The first 9 verses of Joel chapter 2 undoubtedly describe another army, the second in this short little Prophecy. The army of Joel chapter 1 consisted of insects, “locusts” to be more precise. An “invasion of epic proportions,” they used to say!

But chapter 2 is different. These warriors are human, at least perhaps so! You will soon know why I allow the possibility of supernatural goings-on here.

Now read with me our Text: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 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: 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. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.” Again, this is Joel 2:1-9.

There has been some advance notice of the attack. Warning is given, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble.” One can just feel the nation-wide “terror.”

But look. The whole event is being labeled “the Day of the Lord!” Always a Bible expression denoting “judgment.” And a term Joel uses at least 5 times! Ultimately, the Hand of God is behind these men, these soldiers!

Next, of the army: “a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.” Again I ask, or wonder … “human or otherwise?” We all know that the military firepower of today’s armed forces outdistance those of Joel’s day, and that by an immeasurable margin.

Fire belches both “before” and “after” them! (Reminds me of the demon locust invasion of the Book of Revelation! “And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.” Revelation 9:17, note the similarities.)

Consider also in Joel 2:3 the historical reference to “the Garden of Eden.” (If this amazing Text can reach all the way back to Creation … can it not also reach forward all the way to Armageddon?) One preacher quipped: “Before them it was like Eden, behind them, death valley!”

And while Joel 2:4-5 can certainly be a poetic description of an ancient army … “the appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array” … so can this be a description of any one of numerous attacks Bible prophecy yet reveals in the future of planet earth.

And what exactitude they display! “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: 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. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.” And what a writer Joel is, inspired of God of course.

I am beginning to believe that the prophet here is being a bit ambiguous, on purpose. This paragraph certainly can be a depiction of either the Assyrian or the Babylonian invasion of Jewish history … an merciless attack on ancient Israel or Judah.

But it can (equally) I think be a description of a yet future attack in the coming days of antichrist!

Folks, this is the very nature of much Old Testament Bible prophecy. It may have a more local view, a sooner fulfillment … right alongside a more world-wide, long-range view. God knows both the “sooner” and the “later” of all our lives!

Then tomorrow, the Lord willing … I will show you more reasons why Joel chapter 2 may be “Tribulational” in view.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell