1. JOEL MP3 course 9 th April 2011

2. Introduction Going deep in the book of Joel is essential for the Body of Christ today because of the undeniable relevance of its message for the critical hour of history in which we are living. Although we are not yet in this crisis, it is only moments away (possibly several decades). Joel lived during the golden period of King Uzziah’s 52 years extended rule. His was the time of great expansion in every aspect: militarily, administratively, commercially, and economically. Traditionally called the "Prophet of Pentecost," since his prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit (2:28ff.) is quoted by Peter (Acts 2:16) as being fulfilled at Pentecost, Joel was the kind of man who could see the eternal in the temporal. The occasion of his message was a devastating locust plague, which he interpreted as foreboding the Day of the Lord when God would act directly to punish His people for their sins. Joel calls upon the people of Judah to repent, promising that repentance will bring God’s blessings, material and spiritual.

3. Timeline Map (830 – 750 BC)

4. Understanding of Joel’s time

5. Overview of Joel’s Message 1. Joel 1 – a natural disaster (agricultural crisis) 2. Joel 2:1-11 – a military crisis (Babylonian invasion of Israel as a type of the Antichrist’s empire) 3. Joel 2:12-17 – the response that God requires in order to release protection and blessing 4. Joel 2:18-31 – the breakthrough of God’s blessing (agriculturally, militarily, spiritually) 5. Joel 3 – God’s punishment of His enemies (end-time Gentile nations attacking Israel) Five of the 19 explicit references to the “day of the Lord” in the Old Testament are found in this short book (1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). His predictions, prophesying were for the people of his time but most happened 100 years later (Babylon), at Pentecostal, 70AD, 400AD, During Quakers time, Revival movement in 1967 etc and finally in Revelation book

11. Conclusion This is exactly what had happened during Joel’s time. Much of their time was spent in merrymaking and drinking orgies as Joel tells them, “Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; wail because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips” (1:5). The Spiritual Condition? What does material prosperity bring? Spiritual poverty and religious formalism. Is it possible to bring the attention of the people who are fainted in enjoyment of life? “ The most uncomfortable place for a Christian is the comfortable place”