimate the nation. Just as we have been doing these last several weeks, lining up current events with the Word of God, Joel saw a current event and then God showed him its application. He saw that God was on the move.

Multiple Fulfillments

There are many opinions about what Joel referenced. Many say his prophecy of an invading army from the north pointed to the Assyrian army that would come about a century later, consuming the northern ten tribes and pressing into Judah and Benjamin as well.

But as with many passages, prophecy often has multiple fulfillments — a near fulfillment in the prophet's day and a later, sometimes more than one, future fulfillment. Isaiah 7 speaks of the virgin birth: it was a promise to King Ahaz in his day, fulfilled then, and fulfilled again about 2,000 years ago when Christ was born of a virgin.

Joel contains one of these double fulfillments, which Peter referenced on the day of Pentecost when he spoke of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This passage speaks of the early and the latter rain. What Peter and the church saw in Acts 2 was the early rain. We today look forward to the latter rain.

The Early and Latter Rain

The early rains came in the springtime, the latter rains in the fall. We have talked on Wednesday nights about the seven feasts of the Lord. Four fall in the springtime and surrounded Jesus' first coming; the last three come in the fall and surround His second coming. The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost — the fourth feast, the last of the spring feasts — which was the early rain. We look forward to the latter rain, the fall feasts, and the second coming of our King.

I have absolute assurance we will see revival in our day, and I pray it comes to our own nation. It is already happening in many other nations. Even within Islam there is a revival of Muslims turning to Jesus Christ. Throughout Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and beyond, men of God are proclaiming the gospel, and many Muslims are coming to the knowledge of the truth — and there will be a flood, especially after the Gog and Magog war, when they see clearly they were wrong. Revivals are also taking place in Africa, China, India, and Indonesia. Despite great persecution in what has long been called the 10/40 window, God is doing a great work, because the great and terrible day of the Lord is coming.

The Day of the Lord

Perhaps more than any other book in the Bible, Joel speaks of that day. In Joel 1:15, "the day of the Lord is at hand." In Joel 2:1, the trumpet is blown and an alarm sounded. In Joel 2:31, the sun is turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord. In Joel 3:14, "multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision."

This day looks forward to a time when a great invading army moves into the land of Israel, and God moves with His army to destroy them. In chapter 3:13 God cries, "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe... for their wickedness is great." As we saw last week in Psalm 2, God laughs from heaven and holds these armies in derision. Look around the world tonight: the vats overflow with wickedness, and it will grow worse by the day. That wickedness cries out to God for judgment, and the people of God — like Lot in Sodom — cry out, "Lord, would You move?"

An Appointed Day — So Wake Up

God has an appointed day and time; the Scriptures make this clear. Just as Jesus' first coming had an appointed hour — He wept over Jerusalem on Palm Sunday because they should have known the day God foretold long ago — so the Lord has given us great indication of the times and seasons. Paul told the Thessalonians we are not to be ignorant of them, for that day comes like a thief in the night — but not for those of us who are awake and watching.

This morning in the Seniors Bible study, Pastor Mark taught on the church at Sardis, the dead, sleeping church. God's word to them was: repent and wake up. We too must wake up, because judgment begins at the house of the Lord. Paul told the Corinthians to judge ourselves, to test and examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Do I line up with what God says a believer should be? Have I confessed my sin, repented, and turned to Him?

There is a frightening passage in Matthew 7. Every time I read it I pray, "God, let no one in this church or my household be among those who stand before You on that day, saying, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name?'" — and He answers, "Depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness." We want to be standing with the Lord on that day when He returns through the eastern gate, sets His foot on the Mount of Olives, and the mountain splits north and south as He comes triumphant — no longer on a donkey but on a stallion, and we with Him.

Three Responses to the Day

This day is terrible for those who do not know God and have rebelled against Him; Revelation says they will hide in the rocks and caves from its coming. For the descendants of Abraham, the children of Israel, it is the time of Jacob's trouble — not wrath but tribulation, a time of great difficulty. And for the church, for you and I who believe in Jesus, the times leading up to this day shall be perilous times.

