JOEL CHAPTER 1 Teeth in the Wind QA

JOEL CHAPTER 1 Teeth in the Wind Q&A

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 1. Why do you think Joel was chosen as a topic of study? • Chapters 2&3 are prophecies that apply to our time in the near future. • Studying Joel gives us vision, faith, exhortation, warning and the hope of being welcomed into the coming kingdom of God. – Proverbs 29: 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 2. How do we conclude that Joel was written at the beginning of Josiah's reign in about 630 B. C. ? A. Joel 1: 14 shows that the temple hadn't yet been destroyed. • • Joel 1: 14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Therefore written before 600 BC when God’s house was destroyed. B. Because Joel makes no mention of the Northern kingdom (Israel) it is thought that it had already been carried captive by Assyria from 734 -732 BC. C. Because Joel 1: 2 says four generations and “old men” who would see the temple being rebuilt and four generations from Ezra 3: 12 goes back to the time of Josiah.

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 3. Joel is a Hebrew compound word from what two titles of God? [page 4 in commentary] • A. Yahweh • B. El

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 4. What is the difference between grasshoppers and locusts? [try google] • Locusts are the swarming phase of certain species of short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. These insects are usually solitary, but under certain circumstances become more abundant and change their behaviour and upon crowding change habits color, forming swarms and become gregarious.

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 5. Locusts are symbolic of what in Bible prophecy? • (Hint – see Rev. 9: 7 -9) – Revelation 9: 7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. • An army of men

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 6. Khalil's father [ see the commentary page 5] called the locusts "Teeth of the Wind". Why is this a such a good description of locusts? – Because locust sound like an army of modern helicopters as coming in the wind.

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 7. What are the differences between the descriptions of locusts given by the National Geographic magazine article [page 5 in commentary] and that in Joel 2: 7, 8? – Joel 2: 7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. – A. Locust thrust each other. – Locusts struggle for room while Joel 2: 8 says – B. "neither do they thrust another". Locust are “wounded” by each other.

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 8. How many Babylonian invasions of Jerusalem and Judah are noted in 2 Kings chapters 24 and 25? [commentary • p. 6 -7] Answer: Four • • (Yes or No) Answer: Yes • Could these invasions fit Joel's description in Joel 1: 4 of four stages of locusts? (See pages 5 -6. in the commentary)

Joel Section 1 Questions & Answers 9. What animal symbols does scripture use to describe the following empires? [p. 9] • Babylon – Lion – Jer. 5: 6; Dan. 7: 4 -7; Rev. 13: 1 -2 • Persian – Bear – Dan. 7: 4 -7; Rev. 13: 1 -2 • Grecian • – Leopard – Jer. 5: 6; Dan. 7: 4 -7; Rev. 13: 1 -2 Roman – Wolf - Jer. 5: 6

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 1. List some questions that come to mind reading Joel chapter 2. A. In Joel 2: 1 -11, is this a mortal or immortal army? B. Who is the "northern army" in Joel 2: 20? C. How does this relate to chapter one? • Hint: Is there any identification with this army to the army of locust in Joel 1? D. Could a mortal army fall on a sword and not be wounded? Joel 2: 8

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 2. What is meant when we say a Bible prophecy has a partial and a full fulfilment? [See pages 8790 in the commentary. ] – That the prophecy has more than one fulfillment. This happens often with Bible Prophecy. Since Scripture is written for not only the times of the prophet but for those of future ages.

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 3. In Joel 2: 28 -32 give the verses which have been partially fulfilled in Acts 2: 17 -21 and then list the verses that will have a full fulfilment at Jesus' return. [See Appendix section in the commentary - pages 87 -90] – Joel 2: 28 -31 have a partial fulfilment in Acts 2: 17 -21 and a full fulfilment after Armageddon and before the “great and terrible day of the Lord” come. – Joel 2: 32 the last part of v. 32 is future therefore the blue part is not quoted in Acts 2: 17 -21 for Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans. – Joel 2: 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. – Acts 2: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 4. What is God's purpose in giving prophecies that have a partial and a full fulfilment? – – Scripture is written for not only the times of the prophet but for those of future ages. To give vision that we do not perish and to give incentive to search the Bible for in finding, faith is built. • Proverbs 29: 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: … • Matthew 13: 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 5. What is the downside to partial and full fulfilment in Bible prophecy? • It makes the prophecy more difficult to interpret. • People's faith can be shaken when not all details are fulfilled the first time. – An example is Tyre which was destroyed long before the ground was scraped off by Alexander the Great, finishing the full fulfilment of the prophecy.

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 6. T/F The army in Joel 2: 1 -11 isn't the same as the "northern army" in Joel 2: 20. – (Answer: True) – List five reasons that support your answer. A. Joel 2: 3 "nothing shall escape" this army. B. Joel 2: 5 “leap like a flame of fire” C. Joel 2: 8 "sword, shall not be wounded" D. Joel 2: 9 “run upon the wall” E. Joel 2: 9 “enter in at the windows”

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 7. Why would we care if the army in Joel 2: 1 -11 is an immortal army? – If this is an immortal army we could be part of it for it will be made up of Christ's saints. – Jesus and his saints will confront the nations attacking Israel in Ezekiel 38. • Psalm 149: 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

COMING EVENTS 1. Jesus’ return as a thief Rev. 16: 15 2. Resurrection/Judgment Dan. 12: 2 3. Marriage Christ/saints Rev. 19: 7 -9 4. Armageddon Joel 2: 1 -10 5. Jesus king, Gog buried Joel 2: 20 6. Gospel preached Joel 2: 23 7. Spirit gifts given Joel 2: 28, 29 8. Jesus seen as the Antichrist. 9. Great and terrible day, Joel 2: 31 * Background – 10 Millennium Joel chapter 3 Joel 3: 18 Points 6 - 9 are the full fulfillment in Joel 2: 28 -31.

Joel Secton 2 Questions & Answers 8. Give at least two scriptures that show the saints will no longer be passive at Jesus' return. A. 2 Thessalonians 1: 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: B. Psalm 149: 7 -9 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Joel Section 2 Questions & Answers 9. T/F Christadelphians are pacifists? – Answer: False – John 18: 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. • Look up the definition in the dictionary of “pacifist. ” Write it here: – Someone who opposes violence as a means of settling disputes.

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 1 What is meant by being "reasonably firm" when it comes to interpreting Bible prophecy? [see page 21 in the commentary] • One has to be reasonably firm in stating the interpretation of the prophecy otherwise the prophecy provides no vision. At the same time one needs to realize our limitations for God changes the times and seasons. – Daniel 2: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 2. List at least three reasons why it is not wise to predict the date of Jesus' return. A. Matthew 25: 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. B. Dan. 2: 21 says that God changes the times and seasons. C. Matthew 24: 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 3. What do you think it means in Joel 2: 13 that people should "rend hearts and not garments"? – Joel 2: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: … – Rending garments are an outward show to be seen by people. Rending the heart is inward showing the person and seen by God.

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 4. What will it take today for people to rend their heart as the "day of the LORD" approaches? • It will take a king, greater than king Josiah, namely the Lord Jesus Christ. • Even when Jesus comes to convince the world, using great power and signs, many will reject him because of a “strong delusion” (2 Thes. 2: 11) believing Jesus to be the Antichrist. This will bring “the great and terrible day of the LORD" in Joel 2: 31. – Joel 2: 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 5. • T/F Joel 2: 19 -23 takes place when the millennial kingdom of God comes upon earth. 1. Joel 2: 20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, …with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. Answer: False – Now state the reason: (Hint Joel 2: 31) – Joel 2: 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. – Joel 2: 21 -29 comes after Armageddon and after the gospel goes out to the whole world and after the spirit gifts are in the earth again.

