Joel 2:31, says the moon will also take on special significance
during the time leading up to "the day of the Lord":
"The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon into blood
before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord".
Throughout the Old Testament we have read about God's judgment on His people and on their enemies time after time. However, Joel warns of the final culmination of the judgment of God and "the day of the Lord". This will occur in the future and is a reality. God advises elders and all inhabitants of the land to listen to the message He is giving Joel (Joel 1:2). God asks Joel whether anything like this has happened in his days or in the days of his fathers. God says to "tell your children about it, let your children tell their children, and their children another generation" (v. 3). God says it will be a time without joy, "Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men" (v. 12).
God even instructs what people should do when this time occurs, "Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as destruction from the Almighty" (v.14, 15). God wants people to know this is coming. In chapter 2, He says to "blow the trumpet in Zion (the church), and sound an alarm in My holy mountain!" In verse 2, God describes it as "a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness". In verse 32, God says, "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved".
The Life Application Study Bible lists the "key verses" in Joel as 2:12, 13. God advises to "Turn to Me with all your heart. . . for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness". (God advises turning to Him in many different situations throughout the Bible.) Chapter 3, verse 14, focuses on "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. . But the Lord will be a shelter for His people" (v. 16). The purpose for such a dark day of judgment? "So you shall know that I am the Lord your God" (v. 17). God advises us to "choose life" when "valleys of decision" present themselves (Deuteronomy 30:19).
In Psalm 140:7, we read what God says happens when we trust Him. "You have covered my head in the day of battle". Proverbs 29:24, reminds me of what a counselor once said. He said before becoming involved with someone, consider what that person is bringing into my life. I am not doing myself (my life) any favors by becoming "a partner with a thief".
In Revelation, I am reminded that Jesus knows all about what goes on in His church. He is very aware of my strengths and my weaknesses. To the church in Ephesus He says this, "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil . . .you have persevered and have patience and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary" (v. 2, 3). God also speaks to Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira---praising them for their strengths and offering correction for their weaknesses. He points out what they need to do in order to correct the problems that hinder them in their relationship with God and doing His work. He tells those in Ephesus and Pergamos to repent (v. 5). He encourages Smyrna, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer" (v. 10). He warns those in Thyatira that unless the sin of sexual immorality is addressed by repentance that those involved will be cast "into great tribulation" (v. 20-22).
Jesus is clearly identified in this passage, "These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamps" (v.1). Again in verse 12, Christ identifies Himself: "These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword". And again in verse 18, "These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass". Although the book of Revelation may seem challenging at times, it is also profitable for me just as 2 Timothy 3:16, says. It also comes with a blessing: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Rev. 1:3).
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