Perilous in what way? First, the Gospel of John reveals satanic opposition. Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Paul told Timothy that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Apostasy Within the Church

Second, perilous times come through apostasy and great deception. In Matthew 24, Jesus repeatedly says, "See that you be not deceived." In 1 Timothy 4:1, Paul writes, "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." For those of us who study the Scriptures, it is hard to imagine — yet God says it will be so.

He warns again in 2 Timothy 3:1, his last letter before martyrdom: "In the last days perilous times shall come." Men will be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, "having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof." Paul says: from such turn away. The Proverbs are true — bad company corrupts good morals. It is far easier to be pulled down than to pull up.

In 2 Timothy 4, Paul charges Timothy: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season... for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." So Paul says: watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist.

Take Hope — Greater Is He

As we approach this day, satanic opposition is here and will grow worse. But greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Take hope, church — our Lord has overcome. The battle was won on the cross. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

I believe God is looking for men and women willing to go to their death standing for the Lord as Paul did. In our world the word martyr has been corrupted by the Islamic revolution, where a man who straps bombs to himself and kills innocent people is called a martyr. That is not a martyr. The Greek word martyros means a witness — a bold witness of the love, grace, and truth of God. To see a true martyr, study Stephen in Acts 7: he died not with bombs strapped to himself, but looking into heaven and seeing Christ standing to receive him as wicked men stoned him.

I recommend Foxe's Book of Martyrs to see how men and women through church history stood their ground unto death. Does that mean it is easy? Absolutely not. But Jesus gives a great promise — often taken out of context. When He said the words would be given in that very hour, the context was this: "They will take you before governors and princes and kill you for My name's sake; take no thought what you will say, for in that very hour it will be given to you." I have lain in bed wondering, "God, could I do it?" And He says, "Don't worry. In that hour the words and the strength will be given." If you ever feared you would deny Him, the Lord will give you the strength.

Watching the Prophetic Table Being Set

For years we taught that tribulation saints would be killed by beheading, and many said, "Who does that anymore?" In our day the question has been answered. We have seen such killings broadcast on the news in the name of radical Islam. I believe radical Islam plays a major part in the end-times scenario the Bible describes. Notice that every nation mentioned in end-times prophecy is an Islamic nation. Many identify Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38–39 with Russia, and I read tonight that by 2015 the majority of soldiers in the Russian army are estimated to be Muslim.

These current events line up with Scripture, just as Joel saw an event and God gave the application. Next week we will look at Zechariah 1 and the prophecy of the red horse — war — relating to the coming division of the land of Israel, where four groups come to divide it. Just yesterday an election was held in Israel, with Benjamin Netanyahu and Zippy Livni both considering a two-state solution and the dividing of the land. We need to take notice.

The church will also continue to see apostasy. Large groups now deny the second coming of the Lord — preterists and some amillennialists — saying it has already happened. But the Lord wants us to wake up and recognize that He will come again.

We Need the Outpouring of the Spirit

So what should the body of Christ do facing perilous times? First, we need the outpouring of the Spirit. In Joel 2, God promised that in the last days He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. In the Old Testament the Spirit came upon specific men for a specific time — David, Jonathan, Joshua, Moses. But in these last days God has poured out His Spirit on all flesh, and Luke 11 promises that whoever asks the Father will receive the Holy Spirit.

We need His outpouring for five reasons. First, power to be witnesses. Acts 1:8 — "You shall receive power... and you shall be witnesses unto Me." The word is martyros: bold witnesses. Second, power to understand the Scriptures. John 16:13 — the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth and show you things to come.