Suggested COMING EVENTS 1. Jesus’ return as a thief Rev. 16: 15 2. Resurrection/Judgment Dan. 12: 2 3. Marriage Christ/saints Rev. 19: 7 -9 4. Armageddon Joel 2: 1 -10 5. Jesus king, Gog buried Joel 2: 20 6. Gospel preached Joel 2: 23 7. Spirit gifts given Joel 2: 28, 29 8. Jesus seen as the Antichrist. 9. Great and terrible day, Joel 2: 31 * Background – 10 Millennium Joel chapter 3 Joel 3: 18 Points 7 - 9 are the full fulfillment in Joel 2: 28 -31.

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 6. What are the Hebrew words for "palmerworm", "locust", "cankerworm" and "caterpillar"? [commentary p. 26] – – Palmerworm = “gazam” Locust = “arbelim” Cankerworm = “yalek” Caterpillar = “chesil”

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 7 List the numerical value of the consonant letters that make up the following Hebrew words. [see commentary p. 26] – Palmerworm is 50 – Locust is 208 – Cankerworm is 140 – Caterpillar is 108

WHY THE DIFFICULTY IN TRANSLATING “gazam”, “arbelim”, “yelek” and “chesil”? This has APPLICATION beyond Babylon! HISTORY Numerical V Value Israel subject to Babylon from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus 589 -539 B. C. Persia ruled from B. C. 538 -330 until Alexander. The Greeks ruled Israel from 330 -190 B. C. when the Jews rebelled under the Maccabees. 50 208 140 Rome ruled from 38 108 B. C. to A. D. 70 when Israel carried away. How does this build faith?

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 8. How does Dr. Thomas translate Joel 2: 23 and why the difference? [p. 28] • Joel 2: 23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for hath given you the (teacher of righteousness) and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. • The difference is that Dr. Thomas sees not only the literal meaning of v. 23 but the spiritual meaning as well in seeing Jesus here.

Joel Section 3 Questions & Answers 9. How should we modify our behaviour today based on what we have learned from Dr. Thomas' translation of Joel 2: 23? – V. 23 “for he has given to you the Teacher of Righteousness, and he shall cause to descend for you a rain; a teacher and a latter rain in the first month” – We too have been given the “Teacher of Righteousness” and can read all about him in the Bible. We need to follow him and obey his commandments.

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 1. Three keys are listed which help establish the sequence of events from Jesus' return as a thief to the millennial age. What is the middle key? [commentary p. 30, 31] A. Fitting in how Jesus' return is described both as a "thief" and as "lightning". B. Knowing there are two harvest. The “grain harvest” (Armageddon) and the “grape harvest” (on Babylon the Great). C. Knowing the difference between the: "marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev. 19: 9) and the "supper of the Great God“ Rev. 19: 17; Eze. 39: 17 -20. – The middle key is “B” knowing their will be two harvest. The first is upon Gog (Eze. 38) and the second is upon Babylon the Great ( Rev. 16: 17 -21).

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 2. (T/F) The New Testament in total warns three times that Jesus returns as a thief. • Answer: If false, how many times? [Hint: look up “thief” in the concordance. • False – 7 times!

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 3. What is the Hebrew meaning of Armageddon and which harvest does it correspond to? [commentary p. 31 – near the bottom of the page, or see p. 45] – Armageddon means: Heap of sheaves in the valley of judgment. • Sheaves are grain and this judgment corresponds to the "grain" harvest as compared to the grape harvest which comes later.

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 4. Both Ezekiel chapter 39: 17 -18 and Revelation 19: 17 -18 describe the "Supper of the Great God". What does this supper involve and when will it take place? • (See commentary p. 35 plus this hint “fowls” symbolizes nations) • This super involves a call to the nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat to join Jesus and his saints in subduing the nations who see Jesus as the Antichrist. Those nations that answer this call will eat up (take over) those nations who oppose Jesus and the saints.

