The Daily Word of Righteousness

Joel's Army

Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. (Habakkuk 3:11—NIV)

You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. (Zechariah 14:5—NIV)

"The LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him." Christ and His army will descend from Heaven to deliver Israel from Antichrist, to judge the hypocrites in Israel and in the Christian churches, and to establish righteousness and praise in the earth. This is the Battle of Armageddon, the attack of Joel's army.

Several passages of the Scriptures speak of the coming of the army of the Lord, an invincible army with the Lord Jesus Christ at the head. The army of the Lord will occupy the thrones in the air that govern the spiritual environment of the world. The army will be filled with the Holy Spirit and by the power of Christ will drive Satan and all his works from the face of the earth. Then nature will break forth into singing and the trees of the field will clap their hands with joy.

The description given in the second chapter of the Book of Joel portrays the army in a manner that really resonates in the hearts of many believers today.

Some are saying that the context of Joel's description, as well as the passage itself, shows that we must restrict our interpretation to an invasion of locusts. But the Spirit of God in us makes us know that hidden in this passage is truth concerning the Kingdom of God.

A literalist could "prove beyond doubt" that the Song of Solomon refers to a local affair of King Solomon. Solomon is referred to directly. But Spirit-filled people through the centuries have known that concealed in the Song of Solomon is a love letter to the Bride of the Lamb.

One can "prove" from the text that the second chapter of Joel is speaking only of locusts and the Song of Solomon is referring to the amorous adventures of Solomon. But the saints know better. They can't "prove" their position from the texts (and yet they can!). They just know better!

And that's probably the way God meant it to be.

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—NIV)

Today the trumpet is sounding in Zion. The alarm is being blown and the members of the Body of Christ in Heaven and on earth are responding. The Body is one whether in Heaven or on the earth. The Word of God always comes forth from the earth, tried by fire seven times in earthen vessels. In this manner God's intention is made known to the heavens.

To be continued.