Third, power to glorify Christ. John 16:14 — "He shall glorify Me." Fourth, power to pray according to His will. Romans 8:26 — "The Spirit also helps in our weakness; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Fifth, power to live godly — the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

God's Stimulus Plan

We have been told for a year what we need: change we can believe in, stimulus packages. But as Joe Strafosti said during communion, we need God's stimulus plan, His bailout — we need Him to pour out His Spirit so we can be witnesses, understand the Scriptures, glorify Christ, pray according to His will, and live godly in these dark days. The media and the politicians are all wrong, and I hope many hear it.

How do we receive it? By prayer. "If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to him who asks?" Ask, and it shall be given. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened.

What We Must Pray For

First, pray for revival — that God would revive His sleeping, dead church in America and wake us up. Second, pray for a deeper working of God's Spirit in our lives. When God begins to move, He first reminds us of our sin and reveals it, so that we can confess it, repent, receive forgiveness, and be united in fellowship.

The church is greatly divided because we have not walked in the light as He is in the light — for it is as we walk in the light that we have fellowship with one another. We must come to Him with confession. Recall Isaiah 6: Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, was convicted of his sin, confessed it, was cleansed, and then heard the call and was commissioned to go. That is always the order. If you do not hear God's call tonight, perhaps you need to ask Him to reveal any wicked way in your heart.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Third, pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the coming of our God. Psalm 122:6 — "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." We should be praying for peace in the Middle East — but not asking Barack Obama, the United Nations, George Mitchell, or Hillary Clinton to bring it. We should ask God, the only one who can, the Prince of Peace. And when we pray for that peace, we are really praying for Jesus to return, because there will be no peace in the Middle East until He stands on the Mount of Olives. Revelation 22:17 — "The Spirit and the bride say, Come... even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Living in a Cool Time

We are living in perilous times. The headlines confirm what Paul described, and the prophetic table is being set — all the chess pieces are in place. So when we see persecution arising and satanic opposition against the church, we come to God and pray that He would pour out His Spirit.

Jesus said if any two agree on earth concerning anything, it will be done by our Father in heaven. We have opportunities here to gather for prayer — Wednesday mornings at six, Kelly's group on Wednesdays at noon and the prayer walk on the first Saturday of each month, Josh's prayer meeting Sunday nights at seven. I long for more and more groups to gather, because when His church asks Him to move, He moves. D.L. Moody said, "Where prayer focuses, power falls." God promised the latter rains will come — your young men and women will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams and see visions.

That is why the Lord led us into this series in the prophets — not merely to fill our minds with interesting things, but to stir us up to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in these last days, because a great harvest is coming. We are living in a cool time. I have often thought it would be neat to be part of the first-century church — but I believe we are part of the last-century church. The Lord is coming quickly. We need to be ready, seeking Him, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and reaching our community with His love and grace, because God is on the move.

Closing Prayer

Father, I thank You so much that You have given us great and precious promises in Your Word. As Paul said, all Your promises are yes and amen to the glory of our God. Lord, I ask that You would pour out Your Spirit upon this church. Pour out upon Emmanuel Faith, even though they don't believe in the gifts of the Spirit; upon Mission Hills Church, Calvary Chapel Hidden Valley, Calvary Chapel Valley Center, Horizon, and all the Calvaries and churches in this area that teach Your Word and seek Your name. And pour out upon those churches that have fallen asleep and denied that You are coming again — revive them, wake them up.

Lord, I pray that by Your Spirit You would bring conviction of sin, as You did in the book of Acts when men were cut to the heart, crying, "What must we do?"; as You did in the days of George Whitefield, when thousands lay on the ground crying out to You; as in the days of Wesley, Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, and the early days of Billy Graham. Move powerfully through Your church — not so that our names would be remembered, but that Your name would be lifted and exalted.

Father, we want to see people come to the knowledge of the truth. The harvest is plentiful; send forth Your laborers. Equip us, ready us, give us boldness by Your Spirit — power to witness, power to understand the Scriptures, power to glorify You, power to pray in accordance with Your will, and power to live in righteousness and godliness. For we ask it in the mighty and precious name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.