Joel Section 4 -- Q&A 5. For each item A. through D. below, state whether the event takes place before or after Jesus returns as a thief. [see commentary • • pp. 36 -37] A. The rebirth of the Israeli nation. – Answer: We now know this takes place before Jesus' return for Israel became a nation in 1948. B. Israel possessing territory in Lebanon up to Zarephath. – Answer: Israel in 1982 did control Southern Lebanon but they have since withdrawn from this area. We therefore can't say if the full fulfilment of this prophecy is before or after Jesus returns as a thief. C. Isaiah chapter 19. – Answer: Isa. 19: 2, 4 may take place before Jesus returns as a thief. Verses 17, 18, 20, 23 are after Jesus returns as a thief. D. Isaiah chapter 17. – Answer: This can’t be determine in the future full fulfillment. It could takes place before or after Jesus returns as a thief.

10 yrs. 40 yrs. ? Damascus laid heaps, Isa. 17: 1 1. Jesus’ return as a thief Rev. 16: 15 2. Resurrection & Judgment Dan 12: 1 3. World chaos Isa. 17: 1? 4. Armageddon Mt. 24: 27; Rev. 16: 16 5. Jesus returns seen as lightning 6. Gospel preached, Joel 2: 23. 7. Spirit gifts/Temple built Joel 2: 28 8. Supper of the Great God Eze. 39: 20 9. Great and terrible day, Joel 2: 31 * Background – Joel chapter 3 10 Millennium Rev. 20: 4; Joel 3: 18; Psa. 72 Micah 7: 15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show unto him marvellous things. Psalm 48: 5 They saw it (temple), and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 6. How do these scriptures support there is a 50 year period from Jesus' return as a "thief" and the beginning of the kingdom age. [commentary p. 39] A. Leviticus 25: 8 -11 a jubilee shall be 50 years and God works in cycles and using Isa. 61: 2 with Eze. 46: 17 “ the year of liberty, it is interpreted that it is a 50 year period from Jesus’ return as a thief till the millennium begins. – Ezekiel 46: 17 But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; after it shall return to the prince: . . . B. Micah 7: 14 -16 is after Armageddon when natural Israel is gathered from the nations and brought into their land. This is a 40 year period since it is liken to the days of the “coming out of Egypt. ”

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 7. Today there are different ideas as to where Mt. Sinai is located. First show why it makes a difference and then support where you think it is located. [See appendix #2 p. 91] • First it makes a difference since scriptures suggest that the judgment seat will take place in this area, Deu. 33: 2; Hab. 3: 3; Psa. 68: 17. • Reasons for that shown in Appendix #2 is Ex. 13: 18 “through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea” and Gal. 4: 25 “Mt. Sinai in Arabia” plus the timing of 48 days to reach Mt. Sinai, Ex. 19: 1.

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 8. Joel 2: 28 -29 speaks of God's blessings being poured out throughout the world. In our suggested sequence, give one major event that precedes these blessings and one that which follows. [see commentary p. 48] – Joel 2: 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy …, – The returned Jesus sets up in Jerusalem after destroying Gog (Joel 2: 20; Eze. 38) which would be before Joel 2: 28. – Joel 2: 31 the “great and terrible day of the LORD comes after Joel 2: 28

10 yrs. 40 yrs. ? Damascus laid heaps, Isa. 17: 1 1. Jesus’ return as a thief Rev. 16: 15 2. Resurrection & Judgment Dan 12: 1 3. World chaos Isa. 17: 1? 4. Armageddon Mt. 24: 27; Rev. 16: 16 5. Jesus returns seen as lightning 6. Gospel preached, Joel 2: 23. 7. Spirit gifts/Temple built Joel 2: 28 8. Supper of the Great God Eze. 39: 20 9. Great and terrible day, Joel 2: 31 * Background – Joel chapter 3 10 Millennium Rev. 20: 4; Joel 3: 18; Psa. 72 Micah 7: 15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show unto him marvellous things. Psalm 48: 5 They saw it (temple), and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

Joel Section 4 Questions & Answers 9. Joel 3: 8 solves the Palestinian problem. In our suggested sequence, give the major event that precedes Joel 3: 8 and that which follows. [refer to commentary p. 49] – Joel 3: 8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it. – This is thought to happen after Russia makes its headquarters in Jerusalem, Dan. 11: 45. The Palestinians take advantage and “sell” (Joel 3: 2) the defeated Jews among the nations. – – – “sell” as in Judg. 3: 8; 4: 2; 10: 7 “Grecians” as in Gal. 3: 28. Upon Jesus defeating Russia he will set up his headquarters in Jerusalem and deport the Palestinians to “the Sabeans” (Yemen).

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 1. Who is in "the midst of Israel" in Joel 2: 27? Who are the people who will no more be "ashamed"? Does this happen before the millennial kingdom age begins? [p. 56] 1. Joel 2: 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. A. Jesus is set up as King in Israel’s midst, Lk. 1: 32. B. The Jews who have come through the Goggian invasion and have been scattered again into the nations have returned and will no more be "ashamed". C. Yes before Millennial kingdom for the 7 th vial upon Babylon the Great is yet to be poured out.

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 2. Why is it so important to make the millennial kingdom age vision as real as possible? (Hint: Proverbs 29: 18) – Proverbs 29: 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. – Without the hope of the Bible it is easy to follow 1 Cor 15: 32. • 1 Corinthians 15: 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 3. List five things you are looking forward to doing in the Millennial Kingdom Age. • Answers will vary. A. Having a body full of energy to carry out great ideas. B. Being able to change the behaviour of the lion so that a little child can lead and ride it. C. Being able to say the right thing at the right time and being perfectly understood. E. Never being sick and not having to sleep. . D. Being able to fly swiftly, Dan. 9: 21.

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 4. Why will God allow Gog and Magog to again attain political power at the end of the Millennial Age? – God's plan is designed to give mankind a choice. To accomplish this there is at the end of the Millennial Age a rebellion. • Revelation 20: 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Joel Section Questions & Answers 5. T/F The "great and terrible day of the LORD" in Joel 2: 31 is the "great and dreadful day of the LORD" in Mal. 4: 5 and this day follows "the day of LORD" in Joel 2: 1. – True for the “day of the LORD” in Joel 2: 1 is Armageddon, (Rev. 16: 16) and this is followed by Rev. 16: 17 -19 the “great and dreadful day of the LORD” on Babylon the Great.

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 6. Provide the “C” and “D” reasons that will cause many nations to oppose Jesus when he sits upon the throne of his father David. [commentary p. 61] A. "strong delusion" that Jesus is the Antichrist, 2 Thes 2: 11. B. The pouring out of the holy spirit gifts will be seen as the power of Satan. C. Human nature will cause them to resist any lost of power. D. (Hint, Psa. 2: 6) They will not want to submit to the king God has set up in Jerusalem. 1. Psalm 2: 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 2. Psalm 2: 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 7. How did the Catholic Church counter the claim that they were "Babylon the Great"? – They had their Jesuit priests write a future interpretation of the Revelation which included a future Antichrist as the incarnation of Satan, who would rule the world from Jerusalem.

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 8. What was the pen name that the Jesuit priest Lacunza used for his book entitled: “The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty” and why did he use this name? [commentary p. 62] – The pen name was Ben Ezra. – The reason was if the Protestant Churches had thought it came from a Catholic they wouldn’t have read let alone swallowed this future interpretation of the Revelation.

Joel Section 5 Questions & Answers 9. [See chart p. 63 commentary] This part-truth sequence chart creates a “strong delusion", list the three major differences which show the Antichrist theory is incorrect. A. Item 4, Christ's capital will be Jerusalem, Lk. 1: 35. There is no scripture showing that the Antichrist's capital will be Jerusalem. B. Israel will accept Jesus as their King, Zec. 12: 10. C. In sequence, Armageddon is well before the Millennium. Joel 2: 20 -31 outlines a number of events in sequence which occur before the Millennium but this doesn’t include Jesus being seen as the incarnation of Satan, the Antichrist. 1. This “strong delusion” comes from a false understanding of Satan, Antichrist and the false belief of Lacunza in his book “ “The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty. ”

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 1. What are the seven "thunders" and when do they take place? – The seven thunders in Rev. 10: 3 are God's judgments coming upon the earth. They will happen after Jesus returns and the gospel being preached throughout the world. After this many nations will take council against Jesus seeing him as the Antichrist. The seven thunders then are poured out over a 30 year period and after this the millennial kingdom of God begins.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 2. When are "those days" when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem in Joel 3: 1? (First give the usual answer and then support your answer with scripture. ) • Joel 3: 1 is usually interpreted as the days when "the captivity of Judah" became a nation in 1948 and when all of Jerusalem was captured by Israel in 1967. • This doesn't fit for Joel 2 begins with the army of saints and end with the “great and terrible day” (Joel 2: 31) upon Babylon the Great. [see commentary p. 67] – “those days” will be when Jesus sits on David’s throne (Lk. 1: 32) and “utters” his commands from Jerusalem, Joel 3: 16. This leads to the Image (Dan. 2) “great Babylon” standing up against Jesus and the “terrible day of the LORD.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 3. What is meant by the term the valley of Jehoshaphat? [commentary p. 68] – The valley of Jehoshaphat is where God will summon the nations and will judge them, (Mt. 25: 32). – The name Jehoshaphat means God will judge and seen from Joel 3: 14 involves a judicial decision or verdict. The goat nations (Mt. 25: 32) will resist taking counsel together bringing on the “great and terrible day of the LORD” in Joel 2: 31.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 4. T/F The valley of Jehoshaphat and the Hebrew meaning for Armageddon (heap of sheaves in the valley of judgment) both describe a narrow valley where God rains upon the nations overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone as described in Ezekiel 38: 22. Show why this answer is false: See [commentary p. 68, 69] – False and supported by the word “valley” because in Hebrew it is the word “emec” and not “gay” which forms part of the word Armageddon.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 5. T/F The nations will not like the solution to the Palestinian problem in Joel 3: 8 and will take crafty counsel against Israel and the saints. [commentary p. 77] 1. Joel 3: 8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it. 2. True but the nations will be divided and not all will be Babylon the Great which includes Psalm 83 listing ten nations that will take counsel against Israel and the “hidden ones” (saints). Also Psalm 2 says the kings of the earth will also take counsel and oppose Jesus however Rev. 19: 21 speaks of “fowls” (nations) who will come to the “supper of the great God” and eat up those nations who do not come. 3.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 6. The "press" and "fats" in Joel 3: 13 indicate which judgment vial in Revelation chapter 16? [commentary p. 79] 1. 2. 3. Joel 3: 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Answer: The 7 th vial (Rev. 16: 17 -21) This shows this is not Armageddon which ends the 6 th vial but the judgment of Great Babylon as detailed in the 7 th vial in Rev. 16: 17 -21. “Press” is used in pressing grapes to make wine. This indicates the wine harvest also the Hebrew word for “fats” is “yeh-keb” which is translated 10 times winepresses in the KJV while fats is just twice.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 7. – – What is the meaning of the "sun" and "moon" being darkened in Joel 3: 15? [pp. 79 -80] Joel 3: 15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. This is figurative and speaks of the political heaven which here lose power. The “sun” is the political power, the “moon” is the religious reflecting power and the “stars” the statesmen. This type of language is often used in Bible prophecy throughout scripture as in Isaiah 1: 2, 10; 34: 4 -6; 65: 17. Joel 3: 15 describes the Gentile political heaven losing power to Christ and his saints who are ruling from Jerusalem the throne of Jesus, Lk. 1: 32 -35.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 8. How does Joel 3: 16 establish the timing of Joel chapter 3? Why is this important to see? • Joel 3: 16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. – For Jesus to roar out of Zion, he must be set up in Zion. This means verse 16 takes place after his return when he is ruling in Jerusalem with great authority, ready to shake the whole political order of the world. – This is important to see because it establishes the context of Joel 3 as after Armageddon.

Joel Section 6 Questions & Answers 9. T/F Joel 3: 17 -20 describe the millennial kingdom age when Eden will be restored and Jesus and his saints will rule a world that is at peace and with the nations worshipping in Jerusalem. • Answer: True – May it be our blessing to be kings and priests in this new and wonderful world to come, Rev. 5: 10.